Modern Farmhouse Meets Family Heirlooms: How to Find Your Style


Hi there, Friends! Anyone who's watched an episode of Fixer Upper understands why farmhouse style is all the rage. While I love the show and admire the style, I'm not a fan of the mass produced frenzy to replicate the look. As with any style, it is best achieved over time, mixing new loves with cherished family favorites. The photos I'm sharing today are from my friend's home. I was so impressed with how effortlessly she paired new and old, I just had to share...

pairing modern farmhouse and family heirlooms

I'm referring to my best friend, Carly--by now you probably feel like you know her too. With both of our extended families living out of town, we spend a lot of time together. Carly and her hubby bought their first house about a year and half ago. Since then, they've been busy making it a home. You may remember the charming deacon's bench and rustic sign she found in Round Top.


pairing modern farmhouse with family heirlooms



As I mentioned before, Carly has paired her love of farmhouse style with vintage family heirlooms and she has done it well. Recently after retrieving several boxes from storage, she restyled her china cabinet with treasures from her family. 


decorating with family heirlooms


She inherited the gorgeous blue hand blown glass, Blue Willow dishes and the cabinet itself from her paternal grandmother, Carolyn June Childs. Her grandfather was Joe Tom Childs. 

vintage photos as decor


Here's a peek at the full vintage cabinet, with more Blue Willow plates displayed in the kitchen. 


vintage family heirlooms


Now with Carly's permission, I'm going to share a little secret about my friend. She doesn't consider herself to be creative and I beg to differ! Throughout her home, she's mixed new and old seamlessly, like this charming vignette featuring antique crocks and milk bottles arranged with family photos and whimsical cows she's collected. The photo in the left corner is Carly with her mom, taken on her wedding day. Isn't it so sweet? 




pairing modern farmhouse with family heirlooms



Carly's lovely farmhouse style is layered with family history and looks like it's taken years to create. It's not all white and gray, and it will continue to grow and evolve as it reflects the story of her family. 


pairing modern farmhouse with family heirlooms


Carly's great grandparents are pictured below--think of the stories she'll tell her children about their ancestors. 


vintage family photos


Maybe you've lacked confidence about your own sense of style when it comes to decorating your home. I hope the story of how Carly found her style will inspire you to have fun and tell your own story! 


pairing modern farmhouse with family heirlooms


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  1. Cecelia,
    I loved this post and Carly's home is beautiful and she is staying true to herself and her decorating shows who she is and where she came from.Thanks so much for sharing and for encouraging the rest of us to find our own style. It took me years to develop the confidence to decorate in the style I love even though it is not currently in style. But styles change and things come back into style every 20 years or so and I am sure what I like will be in style in a few more years again!!.......
    Hugs,
    Debbie

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  2. My sweet friend..... thank you for this post. It is beautiful and very special to me. I have you to thank for my growth you are such an amazing women and I have learned so much from you. Love you tons!

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  3. Carly's home is lovely...personal, cozy, and creative!

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  4. Love how Carly has decorated her home. She is very lucky to have inherited the beautiful treasures from her Grandmother. I am sure she would make her grandmother proud. The vintage cabinet is a real treasure. My favorite is the shelf with the crocks and family pictures. Good job Carly !!!

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  5. I think a lot of feel like Carly...not very creative. But I agree, her home is charming and I live all of her treasures. That blue glass is gorgeous and I love the crocks paired with photos and the cute cows. It's wonderful, Carly! And I agree with you - Cecilia is amazing.
    Thanks for the words of wisdom and sharing Carly's home, Cecilia.

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  6. Thank you all ladies I appreciate all your sweet comments and feel honored Cecilia wrote a blog post about me. I hope this helps anyone who doesn't think they can do it! They can, Cecilia helped me learn that :)

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  7. I love this! I love mixing old with new, and color with neutrals! I especially love using old family pieces because of the memory and story being the piece!

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  8. I love it when a home tells the family story and that little changes here and there evolve the home and continue the story. I think Carly has done a wonderful work in her home! Thank you for sharing.

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  9. I love the pictures mixed in with everything. I have my grandparents' wedding picture on display but I'd love to have more photos too!

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  10. I have some lovely old family pictures peppered around my house. I love the way they look and I love seeing my family's faces! :)

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  11. It would warm my heart to see pieces of my grandparents around my house.

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  12. I love that bench! I love your friend Carly's home, she has real style :)

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  13. I love all the unique decor you post here. So very different and inspiring. :)

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  14. Love this post. I began my internet journey with a pinterest page "Leaving with Grandmother's Stuff, which has blossomed into a blog, as well as my Etsy shop, (the place to find home's for some of the 4 sets of stuff I have inherited.

    I live with LOTS of it, but there is only so much room. Thanks for the post, Sandi

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  15. I have auto correct on my comp---and it's not very good, Leaving should be Living, Sandi

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  16. What a sweet friend, Cecilia--thanks for sharing her story :)

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  17. I totally agree with you. While I love the farmhouse trends that are popular right now, I can't help but feel that they're going to look so dated in just a few years. My stepmother is a master at mixing old and new items, and I aspire to be just like her someday. Plus, heirloom items have so many more stories associated with them. They really help to define the story of a home. Thanks for sharing how your friend has created this story in her own home!

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I absolutely love to read your thoughtful comments and enjoy responding to each one! I will respond to your comments here. You may check back to see my response or check the "notify me" box. Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts!