House Tour: amazingly austere American farmhouse

Sometimes trends come along and, although you might like them, they take a bit of effort to embrace. Others  just slot into your natural way of doing things and feel like they’ve been around forever… to me, those ones are undoubtedly the best.

The emerging trend for all things uncomplicated connected with me straight away – probably because it’s not really a trend at all. Valuing authenticity, cherishing history and making the most of the simple things in life taps into the nostalgic yearnings we all share. It just feels right. I came across this incredible home on Pinterest and it so completely encapsulates this mood I had to share it.

{all Phoebe Troyer}

Phoebe Troyer‘s Ohio home is so uncomplicated you might call it sparse – maybe even austere. Its simple style has such an air of authenticity I wouldn’t be too surprised if the owners were fresh off the Mayflower! Every single piece of furniture has been chosen so perfectly that there’s not one item that jars or feels out of place. The design is so apparently simple, but there’s an incredible skill in the way the rooms have been put together.

I honestly don’t think I’ve ever seen a house like it and I’m completely in awe of Pheobe’s style. If you’re as drawn in as I am, there are lots more photos of the house its beautiful garden on her Pinterest boards.

Another amazing Norwegian house

I find it really interesting that two individual house tours can end up with exactly the same tags (vintage, Norwegian, wooden house, reclaimed…) yet the overall style of the homes can be so very different. While last week’s house was all about fresh, effortless elegance, today’s has a striking rustic look, with battered dark wood, artistic clutter and a worn-in homely feel.

I love them both equally, but differently. Maybe I could have last week’s as my main home and this one as my weekend escape! Which do you prefer?

Everything inside the house feels like it’s been there forever, but the building (an old rectory) was almost completely derelict when the owners bought it, and all the materials and fittings were painstakingly sourced from reclaim yards and architectural salvage specialists all over Europe. The fireplace is a mish-mash of various antique French surrounds, cleverly pieced together.

Another themed picture wall for me to ponder over. This one’s made from paintings and sketches collected from San Francisco flea markets where the couple lived for 25 years before moving back to their native Norway.

This bedroom looks so warm and cosy, though even the hippy in me recoils from a bed made from straw bales *shudders at the thought of the dust*

{all Trine Thorsen via Sköna Hem}

I don’t even know where to start with this amazing bathroom! I adore the colourful turtle tiles, the enormous beaten bathtub, the bird etchings on the walls, the shell panel curtain… even the house plants which are normally one of my pet hates actually look lovely in here.

I have such admiration for people who can pull together creative chaos like this… it’s so much more difficult than it looks!