Almost everyone loves the look and feel of a cozy farmhouse style. Back in the day the early settlers utilized elements from their surroundings which satisfied their need for sturdy, practical furnishings. Farmhouse style has stood the test of time and evolved into a more modern but still very functional look.
Here are some defining differences between Classic Farmhouse and Modern Farmhouse style.
Natural Wood Furniture
Characteristics of Classic Farmhouse Style
Natural wood accents: The very first element is wood! It was abundant and therefore, became the natural building material. Many farm homes had paneled wood walls, wide-plank floors and exposed wood beams. The current classic farmhouse style often uses barn board or ship lap for paneling and wood for countertops.
Kitchen Apron sinks: The kitchen was the gathering place and still is today. Most kitchens had an apron sink. In a classic farmhouse, this sink is usually porcelain.
Furniture and accessories: Vintage furnishings are an easy way to decorate in classic farmhouse style. It’s best if they’re not in perfect condition and they could even have weathered finishes. Vintage style lighting looks ideal in a classic farmhouse especially the ones with a little bling!
Fabrics Selections: Floral and paisley, ticking and plaid echo Classic Farmhouse for sure. Use them on window treatments, pillows or slipcovers.
Ship lap has many applicationsClassic farm house tablePerfect for farmhouse fabric on windows or furniture.
Characteristics of Modern Farmhouse Style
Modern Touches: Take the comfortable, relaxed farmhouse style and add a cleaner look.
Accents and Accessories: To achieve this look add smooth lines, glossy accents and neutral color schemes.
Use Contemporary Design: Modern farmhouse is more sophisticated and uses contemporary design elements like stainless steel appliances, granite countertops and sleek lighting and cleaner lines in furniture.
Practicality: When designing a Modern Farmhouse design, keep in mind, furnishing and accessories should be comfortable and practical. In addition, you want them to welcome you into the room, and things shouldn’t be too fussy. The room should look like it evolved over time.
Stay with a neutral palette: Choose a neutral palette to make the room appear fresh and open. Cool or warm neutrals such as cream, beige, silver and grey all work well and balance natural elements. Equally important, is to keep patterns simple and contemporary and be sure to bring depth to the space with a variety of textures. Rugs, baskets and natural objects work well here.
Industrial touches: With modern farmhouse style you can also add touches of the industrial style for an updated current look. For example, use a stainless-steel apron sink and appliances. The same goes for lighting, add a chandelier and pendants that have a sleek and more modern look.
Modern farm house appealFarm house neutral color palette Modern industrial farmhouse furniture
Whether you
prefer the Classic or Modern version of the farmhouse style, they both offer a
cozy, comfortable and welcoming feel to a home! If you need help pulling it all
together to achieve your Farmhouse look, give me a call!
From Classic
to Contemporary and Everything in Between
Need a change? Try these Top Summer Decorating Trends
Summer has officially arrived, and this is a good time to start thinking about bringing the top summer decorating trends into your home for easy room updates.
Begin this season with some of CH Interior Designs’ top summer home decorating trends that are sure to brighten your summer days and nights as we move towards the warmer months ahead.
Here’s a look at some of the things
you may want to consider when taking in the top summer decorating trends of
this year. Whether its adding splashes of color on your walls or switching out
your window treatments to painting your front door, you’re bound to find
something that will brighten your home for summer!
Energize with Color
Which one will you choose
Open the drapes and blinds to allow
all the natural light in. Then add a vibrant splash of color to bring summer
indoors. This season, summer home decor is all about bright, saturated colors
and you can achieve a summery decor look without having to spend serious
amounts of time and money.
It could be a new set of bold,
patterned throw pillows to liven up your chairs and sofas, a colorful one of a
kind lamp to make a change from the usual neutrals, or a refreshing piece of artwork
that focuses on your favorite summer color combinations. If too much color
isn’t your thing, try blending some soft neutrals with some unusual textures
and just a hint of your favorite color to make your space interesting.
Who loves Animal Prints?
Safari print Chair
Even if you’re not an animal lover,
striking animal prints are a great way to bring the feel and energy of the
outdoors into your summer home decorating updates. Nothing reminds you of the
sun more than a vibrant animal print, like leopard or zebra. Think accent chair
or an accessory with a playful take on animal prints.
You could even go for some animal
themed wall art to set off your space perfectly with a touch of the exotic for
a refreshed take on everyday glamor. Keep the look minimal with your animal
prints, so the look stays clean and pared back. A little goes a long way!
White Wood is a Great Summer Decorating Trend
Brighten up with white!
A great way to brighten a room and embrace summer home decorating trends is to switch out your dark wood furniture for fresh white options. Go for white painted wood if your in the market for new furniture or cabinets so your home feels lighter and brighter. But if you want to make use of your current furniture, then it’s time to get out the paintbrushes and start some easy ‘Do It Yourself’ updates.
If you don’t want to go through all
the work, opt for some white throws to drape over dark wood sofas and chairs,
to give your room a brightness boost. This way, any room in your home will also
appear larger.
Summery Patterns
Try colors of the ocean for a summery change
A summery pattern is a great way to get on board with summer home decorating. Choose bright colors and bold patterns and prints, allowing you to bring a splash of summer in throughout your home. From pretty florals to fresh yellow-green geometrics to bold and eclectic prints and patterns, the options are endless. Step out your comfort zone here and have some fun with it!
Consider some fresh throw pillows or switch up your upholstery. Or you can even amp up your summer outdoor home decor with some new lounge chairs. Opt for a more season-less approach when it comes to outdoor décor. Go for a more minimal look on summer prints and patterns by sourcing muted pastels and soothing watercolor-inspired prints.
Sunny Yellow
Decorate with yellow for summer
Yellow, what a happy color! It is
the undisputed dominant color of summer, so use hints of it everywhere
throughout your home. Don’t be shy, go for yellow soft furnishings, yellow
accessories, and yellow wherever else you can squeeze it in. From soft, light
yellows, to bold citric and strong mustard tones, there is so much scope for
yellow in summer home decorating trends.
Perfect for an accent wall and
entire rooms alike, yellow is the epitome of summer. But since the season
unfortunately passes so quickly, I suggest going for minimal splashes of
yellow, like in pillows and ceramics as well as fresh flowers. These touches
ensure that it’ll never go out of style or look out of place, no matter the
season.
Oh, That Front Door!
Perk up your entry door!
Does your front door need a face lift? So many of them take a beating from the weather. A fun summer home decorating trend that I’m seeing more of, is vividly painted doors. Doors are often overlooked when it comes to interior design. While this idea offers something not often thought of, it will liven up the entire entry of your home as it’s such a unique option!
Choose an inviting lively yellow, or
blue or even something like an orange or a pink. You don’t have to go for a
color which is too bright here, as it’s not something you see every day. Even
pastel shades will work wonders for updated summer home decor. If your front door is in good shape try repainting it to really
make a defining statement.
Brighter Window Treatments
Light and Bright Sheers! Lets in the light
Summeris the time to shed
those heavy, insulating curtains and replace them with something light and airy
to let the sunshine in. You want to be able to let the light in but still be
able to block out the sun when it’s hot that comes with summer days. I love a soft
flowing sheer white curtain when it comes to a savvy summer home decorating
idea for the windows.
This look gives you the lightness and brightness, you’re craving while
blocking out the worst of the midday sun. And the best thing about sheer white window
treatment panels is that they make for an affordable update that will never
go out of style.
This is the Easiest Way to Brighten Things Up for Summer
What a difference paint makes!
Just remember when it comes to
updating your summer home decor, a lighter color scheme will always feel
refreshing and soothing while revitalizing the energy. One of the least
expensive and most effective ways to completely transform any room is through a
fresh coat of paint.
Whether you go for soothing neutrals, or an accent wall featuring a completely unexpected, mood-enhancing color, you can almost never go wrong with a fresh coat of paint. And I say almost because while it’s great to bring in a unique hue, you’ll almost certainly tire of it and you’ll find that it limits your other summer home decor choices. So, opt for something with a timeless appeal that won’t affect a potential resell of your home.
If you need help pulling it all together give me a call!
From Classic to Contemporary and Everything in Between!