When you hear a kitchen or home described as being a modern farmhouse, chances are there’s going to be a big debate over what “modern” means and what constitutes a “farmhouse.” But what follows are three kitchens described by their designers and architects, in one way or another, as embracing modern farmhouse design. For the most part, you’ll find kitchen designs with clean lines, raw materials like stone and reclaimed wood, lots of steel, a collected look and a good old-fashioned country vibe in spaces that still function for today’s world.
1. Marvelous Mix
Designer: Joan Heaton Architects
Builder: Sean Flynn of Silver Maple Construction
Location: North Ferrisburgh, Vermont
Size: 600 square feet (56 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. “She wanted an organized machine with aesthetic details that really sang,” builder Sean Flynn says.
Style. Modern farmhouse.
Special features. Floating walnut shelves. Custom walnut island with 4-inch-thick waterfall concrete countertops. Patinated steel. White oak floors. Reclaimed-timber beams. Custom farmhouse-style cabinets. Steel-and-glass doors. Fireplace with steel surround in a nearby sitting area.
Project photos: Joe Fletcher Photography
2. Stone-and-Steel Style
Design and build team: Tim Blazina of Yellowstone Traditions (builder), Lake Flato Architects (architecture) and Marnie Wright Design (interior design)
Location: Cody, Wyoming
Size: About 500 square feet (46 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. A clean, modern, functional kitchen with a cooking fireplace and room to accommodate large gatherings.
Style. Modern ranch.
Special features. Large freestanding island with wood top and steel legs. Custom cabinets. Soapstone countertops, backsplash and built-in sink. Walnut butcher-block countertop section. Concrete floors and fireplace. Exposed ceiling. Steel beams and custom range hood.
Designer secret. Clean lines, all drawer storage and no cabinet doors.
Designer tip. “When working with hard elements like concrete, stone and plaster, it can be challenging and must be done right the first time,” builder Tim Blazina says. “Careful planning beforehand is the key to success.”
3. Bright Barn
Designers: Kevin O’Sullivan, Luke Ferran and Barrie Glabman of Kevin O’Sullivan + Associates (architecture and interior design)
Location: Amagansett, New York
Size: The kitchen, living and dining areas are 782 square feet (73 square meters); 23 by 34 feet.
Homeowners’ request. “With two young children, this hip family wanted a heart of the home where they could cook, eat and play,” architect Luke Ferran says. “There are other more low-key and private spaces that surround this central great room, but this is where the action is.”
Style. “We’d probably call this modern barn style or modern country,” Ferran says.
Special features. Black painted windows and doors. Extra-wide white oak floors with a clear stain. Reclaimed-cedar beams. White oak island with Calacatta Lincoln marble slab countertop. White walls (Ammonite by Farrow & Ball) and white cabinets and millwork (All White by Farrow & Ball).
Designer secret. “No tricks here,” Ferran says. “Just scale, proportion and lots of natural light.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “The clients were so fun and easy to work with that we never ran into those usual ‘uh-oh’ moments,” Ferran says. “The family made quick decisions and stuck to them so we were able to avoid any late-stage time crunches.”
Project photos: Read McKendree
Mitchell Parker December 14, 2018
