Text by Elizabeth Czapski
When Mickie and John Johnson happened upon their century-old home in the northwest suburbs of Cary, Illinois, the connection was immediate. Mickie could easily picture her signature country aesthetic on display throughout the true farmhouse, and the resourceful couple was up to the challenge of bringing her vision to life. “I’ll admit it needed a lot of TLC, but we were instantly drawn to its rustic charm and simple, straightforward floor plan,” Mickie says. “I just knew we could turn it into our dream home.”
Starting at the structural level, the couple embarked on this journey by incorporating authentic foundational character—from both original discoveries and DIY additions. “This 111-year-old house has a lot of quirks and unusual features,” Mickie says. “Throughout the renovation process, we uncovered original shiplap, hardwood floors, and lath-and-plaster walls.”
Beyond these delightful finds, Mickie integrated other elements like wood beams, beaded board, and stone, as well as unique inclusions such as vintage ladders, timeworn porch posts, and more. “We used white paint everywhere for a crisp look and then I added architectural salvage pieces throughout, along with reclaimed wood accents that add lots of texture,” she says. “I’ve always been fond of classic farmhouse décor, a neutral color palette, distressed pieces, and a mix of old and new. I love to decorate mixing old with new—it creates a perfectly balanced room for me.”
This cohesive base of white and earthy hues blends seamlessly with rich natural wood furnishings, warm metal accents, and vintage touches and keeps Mickie’s eclectic mix of materials and textures looking put together and polished yet interesting. “I love neutrals. I like to keep it simple because you can always add pops of color by adding a bouquet of flowers or changing out a couple of pillow covers in any room,” she explains. “I also love to add muted colors by using vintage oil paintings. They have the perfect amount of warmth, color, and texture.”
This design approach, fueled by Mickie’s creative spirit, is clear upon entrance. “Since we really don’t have a foyer, I created an illusion of one,” she says of the small space she spruced up with beaded board, a peg rail, and an ideally sized vintage pine table, as well as a medley of neutral accents and artwork that provide a subtle welcome alongside a quaint archway that leads to the living room.
This area bears many fruits of the Johnsons’ DIY labors as well as comfortable seating and collected accessories. John cut down the legs on a too-tall piece to give it new purpose as a coffee table, and Mickie then bleached it to lighten the tone and give it the look of raw wood, while the hearth got an eye-catching face-lift. “The fireplace really didn’t have much character, so we decided to use river rocks to create a focal point and add lots of warmth and coziness to our living room,” Mickie says.
The dining room and kitchen showcase traditional country style from top to bottom—starting with both ceilings. Efforts to expose the original dining room ceiling were thwarted by compromised wood, so they installed their own shiplap along with a vintage chandelier framed by a suspended ladder. Beaded board wainscoting painted a linen shade creates soft contrast against the white walls, where a cherished pine hutch holds pride of place filled with treasured ironstone. “I love collecting old English ironstone dishes with crazing and cracks and stains,” Mickie says. “I think they look classic in an old farmhouse and add so much charm.”
The couple had more luck with the kitchen ceiling—uncovering original shiplap, which they accented with a wood beam from a local salvage shop. DIY open shelving allows for easy access to everyday dishware as well as display space for décor, like a copper collection that spills over onto the window as an added embellishment. Even new appliances, such as a retro-inspired refrigerator, fit effortlessly into the old-fashioned ambience.
The primary bedroom continues Mickie’s go-to mingling of old and new with a striking faux-stone accent wall, a weathered mantel repurposed as a shelf above the headboard, large vintage-look lanterns that flank the bed, and an antique brass chandelier. “In our bedroom, I love oversize pieces that make a statement,” Mickie says of the bold elements that are all anchored by plush textiles that promote a relaxed air of respite—something she strives to instill in every space of their home. “My style is definitely cottage farmhouse. We love the simplicity of it,” she says. “I love that it looks and feels both cozy and timeless and full of charm.”
For more information, visit @cottageonmainst on Instagram.
