Make It Happen: Country Clever

Flea-market furniture, vintage ticking-stripe bedding and creamy ironstone prompt a warm, comfortable color scheme.Top to bottom:Renew furnitureCountry Grey, Chalk Paint by Annie Sloan. (504) 309-4454;anniesloan.comAccent roomsDevine Storm, Devine Color. (888) 693-3846;devinecolor.comLighten wallsSW6385 Dover White, Sherwin-Williams. (800) 474-3794;sherwin-williams.comThree power paints to refresh looks (not pictured):Super spray paintA single coat of Rust-Oleum Universal spray paint covers any indoor or outdoor furniture or accessory. It's paint and primer in one for $6.78. (877) 385-8155;rustoleum.comDry-erase topcoatNew Sketch Pad clear-gloss finish turns a wall into a writing surface as easy to clean as a dorm-room whiteboard. $49.99 for a kit from Sherwin-Williams. (800) 474-3794;sherwin-williams.comCabinetry coverageWe can vouch for Waterborne Satin Impervo from Benjamin Moore.  Kitchen cabinets will still look freshly painted in 10-plus years. $72.99 per gallon. (855) 724-6802;benjaminmoore.com

Inspired by a vintage European grain sack, DIYer Andrea Dickerson removed old carpeting and painted a striped "runner" on stairs for only $20 in materials. Applying painters tape guaranteed crisp lines.Paints (Base color on stairs) OC-118 Snowfall White. (Runner color) OC-15 Baby Fawn. (Stripes) HC-156 Van Deusen Blue. Benjamin Moore. benjaminmoore.com

The shapely Sockerärt pitcher mirrors old-school French enamelware. Available in three sizes, from $9.99. Ikea. ikea.com 

European grain sacks influenced the statement stripes on the Rana club chair, $1,113. Bliss Home and Design. blisshomeanddesign.com

Choose from 16 earthy hues, like rich Cashmere, on Kohler's Whitehaven apron-front sink. From $999. kohler.com