One would think that having a modern farmhouse style home would require a very rustic faded feel. I’m referring to the interior and maybe also parts of the exterior of your house. However, it would have to be a little bit more than that, if let’s say you are at least looking for some touch of modern against a backdrop of a farmhouse feel to it.

That being said, here are some elements that make up of what you would call a modern farmhouse style. As follows:

• Warm

• Relaxing

• Charming

• Practical

• To some degree rustic, but not rusty

• Just a bit rugged but still cultured

• Handy, sturdy, and not fragile.

• Set against a background of minimalist style

An example of what you would find in the living room are items that hand me downs which may be placed alongside newer items. These are older cabinets and tables sitting side by side together with shiny steely appliances in either the kitchen or in the living room. Even though things are different from each other they should at least look arranged and not cluttered.

On the other hand, some of the things that you would not want in the design are the obvious matching of items. You would want to avoid having them look like they came from the same store. Try to at least pair refurbished vintage tables, against newer types of chairs. Everything should look like they came from different places.

It’s the intended effect, past, and present, old and new, simple and sleek. All held in a balance.

Modern Farmhouse Style vs. Classic Farmhouse Style

There are very subtle differences between the two and some are obvious as well.

Qualities of a Classic Farmhouse Style

• Lots of wood accents

Wood panel walls usually dominate the background, as well as wood floors and wood beams.

• Simple yet practical furniture

• Brass or Iron based light fixtures and railings

• Staple Apron sinks

These are deep sinks and usually made out of porcelain. It is unique in size and appearance often extending slightly beyond the cabinets and counter-tops.

• Traditional cloths utilizing floral and earthy colors.

• Overall, it goes for functional minimalist features. Kinda old but still works and not dusty or covered in cob webs.

Qualities of Modern Farmhouse Style

• Apart from the traditional look of the classic style which is also present in the modern style, smooth modern lines and shapes dominate the modern style. In the mix are neutral colors.

• It doesn’t look as old and as rustic as the classic, but it retains much of that vintage feel combined with the aforementioned modern amenities like stainless steel appliances, modern lighting, and solid stone countertops.

• The atmosphere is more calming and relaxed

• You will find more texture in fabrics and other decors.

• Mix and match of old and new items

Your farmhouse designs aren’t complete without Shiplap

What is Shiplap?

Shiplap is planks of wood with rabbet joints that join together and interlock whenever the planks are set side by side. The joints themselves overlap each other, hence the name shiplap. This type of wood construction was mainly invented in the past to make the hulls of wooden ships waterproof.

This was when they were still made of wood. It was such an effective invention that it was incorporated for house building for both exterior and interior purposes. It kept water out.

As they were done for both aesthetic, thermal, and waterproofing purposes, the advantage of using shiplap in your farmhouse design is that it is cheap to install. Additionally, it adds to the symmetric beauty of the location to where it is installed.

Shiplap in Modern Farmhouse Style

• Shiplap Coffee Table

Any kind of coffee table may serve as a form-function centerpiece in the living room. It could even be used in the patio if the owner wants to. Whatever you do, you can take an old shiplap coffee table and use it as it is, or, maybe repaint it all together.

This is to achieve that rustic, faded, and vintage look. Otherwise, you can also paint it like it was brand new, and you can do this by using pastel colors only. Nothing too loud, nothing too deep.

Either way, just make sure there are no pointed edges, and or anything rotting on the furniture itself. It then is easy to clean as it complements your new upholstered vintage chair which could look like they were made for each other.

• Accent Wall

Installing wooden shiplap to a single wall face adds character to the surrounding interior. What it does is attract the attention of visitors, and may also work as a talking piece. To make sure that it can be seen, install it in the area where it is visible.

• Backsplash

You can try installing shiplap backsplash in the kitchen as it adds functionality and personality to your kitchen wall. Be sure to protect the wood with a finishing coat that can withstand heat and hot liquid. It would generally look good installed horizontally, but you can vary the position to vertical, or maybe even diagonally. It adds variation to your shiplap design.

• Bare Wood

You can use a reclaimed shiplap which generally would be beautifully aged wood. Do not paint over it. Just go ahead smoothen it out and remove splinters and other possible rough edges. Use wax instead of protective coating to let the beauty of the wood show itself as it is.

• Shiplap Fireplace Mantels

Provided that safety codes are followed, shiplap fireplace mantel is pretty good to look at and is safe, contrary to what some may think. Once again, it adds personality to your fireplace and the living room as well. To be on the safe side, however, be sure to follow fire safety codes. The code requires any, and all combustible material to be at least 6 inches away from the fireplace opening.

For added protection, you can put in non-combustible material around the fireplace opening before installing the shiplap.

Modern Farmhouse Style Trinkets

May it be classic or modern farmhouse style, it wouldn’t be complete without the trinkets. These are big and small items that add to the motif and the general feel of the house. You can add some accent pieces and some decors that will show your sense style too.

A few examples of Trinkets from antiquefarmhouse.com :

• Rustic Hanging scale

Gives a sense of old-timer way of measuring things adding to the vintage effect.

• Hanging Stage Style Pendant Light

It will contrast with some of the modern lighting fixtures in the house giving off that vintage feel in spite of the modern surroundings. It can also be used as a talking piece

• Ceramic Building Candle Holder

It can show some vintage glow with a lighted candle inside.

• Old Wooden Wagon Retro Canister

This will bring back old memories of times past during the time you spent 1 or 2 days in the car with the whole family. Memories of long happy trips throughout the countryside. All of these things will add to an atmosphere of hominess and a classic vibe to your house. In the meantime, the old things are juxtaposed against newer trinkets along with modern amenities, thereby creating that balance between tradition and convenience.

Suggestions for Furniture and Floors

• Ideal Farmhouse Table

Choose one that gives an old school and weathered look to it. It should look cozy and of course, smoothed out of splinters so it can be used without any trouble. Here are some of the usual elements of a farmhouse table:

• Types of Farmhouse Countertops

It is made out of natural stone is highly recommended for that hard, earthy, airy feel to your kitchen.

Marble

This type of stone apart from being a staple in beautiful kitchens and bathrooms may practically last forever. All you have to do is keep it clean and be aware that it can stain too.

Quartz

This material is very durable and beautiful to look at. Such as in the case of a farmhouse style, you would want to go for white or something light in color to keep in step with farmhouse classic ambiance.

Concrete

Affordable and is able to produce that industrial effect in a farmhouse style kitchen.

• Flooring

This type of floor is mostly made out of planks of wood. It would depend now on the owner on how rustic he/she would want it to appear to be.

Traditional Hardwood

These are wide, durable planks of hardwood or even pine that make up this type of flooring. It looks warm, natural and is sturdy.

Matte finish

The matte finish on a wooden floor would greatly add to the natural effect which incidentally fits well into the farmhouse style.

Wood with Visible Graining and Some Imperfections

There is nothing more interesting to look at than wood that has been cut and is showing some unique knots and natural etches on it. These were created in the years when the tree was still growing and is always fascinating to look at. It even adds character to the wood itself, and some curiosity to whoever looks at it. It also evokes feelings of age and timelessness.

Farmhouse Tile

Some red or reddish-brown Terracotta tiles definitely renders that homey, classic, and rustic feel to your interior. It is durable and has many styles to choose from too. Many other tiles are available to satisfy the need for that ideal farmhouse flooring look.

In conclusion, there is no doubt that you, the owner, will be able to make the mix and match combination work. That is, of the classic and modern farmhouse styles. This way you can achieve your desired results with the look and the general “feel” of your home.

Enjoy!