Not all that long ago, a Waco couple brought their unique taste for Texas-style decor to HGTV viewers. As the makeover magicians and hosts of “Fixer Upper”, Chip and Joanna Gaines popularized the Modern Farmhouse style. But do “Modern” and “Farmhouse” really go together?  Riverside Homebuilders has proof that the 21st century take on the pioneer homestead is a perfect blend.

The early farmhouse was all about functionality. Farmers built their homes with whatever materials they could find, so the result was rustic. They built their homes just big enough for their families, without frills. 

The Industrial Revolution of the early 1900s introduced machinery that could mill the lumber. At the same time, advances in transportation enabled mills to get building materials to the farms. Their homes became less rustic.

Fast forward to 2013, when Joanna Gaines showed how chic the farmhouse style could be. Rough-hewn wood and wrought iron accents, anything with cows or roosters, and functional-made-fun caught the attention of designers and home decor manufacturers. It all evokes a sense of comfort and simplicity. And don’t we want life to be that way?

So, yes, “Modern” and “Farmhouse” can live happily together. In fact, it’s a great pairing for today’s homebuyers. 

What is Modern Farmhouse?

The Modern Farmhouse takes its inspiration from comforts—like a front porch where you can sit and watch the world in front of you. Natural wood tones and soft, calming colors are everywhere you look, with splashes of color sprinkled lightly into your decor—bright blue, sunny yellow, and rich red are popular pops.

Texture is big with a Modern Farmhouse home. Think about the natural elements that might be found in a farmhouse: handknit blankets and throws, hand-carved wood furnishings, and metal that looks like it was salvaged from the barn. Metals can be polished or a bit rusty—or both. And it’s okay to mix your love of copper with tin and maybe bits of brass. Add in wicker, maybe some stones or stonework. For fabrics, opt for cotton, linen, burlap, canvas, and natural fibers. The furniture should look and feel comfortable.

The kitchen is utilitarian, but not dull. It should have a kitchen island, the all-important workspace that reflects the harvest table, the focal point of many early homes. Naturally, a farmhouse sink is a must. In addition to your cabinetry—where Shaker is preferred—consider some open shelving where you display your favorite dishes, pottery, staples, decor, and cookbooks.

The floors of a Modern Farmhouse home are wood. You can use hardwood, wood-look tile, or any combination. Wide planks are more true to the origins of the style.

Light fixtures used to be made by peddlers who would scrounge through a barn to find pieces. Then they would craft a lamp using their ingenuity and skill. In a Modern Farmhouse home, that means finding unique light fixtures that present that hand-hewn look.

In architectural design, the Modern Farmhouse reflects details from the early homes. Combinations of siding styles are apparent, as the pioneers reclaimed what they could, like barn doors, shingles, and miscellaneous planks. Today’s Modern Farmhouse might have board and batten siding with shaker and stone work. You could also see shiplap—horizontal planks that overlap each other—on the exterior of the home or interior walls. This style was frequently used on barns, sheds, and outbuildings, but it makes a nice accent wall in a room, too.

Riverside Homebuilders offers variations of many of our floor plans. Home designs like the Colorado II and Cibolo show some of the best features of the Modern Farmhouse. The 2,417-square-foot Colorado II is a popular design among Riverside homebuyers. The home features a great floor plan with an oversized island in the kitchen, plus 4 bedrooms, and 3 baths. The Cibolo is a 3-bedroom, 2-bath new home design that offers 2,033 square feet of interior space. The Modern Farmhouse elevation for both of these floor plans features board and batten siding with a covered front porch.

There is so much flexibility with Modern Farmhouse design that it’s easy to add your own twist. If this style appeals to you, we have several move-in ready, new construction homes for sale in our communities throughout the DFW metro area. Talk to Rachel about your ideas for a new home and she can guide you to the right home in the right location.