The Era of Modern Farmhouse Design Has Arrived 

Trending interior design of recent years has been heavily influenced by Hamptons or Coastal styling, but Modern Farmhouse has been confidently paving its own path through the Australian design landscape.  

Our latest display home, the Camperdown 33 in Edgewater Place, Kialla, showcases the best of Modern Farmhouse design, starting with the barn-inspired Norfolk facade and continuing with the light and airy interiors across the 309.5m² home.  

What is Modern Farmhouse design and why is it so popular?  

When you think of Modern Farmhouse interior and exterior style, gable rooflines, vertical cladding and chic kitchens of settler profile cabinetry, marbled stone and large farmhouse sinks come immediately to mind.  

There are multiple reasons why this design style is winning hearts of new home buyers — if you ask us, these are the top three.  

1. It has a strong connection to nature & our country roots  

Living in Australia, Modern Farmhouse principles take us back to nature and our rural heritage. Whether you’re thinking of quaint country homesteads or sprawling acreage properties, both evoke nostalgia for a laid-back, country way of life. And if you’re in the hustle of the city, you’re likely in search of a home that is grounded in this relaxed lifestyle.

2. It blends the old with the new  

Nowadays, homeowners are in search of modern fixtures and amenities in their home, but they don’t want these to come at the expense of character and that sought-after ‘homely’ feel. With Modern Farmhouse design, you get the rustic charm of barn doors, shiplap cladding and farmhouse sinks, settled amongst contemporary kitchens and bathrooms built for the now.  

3. It celebrates relaxed living and use of natural materials  

Known for creating a welcoming atmosphere that’s functional, family-friendly and sophisticated yet not overly formal, Modern Farmhouse design suits our Australian way of life. Emphasising the use of natural materials like stacked stone, timber and linen — it appeals to buyers who like to keep their spaces airy, inviting and grounded.  

4 Easy Tips to a Creating a Modern Farmhouse-Inspired Home That's as Beautiful as it is Liveable

Now that you’ve got the down-low on what Modern Farmhouse style is, let’s look at how you can achieve it. We sat down with the Simonds interior designer behind the project, Mieka, to see how this farmhouse haven came to life from the drawing board to on display.

1. Shaker style cabinetry to bathrooms and kitchens 

The kitchen is the heart of any home, but especially one that takes inspiration from Modern Farmhouse design. Shaker profile cabinetry is a must for country-inspired style, and it goes perfectly with marbled stone benchtops, brushed nickel or brass tapware, and a timeless splashback, such as the one featured in our Camperdown 33 — the Zellige White Matt from National Tiles. 

2. Cladding — inside and outside of the home 

Cladding is the next must-have on your list because it delivers texture, accentuates the height of spaces and injects a rustic feel to the rooms within your home while still being budget-friendly. With Modern Farmhouse-inspired design, it’s all about incorporating cladding inside and outside of your home too.

The Heritage 150 wall panelling from Surround by Laminex is a top pick for farmhouse-inspired surfaces. In the Camperdown 33, you’ll find it lining the ceiling of the master bedroom and kitchen and dining — expertly enhancing the raked ceilings.

It continues throughout the home, from the private lounge to the drop-off nook and free-flowing living area, successfully connecting one space to the next, while drawing your attention to the best of the green feature walls.  

3. Layering soft furnishings with metal fixtures  

When creating a modern farmhouse style home, “it’s all about layering textures and materials, using a mix of modern and timeless pieces to create spaces that are as beautiful as they are liveable,” Mieka says. 

To see your farmhouse vision come to life while sticking to a tighter budget, incorporating VJ wall panelling with light fixtures is a great way “to set the tone and give the home a real sense of personality,” she adds. In our Camperdown 33, the three Sienna 1 bronze pendants from Beacon Lighting create a rustic feature above the large stone kitchen island, injecting an industrial edge to otherwise soft and feminine furnishings.   

4. A muted colour palette balanced with pops of green 

Not only is a modern farmhouse-inspired colour palette welcoming and cosy, it’s also got incredibly broad appeal to a wide range of potential buyers because of its use of natural tones and materials. "Start with a warm neutral base — think whites, creams, and soft greys — for walls and large furniture pieces. From here, start to layer with pops of colour and timber accents present in flooring, shelving and select furniture pieces," Mieka suggests.  

For the Camperdown 33, the organic green hues of 'Shady Knoll', 'Water Grey' and 'Intermittent' from Haymes Paint were featured. The more muted tone of ‘Intermittent’ was the perfect choice to accentuate the raised barn ceilings of the master suite, while the brighter tones of ‘Shady Knoll’ was a considered choice for the playful kids retreat at the rear.