Onc
e upon a time, a certain designer/contractor couple from a small town in a big state morphed a family-run business into a popular series on a cable network dedicated to all things home and garden and subsequently launched home furnishing lines with various retailers and a paint line and a publishing detail and . . . my point here, for real-estate purposes, is that the modern farmhouse style—while perhaps not invented by this celebrity couple—was certainly made very popular by them, and it’s a style that’s here to stay.
And I’m not mad about it. One of my most beautiful listings ever is a spectacular modern farmhouse in Lake Oswego. And after walking through this home for the first time, I found myself ruminating about just what it is that makes this style appealing to so many people.
The modern farmhouse style is, above all, comfortable and approachable. These homes are meant to be lived in. The rooms are spacious. Functionality is important. For example, in days past, farmhouse sinks were large because they needed to hold large amounts of water, typically brought in from a well (or even a creek). In modern homes, water is delivered with ease straight from the tap, but these large sinks are still handy for all sorts of reasons, from washing big pots and pans to rinsing vegetables from the garden to bathing toddlers! Bonus: they look beautiful, too. Reclaimed wood and stone are often prominently featured throughout the home. The visual appeal of these materials is evident, but they are chosen because they will endure.
In a modern farmhouse, furniture isn’t for show—it’s meant to be used. Imagine! A sofa is selected because it’s comfortable; you’re meant to kick your feet up on the coffee table. Modern farmhouse owners select furnishings in natural, organic materials like cotton, linen, wool, jute, and sisal. These materials wear well and feel unfussy.
That last point—unfussiness—is key. Traditional farmhouses may conjure an image of a cluttered (dare I say kitschy?) abode. Modern farmhouses are anything but! In fact, for all their functionality and comfort, modern farmhouses are also simultaneously polished. Those reclaimed wood beams? They’re balanced with sophisticated fixtures—gorgeous faucets and drawer pulls, elegant lighting, unique art. You won’t find handmade quilts and mason jars in a modern farmhouse. Simplicity is the name of the game—natural tones, minimal clutter, carefully curated.
While the modern farmhouse style is now popular across the United States, I’ll argue that it is particularly well-suited to Oregonians. After all, we’re a comfortable, approachable people (flannel shirts!) who still espouse a level of sophistication. (A resident of a state with this many wineries, craft breweries, craft distilleries, arts scene, and love of literature can hardly say otherwise)! And while I don’t want to live on a farm, I certainly understand the appeal of living
in a modern farmhouse.