A 1980s Cookie-Cutter Ranch House Was Turned into a Cozy Fiber Art-Filled Home

Name: Sherrie Larkins, husband, and son
Location: Western suburb of Chicago — Sycamore, Illinois
Type of home: Ranch house
Size: 1800 square feet
Years lived in: 18 years, owned

Tell us a little (or a lot) about your home and the people who live there: We have lived in our home for 18 years. We have raised our three children here. Now it’s just my husband Rob and 17-year-old son, Luke. When we first moved into our 1800-square-foot, 1980’s ranch home we thought we would only live here for five years and then move onto something bigger, but here we are 18 years later. My husband and I are thankful we stayed put. While our friends are downsizing we don’t need to. Over the years, we have made this cookie-cutter house our own.

The first thing we did when we moved in was rip down all the country floral wallpaper and painted all the oak trim white! One thing I loved about this house were the wood floors throughout. One thing I hated about our house was the horrible popcorn ceiling in our living area. A few years ago, we planked the ceiling and now it’s one of my favorite things in our home. As a former shop owner and a fiber artist, I love adding texture through out our home with wall weavings, pillows, and throws. I have been arm knitting wool blankets to throw over a chair or the end of a bed; the texture they add is amazing.

I also love to shop at flea markets and estate sales to find one of a kind things to fill our home. One of my favorite finds is an antique, round coffee table I found eight years ago at a garage sale for $10. I didn’t do a thing to it and it still sits in my living room. I also love plants. I have plants in every room. I love the health benefits from them and also the beautiful colors they add. I have been also adding wicker and brass into my decor. I never thought I would have some of the 1970’s decor in my home that I grew up with, but I find myself using it in pockets of our home. I always have a need to be creating something whether it’s in my home, a vintage market I’m preparing for, or a wall weaving I’m working on. It’s something inside of me that can’t be put to rest.

Describe your home’s style in 5 words or less: Cozy, boho, coastal, cottage

What is your favorite room and why? I would have to say my favorite room right now is my new master bath. Our original bathroom had wheelchair accessible shower with mauve floral tile. I would hang a shower curtain to cover it so I wouldn’t have to look at it. Last summer we refinished our bathroom. We tore out the shower and put in a smaller shower and added extra shelving for storage. We also added an archway into the shower area and beautiful black grid French shower doors. It adds so much character to our bathroom. I had the walls painted white and added black and white tile, touches of gold, and stained wood shelving. I’m in love with how it turned out!

What’s the last thing you bought (or found!) for your home? The last thing I bought for our home is a beautiful white quilt with a chenille pattern on it from Anthropologie. It was definitely a splurge, but I love the texture and simplicity of it. I also picked up a sweet 1950’s lady vase that I added a primrose plant to that I found in a thrift shop. I have just organized and purged my house so I am being very particular of what I bring in. I purge on a pretty regular basis. I do not like things to look cluttered!

Any advice for creating a home you love? Do not get stuck on having one particular style. Fill your home with what you love, just not too much of it! I also love having a neutral backdrop. My walls are light gray and white, I have an all-white kitchen, and white slip-covered furniture throughout our home. It gives me the freedom to switch things up with pillows and throws. (I’m a bit of a textile hoarder. Throws and pillows from Anthro are my weakness.) I also like adding warm wood tone with touches of brass/gold throughout our home to give it some warmth. I also like adding new, modern pieces with old, vintage finds. For example, I added a vintage globe to my modern, acrylic table with a white chippy chair. It adds a bit of whimsy. I want my home to be a place where people feel welcomed and relaxed. It’s the little details that matter. Music playing, a pretty candle burning, fresh flowers; it’s those things that make a warm, inviting home.

This submission’s responses have been edited for length and clarity.

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