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Editor’s Take: Modern Farmhouse

Combining rustic and industrial with a dash of simplicity, this aesthetic spans the best of all worlds. Explore the elements that make the style.

Written by:LouAnn Haaf
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Cambria designs shown: Carrick™, Skara Brae™. Design by Jean Stoffer. Design Photo by Stoffer Photography 

The modern farmhouse is the perfect mash-up of functionality and style.

Concrete

The poured concrete shower tray brings an edge to this bathroom—and plays well off the white subway tile and blackened metal shower fittings. Cambria Carrick Matte™ on the vanity top complements the concrete perfectly, without the maintenance. Photo by Jeff Herr

Light It Up

Black and brass lighting fixtures in an industrial style (Schoolhouse Electric & Supply Co. is a good source) fit the utilitarian nature of the farmhouse aesthetic. An all-white base is the perfect backdrop for black, gray, and timber accents. Stick with natural fibers, like the woven bar stools here, for a rustic vibe. Cambria design shown: Brittanicca™. Photo by Jaclyn Peters Design

 

Ask Your Builder

If there’s scope to renovate, check whether your dropped drywall ceiling is hiding a vaulted roof and beams above and expose them for a spacious barnlike feel. Alternatively, add wooden lengths as faux beams over the top of an existing ceiling. Selecting reclaimed timber over new will make it look like the beams have been there all along. Graphic black windows contrast beautifully with clean white. Add warmth with natural aged wood. Cambria design shown: Whitehall™. Design by Jean Stoffer Design Photo by Stoffer Photography

 

The Bohemian in you will love to warm up a room with richly colored vintage rugs and accessories.

Cambria Stone

Beautiful and maintenance-free, Cambria quartz is ideal for any space, but especially high-traffic areas like kitchens and bathrooms. Unlike marble, it won’t stain and you can choose either a high gloss or Cambria Matte® finish. Cambria design shown: Oakmoor™.

Open Storage

Open timber shelves are the ideal place to display flowers, greenery, and pretty canisters, alongside more functional kitchen favorites like oils and spices. Cambria design shown: Whitehall. Design by Sita Montgomery Interiors Photo by Sara Boulter

Glazing

These steel-framed doors have an industrial look that modernizes and toughens up the farmhouse look. It also allows light to flow through the space. Design by Garden Design Photo by SGM Photography

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Cambria designs shown: Brittanicca Warm™, Whitehall (perimeter). Design by 3 Lights Design. Photo by Thomas Kuoh Photography. 

A farmhouse sink, also known as a butler sink or apron-front sink, is nostalgic but also practical and ergonomic (you don’t have to lean so far forward). White ceramic is classic but don’t discount the other options like copper and stainless steel. The latter provides not only an updated farmhouse feel, but the durability and forgiveness needed in a bustling kitchen.

Vintage Rugs

Warm up a room with richly colored vintage rugs. Persian kilims, overdyed dhurries, shaggy Moroccan rugs, and ikat rugs will all offer a much welcome dose of vibrancy. Just choose your favorite! Etsy and eBay are good places to start the search.

Barn light with gooseneck arm

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Paulownia wood vases

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Natural rattan bar stool

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Small jute floor basket with charcoal stripe

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Adair hand-knotted rug

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Farmer table

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Leather pillow cover with linen back

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Costa Allegra Rhombus tile

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Vero 753LF-CZ faucet in champagne bronze

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Explore These Styles 

"Steal the style with some of my favorite rustic-refined finds." —Louann Haaf
 

  1. Barn light with gooseneck arm by RecessoLighting, destinationlighting.com.
  2. Paulownia wood vases by Magnolia, magnolia.com.
  3. Natural rattan bar stool by Bloomingville, bellacor.com.
  4. Small jute floor basket with charcoal stripe by the Dharma Door, onekingslane.com.
  5. Adair hand-knotted rug by Rejuvenation, rejuvenation.com.
  6. Farmer table by 57st. Design, 57stdesign.com.
  7. Leather pillow cover with linen back by Rejuvenation, rejuvenation.com.
  8. Costa Allegra Rhombus tile by Bedrosians, bedrosians.com.
  9. Vero 753LF-CZ faucet in champagne bronze by Delta Faucet, deltafaucet.com.

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