Combining various styles, materials, and colors without creating a cluttered or mismatched look is a design challenge many homeowners aim to master.
This winter, as we spend more time indoors, creating a cohesive sanctuary is more appealing than ever. Interior designer Monique Gibson is a specialist in this balanced approach, a talent beautifully showcased in the open–plan kitchen she designed for actress Meg Ryan.
While there is much to appreciate in this kitchen-diner, it is the seamless blend of modern and classic elements that truly captures the eye. Farmhouse kitchens, especially those reflecting the modern farmhouse style, remain among the most popular American kitchen styles. Their enduring appeal lies in how effortlessly smart and livable they feel during the busy holiday season and beyond.
The modern farmhouse aesthetic, as seen in Meg Ryan’s home, offers a perfect equilibrium. It honors tradition while feeling entirely current, pairing rustic textures with contemporary elegance to create a space that is cozy for winter evenings yet remains refreshingly uncluttered.
Joanna Gaines, star of Fixer Upper, has long championed this look. It is easy to see why so many have adopted it; with a neutral palette, organic materials, and a focus on comfort, it provides a serene and functional environment. This style is about taking the best of the past and adapting it for 21st-century life, and it is simpler to achieve than it looks.
‘To me, modern farmhouse is incorporating the old with the new,’ says interior designer Sarah Kruse, founder of Storie. ‘Vintage style furnishings with newer shapes and materials that consistently pay credence to nature.’
Shop the Look
Handcrafted by master artisans, this terracotta vase takes cues from ancient Italian ceramics, exuding the timeless charm of a vintage discovery. Showcase it as a standalone statement or pair it with lush greenery to elevate your living space.
Discover the harmony of traditional craftsmanship and contemporary design with this large rattan storage basket. Handwoven by skilled Indonesian artisans, each piece celebrates their meticulous artistry, transforming everyday storage into a statement of beauty.
Elevate your blooms with this understated glass vase, channeling Meg Ryan’s effortless chic. Its clear, high-quality glass lets flowers take center stage while harmonizing with minimalist black-and-white interiors. Durable, elegant, and endlessly versatile, it’s a modern essential for any stylish space.
Offered in three versatile sizes, this storage basket draws inspiration from timeless market baskets. Its softly rounded silhouette, practical handles, and carefully handcrafted lid blend everyday functionality with artisanal charm.
This set of bookends fuses modernist sculpture with everyday functionality. Each looping form plays with positive and negative space, creating a striking sculptural presence while keeping your books perfectly in place. With their unique texture and artistic elegance, they’re as beautiful as they are practical.
The Auster Distressed Vase marries vintage-inspired craftsmanship with a bold, sculptural form. Made from terracotta and finished in deep black, its rich texture and dimensional presence make it a striking statement piece – perfect for a monochromatic living room, in a way that mirrors Meg Ryan’s effortless style.
To begin your own transformation, focus first on the color scheme. A successful modern farmhouse relies on a neutral foundation. Decorate with neutrals by layering whites, creams, and soft charcoal tones to provide a crisp, contemporary base. This allows you to add seasonal accent colors later, though it is vital to keep the space from feeling cold or clinical during the darker months.
‘To avoid a room looking stark, an off-white or pale neutral is always a good approach to take,’ advises Ruth Mottershead, creative director of Little Greene. ‘Using different neutral tones from the same color family allows for layering and seamless shifts from room to room, giving a sense of consistency with subtle nuances.’
Finally, incorporating texture in interior design is essential for an authentic and inviting feel. Without varied textures, a farmhouse kitchen can feel uninspired. View the room as a whole and integrate mixed materials to bring vibrancy and warmth to the heart of the home.
Layering these elements adds necessary depth and dimension. ‘The layering of materials, colors, and shapes all amount to give your interiors an overall texture which can define the look and feel of a kitchen,’ says Martin Waller, co–founder of Andrew Martin.
‘There is nothing worse than a flat design,’ adds Camilla Clarke, creative director at Albion Nord. ‘Try mixing different textures such as natural timber with smooth marble and stainless steel. It creates the perfect backdrop to layer on top of with neutral color and subtle pattern.’
