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This Tiny Texas Farmhouse Lives Large
Don’t let the size fool you: Even though every room is less than 200 square feet, this restored farmhouse is packed with pattern and patina.
When the dilapidated, old farmhouse went up for sale next door to Becca and David McDowell’s farm in Muldoon, Texas (population 114), they had no intention of taking on a reno project. But Becca couldn’t shake the idea that she could turn the crumbling circa-1870s structure into something for the ages, even if she was alone in that belief. “Everyone, including David, told me that it needed to be torn down,” she says.
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Undeterred, she began looking for a team of like-minded folks who could see beyond the shambles (a lack of indoor plumbing, a family of buzzards living in the attic...) and appreciate the positives (original shiplap, red cedar floors) of the 1,003-square-foot structure.
Enter contractor Steve Shroyer and Houston-based interior designer Kelley Brown, who spent a year on the top-to-bottom renovation that maximized every square inch, including converting the unfinished attic into a bunk room. Although there were plenty of challenges along the way (including moving the whole structure 100 yards to take better advantage of the rolling landscape), the trio never doubted that the sweet, forgotten farmhouse was destined for bigger, better things.
Keep reading to see how this tiny farmhouse lives large.
BEFORE
The ramshackle farmhouse hadn’t been touched in nearly 70 years. “It was literally falling to the ground,” says Becca.
Keep the Exterior Crisp
“I knew we had the right contractor when Steve saw the dilapidated house and his only comment was, ‘Well, this is a jewel.’ ” says Becca. Now all shined up, a new metal standing-seam metal roof accentuates the A-frame shape of the classic Texas farmhouse, while the timeless crisp white and black palette lets the surrounding Texas landscape deliver the color. A new front porch that runs the length of the home provides a welcoming gathering spot for visiting family and friends.
Get the Look:
Siding Paint Color: Extra White by Sherwin-Williams
Trim Paint Color: Tricorn Black by Sherwin-Williams
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Rethink Your Rooms
The 168-square-foot living space is so tight that the homeowners chose to outfit it with wicker chairs from Laurie’s Home Furnishings and a vintage bistro table/game table from Old World Antieks as opposed to a traditional sofa setup. In lieu of a dining room, they opened part of a wall to let in more natural light and create a three- seat mini bar/dining area.
Get the Look:
Wall and Ceiling Paint Color: Greek Villa by Sherwin-Williams
Stick to a Palette
Look no further than a classic yellowware bowl for proof that blue and yellow make for a timeless country combo, seen here in the 98-square-foot galley kitchen featuring canary-yellow cabinets and quilt-like cement tiles. The petite 20-inch electric range maximizes cabinet space.
Get the Look:
Cabinetry Paint Color: Honey Bees by Sherwin-Williams
Backsplash Tile: “Tangier Primero” cement tiles by Villa Lagoon
RELATED: The Best Yellow Paint Colors That’ll Look Gorgeous in Any Room
Right Size Your Appliances
At two feet wide, an extra-slim refrigerator makes a big impact in the tiny kitchen.
Get the Look:
Refrigerator: '50s-Style Retro Refrigerator by SMEG
BEFORE
Carve Out a “Closet”
When closets are in short supply—as in nonexistent—a vintage clothing rack (from Golden Monkey Antiques & Interiors, 281-455-6302) maintains order in the 170-square-foot master bedroom. A vintage trunk from StillGoode at the foot of the bed serves as a makeshift linen closet stocked with extra towels and pillows.
Bask in the Light
At 114 square feet, the so-called “big” bathroom (formerly a bedroom!) begged for a little extravagance. “I liked the idea of having a beautiful cast-iron bathtub in front of those windows,” says Becca. Unfortunately, 100-plus-year-old floors couldn’t support heavy cast-iron, so she went with a fiberglass option. Neutral woven window treatments allow for modesty without blocking all the happy sunlight.
Get the Look:
Bathtub: “The Duchess” by Restoria Bathtubs
RELATED: 30+ Creative Clawfoot Tub Ideas
BEFORE
Use Every Inch
No space goes unused, including the makeshift mudroom near the back door, where guests are encouraged to kick off their boots.
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Embrace Airy Bed Frames
In small quarters, like this 154-square-foot guest room, upholstered pieces tend to eat up a lot of visual space. Here, white metal twin beds, inspired by the classic Jenny Lind silhouette, beautifully blend with the paneled walls while allowing for the sentimental antique settee to anchor the room. Low-profile round tables continue the clean-lined approach, and a striped rug serves up more clever eye trickery.
Get the Look:
Beds: Monarch Hill Wren by Little Seeds
Finish the Attic
In order to host the number of guests they wanted, the McDowells couldn’t let any inch go unutilized. Hence the full reno of the 170-square-foot bunk room. Accessible only via the outdoor staircase, the sleep-a-crowd room has four custom built-ins, each outfitted with a ledge “nightstand” and drawers that house linens. A sunny assortment of quilts creates continuity with the other spaces.
Play With Scale
Much of the 85-square-foot bathroom consists of the walk-in shower—an essential after a day spent in the Texas countryside. Its generous size allows for another quilt-like motif: the large-scale 10”-by-10” floor-to-ceiling tiles balanced by the smaller-scale yellow tiles.
RELATED: 50+ Best Bathroom Tile Ideas That’ll Liven Up Your Washroom
Build In a Nook
Who says a reading nook requires a window? Built-in seating in the 130-square-foot attic landing offers a cozy place to read a book. A colorful vinyl “tile” rug can handle occasional morning coffee spills.
Get the Look:
Rug: Pattern 33 by Spicher and Company
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