Classic farmhouse kitchens have long been a favorite of designers and their celebrity clients, but adapting their traditional look for a modern home can be a challenge. In this case, however, we can take notes from Kourtney Kardashian's approach.
Designed by Martyn Lawrence Bullard, Kourtney Kardashian's mixed materials farmhouse kitchen is a celebration of timelessness. Featuring neutral, creamy tones and an abundance of wood to its 'old-money'-style glass-fronted cabinets, the socialite's Calabasas kitchen embraces all the classic quirks of classic farmhouse kitchens.
The space is a near-perfect celebration of this decorating aesthetic, with one striking exception: mixed metals.
This combination of metals, seen on the cooker hood, backsplash, and through Kardashian's refrigerator, introduces an industrial feel to the otherwise warm space. This instantly makes the farmhouse style more accessible and current – a perfect update for the cosy autumn and winter nesting season. Unsurprisingly, therefore, designers say this technique offers valuable lessons.
For a bold, mixed-metal statement, this high-tech fridge, complete with a perfect silver finish, is currently reduced on Wayfair. You can similarly follow Kourtney's example with these mixed material accessories that will allow you to flirt with her decor technique without a huge investment. I especially love this cutting board that's also available from Wayfair, as it will complement any counter.
Thanks to its L-shaped folded edge, this cutting board anchors firmly to your table or countertop, preventing slips and ensuring smoother, safer meal prep.
Ideal for traditional kitchens, this cabinet pull showcases an antique-inspired design with a subtle, light finish. Each pack includes ten pulls in assorted sizes to fit your space perfectly.
Crafted from durable, high-quality polished stainless steel, this kitchen tool set features a mirror finish and sturdy construction, ensuring lasting reliability and resistance to bending during everyday use.
'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 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' – creating a fresh look that transitions perfectly from the warm summer months into the crisp days of fall.
