Pulling off a Modern Farmhouse Living Room

Clean lines paired with rustic details are the essence of a modern farmhouse living room. But what’s the appeal of this comfortable yet timeless look?

“From the untreated woods to natural materials, there’s something relaxed and inviting about this aesthetic,” said Amalia Graziani, principal at Noor Property Group in New York. “I like the warmth of this style. When done correctly, these spaces feel durable and lived in, but still fresh.”

We turned to a select group of design pros for suggestions on pulling off a modern farmhouse living room. Here’s what they recommend.

Include Reclaimed Materials

“The interior architecture of a modern farmhouse is not the same as that of a true historical farmhouse. Rather, the interior architecture is modernized by the simplicity of the trim, cabinetry design and other design features. The furniture of a modern farmhouse can then be antique or modern, but ideally a blend of both.

“Add reclaimed beams to a ceiling by simply bolting them to the existing structure. A farmhouse-style home typically utilizes beams with a hand-hewn look, which means they have a lot of chop marks. Bolts can be visible when you want an industrial look. You can buy reclaimed beams at salvage yards.

“Flooring in a modern marking is usually a fumed white oak or other character-grade flooring. Character-grade hardwood contains some naturally occurring knots and checks within the graining of the wood. These features provide a more rustic feel.”

— Cathy Purple Cherry of Purple Cherry Architects in Annapolis, Maryland

Pair Antique Elements With Updated Finishes

“A modern farmhouse typically pairs rustic, antique elements with sleek, updated materials and finishes. Most feature the classic pitched roofline and incorporate unfinished wood and natural textiles. Ideally, a modern take introduces more light. Using larger windows or lighter, more Scandinavian-style wood will modernize a space. A high-pitched roofline with vaulted ceilings is most emblematic of this style.

“The materials best suited to this aesthetic include oak or pine for paneling. I like to use unfinished wood beams with white beadboard. Iron is the most traditional metal option, but I love using brushed stainless alongside natural woods. In terms of stone choices, I’d recommend full stone granite for fireplaces and bluestone for floors.”

— Amalia Graziani, principal, Noor Property Group in New York

Select Streamlined Furnishings

“Selecting furniture that features clean lines and appears inviting and comfortable is key to creating a modern farmhouse living room. I gravitate towards sofas that use soft, luxurious, solid fabrics with thick down inserts. The best modern farmhouse looks use neutral fabrics and plenty of texture. Mix different textures to add modernity and differentiate from the traditional farmhouse style; leather paired with velvet; gold lighting or other metallic finishes with wood details on the walls or fireplace.

“Introducing color has to be done carefully if you’re hoping to achieve a modern farmhouse look. The key is to select one colour and carry it throughout the space, creating a monochromatic environment. This streamlined look creates a sophisticated palette for the farmhouse feel.

“I love to infuse abstract art into modern farmhouse living rooms. Pretty, soft landscapes also look beautiful here. If possible, go large on the art to add character and personality to the room.”

— Andi Morse, founder and principal designer, Morse Design in Atlanta

Go Light With Colors and Textures

“The modern farmhouse look has come a long way beyond just shiplap and rustic touches. I think in today’s day and age, where it has been translated over and over again, you need to strip it down to its core and try to capitalize on those elements. This would be a mix of casual ease, unexpected charm, mixed materials and an overall sense of lightness in both colors and textures.

“I would lean toward natural fiber rugs, like sisal or jute, or if you’re going to go with a pattern, perhaps one that is simple and not too busy, typically such as a larger floral print or simple stripe. Lighting is fun, but in a modern farmhouse, I would try and almost make it disappear. Glass shades and very clean and sleek hardware are the way to go.

“Consider a more patina look for your floor lamps, mirrors, or decor items, to lend that rustic charm without going over the top “shabby chic.” Pairing a wood lattice coffee table, for instance, with a more modern and sleek iron frame armchair with ivory cushions adds an element of contrast, which feels very farmhouse to me.”

— Interior designer Georgia Zikas in West Hartford, Connecticut

A contemporary home designed with Feng Shui principles in Malibu that once asked $57.5 million will be auctioned in June.

The architectural home lies on the Pacific Coast Highway in Western Malibu, a surf spot known for its pristine beaches and celebrity owners. Concierge Auctions, which is handling the sale, expects bidding to open between $10 million and $19 million.

The long, narrow lot is about four-fifths of an acre and boasts 75 feet of private beachfront. Owner Wei-Tzuoh Chen, a California-based nephrologist, purchased the property in 2003 with his wife, Carrie Chen, for around $2.25 million. They originally intended to knock down the existing house and develop four condo units but then decided to keep the location for themselves as a vacation property.

“I’ve lived in many beachfront houses in different parts of Southern California, but this is the finest sandy beach I’ve ever seen,” he said, distinguishing it from places where the water comes right up to the house during high tide.

The couple spent over six years building an 8,206-square-foot glass, steel and concrete residence with Malibu architect Ed Niles, who Chen said “spoke to his taste as a contemporary, not modern, architect.”

A native of Taiwan, Chen wanted to incorporate elements of Feng Shui into Niles’s signature futuristic design, inspired by the Guggenheim in New York City and the Broad in Los Angeles.

“I wanted a mini-museum in which to display my collection of Chinese antiques in a futuristic setting,” he said.

The property was previously listed in March 2023 at $57.5 million by Madison Hildebrand, president and CEO of the Malibu Life Team (and star of Bravo TV’s “Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles”), along with Jennifer Chrisman of Compass, Wendy Wong of Treelane Realty Group and Katherine Quach of Treeline Realty & Investment. The agents are collaborating with Concierge Auctions, which will launch the auction on its online marketplace in mid-June. It is currently listed at $42 million.

The residence juxtaposes organic with geometric shapes; curved and straight lines mingle inside and out.

As shown in an aerial photo, it consists of a series of circles, semi-circles, triangles and rectangles. “There are basically eight different-shaped structures in a configuration,” Chen said, explaining that the number eight symbolises good fortune in Chinese numerology.

Integrating Feng Shui elements was accomplished in numerous ways.

“Feng means ‘wind,’ and the idea is to have air flowing throughout,” Chen said. “Based on a survey of the site, Niles designed it so that when you open the door on the ocean side, the breeze will circulate into every area of the house.”

He added that the architect also designed the house around the sun’s movement, capturing the ever-changing light via over 45 custom skylights. “The architectural perspective of the house shifts every minute of the day.”

Feng Shui also refers to the flow of movement, which starts from the street-side security gate, where a short driveway descends to the house below. “The concept of the Chinese home is to be unassuming from the front and then to provide a wow factor when you walk inside,” he explained.

Steps lead down to the glass-walled entrance with a soaring steel-paned glass ceiling. This spills into a cavernous space framed by massive architectural concrete walls and a floating bridge overhead. Two expansive sets of built-in stairs lead in different directions—one connects with a floating staircase to an upper level. The other flows into the ground floor living area and kitchen, with views to the horizon on two sides. A wall of frameless glass doors opens onto the back patio and an outdoor dining area.

Two separate upper-level spaces—one rounded, the other a triangle—jut out over the patio, creating covered sitting areas below. The round space comprises the primary suite, featuring a wood-panelled sleeping area and a marble bathroom with a cylindrical Japanese stainless-steel tub overlooking the ocean. A 50-foot bridge and short flights of stairs lead to three more bedrooms with private decks.

“Every split level has its own wing with an en-suite bedroom, so they are private with no shared walls, and everyone gets to take advantage of the view,” Hildebrand said. “The guest house is separate with its own private outdoor space.”

Two marine-coated red steel sculptures in the back play on the shapes and number themes. One is an immersive red triangular sculpture that doubles as an enclosure for a small dining table; the other is a humanistic red figure-eight piece. Chen confirmed that both are part of the sale, as is a larger-than-life green butterfly sculpture at the entrance.

Inlaid rectilinear stepping stones cut a diagonal across the lawn to the sandy beach, bordered by large rocks. Although it is technically open to the public, Hildebrand said it is not easily accessible or widely known.

Beyond the interiors, the outdoor entertaining spaces—counting an in-ground fire pit with stone crescent benches—can accommodate up to 100 guests. Six uncovered parking spaces are available in addition to a two-car garage.

“It also has a tide pool where you can see sea urchins, mussels and other marine life on the rocks in ankle-deep water at low tide, which is also very rare here,” Chen said. “That’s the reason I chose this lot over others. It’s such a unique location.”

Pulling off a Modern Farmhouse Living Room

Simplicity combined with rustic details is the key to this style.

The glass, steel and concrete structure by contemporary architect Ed Niles incorporates elements of the traditional design philosophy and the symbolism of the lucky No. 8