Over the years I have designed my fair share of kitchens but designing this modern farmhouse kitchen was one of my favorites. I have found that the there is a common thread for achieving this popular style that has flooded our Pinterest and Instagram feeds. So why not share the recipe with with my followers and highlight 11 ingredients to a stunning modern farmhouse kitchen design.
1. Matte Wood Flooring
When designing homes I usually have a budget. Let’s just say that I will cut back on some of the upgrades so that I can get the flooring I LOVE. That is exactly what I did at our initial Piper Meadows selection meeting at The Inde Studio. I fell in love with this wide plank engineered hardwood matte finish European Oak Harborside floor from Vintage Loft. The matte finish camouflages all the traffic and is a phenomenal product for an active family with pets.
2. Clean lined Cabinetry
In a modern farmhouse kitchen you won’t see raised paneled doors, detailed trim, or heavy glazing. Instead, simple door styles often shaker or modern 5-peice slab drawer fronts uncomplicate the space. If space allows, I love to stack cabinetry. Here, I chose soft closing cabinets with Saybrook/Prairie doors by Wellborn Premier in GRAYMIST painted finish for the perimeter. The soft putty color is clean, warm and inviting and lets the island and statement hood SHINE. Which leads me to my next feature…..
3. Statement Hood
You won’t see a microwave over this Stainless Steel 30 inch KitchenAid gas cooktop. I chose a statement hood in matte black ONYX by Wellborn Premier Cabinetry. I love symmetry and the matte black shiplap hood is the centerpiece and focal point of this kitchen. Its angled shape allows for breathing room in between the glass doored cabinets. Nothing pops more than black on white.
4. Shiplap
Ok so I am pretty sure that everyone knows what shiplap is from Joanna Gaines and Fixer Upper. Shiplap has become a staple for the farmhouse style. To mix things up and add a more modern look we spaced the horizontal cherry Drift stained planks. The one inch gap casts a shadow and accentuates the horizontal lines giving added visual interest and a modern farmhouse touch.
5. Simple finishes
For the countertop I chose a quartz MSI Arctic White with a standard eased edge. No fancy edging, multiple colors or busy moment with a granite or marble counter. It’s ice like finish and sleek keeps this open floor plan kitchen modern and clean looking. A standard matte finish white subway tile lets the cabinetry and statement black hood take center stage. The walls are painted in Sherwin Williams Aesthetic White SW7035. It is a soft light neutral greige that compliments the cabinetry and visually expands the kitchen footprint.
6. Farmhouse Sink
What would a modern farmhouse kitchen be with out a farmhouse sink? Farmhouse sinks have come a long way and there are so many styles, materials, and colors. Again keeping with the simple clean lines and look I chose the Whitehaven white cast iron sink by Kohler. This sink comes in 12 colors! I love the glossy white apron and oversized bowl that can accommodate large pots, casserole dishes and cookie sheets. If the cast iron is out of your budget consider silagranite or even stainless steel. Love all the gadgets associated with a kitchen sink like drain screens, cutting boards, or baskets? I have saves some of my all time favorites on my idea list Kitchen Renovation.
7. Matte Finishes
I’ve already touched on matte finishes previously when mentioning the subway tile and hood. The island stain is also in a matte finish along with the pendant lighting. Modern farmhouse is less about the shining “look at me” finishes and more about the subtle art of sophistication and style. There should be a playful balance between your finishes that makes you want to touch and feel all the materials. Pictured here is the Delta Trinsic kitchen faucet matte black. This favorite faucet of mine comes in 5 finishes! I have the Pro series in my own kitchen. I carried the matte black in to the dining area with a modern take on a caned chair with the Chrystie Elm wood and rattan chair by Christopher Knight Home.
8. Industrial Lighting
By now you know that I am a self proclaimed “lighting junkie”. After all, lighting is the jewelry of the home and most often the last selection made when building or renovating a home so sometimes the get slighted when the budget is on the last dollar. The good thing is that you can find high end lighting at affordable prices and lighting is so much easier to change than an kitchen counter or even cabinet hardware.
In this modern farmhouse to keep the look consistant I chose Progress Lighting Fixtures with a black matte finish and most with gold or brass accents. I love to mix my metals! For over the reclaimed wood Valenta dining table a 6-light Landree chandelier with the coolest pitted glass round glass reflects lights around the room. It’s industrial nod makes this fixture equally an art piece in addition to it’s functionality. Over the island are three Era Collection one light pendant from the Progress Design series. The touch of gold inside is like a little gem that shines both when the lights are on AND off.
9. Wood Elements
To balance the stark clean elements of a modern farmhouse kitchen, add wood. The island is the center of this semi- open floor plan. Your eye is immediately drawn to this focal point of horizontal cherry wood shiplap and lean straight legs that taper at the floor. As mentioned earlier we spaced out the planks creating a dramatic shadow and interesting silhouette.
10. Black Oversized Hardware
Two small knobs just wouldn’t do on these large slab front drawers. Instead I chose a long 12 inch handle from Berenson’s Hearthstone collection for the drawers 30 inches wide and larger and a smaller 5 inch Hearthstone handle for the doors and smaller drawers. I have a whole list of my favorite cabinet and door hardware on my idea list. This is the most cost effective way to update your kitchen if you have a tight budget.
Designer Tip I like to avoid handles that extend beyond the Center to center screws. These type of handles tend to be a magnet for catching your pants and pockets.
11. Open Shelving
Nothing quite keeps your kitchen looking clean and organized than open shelving. If you are not a neat freak I would avoid this feature! We were lucky to have space for a large walk in butler’s pantry. If you are looking to save on cabinetry and open your space up consider affordable open shelving to display cookbooks, large serving pieces and those everyday items you need on hand. We set up a coffee station and the large soapstone counter is the perfect landing spot for all your entertaining needs. And the best part? you can close the pantry door and have your kitchen looking spotless!
Thank you so much for coming on a tour of the Pier Meadows modern farmhouse kitchen built by Morrell Builders in Victor, New York. Look for more posts on this 3,200 square foot home in the coming weeks. In the meantime leave me a message in the comments what is your favorite feature of this kitchen? For me I think it is the statement hood. What are you looking to update in your kitchen? Let me know.
Amie
Photography by ROCin3D.
Karen
Good Morning, Amie! Such a beautiful home…I love everything about it! I’m looking for a tile for my kitchen backsplash and really love the matte finish on these in the Piperwood Model. Can you share with me the tile brand and color you selected? I’m trying to match the color to Wellborn Glacier color cabinets, if you happen to know a subway tile that matches that white … let me know! Congratulations on completing such a gorgeous home.
memehillstudio
Hi Karen! Thank you for reaching out. The subway tile is a standard matte white subway that you can literally find anywhere. When I select tiles in the showroom the supplier comes up with a private purchase SKU so I don’t even have a manufacturer name. I would look at Home Depot or Lowe’s or your neighborhood tile supplier and they will have it if not something similar. Also check Daltile. Thank you Amie
Karen
So sorry, I mistakenly called it the Piperwood model. I see it is Piper Meadows!
joe scott alessi
Hi Amie ~
Love the overall look of this kitchen and I’m trying to figure out how to work this concept in the space I have. My cabinet contractor was asking how the legs are fastened under the island. Are they more for aesthetics or are they critical to the stability of the island top?
Thanks
Joe
memehillstudio
Hi Joe! Oh yes these legs are supporting the large overhang on that side. In general if you have a quartz or granite counter that extends more than 8-10 inches over you either need a brace/bracket or support leg. I wanted a clean modern look so no corbels or braces…. Good luck! Where are you located?
Joe
I’m out in LA…this home I’m remodeling is in Rancho Palos Verdes. Is the leg connected in any way on the floor as well or just with a brace/bracket under the counter portion?
memehillstudio
Ok I though that if you were in the area you could stop in and see it in person, It is a model home that I designed. It is not connected to the floor but part of the island.