Thanks for watching tonight’s episode of Fixer Upper! Getting to work with TJ and his new fiancée, Stephanie, to make their farmhouse vision come to life was really special. The clean lines and bold, industrial details of this modern farmhouse kitchen make this my favorite room in "The Brooks House."
Achieving Modern Farmhouse
The thing I love about the farmhouse style is that it only takes a few simple elements to distinguish it. Metal accents, like the “X” on the end of the island, a simple black vent hood, the pot rack, countertops, and hardware help to draw out that “modern farmhouse” character. We went with vertical paneling on the walls to put a spin on the classic horizontal shiplap. A few wood accents, gray cabinetry, and simple, clean-lined pendants hanging over the kitchen island tie in familiar and classic details that don’t overpower the room.
Making the Layout Work for You
Because of the layout of the home and the way the plumbing was situated, we couldn’t put the sink by a window, which is the traditional location for a sink. To keep the homeowners from having to stare at a wall while washing dishes, and to make the room feel a little larger, we installed a custom mirror our friend Dustin made that replicated the paneled window look.
Wood Details
I typically incorporate warm wood tones into most of my designs for a few different reasons, depending on the space. For this kitchen, the wood details of the cabinet below the sink, on the open shelving, and of the utensil drawers under the plate rack make these areas of the room stand out in a subtle way, while also bringing warmer tones to the neutral palette of the design.
Multi-Purpose Storage
I love the nostalgia of a plate rack like this one. It’s similar to open shelving in its functionality because it keeps your go-to dinner plates close at hand. This is a great option if you like the idea of open shelves, but aren’t excited by the idea of styling them. The drawers below the plate rack are a good place to store utensils, loose recipes, placemats, or other entertaining pieces you like to keep on-hand. The cubbies above the plate rack were specifically built for cookbook storage. Catering a custom storage cabinet, like this one, to your family’s specific needs is a good way to work your practical, everyday pieces into the kitchen’s design.
Thank you for tuning in tonight! Here's a peek at more photos and details from The Brooks House!
