By Hannah Jones
Liz Fourez started her blog, Love Grows Wild, six years ago, right after moving into a 1940s house on her husband’s family farm. Since then, her little blog has grown tremendously thanks to her signature style—a cozy blend of neutrals and textures with plenty of rustic character—and her charming and honest personality that she shares with her followers. As her blog grew, so did her passion for interior design and do-it-yourself home décor. We sat down with Liz to talk about her love of all things home design, her personal style tips, and her future as a blogger.
The Cottage Journal: You have such a soft and delicate style full of whites and neutrals. It’s obvious that your homemaking roots are in the country because of the charming farmhouse character of your home. Where do you draw inspiration from in your style choices?
Liz Fourez: I love visiting old farmhouses and barns or any older home in general. I look at the architecture and the finishes, and if the design choices I make today are something you would have seen 20, 50, or 100 years ago, chances are I will love them for years and years to come as well. Classic, timeless things like marble, for example, never go out of style.
TCJ: You originally lived pretty far out in the country (as in 45 minutes away from the nearest grocery store!) before moving to your new home. What did you learn from this experience?
LF: I learned to make do with what I had and be more intentional with my time, money, and resources. That was when a lot of my DIY inspiration began because I couldn’t just run to the store quickly and buy what I wanted—I had to wait or figure out how to make it myself.
TCJ: You’re going on six years in your new home. When you moved in, you did a good bit of renovation. What was this experience like, and what advice would you give people tackling a renovation?
LF: I would prioritize your renovations, create a plan and a budget, and expect the unexpected. You want to be as prepared as possible so you don’t waste any time or money, but know that unforeseen things will always come up. Be flexible and make the best of it! Also, try to plan your renovations when the weather is convenient. Being able to spend some time outdoors when your house is full of construction dust and tools is a nice mental break, and if you’re renovating a kitchen, being able to grill outside while your kitchen is out of commission is a big help.
TCJ: Did you run into any major issues when renovating? If so, what was the fix?
LF: Our kitchen was the biggest project we’ve done, and there were a few issues that came up along the way. I wanted to turn a small doorway into a large opening between our kitchen and living room, but we found pipes and electrical in the wall that would be difficult and costly to move. Luckily, I was still able to open the majority of the wall up without having to move anything. You just have to adjust your plans and roll with the punches when it comes to renovations.
TCJ: When planning your renovation for your new home, what were some non-negotiables on your list?
LF: Open, bright spaces, charm and character, and much storage space as possible
TCJ: It might be hard to narrow it down, but what room is your favorite or the one you find yourself spending the most time in?
LF: My master bedroom has to be my favorite. I had a distinct vision for this space from the very beginning, and it turned out exactly how I wanted. I might swap out small things like artwork from time to time, but the majority of this space has stayed exactly how it started. It’s my sanctuary and where I can relax and snuggle up with the boys and puppy!
TCJ: We can see why—your master bedroom is the coziest space! We love the comfy bedding, delicate lace curtains, and rustic wood beam, but we’re absolutely obsessed with the all-over shiplap walls. What made you decide to add shiplap on all walls and even some of the ceiling?
LF: This room was originally an attic, so when we turned it into a bedroom, there ended up being a lot of short, angled, awkward walls. Rather than fighting against it, I decided to embrace the character and make the space feel super cozy with wall-to-wall shiplap. The large planks keep the room from looking too busy, and the white paint makes this dark, small space seem much bigger and brighter.
TCJ: Over the years your home has gone through a lot of style changes. How did you finally settle on what your personal style is?
LF: I went through phases of trying more modern, colorful décor in our home, but it never felt right for this house or for me. I always found myself craving something old and more textured against the sleek modern lines, and eventually I came to find the things I love most are cozy, neutral spaces with natural woods, white walls, and tons of charm.
TCJ: Your blog is full of DIY and so much inspiration. When did you start making so much of your home décor yourself, and what are your best tips for those wanting to do the same?
LF: When we moved into our farmhouse and realized how far we had to stretch our budget to be able to do the renovations we wanted, I started coming up with ways to get the look I wanted without spending everything we had. I would recommend learning to get comfortable with a paintbrush. You can transform anything—whether it’s a big piece of hand-me-down furniture or a small piece of décor from the thrift store—with just a little bit of paint. Once you get comfortable with that, start learning how to use some basic power tools like a drill and miter saw. You would be amazed what you can build with just a few tools and lumber!
TCJ: You recently published a book—congratulations! What inspired you to take this next step?
LF: I’ve shared tutorials on my blog for years, but I wanted to give people something they could physically hold in their hands and see in person, a book they could keep on their coffee table and reference anytime for inspiration. I love that I was able to combine the story of our home along with over 70 home décor tutorials, and I’m so proud of how it all turned out.
TCJ: What advice would you now give to yourself when you started blogging?
LF: I would tell myself not to worry about what anyone else is doing or what trends everyone is following. It took me a while to find myself and my own style, but once I found what I truly loved, everything else became so much easier—from my designs to my branding to my connection with readers.
TCJ: What do you see for yourself in the future of home design and blogging?
LF: I see myself continuing to blog and sharing our home and design inspiration—maybe even a new home in the future! I also opened up a small retail shop in Indiana last year called Love Grows Wild Market where I sell my favorite home décor items, and I hope to continue expanding on that. Book number two will come eventually, and I would love to take on design clients at some point, once I figure out how to make a couple clones of myself.
For more on Liz’s classic farmhouse charm, visit her blog.