New York Mom’s Thrifted ‘French Country’ Home Proves You Can Find Beauty on a Budget

Stay-at-home mom, who discovered her passion for design while raising her three young children, has made her home a home filled with affordable thrifted gems that combine traditional, English and French design.

Leah Kroeber (48), is originally from New Jersey. She lives in New York City with her husband and their three children, aged 22, 18 and 14. Charles Faudree, an American designer, inspired her to experiment with different styles of decor at home. She eventually settled on the French country style because it is warm and livable.

Kroeber stated to The Epoch Times, “My goal was for people to come into my house and say, “Wow, that looks beautiful. But they don’t fear sitting down. They don’t mind putting a glass on the table thinking that they might ruin something.

She said, “It’s elegant and cozy.” It’s timeless to me; I believe that even if I didn’t touch one thing in the house for ten years, it would still be attractive.”

Kroeber loves to layer a room with color, texture, and Kroeber says that mixing different prints and fabrics has become a speciality. She loves ironstone, chinoiserie and French pottery, but she will also purchase reproductions, since “not all must be original.”

She said, “Creating a home takes time. It is difficult to find your interests and needs.” “A well-constructed home is a work in progress that takes many years.”

The Kroeber family purchased their house from a housing project, which was a former “spec home” or show house.

Kroeber stated, “It was comfortable. My children could live there too.” According to Kroeber, however, the house was lacking charm. So, she removed the American country influences of the first owners and started incorporating French country style with new furniture and decor.

Kroeber discovered how much she loves decorating through this process.

Kroeber stated that they have been in the same place for 21 years. This has meant that there has been a lot of hard work. “I realized that I didn’t need to be a millionaire in order to own a home with beautiful pieces and a collection.”

Visitors will find antique lamps alongside new art on the walls when they enter Kroeber’s foyer.

Her dining room has been updated with vintage wallpaper and art. Her kitchen, which she renovated 20 years ago has stood the test.

Kroeber said, “I was very happy with the cabinetry I chose because it seems to have been timeless.” She also explained that she learned to cook from her children and briefly owned a baking business.

Kroeber added a French country-style sofa and coffee table to the family den and a reupholstered chair.

Kroeber stated, “This fireplace wasn’t working and it was too old.” It’s mixing old and new, that’s why I love it.

Kroeber also features a special area that has decorated plates, all of which were purchased from Etsy.

Kroeber mixes fresh and fake flowers throughout her home to create floral displays all year, including English roses from the newly-planted rose gardens. She is passionate about art and loves to find unique pieces. Kroeber has saved Victorian window valances that were being torn down and used them to hang in her bedroom, and dining room.

Kroeber stated, “I don’t spend trillions of dollars on these stuff. It’s just collecting and placing things together.”

Kroeber described the main living room as “a challenge” because of its rectangular shape that made it difficult to place furniture. After living in the space for a while and trying different combinations of furniture, it became her favorite room in the house.

The children encouraged their mom to use her skills as a photographer to share her work on Instagram. @thefrenchcountryfarmhouse.

Kroeber said to The Epoch Times that it was my daughters who convinced him. When I created the account, there were only eleven people following me. Now, I have more than 30,000. It was a simple thing that worked.”

Kroeber stated that social media has allowed her to build relationships with others and also provided a platform to share her passion for cooking, decorating, and homemaking with others.

Kroeber said, “I’ve met such many really, really great people,” and she sometimes “treasure hunts for” home decor items in her followers’ shops. She also collaborates with home decor businesses she has connected online.

Kroeber answered the question of those who asked her how she managed to create a home that was not influenced by trends and bought what she liked. She said it was about being true to herself and choosing pieces she loves for her home.

“I also recommend that if you collect something, you display it properly. It is best not to stuff it all in one cabinet or on one table. Kroeber suggested that you spread the collection around your home. It is visually more appealing, and each piece can be enjoyed.

Kroeber is a meticulous homekeeper and requires a strict cleaning schedule. However, organization is second nature to her. She is a fan of a “system”, but she also enjoys “playing around with the decor” and uses moving things as an excuse for keeping things tidy.

Kroeber stated, “We have five people living here, plus two dogs and a cat, so it’s important to maintain a clean home.” Kroeber said, “I don’t view it as a chore. I see it as a labor-of-love.”

They are self-confessed “homebodies” but still enjoy sharing their home with friends and family by hosting holiday parties almost every weekend.

Kroeber said, “None my children are going to college, they want stay home,” adding that “home” is synonymous with “love.”

She stated, “The home itself… I embrace it.” It’s like a blanket that warms you on cold days. You don’t want it to go. It’s all you want, and you just want to be there.

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