New This Week: 4 Fresh Farmhouse-Inspired Kitchens
Reclaimed wood, shiplap walls, apron-front sinks and more abound in these updated takes on the popular style
Other special features. White cabinetry (painted in Creamy by Sherwin-Williams). Large windows.
Designer secret. “Using texture, such as the wood details, the stone perimeter tops and the glossy brick backsplash, is a great opportunity to add charm and interest,” Scott says. “These subtle — not loud or ornate — details offer simplicity to the space. The kitchen is warm and timeless, adapting to changing styles and trends. These elements also add a calmness.”
Cabinets: Louis Anthony Custom Cabinetry; tile: Kyoto beige glossy brick, Artistic Tile; perimeter countertops: coffee-brown sueded granite; pendants: Eugene large pendant in bronze, Thomas O’Brien; stools: Allen stool with backrest, Ballard Designs
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Designer secret. “Using texture, such as the wood details, the stone perimeter tops and the glossy brick backsplash, is a great opportunity to add charm and interest,” Scott says. “These subtle — not loud or ornate — details offer simplicity to the space. The kitchen is warm and timeless, adapting to changing styles and trends. These elements also add a calmness.”
Cabinets: Louis Anthony Custom Cabinetry; tile: Kyoto beige glossy brick, Artistic Tile; perimeter countertops: coffee-brown sueded granite; pendants: Eugene large pendant in bronze, Thomas O’Brien; stools: Allen stool with backrest, Ballard Designs
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2. Modern-Day Makeover
Designer: Colleen Shaut of Case Design/Remodeling
Location: Bethesda, Maryland
Size: 247 square feet (23 square meters); 19 by 13 feet
Homeowner’s request. “The homeowner grew up in this home as a child and has been caring for her elderly parents for the past 12 years, who reside in a walk-out addition they had added,” designer Colleen Shaut says. “The first floor of the home has not changed in over 30 years, and it was time for an update. She is a creative, thoughtful, caring soul, but her first floor was dark, compartmental and lacked the open-floor-plan qualities that she has dreamed of.
“The home backs to an expansive patio that overlooks a view of an expansive protected forest, where their family and dogs frequently enjoy each other’s company and bird-watching. She has always loved the modern farmhouse look and wanted nothing more than a bright, inviting kitchen where she could entertain her family and friends. The old kitchen was dark, cramped and lacked the luster of life that this family needed.”
Designer: Colleen Shaut of Case Design/Remodeling
Location: Bethesda, Maryland
Size: 247 square feet (23 square meters); 19 by 13 feet
Homeowner’s request. “The homeowner grew up in this home as a child and has been caring for her elderly parents for the past 12 years, who reside in a walk-out addition they had added,” designer Colleen Shaut says. “The first floor of the home has not changed in over 30 years, and it was time for an update. She is a creative, thoughtful, caring soul, but her first floor was dark, compartmental and lacked the open-floor-plan qualities that she has dreamed of.
“The home backs to an expansive patio that overlooks a view of an expansive protected forest, where their family and dogs frequently enjoy each other’s company and bird-watching. She has always loved the modern farmhouse look and wanted nothing more than a bright, inviting kitchen where she could entertain her family and friends. The old kitchen was dark, cramped and lacked the luster of life that this family needed.”
Farmhouse details. Shiplap walls. Stainless steel farmhouse sink. Modified Shaker-style cabinet doors. Hickory wood hood and custom island with sun-washed gray stain. Boston library lights in oil-rubbed bronze flanking the sink window.
Other special features. Wall of windows that extends to the countertop for bird-watching. Custom-stained barn door leading to a family room.
Other special features. Wall of windows that extends to the countertop for bird-watching. Custom-stained barn door leading to a family room.
“Uh-oh” moment. “Since we had remodeled their master bathroom about a year and a half prior to planning their kitchen, we knew that the main waste stack for the home was situated on the back wall of the home, in the middle of where we wanted the wall of windows to go,” Shaut says. “Our solution was to space out the windows in a thoughtful way and add architectural detail through the trim that finishes it off and looks intentional. We centered the sink on the middle window and added architectural molding to disguise the stack. The two library lights that are centered in the space on either side of the window make the stack disappear and add intentional purpose.”
Project manager: Stefan Eisang, Case Design/Remodeling; senior craftsman: Drew Davis, Case Design/Remodeling; cabinets: Encore frameless with Tahoe door style in designer white, Crystal Cabinetry; hardware: Bergen knob and Dakota bin pull in antique pewter, Top Knobs; countertops and range backsplash: Eternal collection in Calacatta Gold, Silestone; faucet: Align, Moen; sink: Vault in 18-gauge stainless steel, Kohler; lights: Hudson Valley; wall paint: Stonington Gray, Benjamin Moore
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Project manager: Stefan Eisang, Case Design/Remodeling; senior craftsman: Drew Davis, Case Design/Remodeling; cabinets: Encore frameless with Tahoe door style in designer white, Crystal Cabinetry; hardware: Bergen knob and Dakota bin pull in antique pewter, Top Knobs; countertops and range backsplash: Eternal collection in Calacatta Gold, Silestone; faucet: Align, Moen; sink: Vault in 18-gauge stainless steel, Kohler; lights: Hudson Valley; wall paint: Stonington Gray, Benjamin Moore
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3. Let That Sink In
Designer: Aimee Brothers of Lavender & Lotus Interior Design
Location: Loudon, New Hampshire
Size: 286 square feet (27 square meters); 13 by 22 feet
Homeowners’ request. “The goal was to improve the function of the kitchen while stylistically honoring the integrity of an antique farmhouse,” designer Aimee Brothers says. “This meant changing the configuration of appliances, maximizing storage, creating larger work zones and adding seating for entertaining family and guests.”
Farmhouse details. Repurposed antique sink. Refinished built-in oak cabinets. Natural alder wood open shelves with antique wall brackets.
Designer: Aimee Brothers of Lavender & Lotus Interior Design
Location: Loudon, New Hampshire
Size: 286 square feet (27 square meters); 13 by 22 feet
Homeowners’ request. “The goal was to improve the function of the kitchen while stylistically honoring the integrity of an antique farmhouse,” designer Aimee Brothers says. “This meant changing the configuration of appliances, maximizing storage, creating larger work zones and adding seating for entertaining family and guests.”
Farmhouse details. Repurposed antique sink. Refinished built-in oak cabinets. Natural alder wood open shelves with antique wall brackets.
Other special features. Flush inset cabinetry with Shaker-style doors. Open shelving with Shaker leg detail on the island. Beadboard paneling on the island.
Designer secret. “Don’t underestimate the importance of lighting,” Brothers says. “Undercabinet lighting alone can make a huge difference in how well a kitchen functions for you. I also recommend investing in daylight LED recessed lighting whenever possible.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “That wonderful antique sink,” Brothers says. “It didn’t occur to us that it would be such a challenge to replace the drain that was damaged during demo. Eventually we found a company in California to custom-make one for us.”
Cabinets: River View Kitchens; countertops: Silver Pearl granite, via RE Marble & Granite; wall paint: Silver Mist, Benjamin Moore; faucet: wall-mount bridge with side spray, Rohl
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Designer secret. “Don’t underestimate the importance of lighting,” Brothers says. “Undercabinet lighting alone can make a huge difference in how well a kitchen functions for you. I also recommend investing in daylight LED recessed lighting whenever possible.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “That wonderful antique sink,” Brothers says. “It didn’t occur to us that it would be such a challenge to replace the drain that was damaged during demo. Eventually we found a company in California to custom-make one for us.”
Cabinets: River View Kitchens; countertops: Silver Pearl granite, via RE Marble & Granite; wall paint: Silver Mist, Benjamin Moore; faucet: wall-mount bridge with side spray, Rohl
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4. Earthy and Exceptional
Designer: Anne Elizabeth Barbe of AE Interiors (done while at Michelle Tumlin Design)
Location: Spicewood, Texas
Size: 450 square feet (42 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. A European farmhouse aesthetic for the entire house.
Farmhouse details. Reclaimed-wood ceiling boards and beams. Stone countertops on islands. Large lantern lights. Bronze apron-front sink. “Warm colors carry around the space and bring an unexpected farmhouse feel different from most white farmhouse styles lately,” designer Anne Elizabeth Barbe says.
Designer: Anne Elizabeth Barbe of AE Interiors (done while at Michelle Tumlin Design)
Location: Spicewood, Texas
Size: 450 square feet (42 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. A European farmhouse aesthetic for the entire house.
Farmhouse details. Reclaimed-wood ceiling boards and beams. Stone countertops on islands. Large lantern lights. Bronze apron-front sink. “Warm colors carry around the space and bring an unexpected farmhouse feel different from most white farmhouse styles lately,” designer Anne Elizabeth Barbe says.
Other special features. “The Tabarka tile backsplash at the range has an interesting yet subtle pattern, adding a nice texture,” Barbe says. “The blue island color adds a cool tone that balances the warm tones in the wood. Metal lighting and plumbing bring in a different material, adding to the layers of the space, and also bring balance.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “Do we have too much rustic wood in the space? That was our challenge here,” Barbe says. “We wanted the wood in so many places. Bringing in the clean, light cabinets all around the perimeter balances those rich, rustic tones in the wood.”
Sink and cabinet hardware: Rocky Mountain Hardware; browse farmhouse-style sinks
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More
Houzz TV: Life, Love and Purpose Down on the Farm
How to Bring Modern Farmhouse Style to Your Porch
11 Modern Farmhouses That Could Make You Want to Change Your Life
Other Resources on Houzz
Get farmhouse design ideas
Find a designer
Browse products
“Uh-oh” moment. “Do we have too much rustic wood in the space? That was our challenge here,” Barbe says. “We wanted the wood in so many places. Bringing in the clean, light cabinets all around the perimeter balances those rich, rustic tones in the wood.”
Sink and cabinet hardware: Rocky Mountain Hardware; browse farmhouse-style sinks
See more of this home
More
Houzz TV: Life, Love and Purpose Down on the Farm
How to Bring Modern Farmhouse Style to Your Porch
11 Modern Farmhouses That Could Make You Want to Change Your Life
Other Resources on Houzz
Get farmhouse design ideas
Find a designer
Browse products
Designers: Matt Retzak and Heather Scott of Bartelt the Remodeling Resource, and Becky Howley
Location: Washington County, Wisconsin
Size: 180 square feet (17 square meters); 12 by 15 feet
Homeowners’ request. “The homeowners wanted their barn’s kitchen to be a complement to the restored 1870s farmhouse on the property,” designer Heather Scott says. “The room serves as additional entertaining space for the husband and his friends, a canning kitchen for their extensive vegetable garden and a private guest space when needed. The kitchen is meant to be a nod to the homestead’s original charm.”
Farmhouse details. Timber framing. Reclaimed-pine flooring and island top. Wood ceiling. Natural stone countertops. Apron-front sink. “Also, there are few upper cabinets, adding to that airy farmhouse kitchen feel,” Scott says.