Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2018 - 64

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The Modern
Farmhouse
Designer shares her product choices
for bringing this style to life
PATRICIA GAYLOR is the owner of Little Falls, N.J.-based Patricia
Gaylor Interior Design
THERE'S A LOT OF INTEREST LATELY in designing homes that reflect a
farmhouse aesthetic - yet with a fresh, more modern twist. Since Joanna and
Chip Gaines's HGTV show "Fixer Upper" became a runaway hit, people
have been clamoring for this simple country lifestyle, even if it's in the suburbs.
The farmhouse look can be a combination of contemporary and traditional
style.The modern part is for clean, minimalist spaces, and the traditional part
reflects our heritage and the need to bring us back to a simpler time and place.
What's behind this powerhouse of a design, and why is it so popular? And
what makes a modern farmhouse modern?
There are several reasons why a more open, clean design has become the
most sought after. Most of it has to do with the current world climate and
the constant search for control, order and serenity in the home. The buying
power of both millennials and baby boomers is definitely fueling this movement. Baby boomers are looking to downsize and simplify their lives, as well
as make changes to floor plans to accommodate aging in place. For them, it's
all about one-floor living and accessibility.
For millennials, it's more complicated. Because they grew up in the era of
technology, their access to information and awareness of their surroundings
and the world around them is steering their lives and making them the most
demanding of emerging buyers to date. Here's a list of some of the demands
they make and what they're looking for in the realm of home and design:
Less is More. Millennials make smart choices about their purchases and
prefer an almost minimalist lifestyle.
Maximizing Space. They do not build or use more space than is necessary.
They want to keep a smaller footprint and maximize the space they have.
Particular Style vs. Personal Style. Traditional or contemporary doesn't cut it
anymore. It's all about their personal taste and could be a blend of many
styles, depending on personal preference.
Earth Friendly. They want natural materials and locally sourced products with
a sustainable aspect, which also crosses over to food. Fresh, local foods and
the farm-to-table movement can influence the design of the kitchen space.
Entertaining Spaces. They desire open floor plans to accommodate large
gatherings of family and friends, including in kitchen areas and backyard
living spaces.
Modern farmhouse - is it just another trend? Maybe, but I believe it's more
than that. Classic, simple materials and time-worn finishes never go out of
style. The real challenge is doing it WELL. You can't just throw this look
together, no matter how easy it looks on those design shows. And remember,
the demanding buyers of today don't fit into a one-size-fits-all category.The
lines between traditional and contemporary have been blurred, and a heavy
emphasis on your clients' personal lifestyle is key. After all, isn't that what
good designing is all about?

Wide-plank ﬂooring is always the go-to look for farmhouses.
Alternatives to the standard wide pine is a sturdier hardwood with
contemporary ﬁnishes. From dreamy driftwood colors, bleached
oaks and textured grains, these aren't your grandma's ﬂoors. Also,
some are available in engineered varieties, so using them in coastal
areas or homes in places with humidity ﬂuctuations isn't a problem.
Wagon Wheel from Carlisle Wide Plank Flooring's Farmhouse
Collection is authentic hand-distressed wood ﬂooring with warm
nutty brown hues and intriguing grain patterns.

Cosentino's new Dekton

Industrial Collection
features the look of
concrete, weather-worn
stone and aged metal.
It is intended to be both
relaxed and modern
through its rough,
expressive aesthetic.
Simple, basic and
timeless materials like
concrete, metal and brick
are transformed into a
clean, modern look and
blend seamlessly into the
clean farmhouse style.
Eighty percent of the
content used to make
two of the collection's
four colors comes from
excess materials from the
manufacturing process.
Shown is Nilium.

Kitchen & Bath Business / JANUARY 2018 / KBBONLINE.COM / The official publication of KBIS (KBIS.com)

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Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2018

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