Photography: Kate Enno/ Styling: Annalese Hay
Whether you live on the land, or you simply want your home to transport you to a rustic, rural dreamscape, you may find yourself drawn towards modern farmhouse interiors. Modern farmhouse could be defined as a contemporary take on a traditional barn style. Think: open layouts, raw finishes and timber galore.
While traditional farmhouse style might see wagon wheel motifs and an abundance of kitsch antiques, modern farmhouse combines a smattering of these pastoral features with additional elevated, sleek finishes.
Lysandra Fraser — one half of the design twins Alisa and Lysandra — is well acquainted with this style. Having styled several homes with modern farmhouse flourishes, she recently sat down with Home Beautiful editor Elle Lovelock to reveal her tricks of the trade.
Listen to Lysandra on The Edit podcast:
Below, Lysandra breaks down the defining features of the modern farmhouse aesthetic, so that you might weave it through your own interiors.
What is modern farmhouse design? 10 defining style features
If you’re still asking “What is farmhouse style?”, we’ve broken down 10 key features of the aesthetic, some of which you can bring to your home through furniture and décor, sans a major renovation.
1. Barn doors
Starting with the obvious, barn doors are a staple farmhouse style. While statement features like this can sometimes be heavy-handed in a farmhouse aesthetic, they might be just the right balance if your home lacks other farmhouse features in its inherent structure, such as exposed timber beams. Barn doors can be an easy addition, without a full renovation.
2. Statement lighting
Antique lighting can create a farmhouse feel.
(Credit: Photographer Warren Heath)
Lysandra recommends going for “big statement lights” in your farmhouse. Consider how your light fittings might incorporate raw materials or antique finishes. Statement lamps can also go some way in carrying your design theme where renovating your existing light fixtures isn’t possible.
3. Recycled furniture
“What I love about farmhouse is you can bring in those recycled materials,” Lysandra says. “Go into antique stores… buy pieces with personality, like a piece of furniture that’s been around for a couple of hundred years!”
Recycled furniture, made from raw timber or other reclaimed materials, adds the warmth and texture necessary for farmhouse design. It’s also a more sustainable decorating solution!
Meanwhile, avoid anything with too much sheen, like polished timber or plastic furniture.
4. High ceilings and exposed beams
If you’re already blessed with high ceilings and exposed beams, you’re half way to your dream farmhouse.
(Credit: Photographer: Marnie Hawson / Stylist: Belle Hemming Bright)“In order to capture that farmhouse look, you really need high ceilings,” Lysandra explains. “If you have a pitched ceiling with some timber beams, you’re halfway there to creating this look.” However, it’s not the end of the world if your home isn’t blessed with soaring ceilings.
There are some superficial ways to create more barn-like ceilings, such as adding decorative box beams or creating a coffered ceiling. However, if your ceilings aren’t very high to begin with, be wary of adding more volume to this area as you may end up feeling cramped. Instead, consider how you can incorporate raw and recycled timber in other ways, such as with shelving or furniture. You can also create the illusion of higher ceilings and more space by raising the height of your curtains.
5. Textured décor
Texture is key to a modern farmhouse design. Your décor is the top layer and therefore the easiest pathway to create that rustic warmth. “Layer with lots of different textures, like in your rug, your coffee table, your cushions; big linen curtains that drape all the way to the ground, big, statement lights — go for scale,” Lysandra advises. Look to natural fabrics and finishes, like jute, wool and, again, raw timber or metals.
6. Timber flooring
If you have hardwood floors, congratulations! If not, fortunately laying floorboards over your existing floor is fairly simple these days. “You probably want to go more towards that mid-darker colour palette for the floor. I think that mid-tone is really nice,” Lysandra says. This ranges from anything in the warm, light brown range, from natural oak to honey-toned maple, ash or chestnut.
If you’re not currently looking to renovate your floors, you can add a farmhouse feel by layering raw, natural fibre rugs over your existing carpet or tiles.
7. Warm colour palettes
Colour palettes are deeply personal, and there are certainly ways to achieve a farmhouse feel with dark and dramatic colours. However, to make life easier, Lysandra prefers neutral tones. “I like keeping the walls fairly neutral and let the elements [provide interest],” Lysandra shares.
Regardless of your chosen hues, farmhouse colour palettes tend to be warm. Earthy and autumn tones will help you stick to the theme.
8. Fireplaces
Any type of fireplace, or even faux fireplace heater, can add to the farmhouse vibe. Stone fireplaces can be a heavenly statement accent for farmhouse interiors, but anything with a raw brick or an exposed timber shelf above will help create that look.
9. Antique hardware
Changing metal hardware and tapware can go a long way. In a modern farmhouse, you want metals that will age with the home. While antique tapware, cabinetry and door handles will be preferred, you can always try matte black hardware for an easy, modern solution that could add an industrial element to the space.
10. Allow for character
If you’re going for farmhouse style, you need to be open to “perfectly imperfect” finishes, notes Lysandra. “Who cares if there’s a little bit etched on the marble? That brings in character. Who cares if your brass tapware tarnishes over time? It’s character!”
That’s the moral of the farmhouse style story: You can make almost anything work. As a fusion theme, blending the above elements with your existing style is very much possible. At the end of the day, it may boil down to items to avoid.
“I think avoid anything too contemporary,” Lysandra says. “If you’re trying to create that farmhouse look, stick away from the lighter timbers, stick away from the more contemporary stones, like the Dolomites, and go for more the classics, like the marbles. Go for something that’s going to age, like tumbled brass, that feels like it’s been there for a long time.”
Watch Lysandra’s episode of The Edit, or listen to the podcast on your chosen platform:
