Today’s blog comes from designer Karen Siegrist from the H.J. Martin and Son Neenah, WI location, and she is reflecting on the year of interior design and a big project she accomplished for a friend!

In the world of interior design, 2016 was the year of: farmhouse style, apron sinks, reclaimed and recycled furniture, chalk paint, shiny white subway tile and a TON of distressed wood looks. Whether it is actual distressed wood, wire brushed wood, wood styled porcelain tile, wood styled luxury vinyl plank or wood styled engineered vinyl plank, everyone loved incorporating wooded looks into their homes!

As we look back on the last year, I am sure we can agree on one thing… y’all know what shiplap is! This is another wooden-style material, made popular in decorating by Waco, Texas couple Chip and Joanna Gaines on Fixer Upper.

And what about all of these barn doors? All of the doors I walked through in 2016 seemed to be real or even faux barn doors!  In fact, my friend asked me to design one for her home and distress it.

To make her vision come to life, I worked alongside remodeler, builder, and cabinet maker, Paul Driessen from Timber Innovations. Paul built this door and placed five finishes on it, including clear coat, cherry stain, white paint, aqua paint and gray paint for the final color.

Using very fine sand paper and tack cloth with beeswax, I carefully removed coat after coat to give it a distressed look. Once I was done, the door was clear coated and installed. My friend couldn’t be happier! I no longer have fingerprints though; I may have sanded my skin off!

As Interior Design trends come and go, or rather reinvent themselves, we will soon be seeing what has staying power in 2017. I am one Interior Designer who can’t wait! Have a great new year of designing and DIY! -Karen