Why The Modern Farmhouse Style Is An Enduring Australian Classic

Offering the grace of country hospitality together with modern design and functionality, the Modern Farmhouse style of architecture has proven to be one of the most popular and enduring styles for the Australian climate and lifestyle. Seamlessly blending traditional and contemporary elements, the look is a combination of traditional design and craftsmanship and modern comfort.

Ideal for larger blocks, semi-rural or rural areas, the Modern Farmhouse is designed for flexible family living and adapts well to fluctuating family dynamics over time. Its high ceilings and pitched rooflines allow for effective cross-ventilation, indoor/outdoor living and shade in warmer weather, and equally for coziness in cooler months. Here, some other hallmarks of this modern classic style.

Textural exterior features

The exterior of the Modern Farmhouse style is a contemporary interpretation of classical farmhouse architecture, updated with contemporary architectural elements and finished with the classic farmhouse gabled roof. It often features board and batten cladding and stone for a balance of old and new, as well as multiple, interconnecting pavilions.

The floorplan

An open floorplan allows for generous family living and shared spaces, anchored at the heart by the kitchen, living and dining spaces. The cohesive design relies on space, balance and symmetry for uninterrupted movement throughout.

Bedrooms and bathrooms are set apart from living spaces in separate pavilions to create a sense of serenity away from bustling family areas.

Interiors

A blend of modern design and vintage styles brings comfort and ease to these interiors, with space for plush sofas and generous armchairs to curl up in. Natural stone and limestone finishes bring a natural textural element, juxtaposed with sleek kitchen appliances and modern, sculptural lighting.

Colour scheme

A soft, neutral colour palette echoes natural themes of stone and wood throughout, giving a sense of ease and relaxation. Neutral grey, beige and white allow natural textures to shine and bring a sense of serenity.

Windows and doors

Generous windows and French doors that invite light and garden views in, help to create seamless indoor/outdoor living spaces. Black framed windows are a signature look, and a classic four-light grille door echoes traditional farmhouse architecture. A striking dark finish and streamlined hardware puts a modern twist on the look.

Landscaping

Use windows as picture frames to capture your view and plant to create a picture, with shades of green from a turf lawn, varying heights in hedging with lillypilly and callistemon and leafy trees for shading. Classic sandstone crazy pavers bring a contemporary twist to formal paths and driveways.

How the Bakkers brought their Modern Farmhouse to life

In picturesque Port Stephens, NSW where the ocean meets the countryside, homeowner and builder Carina Bakker and her team at Bakker Homes brought their Modern Farmhouse to life. Inspired by Scandinavian architecture and contemporary New Zealand barn houses, their process was guided by both aesthetics and practicality.

As builders, Carina and her team knew that the right materials were crucial to achieving the desired outcome. To achieve the look they wanted for the exterior, three products from the Hardie Architectural Collection became the backbone of the project.

“We loved the look of the Hardie range of cladding,” explains Carina. “Using products that were all designed to complement each other made the design process easy.”

Bakker Homes installed Hardie Oblique Cladding painted in Dulux Black around the master suite, garage and pool house walls to get the signature vertical panelling. “We installed it vertically with a mix of both 200mm and 300mm widths. The unique pattern we installed was a pattern without it being a noticeable pattern.” Carina says.

The four striking projecting gables on the house were created with Hardie Fine Texture Cladding painted Dulux Black.

The remainder of the home was clad in Hardie Brushed Concrete Cladding painted Dulux Natural White. “The Hardie Oblique Cladding definitely gave the house depth and rhythm,” Carina says. “The windows blended with the cladding and the brushed concrete finish, which are hallmarks of the Modern Farmhouse look.”

As an owner-builder project in a rural area, there were unique challenges, particularly around bushfire zone regulations. “The house is in a bushfire zone, and the cladding had to meet the bushfire rating,” Carina explains. “Hardie exterior cladding products not only met but exceeded BAL rating, providing the necessary durability and safety standards we needed.”

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