Modern farmhouse style has become a “thing” in the custom and production building worlds. Increasingly, architects and builders strive to craft transitional homes that include traditional exterior elements like covered front porches and open-plan interiors with a warm, relaxing feel.
For remodelers, creating the modern farmhouse style can be easy at the outset — the home might already fit the farmhouse category. The challenge comes with the usual complexities of remodeling an old structure, such as out-of-plumb window openings and the need to manage clients’ anxieties and budgets.
One such remodeler is Jodi Longo, owner of Renovation Studio in Kensington, Maryland, which specializes in restoration and modernization work. “A lot of the homes we work on are real farmhouses,” she says. “The owners want to keep the traditional exterior while updating the interior to be more modern.”
Eight Key Client Conversations to Have About a Farmhouse-Style Remodel
One such remodeler is Jodi Longo, owner of Renovation Studio in Kensington, Maryland, which specializes in restoration and modernization work. “A lot of the homes we work on are real farmhouses,” she says. “The owners want to keep the traditional exterior while updating the interior to be more modern.”
Eight Key Client Conversations to Have About a Farmhouse-Style Remodel
- Clarify that structural changes may not cost as much as clients may fear.
- Point out those areas where the benefits of stretching the budget outweigh the cost.
- Recommend replacing some smaller windows with larger ones that bring more light into the interior.
- Direct clients to windows with an ample clear glass area that retains a traditional vibe.
- Suggest they amplify natural light by painting interior walls and ceilings a bright white.
- Balance white paint with natural wood cabinets, flooring and doors, like JELD-WEN IWP Wood interior doors. Barn doors like JELD-WEN DesignGlide can also bring in a traditional farm house element.
- Don’t forget external doors. Dutch doors can add a classic farm house feel.
- Tell them it’s OK to have some trendy items, but suggest choosing items that don’t cost a lot to replace.
To retain warmth in those opened-up interiors, Longo strives for what she calls a classic look. “We try to pay a subtle honor to the home’s traditional architecture,” she says, adding that it has become easier to achieve that desired look with the sheer number of product choices now available from makers of high-quality windows. JELD-WEN has a huge selection of windows available across a spectrum of styles and colors.
“Companies like JELD-WEN have done an awesome job offering mullion patterns that help create the vibe we want,” she says.
The new Siteline Pocket and Sash Pack from JELD-WEN is a perfect example. It includes double-hung pocket, casement pocket and sash pack windows and can be used to replace any comparable wood window product. And it comes in the same popular colors and finishes as the original Siteline collection, including AuraLast pine — the worry-free wood that protects against wood rot, water damage and termites.
Longo notes, “If taking a wall down to create a larger opening between the living and dining room will make the home more livable, we make a case for spending the money. If they don’t do it, we tell them they will likely regret the decision in a year.”
And for those clients with a “fear of missing out” on trendy products, Longo says, “Brass cabinet hardware is the rage right now, but it’s easy to replace if you get sick of it.”
