Home Spotlight: A Custom Home for Multigenerational Living

Karla Swita

5 years ago

THE STYLE | Traditional with Hints of Modern Farmhouse for Glamorous Results

What is traditional style?

As one of the most popular styles, traditional includes several design elements from various centuries. The look may have some curves and designs, but it’s not overly ornate. In kitchens, you’ll see glazed cabinet doors, some with glass for displaying interiors. Islands have furniture-like features such as corbels or decorative legs, and luxury countertops are preferred.

What is modern farmhouse style?

It’s that cozy, authentic look that comes from natural elements fashioned into sleek, clean lines of contemporary design. Think of textured accents and metal surfaces, but nothing fussy. Minimalism is definitely at play. Kitchens are terrific rooms for displaying this style as they can incorporate so many telling aspects, including farmhouse sinks, stainless steel appliances, chrome gooseneck faucets, and stone countertops.

How did the homeowner glam it up?

Working with a neutral color scheme—a key characteristic of modern farmhouse—the homeowner used soft grays and whites everywhere instead of just whites. She balanced traditional and contemporary aesthetics with a mix of painted and natural custom cabinetry. Wood plank floors met up with modern tile patterns in entryways and bathrooms. Brushed gold hardware dressed up gray kitchen cabinets. And for the stone fireplace, she used a modern gray natural ledge stone that sparkled a bit. Her choices truly show off a sophisticated yet relaxed and comfortable style.

THE HOME

When I entered this home, I was caught up in all the pretty details. I loved everything from the calming gray tones and fiore patterns to velvet kitchen barstools, cabinets, and light fixtures. The homeowner, Jan, did a remarkable job of bringing together elements seamlessly flowing from room to room.

Some of her architectural ideas came from parade homes and internet searches. By sharing her vision through photos and drawings with contractors and suppliers, Jan was able to help them create the perfect place—not just for her but also for her parents.

Notice the doggie doors by the tile floor…just one of the reasons we love how this walk-in pantry turned out.

Set out in the country among rolling hills, Jan’s home—a modern ranch—near her sister’s farmland, includes a parent suite (aka in-law suite) for when her mom and dad are back from Arizona. They’re a close family and obviously enjoy each other’s company, which is evident in the more personalized items displayed in the butler’s pantry, another well-appointed area. It’s outfitted with ample gray cabinets, countertops, and customized doggie doors so her pair of English bulldogs can let themselves in and out.

At the heart of the home is the wide open kitchen with a long welcoming island topped with Cambria quartz in Brittanicca, a creamy marbled design with meandering veins of ashen gray and faint charcoal speckles. The gray-painted island is highlighted with a white glaze that adds to the room’s serenity. Above the range is a classic white wooden wall-mount hood that matches the perimeter of white cabinets. Upon closer inspection, you’ll notice how Jan chose to enhance shadow lines with a gray glaze—another signature touch.

Cambria quartz countertops in the Brittanicca design makes a stunning statement on this island with custom corners for added character.

White washed maple cabinets add to the casual ease of the master bath with Cambria quartz countertops in the Summerhill design, adding a little glitz with sparkling gray and white tones.

She truly made the most out of the endless options available with custom cabinetry, including choosing any color you can imagine. Bird’s egg blue laundry room cabinets were selected to dress up a utilitarian room. Although quartz countertops were used in more visible rooms like the bathrooms and kitchen, Jan opted for laminate countertops here to cut costs while achieving the look of stone with a charcoal slate pattern. The washroom conveniently connects the two living spaces and is shared by her parents when they’re in town.