Why You Should Add A Barn Door In Your Home

November 20, 2018 by Tiffany Skeen in Home Decor

Skeen Concepts is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com

Adding a sliding barn door to your home is not only a great way to add a design element that will be the focus of attention in a room, it’s also incredibly functional. Imagine all of the space that you’ll save by adding a barn door to your home. If you are dealing with a small area, for example, adding a barn door will allow for that expressive, design dramatic piece in the room without taking up too much space. If you are trying to close off an area in your home but want something with more character than a basic door or more structure than a curtain, than a barn door is the perfect option!

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I’ve heard this so many times, “I would love to install a sliding barn door in my home. I just don’t know where I’d put it”. So many people I meet always express their love for this design element but get stuck when they try to think of the perfect space in their home to place it. No worries! Here are some of the best spaces to hang a barn door in your home and why you should add one to your home now.

If You Are Dealing With Small Spaces

Are you a fan of that pocket door that’s currently installed in your bathroom? If not, than opting for a sliding barn door is just as space efficient as a pocket door - but with much more style and class.

A sliding barn door is a great option for small spaces where a traditional swing door would take up too much space. Image via The Harper House.

When You Need to Hide an Object/Space In a Room

Think kitchen pantries, closets in a bedroom or even a television that you may not want to showcase all of the time. By adding a sliding barn door to such spaces, you’ll be adding a conversational piece to your room while hiding what you don’t want to be seen.

This sliding barn door is doing double duty: it has the ability to hide the television while adding character to this room. Image via Architecture Art Design.

Add a Dramatic Effect

Sometimes a room just needs a dramatic focal point. A design piece that stands out from everything else in the room. With the range of characteristics, designs and stain colors that you can choose for your barn door, you’ll be certain to land on the perfect look that’s meant to be in the designated space.

This sliding bard door adds the right amount of dramatic effect to this hallway while appropriately hiding the washer and dryer. Image via Home Stratosphere.

To Divide A Room

If you’re looking for an option that adds privacy and personal space to a shared room then adding a barn door is an unconventional yet fun way to make this happen.

Adding a barn door to a studio apartment or a shared room will conveniently separate a sleeping area from a common living space. Additionally, it will play the part of an accent wall. Image via Apartment Therapy.

To Close Off Part Of A Room

Open floor plans are great but if you want to have the option to close off part of a room, then adding a barn door to this space is your best bet. Maybe you want the option to close off the dining room from the family room - whatever your reason is for wanting the best of both worlds, you will be certain to achieve it with this design element.

This corner office (created by using barn doors to close it off) is such a genius way to make the best use of this space. Image via Bloglovin’.

This barn door separates the foyer space from a formal sitting room area. Image via The Harper House.

If these examples don’t have you running to call your local contractor or custom wood design company, then let me leave you with this simple tip: If you want to add a barn door to your home - then just do it! You won’t regret it. You will be so happy you decided to go with it. (And don’t worry - I wont take the credit for it).

Until next time, stay inspired!

Hello!

I'm Tiffany. I'm an interior design enthusiast, blogger, lover of everything organized and co-owner of Skeen Concepts. Skeen Concepts is a beautiful combination of home design and lifestyle inspiration. I hope you guys enjoy this site, get comfy and come back for more! Stay inspired!

DIY Rustic Drink Tray

August 14, 2018 by Tiffany Skeen in Home Decor, Organizing

Who doesn't love a great weekend DIY project? Click the video below to learn how to create your own rustic drink tray!!

Hope you enjoyed this video! Comment with any other DIY video ideas that you would like us to create.

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10 Ways To Add Farmhouse Style To Your Home

June 06, 2017 by Tiffany Skeen in Home Decor

There's something so tranquil and beautiful about a farmhouse styled home. Farmhouse style adds a feeling of warmth and comfort to a home. The elements that you add to your home play a huge role in achieving the feel that you are going for. Many people ask "what is farmhouse style" and "how can I get a farmhouse feel for my home?". If you too would like to know, just keep on reading.

Shiplap

So what is shiplap? Its a type of wood board that was traditionally used to build sheds and barns. It has a rabbet cut on both top and bottom of the board. Similar to tongue and groove wood boards. Shiplap is a beautiful way to add the farmhouse look to your home, simply because it was used to construct farmhouse barns.

This look fits perfectly into almost any room in your home. Kitchens, bathrooms, mudrooms, shiplap goes great almost anywhere in your home. A note the wise, if you do choose to add shiplap to your bathroom, its a good idea to have a well working ventilation system in there as well. Years of humidity can destroy the look of the shiplap and you'll have to re-paint it every few years.

Safavieh Natural Fiber Collection NF447A Hand-woven Chunky Textured Jute Runner, 2' x 6' Buy on Amazon

Rustic Wood Decor

When you hear the word rustic, your probably thinking old and weathered. And my reaction to that is - YES! But old and weathered in a tasteful way.

Rustic Wooden Table Tray via Skeen Concepts

Whether your adding a barn house door, rustic wood wall decor or shelving - rustic wood decor is a great way to add a touch of farmhouse style to your home. Look for items with a distressed and weathered look.

Paint Color

Choosing the right paint color is a tremendously important step in creating a farmhouse look for your home. Look for colors that are softened and neutral. Think soft grays, greens and tans. Also creamy whites and delicate blues. You want to create a sense of openness, calm and comfort in your home.

Here's a great guide to farmhouse style paint colors for your home.

Infinity Instruments Rustic Farmhouse Circle 16 inch Round Hanging Wall Mirror, Brown Buy on Amazon

Letters/Oversize Wall Decor

Whether you choose to display the first letter of your family's last name or a beautifully distressed wooden wall clock - oversized wall decor is the way to go.

KINGSO Wall Shelf Rustic Wood Floating Shelves,Decorative Wall Shelf for Bedroom, Living Room, Bathroom, Kitchen, Office and More (Round) Buy on Amazon

Distressed/Textured Furniture

Distressed or textured furniture is a beautiful way to incorporate a farmhouse look into your home. I love taking the existing furniture that I already own and giving it a farmhouse make over. Mixing wood stains to give the furniture a weathered look or painting your furniture with chalk or milk paint will give you the look that you are trying to achieve. A light sanding when everything is done will give your furniture pieces that beautiful vintage feel.

"Tristan" Farmhouse Bench via Skeen Concepts

If you don't have the time to distress your furniture, you can always purchase furniture that has a distressed look. Places such as Restoration Hardware or Pottery Barn have great selections for you to get the farmhouse style that you want. Also, don't forget about antique shops and yard sales. You're sure to find great finds there.

A Farmhouse Table

There's just something about a farmhouse table that adds a sense of history and elegance to a home. The size and strength of a well built farmhouse table will add a presence to your home that is unlike any other dining room table that you will find anywhere else. A farmhouse table is a design piece that stands alone as a functional piece of art.

Textiles

Grain sack fabrics are the perfect addition to any home that is trying to achieve a farmhouse style. This fabric softens the feel of the room and adds a sense of comfort and warmth. Use this type of fabric on your dining room chairs or as pillow cases for your couch or any benches in your home.

ToGeeKa Boho Woven Tufted Decorative Throw Pillow Covers, Soft Warm Cotton Woven Square Cushion Case with Tassels for Couch Sofa Bedroom Office Car, 18 x 18 inch (45 x 45 cm), Cream Buy on Amazon

Greenery

Touches of greenery are an important element to add to your home to achieve a farmhouse style. The look will pair perfectly with the distressed wood pieces in your home. Its a way of inviting the outside into your beautifully designed home. Faux moss and other greenery are beautiful and easy to maintain. A greenery wreath on your front door is beautiful and inviting to anyone who enters your home.

Zcaukya Small Potted Artificial Plants, Artificial Eucalyptus Plants Fake Rosemary Carnation Caronation 9.5" Plastic Greenery Plants for Home Office Garden Decor, Indoor & Outdoor, Set of 3 Buy on Amazon

Metals/Lighting

I know, your probably thinking, "metals? really?". However adding metal pieces to your home coupled with the warm wood elements that you placed around your home is the right way to go when trying to create a farmhouse feel. Use galvanized pipe as holders for your wood shelving or choose dark metals for lighting.

Skip the "Themed Rooms"

Themed rooms are a design practice that many people use. I, myself, have been a fan of designing my home using themed rooms in the past. However, in order the give your home a total farmhouse feel, its best to stay clear of themed rooms. You want your décor to flow through the entire home, not stop midway. This can create an incomplete feeling in your home. I have to say, that this rule applies to all of the rooms of your home except for your kids bedroom and the occasional man cave.

Most importantly, make your design journey fun and exciting. Take time a choose the items that fit well in your home. As always, I would love to see the outcome of your home design projects. Send them my way and I'll be sure to post your lovely pictures on this site!

Happy designing!

Tiffany

Skeen Concepts us a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com

DIY Rustic Industrial Wood Sign

March 16, 2017 by Tiffany Skeen in Home Decor

I'm so excited to share my latest DIY project with all of you. This is something that I've been wanting to do for the longest time, but for whatever reason, haven't been able to complete until now.

The anticipation of making this lovely Rustic Industrial Wood Sign was eating away at me. I had all the details of what I wanted it to look like planned out, but I was honestly intimidated by the process. Once I started, I realized how fun and easy this project would be.

This wooden sign is something that will grow with my little toddler well into his teen and adult years (here's hoping that he decides to hang this lovely art piece in his future bachelor pad).

If you love this chic and rustic wooden sign - and would like to make one for yourself - just keep on reading below! I had a great time completing this project.

DIY Rustic Industrial Wood Sign

Here are the items you'll need to complete the wooden sign:

(2) 1"x9"x6' wood panels
(1) 1"x3"x6' wood piece
Wood Glue
Screws
Hammer
Screw Drivers
Varathane Wood Stain in Dark Walnut
Varathane Wood Stain in Weathered Gray (Not shown. Optional for gray wash look)
Minwax Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner
Varathane Polyurethane Matte Finish
Large Oil Brush
Paint Sponge
Disposable Gloves
Multipurpose Shop Rags or old T-shirt
Plastic Drape
Hand-Held Power Sander
180 Grit Sandpaper

Here are the items you will need to complete the industrial letters:

8" Paper Mache Letters
Black Acrylic Paint
Metallic Silver Acrylic Paint
Burnt Umber Acrylic Paint
Silver Upholstery Pins
Paint Sponge
Paint Brush
Loctite Liquid Nails (glue)

Start with your 1"x9"x6' wood panels. If you have a table saw at home and know how to use it (thankfully my lovely husband did this for me) you can buy the whole pieces and cut them in half at home. Otherwise you can always ask someone at the hardware store or lumber yard to cut it in half for you.

Once cut in half, you'll be left with 4 panels measuring 9"x 3' long.

You'll only need three of these panels. So set the other panel aside for a future DIY project!

Attach the panels together with wood glue and screws to ensure a secure fit. Take the 1"x3"x6' piece of wood and cut that to use as a brace for the back of your panel.

Now, the fun part begins. Grab your hammer and screw drivers and get ready to take out some pent up anger and aggression out on the wood panels. There is no right or wrong way to go about this. By doing this, you're creating a distressed and aged look on the wood. Have fun!

Next, grab your hand sander and sandpaper and smooth out the top and sides of the wood panels. Make sure there are no sharp or splintered pieces left. Wipe down the surface and sides of the wood panels with a clean, dry cloth to remove any dust.

Using the paint sponge and the Minwax Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner, coat the surface and sides of the panels. I can't stress enough how important this step is. Using the pre-conditioner will ensure that your stain spreads nicely and evenly. Allow the pre-conditioner to sit for at least 15 minutes. Wipe off any excess with a clean dry cloth afterwards.

Next, using the oil brush, brush on the Varathane Dark Walnut stain in sections onto the panels.

Then take a cloth and wipe off stain. Do this in sections until the entire surface and sides are covered with the stain. You can repeat this step until you get the desired color your going for. Make sure to allow the stain to set in and dry a bit, at least 10 minutes.

I decided to gray-wash my sign to give it more of a rustic, worn look. If your going this route, repeat the above step that you did with the Dark Walnut color - until the entire sign in covered. I used Varathane stain in Weathered Gray to acheive this look.

Let your sign sit and dry for a while before using the Polyurethane. Apply a thin layer of Polyurethane over the entire sign. Let it dry for a couple of hours, then repeat again. I only applied two coats to this sign. But if you want, you can apply three.

Now, lets create those industrial letters!!

Using a paint brush, paint the paper mache letters with black acrylic paint.

Once dry, paint over the black paint with the silver metallic color. Use irregular brush strokes. This will ensure that the black paint will show through the metallic paint and create the desired "metal" look.

If you want to take it a step further - use a paper towel to "drag" the metallic paint after applying it with the brush. Similar to how you wiped down the stain on the wood. This will give the letters more texture.

Next, take the paint sponge and the Burnt Umber paint. Lightly paint the color sporadically in corners of the letters. This will create a "rust-look".

Once the letters are dry, place the upholstery pins around the corners of the letters.

Almost done!! Are you as excited as I am???

Measure out where you want to place your letters on the wooden sign.

Squeeze glue onto the letters and place them down on the wooden panels.

Apply pressure (without ruining the letters) then place a heavy book onto the letters. Leave it there for an hour to ensure that the letters are secured to wooden sign.

There is it. Your very own Rustic Industrial Monogram Wood Sign!

Now sit back and take it all in.

Have you done a similar rustic industrial inspired project? Let me know in your comments.