Space for Style

Completely transforming their 1,547 square foot home, Kerry and Katie Lasserre prove that a small space doesn’t mean sacrificing style. “While a home is small, you can absolutely make it beautiful and inviting with the decor and personality you put into it,” Katie shares regarding remodeling their early 2000s home. Located  on a large lot in a residential neighborhood with many young families, their home has been the perfect for raising their family.

After losing her mother in 2018, Katie needed a project to help her through the grieving process. Being inspired by images from Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest, as well as television shows on HGTV, Katie and Kerry tackled their first project of refinishing their kitchen cabinets. “Our home was in the style of an Italian villa with lots of dark, rich tones. The cabinets were a dark cherry wood, and I wanted to brighten up the place.  I went with a beautiful gray and used an antiquing glaze to give them a modern Farmhouse feel,” Katie explains. After that, the couple decided to remodel the place themselves over time.

Remodeling was a family affair as the family of five all chipped in and completed the remodel themselves. Katie planned the design and decor while  Kerry was the carpenter, painter, and handyman doing everything from tearing out old vanities and flooring, to putting up shiplap, and laying tile. “He pretty much made all my crazy ideas come to life,” Katie says with a smile.  “Our sons, Kristian, Kollin, and Kameron assisted throughout the process. We worked on weekends and holidays over the last 2 years, focusing on one project at a time.” We used Benjamin Moore paint throughout our home from Dishman Flooring Center as well as purchasing decor items from there, Erica’s Bowtique and other businesses, shopping local as much as possible.

“The best way to describe our decor would be modern farmhouse meets comfy bohemian style. We love bright whites, grays, and blues on our walls with lovely touches of natural woods, greenery, and soft fabrics. I do not like clutter, so our style is very open and clean. I want my home to feel lived in, yet chic,” Katie shares.

“My bedroom and bathroom are my favorite spaces in our home. We wanted our bedroom to be an oasis,” Katie explains. White trim against beautiful cream tones make the room appear large and open. Katie layers on style with crisp bedding and linens. The master bathroom boasts farmhouse style with black and white tile and a shiplap accent wall. Putting the finishing touch on the master suite are many family heirlooms that hold special meaning for Katie, such as her great-grandmother’s sewing machine.

With only a couple of rooms left to complete, the couple will shift their attention to the outside where they plan to paint the brick using a German Smear technique and replace the siding with Hardie Board.

“With a little time and determination, you can most definitely do it yourself. We watched YouTube videos, asked experts, and tried things out. Some ideas didn’t work, and that was okay.  We learned from the process and just tried again until we got the result we wanted. By doing the work ourselves we not only saved money, but we are able to put our special touch into it. POV

Photos by Misty Leigh McElroy