Classic farmhouse kitchens have long attracted designers and their celebrity clients alike – but with their traditonal look comes the challenge of making it work in a modern home. This is where we can take notes from Kourtney Kardashian.
Designed by Martyn Lawrence Bullard, the socialite's Calabasas kitchen combines all the quirks that make farmhouse kitchens so classic – from its neutral tones of cream and abundance of wood to its old-money-style glass-fronted cabinets. The space is an almost perfect celebration of this decorating aesthetic, with one exception: mixed metals.
The combination of metals, seen on the cooker hood, backsplash, and through Kardashian's refrigerator, brings an industrial feel to the otherwise warm space – instantly making the farmhouse style more accessible to a modern home. Unsurprisingly, therefore, designers say we can learn a lot from this technique.
'Farmhouse Kitchens are morphing and modernizing into more contemporary spaces, thanks to the popularity of “Old English” & “California Coastal” aesthetics,' begins Sarah Storms, a designer from Styled by Storms.
'Though some steadfast characteristics still remain – such as large farmhouse sinks, living brass hardware or light fixtures, beadboard, butcher block, and textural stone or brick – the biggest change in the farmhouse aesthetic is letting the stainless steel speak for itself.' The first lesson we can take from Kardashian's space is how she integrates the refrigerator to complement the similar metal kitchen backsplash.
'A great example of how to achieve this look is through the appliances in your kitchen. I love Sub-Zero’s Classic Series Refrigeration and the Cove Dishwasher, which offer an industrial, professional look with sleek stainless-steel doors,' Storms says. 'The best part is that while they do have a commercial edge, the blend of stainless steel with cabinetry creates a contemporary vibe that feels fresh and modern.'
Combining different finishes (for example, brushed or oil-rubbed metals with matte metals) is another way to bring this look into your kitchen, as Cathleen Ryan, the design manager at Country Kitchens, explains.
'Mix metals in your backsplash by using copper or stainless-steel tile options, or combine metallic and stone materials to add to the industrial feel,' she says. 'Plus, bringing in metal lighting and ceiling fans, updating hardware and hinging to more rustic metals, including metal framed furniture, light fixtures, open shelving with exposed brackets, and even updating window trim can all update a farmhouse design.'
Similarly, we can buy into the mixed-metal aesthetic with these buys below.
This set of thoughtfully designed cookware is made from high-grade 18/10 stainless steel and has aluminum bases that distribute heat evenly for perfect results.
This board has a clever L-shaped bending design so that it won't slide easily when in use. The stainless steel won't go moldy, so it's always easy to clean.
Made from durable and high quality polished stainless steel, these six tools have a thick construction so they will not deform or bend.
'Some other ways to make your farmhouse kitchen feel more contemporary are by adding feet to give the cabinets or other items in the kitchen a more furniture-like appearance, replacing standard white paint or backsplash for a more rustic look, incorporating more wood tones and neutral colors (stay away from anything too bright),' Ryan adds.
'Focus on user-friendliness and functionality- don't be afraid to leave some 'raw edges.'
