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Posts Tagged ‘farmhouse style’

The All-American Hill Country Experience – Making Country Look More Modern

Friday, June 16th, 2017

Hooker Furniture Living Room Pinta Trail Strong Box Cocktail Table

Who wouldn’t love the country style? But since we’re in a world where everything has to keep up with the times, then a good way to catch up or update the look of your country style home is to go modern. Modern country style is the interesting marriage of traditional, rustic appeal with Scandinavian modernism.

The modern country style look is eclectic and so you will surely get the update that you have long been waiting for. You will see more of stripped wood, clean painted walls, and other rustic touches throughout this design scheme. Expect to see these as well – old-fashioned wooden flooring, barn doors, stone fireplaces, and the open space layout.

Modern country, these days, has veered away from the nostalgic look. Instead, it has embraced a more global appeal, one that could include artisan pieces such as Eastern rugs, Asian features, Scandinavian furniture, woven baskets, South American and African accents, and more.

If these haven’t interested you yet, then find out what other elements you should learn about in this hill country look that’s a must-have –

Contemporary and Vintage

The rooms in your home could display the most interesting fusion of styles, in this case, contemporary items with old doors, heirloom accessories, paintings, and such. A stainless steel water container could easily become a repurposed sink.

How about having a bright green cabinet in a sea of light grays?

Mix various flooring materials gracefully. Combine stone with wood and contrast contemporary with vintage or vintage-looking replicas.

Wood Is a Must

Modern country style will always require the use of wood somewhere. This can be seen on furnishings, architecture, or decorative elements. The most-used elements include unfinished wood in its natural form, exposed wooden rafters, and wooden cabinets. These contrast well with rustic stone walls.

Accentuate with Stone

Stone is also a staple piece in a farmhouse. It will evoke a more industrial contemporary vibe. A notable example is when you have a stone fireplace set up in a mainly wooden interior. Imagine having the exposed plumbing and beams overhead. It’s unique and definitely attention-grabbing.

Stone features can also be used on walls whether that’s in the bedroom, kitchen, living room and just about any living space in your home.

Spindle Dining Arm Chair has a dependable and luscious hue for the traditional theme lovers. 

Neutral Palette

Yet another hill country look staple is a neutral palette. Use only the elegant and restrained colors such as taupes, dark and light grays, earth hues, and whites. It is easier to achieve warmth with these tones than any other color.

Contrast the probable blandness with beautiful stones, wood, and exposed architectural elements. Make all these complement each other for an aesthetically pleasing home.

Of course, a great way to make your modern farmhouse look appear more interesting is to add a pop of color somewhere. While the base color is mainly neutral, go for something saturated elsewhere. Create an accent wall of blue or green. A colorful artwork could also be the defining piece to top your hill country look.

Minimalism

The hill country look is also all about minimalist living. Whether you get artisan pieces or not, this is a style that should evoke the rustic elegance of farmhouse living.

Remember these traits when you want to succeed in creating a minimalist environment –

  • Achieve depth within the basics. Emphasize on functionality rather than the complexities of the design. Focus the viewer’s attention onto specific elements of your hill country design.
  • Attain balance. Since there are very few elements in a rustic farmhouse, you need to organize and define the layouts. Everything must be visually balanced.
  • Learn contrast. Achieving a minimalist country farmhouse means energizing a few areas and creating laidback spaces elsewhere.

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Down to Earth: How to Use Rustic Colors Effectively in Your Home

Saturday, November 12th, 2016

Hooker Furniture Living Room Sanctuary Box on Stand: Rustic doesn't always have to be "all brown". The distressed look, here shown, is an exceptional way to achieve the rustic look.

Hooker Furniture Living Room Sanctuary Box on Stand: Rustic doesn’t always have to be “all brown”. The distressed look, here shown, is an exceptional way to achieve the rustic look.

It is, indeed, a capricious process to create a rustic tone. If you’re able to achieve it, though, you will see that the payoffs are huge. There has to be a balance of materials and features whether you are setting up a home that’s a modest log cabin, a timber lodge or a farmhouse.

Basic Styles of Rustic Structures

Did you know that there are basic classes for every rustic structure? The terms such as cottage, cabin, farmhouse or lodge all refer to rustic beauty but do not mean the exact same thing. Let’s begin defining one after the other –

A cottage has many variations just like any other home style. Every style evokes a different image. For some, it is a small, romantic place while the beach cottages all belong on a different plane. One thing’s common with all these cottages, though, and that is airy interiors.

The cabin, on the other hand, has dark-stained logs for exteriors. There is also the fieldstone chimney which is a typical addition. Just like many homes in the past, a cabin is always built using materials that are found from nature. These are then utilized to make functional pieces. Just picture the rusted firewood as well as the breezeway roofs.

Houses that have been around a long time were usually modified through the years. Modifications were often done over a period of years through the addition of other structures on the asset. A connecting breezeway is quite common.

The farmhouse is a popular structure in many rural landscapes. This is the representative of all the hard work that happens in far-flung places. No matter how basic, such a structure promises comfort and safety – the two things that are common in many rustic structures.

Common architectural elements include big porches, pitched rooflines, and those simple yet pretty sidings.

Farmhouses are built minus lavishness or waste. They were historically constructed with the use of materials that are rough-hewn and hand sawn.

The lodge makes use of big timber trusses, oversized fireplaces, high ceilings and chimneys. Take note of the roofing, too, as it was always made of thick cedar or the slated shingles. Bring your imagination to Lake Tahoe and you’d know what a lodge is supposed to look like.

Having a lodge means maximizing the views. This only means that the windows must be massive. The exteriors as well as the outdoor fireplace use a blend of materials such as timber posts, vertical boards, board and batten.

Now that you have these basic descriptions for rustic homes, can you now confidently tell that your home is rustic in style? The key is to have that open floor plan, wood furniture and beautiful, exposed architectural elements.

The Modern Rustic Home

Do you ever wonder how different a rustic home is from one that is modern rustic? One of the most noticeable features of a modern rustic home is the raw wood as well as the stone features. Preserve the look that’s common in rustic style which is the exposed beams, stone fireplace, and the use of furnishings made of reclaimed or sustainable wood.

Rustic also means natural so be ready to embrace rugs, linens and upholstery that show a natural aspect. Find the simplest fabrics minus the nauseating prints and patterns. Think of linen pillows, sisal, jute, and hides for a more natural look.

Modern rustic homes also have a good view of the picturesque outdoors so make sure that big windows are present. The modern rustic home is also almost always full of light and is spacious.

Lastly, bring in the wooden furniture to cap the look.

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Posted in Color Schemes, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Themes | No Comments »

The Farmhouse Charm: Where Everything Is Oversized

Wednesday, February 10th, 2016

 

Universal Furniture Bedroom Santa Rosa Poster Bed Queen 313280B

Universal Furniture Bedroom Santa Rosa Poster Bed Queen 313280B

Farmhouse design has been around for many years. Its simplicity is no longer just considered a style but a passion for some. It is casual and basic, none of the frills and excessiveness of the other interior designs.

Farmhouse design makes amazing and exciting vacation houses. The old and the new worlds collide in this perfect union of styles. If you happen to be blessed with an actual, old farmhouse, then learn how you can remodel it and bring it back to its glorious days. If you want to build a farmhouse from scratch, then you have to know the elements that make this design uniquely charming –

Old farmhouses usually have large openings. This is so large furniture and many people can be accommodated. The windows are generally bigger, too, because they are meant to offer a grand view of the farm outside.

Modern farmhouses already share these features. Sure, there might not be a literal farm outside but the wide openings can still be used for the amazing sceneries. These houses also break down the usual barriers of the outdoors and indoors.

Traditional farmhouses were made quickly. Farmers did not have the leisure of time to set up fancy interiors, hence, you won’t find fancy wallpapers, bright paints, or ornate furnishings. Whitewashed or natural woods were preferred as were exposed beams and light-colored walls.

Stanley Furniture Dining Room Fairleigh Fields Host Chair 018-61-70

Stanley Furniture Dining Room Fairleigh Fields Host Chair 018-61-70

The Farmhouse Living Room

The same principles of design apply in this room as in the rest of the house. You can mix natural materials with modern elements. Find a neutral carpet that can give the room a simple, warm base. Brown, tan and other natural tones are commonly found in farms so use them liberally.

Keep all your furniture neutral and simple. These pieces should echo the look of the floor.

No country living room is without a fireplace so make sure that you set up one for your home. Use candelabra, old bottles and barrels to decorate the rest of this room in your home.

The Farmhouse Dining Room

Just like your living room, the dining room should come with simple flooring. Weathered wood is best as is neutral carpet. A hardwood dining table is the star of this room so make sure that you choose a lovely piece that will last for many, many years.

Accent the rest of the room with chinaware and simple dishware.

Hooker Furniture Dining Room Willow Bend Bench

Hooker Furniture Dining Room Willow Bend Bench

The Farmhouse Open Kitchen

Farmhouse kitchens are always open. They are large enough to feed a huge family.

The focal point is the center island where pots and pans are stored. Wood countertops are also common so say goodbye to marble or granite countertops. Find out which glass fronted cabinets will work for you or if you would prefer the wooden ones. Keep in mind that no farmhouse kitchen is considered complete till there are plate racks for those beautiful serving trays and ornamental plates.

Find appliance panels to hide your refrigerator or dishwasher. Keeping the modern appliances maintains the old-fashioned appeal. If you can find retro stoves, then that should keep the antique feel in your place. Add accessories like wooden spoons, old dishes, or antique pitchers.

Maximize natural lighting even if you have to reduce the number of upper cabinets. Open shelves are great in keeping the country feel.

Winners Only Dining Room 57 Inch Farmhouse Single Pedestal Dining Table 54257A

Winners Only Dining Room 57 Inch Farmhouse Single Pedestal Dining Table 54257A

The Farmhouse Bedroom

Pick the simplest four-poster beds, dressers and side chairs. Start with rustic wooden floors, rugs and rustic accessories. You can also add a fireplace in this room. Think well about your lighting options. A rustic chandelier should do the trick.

Other Farmhouse Tips

  • Use lots and lots of wood especially the weathered looking ones.
  • Use patterns and colors that are muted and neutral. Say no to plaids and florals.
  • To add a sense of history, invest in furniture that have a distressed look or those that have been whitewashed.
  • Clean the clutter immediately. The farmhouse may be a worker’s home but it doesn’t mean that it should be unorganized.

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Posted in Bedroom Design, Dining Room Design, Interior Design Themes, Kitchen Design, Living Room Design | No Comments »