Best of the Week: Modern Country Homes From Around the World
It's a little bit country, a little bit rock 'n' roll – enjoy our pick of the best modern country spaces on Houzz
Georgia Madden
25 August 2017
Senior writer, Houzz Australia
There is a lot of debate in design circles over what the ‘modern country’ look actually is. To us, it’s a simple, more refined version of the traditional country aesthetic; warm paint colours, time-worn timbers and hand-made collectables, combined with clean lines and minimalist styling. And it’s a look we simply can’t get enough of. This week, we’ve gathered together our favourite spaces on Houzz that embody the modern country spirit.
1. Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Why we love it: Painting a feature wall in the living area of this newly extended barn a deep navy blue is an unexpected touch and gives the space a distinctly modern feel.
Why we love it: Painting a feature wall in the living area of this newly extended barn a deep navy blue is an unexpected touch and gives the space a distinctly modern feel.
2. Location: Calgary, Canada
Why we love it: Pale blonde timbers, a contemporary freestanding bath, and lashings of natural light – it’s hard to imagine a more appealing retreat.
Why we love it: Pale blonde timbers, a contemporary freestanding bath, and lashings of natural light – it’s hard to imagine a more appealing retreat.
3. Location: London, UK
Why we love it: Timber-panelled cupboard doors are a standard feature in country kitchens, but painting them in this season’s on-trend olive green, and adding in a sand-toned Corian splashback and benchtops is nothing but modern.
Why we love it: Timber-panelled cupboard doors are a standard feature in country kitchens, but painting them in this season’s on-trend olive green, and adding in a sand-toned Corian splashback and benchtops is nothing but modern.
4. Location: Austin, USA
Why we love it: It’s the fun, modern touches, such as eggplant-coloured bedding, a contemporary yellow artwork and black-framed windows, that elevate this renovated historic home beyond the norm.
Why we love it: It’s the fun, modern touches, such as eggplant-coloured bedding, a contemporary yellow artwork and black-framed windows, that elevate this renovated historic home beyond the norm.
5. Location: Millerton, USA
Why we love it: Because sometimes unexpected pairings, such as classic tongue-and-groove panelling with an oversized, modern artwork, can give a space its own unique character.
Why we love it: Because sometimes unexpected pairings, such as classic tongue-and-groove panelling with an oversized, modern artwork, can give a space its own unique character.
6. Location: Seattle, USA
Why we love it: For the carefully considered – and thoroughly modern – inclusions in this barn renovation, such as a slender-framed floor-to-ceiling window that lets light flow into the hallway, and the minimalist built-in seating where visitors can sit and pull off their boots.
Why we love it: For the carefully considered – and thoroughly modern – inclusions in this barn renovation, such as a slender-framed floor-to-ceiling window that lets light flow into the hallway, and the minimalist built-in seating where visitors can sit and pull off their boots.
7. Location: Hamburg, Germany
Why we love it: Turning one wall of this entryway into a timber-lined storage niche for coats and jackets is practical and makes for an eye-catching feature.
Why we love it: Turning one wall of this entryway into a timber-lined storage niche for coats and jackets is practical and makes for an eye-catching feature.
8. Location: Kelowna, Canada
Why we love it: Fuss-free timber joinery painted in a deep blue-grey, brushed brass handles, and sleek stainless steel appliances – the kitchen in this open-plan kitchen-living-diner, which was conceived by Tara Reavie Design, is a wonderful example of a sophisticated country look.
Why we love it: Fuss-free timber joinery painted in a deep blue-grey, brushed brass handles, and sleek stainless steel appliances – the kitchen in this open-plan kitchen-living-diner, which was conceived by Tara Reavie Design, is a wonderful example of a sophisticated country look.
9. Location: Sag Harbor, USA
Why we love it: Antique and inherited pieces feature prominently in the country look, but we love how the owners here have brought a vintage Salvatore Bevelacqua sideboard right up to date with glossy black paint and some minimalist styling.
Why we love it: Antique and inherited pieces feature prominently in the country look, but we love how the owners here have brought a vintage Salvatore Bevelacqua sideboard right up to date with glossy black paint and some minimalist styling.
10. Location: Sag Harbor, USA
Why we love it: In the living room of the same home, simple, low-slung furniture, whitewashed beams and a contemporary colour scheme bring energy and life to this rustic space.
Why we love it: In the living room of the same home, simple, low-slung furniture, whitewashed beams and a contemporary colour scheme bring energy and life to this rustic space.
11. Location: Sydney, NSW
Why we love it: Beautifully designed built-ins painted in a stony grey, a white-tiled floor and splashback, and not a stray sock in sight – who could possibly resist a laundry this lovely?
Why we love it: Beautifully designed built-ins painted in a stony grey, a white-tiled floor and splashback, and not a stray sock in sight – who could possibly resist a laundry this lovely?
12. Location: Vermont, USA
Why we love it: A rustic setting, a timber-panelled ceiling and a wood-burning stove – all the ingredients of a classic country dwelling, until you add some seriously sparse, modern styling into the mix.
Why we love it: A rustic setting, a timber-panelled ceiling and a wood-burning stove – all the ingredients of a classic country dwelling, until you add some seriously sparse, modern styling into the mix.
13. Location: London, UK
Why we love it: The London kitchen of renowned chef Skye Gyngell features cabinets painted in one of our all-time favourite shades, Farrow & Ball’s ‘Hague Blue’, paired with a sophisticated marble splashback and benchtops. Open shelving keeps the overall effect casual and contemporary.
Why we love it: The London kitchen of renowned chef Skye Gyngell features cabinets painted in one of our all-time favourite shades, Farrow & Ball’s ‘Hague Blue’, paired with a sophisticated marble splashback and benchtops. Open shelving keeps the overall effect casual and contemporary.
14. Location: Montreal, Canada
Why we love it: Dashes of grey in the artwork and rug add an industrial feel to the rustic abode, and pick up on the silvery hues of the frozen lake outside in winter, while an overstuffed bedhead keeps things cosy and comfortable.
Why we love it: Dashes of grey in the artwork and rug add an industrial feel to the rustic abode, and pick up on the silvery hues of the frozen lake outside in winter, while an overstuffed bedhead keeps things cosy and comfortable.
15. Location: Montana, USA
Why we love it: The owners of this American ranch could have risked timber overload, but by choosing pieces with simple, fuss-free lines and not overfilling the space, they’ve struck the perfect balance between cosy and contemporary.
Why we love it: The owners of this American ranch could have risked timber overload, but by choosing pieces with simple, fuss-free lines and not overfilling the space, they’ve struck the perfect balance between cosy and contemporary.
16. Location: Pennsylvania, USA
Why we love it: A sliding barn door takes up minimal space and is a clever solution for this small guest room, while the warm, sandy colour palette lends a modern feel.
Why we love it: A sliding barn door takes up minimal space and is a clever solution for this small guest room, while the warm, sandy colour palette lends a modern feel.
17. Location: Austin, USA
Why we love it: Painting the classic vertical panelling in this entryway in charcoal and adding groovy leather door pulls has brought this entryway right up to date. Oversized hexagonal floor tiles in a matching shade of charcoal complete the modern makeover.
Why we love it: Painting the classic vertical panelling in this entryway in charcoal and adding groovy leather door pulls has brought this entryway right up to date. Oversized hexagonal floor tiles in a matching shade of charcoal complete the modern makeover.
18. Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Why we love it: Set against a backdrop of white-washed walls and Scandi-style furniture, we love how the tongue-and-groove timber joinery runs from the kitchen cabinetry and the stairway to the floor upstairs.
Why we love it: Set against a backdrop of white-washed walls and Scandi-style furniture, we love how the tongue-and-groove timber joinery runs from the kitchen cabinetry and the stairway to the floor upstairs.
19. Location: Maine, USA
Why we love it: Simplicity plus comfort is the perfect recipe for modern country styling.
Why we love it: Simplicity plus comfort is the perfect recipe for modern country styling.
20. Location: Hampshire, UK
Why we love it: Graphic black lines painted onto the wall of the traditional kitchen in this 16th Century, heritage-listed farmhouse are an unexpected and eye-catching touch.
Why we love it: Graphic black lines painted onto the wall of the traditional kitchen in this 16th Century, heritage-listed farmhouse are an unexpected and eye-catching touch.
21. Location: Philadelphia, USA
Why we love it: Natural materials such as timber and bluestone combined with simple styling make for a refined, country look.
Why we love it: Natural materials such as timber and bluestone combined with simple styling make for a refined, country look.
22. Location: Montreal, Canada
Why we love it: We adore how the oversized window here frames the natural view outside, and how the colours and textures seen through it set the tone for the room’s palette.
Why we love it: We adore how the oversized window here frames the natural view outside, and how the colours and textures seen through it set the tone for the room’s palette.
23. Location: New York, USA
Why we love it: A weekend retreat in the countryside with oodles of comfy seating and a cosy bar under the stairs – could anything be more appealing? The new staircase above the bar features reclaimed oak treads and a glass railing, which add a contemporary touch to the space.
Why we love it: A weekend retreat in the countryside with oodles of comfy seating and a cosy bar under the stairs – could anything be more appealing? The new staircase above the bar features reclaimed oak treads and a glass railing, which add a contemporary touch to the space.
24. Location: Texas, USA
Why we love it: The palette used in the renovated bathroom of this Texan family ranch house features round penny tiles, concrete floors, and a warm patterned rug. Simply delicious.
Why we love it: The palette used in the renovated bathroom of this Texan family ranch house features round penny tiles, concrete floors, and a warm patterned rug. Simply delicious.
25. Location: London, UK
Why we love it: Subtle modern touches such as a pencil-thin benchtop, recessed shelving nooks, and black window frames take this country-style kitchen from ordinary to extraordinary.
Why we love it: Subtle modern touches such as a pencil-thin benchtop, recessed shelving nooks, and black window frames take this country-style kitchen from ordinary to extraordinary.
26. Location: Sag Harbor, USA
Why we love it: We adore the unexpected combination of warm, exposed timber, striking metallics and touch-me textures.
Why we love it: We adore the unexpected combination of warm, exposed timber, striking metallics and touch-me textures.
27. Location: Sag Harbor, USA
Why we love it: A cool, monochrome colour scheme, arrow motifs on the wall, and a custom bed frame in the shape of a house that doubles as a play space – an irresistible combination for the pint-sized residents of this country home.
Why we love it: A cool, monochrome colour scheme, arrow motifs on the wall, and a custom bed frame in the shape of a house that doubles as a play space – an irresistible combination for the pint-sized residents of this country home.
28. Location: Texas, USA
Why we love it: Blue and white is a timeless combination, while open shelving, brass fixtures and pared-back styling give this classic farmhouse-style kitchen a distinctly modern feel.
Tell us
Are you a fan of modern country? Tell us in the Comments section below. And if you enjoyed this story, don’t forget to like it, share it, bookmark it and join the conversation.
More
Best of the Week: Clever and Compact Spaces
Why we love it: Blue and white is a timeless combination, while open shelving, brass fixtures and pared-back styling give this classic farmhouse-style kitchen a distinctly modern feel.
Tell us
Are you a fan of modern country? Tell us in the Comments section below. And if you enjoyed this story, don’t forget to like it, share it, bookmark it and join the conversation.
More
Best of the Week: Clever and Compact Spaces
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I'm in love with a number of those rooms. Gorgeous.
Thanks for featuring our kitchen. Great article!
I really like this combination of country and elegant space. Inspires me as I am gathering ideas for a house I will have built!