re you dreaming of your future farmhouse manor with a wrap around porch, stone fireplace and paneling all around the wooden accents, but with a modern spin on it? From the most eye-appealing accents to the most practical additions, you will have a beautiful manor in no time.
In this article, we’ll cover:
Before the Industrial Revolution, a vernacular style was common among farmhouses. The style of homes reflected the economic and regional stability of the surrounding area. In smaller estates, materials like timber and mud evolved into cotswold, and limestone flourished for a stable, easy to build farm home.
After an era of reconstruction, farmers upgraded their dirt farmhouses (literally) into clapboard homes where wood paneling wrapped around the home instead of mud and timber. Farmhouses became two-story instead of one, and the kitchen was showered with attention for its ability to bring family together. Open concept-farmhouses became homes after reconstruction, and now, farmhouses are lived in as homes because of the shortage of farmers that are needed now with recent technological advances.
Originally used strictly for a practical way to give support to above floors, wooden beams were laid on the top of stone walls as a “support beam.” Used in farmhouses, cottages, and castles, this type of architecture evolved into a more efficient form, making wooden support beams obsolete.
Churchtown Inn in Narvon, PA is made of local fieldstone, and because of its unyielding form, it lasted through the Revolutionary War. It is now a Bed and Breakfast, and visitors can stay overnight.
This paneling went on to become linenfold paneling, a similar architectural style, but vertical rather than horizontal. After boiserie paneling was favored in French design, this form of wainscoting became popular for cabinets, doors, and shelves, rather than only walls.
Later, wainscoting became popular in Danish culture, where oak paneling covered the bottom half of walls. To achieve a modernistic traditional look, incorporate wood wainscoting into your kitchen, bathroom, or bedroom walls and cabinets to give a classical look with white accents.
Whitewash, known as “lime paint,” was used as a paint for the exterior of farmhouses to prevent mildew and mold from forming on the interior and exterior of homes. The lime acted as a disinfectant and an insect repellant. Bring the outside in for a contemporary look--your white farmhouse is a dream come true (and practical!).
Used originally by farmers as a means of transporting cattle and livestock from inside a barn to outside, sliding barn doors were ideal instead of the use of swinging the doors for functionality and space. With extra long lumber available to them, farmers would layer either an “X” or a “Z” on the outside of the door to add extra stability. This caught on and people added them to their barn door slats as a trend.
Made without hinges or a door jam, sliding barn doors are practical for a modern farmhouse design. Saving space and adding a traditional wood flare, barn doors can keep a space clean and open.
Originally serving as Japanese farmhouses, A-frame buildings made their way to Switzerland and ultimately to America. The style of these homes creates an air of comfort, homeliness, and family. Nature-lovers gravitate towards these oddly-structured homes because of the exposure to the outdoors through large windows and exposed beams. The practical structure allowed snow and ice to fall off of the roof gracefully, also blending in with the life around them.
Pendant lamps or hanging lamps add a great lightweight touch of yellow glow for a living room, bedroom, or kitchen. Favored for their light gleam and beautiful hanging structure, pendant lamps have been a favorite ever since the Greeks. Hanging animal fats and perfumes with wicks attached to the clay pots they used, ancient Greeks used these hanging pendants for style, smell, and look.
Since then, pendant lamps were used as accent lighting in the 1920s, especially for that late farmhouse look. Attach hanging accent lighting to your newly exposed wooden beam in your living room for a light, dreamy natural glow.
In the 17th and 18th centuries, Fireplaces were walk-ins, especially in the homes of Dutch settlers. English-home fireplaces served more of a practical purpose, with stone or bricks to retain heat for the rest of the home.
For a modern touch on a traditional farmhouse fireplace wall, lay white brick or stone against the wall and reduce the size of the fireplace if unneeded for cooking. With modern fireplace designs that are easier to maintain, more eye pleasing, and safer, electric fireplaces can serve as a great alternative to real fireplaces.
The traditional farmhouse was practical and sturdy, yet the conventional look might not appeal to all. With the right wooden accents and stylish bases, you’ll have your ideal modern farmhouse in no time.
