Modern Farmhouse Decor, Is It Really Me?
Modern farmhouse decor is a style that I admire. I had planned to use it in our updated beach house, but I’m not sure it’s really me.
When we first began the beach house remodel project, I created a mood board and am sharing photos from that with you today. As we get closer to the end of the remodeling project and I begin to source items for the house, I’m struggling to understand if this style is really me? Let me explain my dilemma.
The photos I am sharing today are what I have found as my inspiration photos and I love the look. The kitchen photo above includes the actual appliances I chose for the beach house. I kind of like this kitchen and was thinking of using this similar style for our beach house.
I think.
Yikes, I need help.
Modern Farmhouse vs Traditional Farmhouse
The photo above is one that I love. Now, this isn’t my usual farmhouse-style and I just want to be sure this is what I want.
But now that the beach house remodel is becoming real, I want to make sure that the beach house I am going to decorate feels like our house, and not someone else’s.
If you have ever tackled a big project like this one, this is something everyone goes through. The decisions are big ones, am I making the right choices?
I love everything about our home in Pasadena, a traditional farmhouse built in 1915. That might sound a little bit crazy, a 100+ year old farmhouse in the Los Angeles area, but yes, it is exactly that! The house was originally built in 1915, when Los Angeles was not the sprawling metropolis that it is today. It was built as a wedding gift to a beloved daughter. The daughter was gifted the home and surrounding land, as a nest egg, for her future family.
The home has only been owned by two families over the years. Luckily that means that the gorgeous structural bones of the house have been respected and the architectural features are original or created based on the original.
What Does Modern Farmhouse Decor Mean To Me?
When we embarked on the remodeling of our beach house, there was not any architectural integrity to respect (it was built in 1976), so I am in the process of tying to create it. Thus, a modern farmhouse/beach house design idea was born.
Because our beach house remodel is almost a complete overhaul of the house, I used mood boards to help keep me on track so that every room was cohesive. I loved the concept of modern farmhouse style which combines the sleek clean lines of contemporary design, which is perfect for the beach, with the warm and cozy farmhouse aesthetic.
The Staircase
Photo from Style Me Pretty
There are so many decisions to be made about this house. My current project is to decide on the style of the staircase. We have two staircases to redo and I am considering using the style of the Modern Farmhouse Stairway pictured here.
What do you think?
Liveable Modern Farmhouse Decor
One of my favorite things about our beach house, pre-remodeling, was that the house was so livable. No one freaked out when the damp and sandy dogs got on the couches. The house was small and cozy and each room was decorated in beach colors … turquoise, aqua, and sand. It really was the perfect beach house. Cozy. Easy. Comfortable.
Our family has grown, quite literally. Our boys are now all adults, out on their own and we have been so lucky to now also include my daughter-in-law, who I adore. So, this beach house remodel is about having a grown-up, more adult beach house.
I think the house needs a little more sophistication, but still, one where everyone is comfortable curling up on the couch with a little sand lingering on their feet. A home that will accommodate the continued growth of our family with grandchildren someday!
New is always uncomfortable. Until it is no longer new. So I am sinking into this new world of modern farmhouse decor knowing that while it will be more modern, the cozy and warm elements of traditional farmhouse style will be there too. Those traditional touches are what will make it feel like our home. No longer new, but comfortable, and very much us.
As I check, recheck and check again the photos from my mood boards to confirm my decisions and navigate through choosing surfaces, flooring, and lighting, I am a little out of my comfort zone. The modern farmhouse decor elements are a little sleeker, the lines a little smoother and there is lots of black in the mood board photos. Eeeeek! Ok, I’ll calm down about black, I promise.
To be honest, I would love your thoughts in the comments below. Please!
I am starting to fall in love with the lighter woods and gray-toned woods that will mix beautifully with the sage green and tan color palette I have chosen. I have vowed that there will be no chippy white furniture at the beach house!
Well, maybe a little bit.
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My Comfort Zone is Quite Literally Comfort
As I write this post, I am beginning to lean into how to combine these two aesthetics of modern and traditional.
It’s all about using them to create comfort. I will choose lighting that is thoughtfully placed in just the right spot so that I can curl up on the more modernly shaped couch with one of my favorite beach reads. I can adopt sleek and uncluttered as a precursor to having a grandbaby safe house.
As planned, I will hang the antique chandelier, that I found at the flea market in France and carried home in my suitcase, in a place where the crystals will reflect the sunshine and create little rainbows on lighter-colored wood.
Sleek and comfortable, yes, sleek and comfortable.
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Inspired by an Apartment in France
The gorgeous apartment that we stayed in while we visited Provence serves as a lovely inspiration for the marriage of traditional meets modern. While the building itself was built in the 18th century, our apartment was modernly appointed with features like concrete countertops and a Joybird couch. They lived together in beautiful harmony.
If I stay focused on the feeling that I want to create in the beach house, I am confident that I can blend modern farmhouse decor and traditional farmhouse decor and maybe create a whole new style!
When it’s all done, we’ll have to figure out what this new style should be called!
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I love the look you are going for!
New is uncomfortable but it can be fun and exciting too! I love the pops of black you are describing. You are going to love it! Can’t wait to see it finished enjoy the journey!
Thanks so much my friend, you’re right it is exciting!
There are several groups on Facebook that show hundreds of beach/ocean/coastal rooms. Maybe join a few to get some ideas. Modern Farmhouse has always seemed a bit stark and un-welcoming to me, definitely not cosy, but it depends on the look you want.
Oh great idea!
I love where you are heading with sleek and comfortable! I would ask yourself which places need more “comfort” and then bring in the more traditional farmhouse. For example, I personally like the look of the modern staircase but I wouldn’t want to have it be a part of my home – so in this instance, I would go with the more traditional style. Trust your gut and your creative vision- it won’t steer you wrong!
Thanks Valerie! I will keep that in mind
I love all your inspirational pictures! I’ve never been one to go with a total theme but just pick up items here and there that I like. I would be most concerned about permanent items like kitchen cabinets that you have to live with for many years. For while gray cabinets were very popular here in NC but are trending out now. Go with what you love and not what you like right now. Can’t wait to see what you decide.
Thanks Christine!
As a new grandmother the only thing that caught my eye as a possible danger spot was the staircase. I would enclose it somehow so a little doesn’t get caught in it. I love the black idea. You have great experience with design. You can always warm it up with color. I would love to see your art on the walls here.
Good catch!
I live in a 200 year old farmhouse in upstate NY and we are only the third owners of the property. We bought the house in 1987, long before the farmhouse trend was in. We renovated bathrooms which were 50’s era, but elected to keep some of that era features and I still like them. I have old cast iron tubs that I love! As farmhouse became trendy, I started with some features, did some kitchen renovations, but kept my 35 year old white cabinets. In short, I look at my home’s decor as not only a passage of time, but a passage of myself as well and have choose to retain certain elements as time evolves. I could never be all in on one style. Be true to yourself in the process, out with some of the old, but not all!
I really like that way of thinking, thank you Delia!
I like the combination of the black metal with the lighter wood and the more contemporary staircase has a beach feel and is more open. I think modern French farmhouse would be a good name for the “new” style!
Thank you, I like that combination too!
If you’re contemplating grandchildren, how safe is that wire railing? Would a child be tempted to climb it?
Whatever you choose, I’m sure it will be lovely!
I will think about that, thank you!
I think the look you described and the pictures you showed lend themselves easily to a relaxed beach feel. Those light colored woods will blend in so nicely with the beiges, blues, and whites that the sand and surf have to offer. My design aesthetic lends itself to several different styles. If you see something you like but aren’t sure it goes with “the modern farmhouse” aesthetic, add it anyway! Your home is absolutely beautiful, your personal style hasn’t failed you yet, and I have great confidence that it never will regardless of the moniker you give it!
Thanks!!
Admire the look, but do it Leslie style. I’ve stayed in a lot of modern farmhouse style AirBnb’s. It’s comfortable but they are not homey.
True!
When reading this blog post it reminded me of myself when I moved from a very authentic French Farmhouse to a somewhat modern villa and as hard as I tried I couldn’t pull the trigger and do the modern farmhouse trend. I ended up doing another white kitchen with just a little sleeker look and my floors are5”maple unstained and with an extra flat finish which leans into that look you love but is still “your style “. My lighting, furniture, rugs and decor are what I call “vintage modern”. Take a look at some of my pics on Instagram. I follow you and my page is cherylorin.
Thanks Cheryl, I will!
It’s fun to have different styles! My only hesitation would be the staircase-I recommend keeping the spindles vertical-safer and less dust. Your first picture had vertical spindles. Perhaps combine the black metal spindles with slightly more traditional posts. Comfort can be added with texture-throws, rugs, pillows, and lighting, as you said. Can’t wait to see the finished design! ❤️
Having been in your Pasadena home, you have updated it since I was there, but that Sophisticated Farmhouse is still there. So many comments on your beach house new look. I think take a new look at places where you want to change to a modern farmhouse style and see if you like it, then you can incorporate more if needed.
True, thank you Cindy!
I literally read all the responses so I could see what others were thinking too… here’s my story as how it relates to yours . My daughter and son in law and grand daughters combined households a year and a half ago due to some health issues my son in law has. Her style is what I call modern American farmhouse and mine I like to call Collected Eclectic French / Italian Farmhouse . I like coming up with my own design names because I’ve never been only one style. 30 years ago I called my style English Country Garden lol! My point is mixing the things you love I find usually works if you keep to a color palette and some kind of design accent . In this case the black accent would be something to carry through . I have never had black in any of my previous houses so using it was a big change for me but I was excited to go for it ! Our kitchen has white cabinets but our island is black . We added a large built in shelves and tv unit in our living area that is black with white shiplap behind . I used black drapery rods and black cabinet pulls on the white cabinets . Also touches of black or charcoal in pillows and rugs mixed with the shades of blues and greens that are through out the house. It’s taken time and a few changes along the way but is working ! I know whatever you do it will be beautiful !
Thanks for your advice Erin! I agree, mixing things up is always fun and can work out very well!
I guess my comment is going against the opinion of everyone else because I say why change your style so drastically? If you are already questioning whether it really is you or not I think you will end up disappointed with your choices. You always say how much you love your Pasadena house and how comfortable it is. How you still love your kitchen even 20 years after your remodel so why change what you know and love? You have beautiful taste so no matter what I’m sure it will be gorgeous. But sometimes going “outside your comfort zone” is really just going against what you know and love.
The modern farmhouse style, to me, is extremely comfortable and cozy! It all depends on what you like – and I LIKE modern farmhouse and am having a modern farmhouse built in Brenham, Texas as we speak. It is a dream come true – and comfy/cozy, to me!
Is MF your look? I think some elements will work in a beach house but not all. Yes to light wood floors. Yes, WARM white walls. Yes? To railing that is black but not really a warm, welcoming look,
Touches of black are a good idea but limited. I think it might be hard to find a place for two French chandeliers..,,,,a pantry for smallest one that can be seen through an old door? One other hung low near a favorite reading chair? White slip covered comfortable chairs and sofas…. Ticking and grain sacks, too.
The pic of kitchen cabinets that shows fridge, how about using same wood panels on fridge. OR all white cabinet fronts. Large art from France?
I love your creative ideas. Can’t wait to see what you do.
My daughter just did Modern Farmhouse. She used a light/medium brown stain for her cabinets , doors, and her floor is a little lighter. Her counter tops are white/black veined granite and she put in appliances that were a charcoal black color, which made it look “Modern with just a touch of Farmhouse” , the darker stained cabinets kind of gave it the Farmhouse warmth! She adopted Coastal colors in linens, pillows, rugs, art work, things she could change out easily. Where she used a lot of black it became cold, sterile looking. She did use black cabinet pulls and some light fixtures and some picture frames which made things pop! Coming from France kind of messed with your design thinking as I know it would with mine! That was a lovely time with you, going to France via emails, I really enjoyed it! Thank you.
A vacation home ideally is a retreat from your daily surroundings, a getaway, and if it looks too similar to your own home you might end up bringing “extra baggage” into this relaxing space. At the same time, the modern farmhouse aesthetic feels dramatically different from your other designs- very masculine, and a little “cold”… but with your talent for incorporating feminine touches to provide comfort and beauty into your decorating, I’d think that is an element you could easily add into your vacation home (French-modern-farmhouse?).
Be true to yourself! You have excellent taste and talent in design. Keep the design comfortable and cozy, but I do love the modern farmhouse. So looking forward to the completed project and I know it will be beautiful.