For many of us, hearing the word farmhouse instantly conjures up images of a rustic kitchen. Typically decked out in bare wood furnishings with a flagstone floor and an array of barnyard motifs – this ‘country kitsch’ look is easily avoidable. The farmhouse style however, has evolved and is now well incorporated into contemporary trends – your country kitchen or dining room can be transformed into a welcoming stylish home with a farmhouse theme.
What Is the Farmhouse Style?
The farmhouse style originated from the dwellings used to house those working on the land. All furnishings would have been locally sourced and in turn the style developed to reflect rural life in the surrounding area.
Simplicity
Colour schemes should be kept light and natural, after all the farmhouse style is supposed to reflect nature, exposed wood and neutral browns and beige.
Lighting
Farmhouse lighting should be mixed and modest, with nothing too bright. Lanterns, candles and antique style lighting, such as a pillar style candle chandelier or a customised cast iron chandelier.
Ways to Introduce Farmhouse Features
Blend traditional farmhouse features into your home, for a light airy contemporary feel with a rustic tone.
Vintage Furniture
A vintage cabinet or table is a great way to introduce the farmhouse look into your home, anything older looking with some imperfections is a great way to start – think shabby chic or the French rustic look.
Textures
The use of wooden furnishings – wooden floor boards, rattan furnishings, bare brickwork and terracotta all form strong elements of the farmhouse look.
Dining Chairs
The typical traditional looking farmhouse dining chair is made from solid wood with a slatted back, however for a more contemporary and comfortable experience, fabric upholstered dining chairs are becoming more and more popular. Upholstered farmhouse dining chairs offer not only style and comfort for extended periods of sitting, but many of the modern fabrics also offer stain resistant properties and are extremely low maintenance.
Accessories
Wooden spoons, boxes or crates and bottles of wine are all reminiscent of country living. Accessories such as visible large glass jars filled with pluses, sugar, flower etc. are typical of the more traditional farmhouse.
Pottery, China and Linen
Both pottery and china are often associated with country living, both practical and decorative, they can be displayed in cabinets or simply on open shelves. The use of fabrics and upholstered furniture is another way to accessorise, think striped linen table cloths and napkin sets. Cushions and curtains are another way of introducing fabric into your living room, as well as the aforementioned upholstered farmhouse chairs.
Flower Pots and Greenery
Bring the outdoors into your home for a farmhouse feel, this can be achieved by using cut flowers or branches. Alternatively, for a longer lasting solution why not try a plant box and grow some herbs or flowers? The beautiful touch of farmhouse décor is easy to achieve, yet extremely effective. By using simple materials and accessories, different styles can be easily married together to create comfortable, welcoming living spaces. The farmhouse look can be brought into a modern space, blending diverse elements in order to produce some stunning results.
