The Complete Guide to Mastering Farmhouse Modern Interiors
Just when you think you've mastered all of the home design styles you've been eying across the glossy pages of Architectural Digest and Elle Decor, a new genre pops up that feels fresh, approachable and new all over again! Farmhouse modern has come onto the scene in the past few years and has been all the rage, thanks to interior designers like Cindy Witmer who have mastered this style flawlessly. What could be described a bit like Tuscan or Provencal country house brought into the 21st century, farmhouse modern is organic, relaxed and still totally current. We asked the fabulous Cindy Witmer of Houston for her take on the style and her top tips on how to nab the look. Read on below for her tips!
1.Start with a neutral palette.
"Begin with a basic neutral in each room and then gradually incorporate pops of color with pillows, blankets. Then, add some greenery in a vintage pot and/or jar for the extra touch of freshness."
We love having a fresh feeling to our home and a neutral color palette of natural, un-dyed, cream and linen colored fabrics and finishes is a sure way to achieve that! Peruse our collection of neutral and nude colored decor and furniture here to start. From there, explore some gorgeous colored pillows!
2. MAXIMIZE THE HOME'SVIEW.
"Create a gathering space where the view of the beautiful property is on display. For instance, in this home we situated a large farm dining table that seats 14 between the foyer and main living area for when family and friends come together they can enjoy views of both the front and back of the property."
There is nothing better than being able to appreciate a beautiful view from within your home, so this tip is key! So many homes make the TV central which discourages interaction. Make the views, the windows and property around the home on display! If not a huge view to focus on, we love to use beautiful art as focal points as well, and of course, the kitchen, where everyone loves to hang around.
3. Brighten the room FROM TOP TO BOTTOM.
"Bleached hardwood floors and white textured walls and farmhouse staples that will not only brighten, but also expand the room space."
Nothing cleans up a space like a coat of white paint! Working with some older furniture or renovating an older home? Whether its a bright white paint on furniture or stripping and staining a white wash coat on wood floors, brightening up a home with a new lighter hue can change your environment fast!
1.Start with a neutral palette.
"Begin with a basic neutral in each room and then gradually incorporate pops of color with pillows, blankets. Then, add some greenery in a vintage pot and/or jar for the extra touch of freshness."
We love having a fresh feeling to our home and a neutral color palette of natural, un-dyed, cream and linen colored fabrics and finishes is a sure way to achieve that! Peruse our collection of neutral and nude colored decor and furniture here to start. From there, explore some gorgeous colored pillows!
2. MAXIMIZE THE HOME'SVIEW.
"Create a gathering space where the view of the beautiful property is on display. For instance, in this home we situated a large farm dining table that seats 14 between the foyer and main living area for when family and friends come together they can enjoy views of both the front and back of the property."
There is nothing better than being able to appreciate a beautiful view from within your home, so this tip is key! So many homes make the TV central which discourages interaction. Make the views, the windows and property around the home on display! If not a huge view to focus on, we love to use beautiful art as focal points as well, and of course, the kitchen, where everyone loves to hang around.
3. Brighten the room FROM TOP TO BOTTOM.
"Bleached hardwood floors and white textured walls and farmhouse staples that will not only brighten, but also expand the room space."
Nothing cleans up a space like a coat of white paint! Working with some older furniture or renovating an older home? Whether its a bright white paint on furniture or stripping and staining a white wash coat on wood floors, brightening up a home with a new lighter hue can change your environment fast!
4. ADD TEXTURE.
" Add texture with shiplap walls, burlap, jute and other tactile surfaces. This creates a more casual, yet refined look that will wear well with time."
Thanks to Joanna & Chip Gaines, we've all learned what shiplap is as it seems to be the hot go-to tip that we've heard all too many times, but for good reason! This example of interior wall finish appears like exposed wood boards, and makes a home feel like it has history and heritage and adds so much value in my opinion. Whether its stained a neutral hue, natural or white, we agree that adding a beautiful texture to your walls makes it appear so much richer and interesting.
5. SHOP LOCAL!
"When visiting your farm you are getting away from the city life! There is plenty of local art including the usual bovine, sheep and horse art, beached horns, cowhide and reclaimed wood. Incorporating these into the home will bring the essence of the surrounding countryside."
Going to antique malls, thrift shops and farmers markets in smaller farming or country town is the best, and most fun, way of curating beautiful finds to add to your farmhouse modern home. While mixing in modern elements will make it feel fresh and current, the goal of farmhouse modern is to pay tribute to the history of the American farmhouse so pulling in authentic decor and furniture with beautiful stories behind them is essential and so much more interesting than just buying everything new to replicate the old. Not to mention, ecofriendly and supports local businesses.
6. REIMAGINE THE EXPECTED.
" Rather than using traditional animal heads in this Texas hill country bedroom, we took a more artistic approach by arranging miniature skull mounts centered behind the headboard. The unique characteristics of each piece comes together to form an informal art installation."
We love that Cindy used some interesting skulls over actual animal heads. When decorating in a style that usually pays tribute to its ranchers or even hunters in the case of mountain lodge feel, we're very into respecting animals, not hunting them or putting their heads on display. While it may be in some peoples culture, you need to realize you may greatly offend some of your guests so take that into consideration when designing your home. Another fun idea is to mount other fun objects into the same manner as people do with animal heads. Such as farm equipment, old hammers or horses saddles for example.
“Home design is like fashion; it is personal and should always be fun.”
-Cindy Witmer
4. ADD TEXTURE.
" Add texture with shiplap walls, burlap, jute and other tactile surfaces. This creates a more casual, yet refined look that will wear well with time."
Thanks to Joanna & Chip Gaines, we've all learned what shiplap is as it seems to be the hot go-to tip that we've heard all too many times, but for good reason! This example of interior wall finish appears like exposed wood boards, and makes a home feel like it has history and heritage and adds so much value in my opinion. Whether its stained a neutral hue, natural or white, we agree that adding a beautiful texture to your walls makes it appear so much richer and interesting.
5. SHOP LOCAL!
"When visiting your farm you are getting away from the city life! There is plenty of local art including the usual bovine, sheep and horse art, beached horns, cowhide and reclaimed wood. Incorporating these into the home will bring the essence of the surrounding countryside."
Going to antique malls, thrift shops and farmers markets in smaller farming or country town is the best, and most fun, way of curating beautiful finds to add to your farmhouse modern home. While mixing in modern elements will make it feel fresh and current, the goal of farmhouse modern is to pay tribute to the history of the American farmhouse so pulling in authentic decor and furniture with beautiful stories behind them is essential and so much more interesting than just buying everything new to replicate the old. Not to mention, ecofriendly and supports local businesses.
6. REIMAGINE THE EXPECTED.
" Rather than using traditional animal heads in this Texas hill country bedroom, we took a more artistic approach by arranging miniature skull mounts centered behind the headboard. The unique characteristics of each piece comes together to form an informal art installation."
We love that Cindy used some interesting skulls over actual animal heads. When decorating in a style that usually pays tribute to its ranchers or even hunters in the case of mountain lodge feel, we're very into respecting animals, not hunting them or putting their heads on display. While it may be in some peoples culture, you need to realize you may greatly offend some of your guests so take that into consideration when designing your home. Another fun idea is to mount other fun objects into the same manner as people do with animal heads. Such as farm equipment, old hammers or horses saddles for example.
Farmhouse Modern Furniture Favorites
Meet Cindy Witmer
Cindy Witmer Designs is a full-service interior design firm with an emphasis on residential design. Our small, but mighty team of six talented individuals serves clients throughout Houston and often works as a guiding partner between homeowner, architect, and builder. Our expertise extends beyond Houston — having completed projects in Galveston, Round Top, Hempstead, Edna, Lake McQueeney and Aspen, Colorado. We believe your home should be nothing if not personal — an outward manifestation of who you are as a family and individual. Our role as your design team is to listen carefully to your needs and desires and to establish a deep understanding of your lifestyle. We deliver and execute a customized plan of creative solutions that not only meet your expectations, but exceed them. Because, for us, a great project is one with a satisfied client.
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