Modern Farmhouse

A seamless balance of traditional design and contemporary elements, it blends old and new, with a focus on clean lines, open spaces and materiality.

The Modern Farmhouse style of architecture seamlessly blends traditional and contemporary elements, resulting in a home that is the perfect combination of old and new. This style satisfies the desire for both modern functionality and the comfort of traditional design and craftsmanship, with the clean lines and minimalist aesthetic creating a bridge between past and present. 

The Modern Farmhouse beautifully caters to old and new sensibilities. The cohesive, resolved design aesthetic relies on balance and symmetry, use of natural materials, neutral colour palette and open floor plan.

In a blending of concepts, Modern Farmhouse design riffs off the classic foundations of traditional living while allowing for a more modern use of space inside. This might manifest as traditional exterior aesthetics like weatherboard cladding, shutters, and gabled rooflines with an open-concept interior where the kitchen, living, and dining rooms anchor the layout as one cavernous space. Interior furnishing should have hints of both new and vintage, such as black or metallic fixtures, organic textures and simple yet grand furniture. 

The interior style allows for an interplay between heritage charm and modern luxury, with farmhouse cavernous ceilings, natural stone and limestone finishes enhanced by sleek kitchen amenities, modern lighting and seamless indoor/outdoor living.

About the Trend

Design Features

Farmhouse-inspired architecture: The style is a contemporary expression of classical farmhouse architecture combining modern asymmetrical massing with the classic farmhouse gabled roof. It can also feature board and batten cladding for a perfect balance of old and new. As well as multiple, interconnecting pavilions.
Contrasting materials: Natural-look materials on the façade, such as vertical joint cladding, are contrasted with black or metallic accents, such as window frames or lights which add definition and sophistication.
Neutral colour palette: Neutral colours beige, grey and white allow for the materials and textures to be the focus and create an atmosphere of calm and serenity.
Paned windows: Large, square or rectangular paned windows create a warm and inviting ambiance. Signature black window frames add a sleek element to the traditional farmhouse aesthetic.
Interiors: Go classic or modern in your selections, choosing well proportioned, super-comfy pieces in neutral tones. Consider adding accents of black or metallic fixtures to bring the textural, monochromatic and minimal aesthetic to life.

Recommended products

Linea™ Weatherboard

Linea™ Weatherboard: The strong shadow lines of this weatherboard nods to a traditional weatherboard farmhouse with a modern twist. Painted dark with Linea™ Aluminium Corner Soakers differentiates from a more traditional look which has trim covering the corners.

Hardie™ Flex Sheet and Hardie™ Axent™ Trim

Axon™ Panel Smooth with Hardie Axent Trim: The flowing lines are ideal for creating modern coastal facades with a finish that’s visually sophisticated and dynamic.

Oblique™ Weatherboard, staggered and vertically installed

Oblique™ Weatherboard: The wide grooves and design flexibility of board widths delivers drama and visual interest to barn facades.

Stria™ Cladding 325mm

Stria™ Cladding: The deep, 15mm-wide grooves create strong, sleek lines ideal for contemporary designs that require a bold but pared-back aesthetic.

Options in select areas:

Hardie™ Groove Lining

Hardie™ Groove Lining: Use for feature interior walls and ceilings and externally on eaves and soffits.

Oblique™ Weatherboard

Oblique™ Weatherboard: Interior feature walls

Why Now?

  • The increase in regional migration and dissatisfaction with city life fuel aspiration for the Modern Farmhouse and lifestyle
  • Modern Farmhouse design suits larger, double-storey homes or homes on acreage properties
  • Enabled by technology, Modern Farmhouse styles and floorplans cater for hybrid working and leisurely lifestyles

The Modern Farmhouse suits homeowners looking for a grand, open home with small nods to classic farmhouse architecture. This newly emerging style is gaining momentum for its capacity for customisation and integration of modern floorplans and functionality.

Recommended paint colours

Exterior

Dulux
Sandfly Point Half
NZ9F2
Dulux
Narrow Neck Quarter
NZ9E5
Dulux
Colorsteel® Ironsand
NZ9E5
Wattyl
Magic White
LRV 88
Wattyl
Fossil Creek
LRV 15
Wattyl
Grey Ember
LRV 7

Interior

Dulux
Haast
NZ9G4
Dulux
Midhirst Half
NZ9D4
Dulux
Waioeka
NZ10A8
Wattyl
Silver Steel
LRV 67.04
Wattyl
Baby Seal
LRV 46
Wattyl
Penumbra
LRV 16.4
Standard greentag
Standard healthrate

Global GreenTag™ GreenRate™ Level A and Product Health Declaration™ PHD Platinum Health mean our products have passed the world's toughest standards for health, eco performance and safety.

Feature case study

Field of dreams with Oblique™ Weatherboard

A statement farmhouse designed for indoor outdoor living and low maintenance practicality using Oblique™ Weatherboard.

READ MORE
Design Handbook Cover 2024

The Design Handbook

BUILD YOUR MODERN LIFE

The Hardie™ Cladding Collection has a wide variety of products to select from, creating design versatility, in which It’s Possible™ to Make Modern like never before. It’s a movement that’s reshaping perceptions and changing the way New Zealand builds. This design handbook demonstrates that with great advice, support and inspiration, it’s possible to build a house you’re truly proud to come home to.

Where

To buy our products

Get

The James Hardie Product Guide

See

James Hardie's Modern Design Forecast

Find your nearest Showhome

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  • 40B Johns Rd, Belfast, Christchurch
  • 50, Lochridge Drive, Kinloch, 3300, Waikato
  • 136 Highland Crescent, Te Awamutu
  • 145 Kaniere Road, Kaniere, Hokitika
  • 19 Clydesdale Drive, Holmes Hill, Oamaru
  • 52, Summersfield Boulevard, Appleby, 7081, Tasman
  • 74 Pelorus Avenue, Poraiti, Napier
  • 163 Brookside Road, Rolleston
  • 37 Meadowstone Street, Gleniti, Timaru
  • 21 Skibbereen Drive, Halswell, Christchurch
  • 80, Benashet Drive, Lincoln, 7672, Canterbury
  • 32 Nikau Drive, Redwoodtown, Blenheim
  • 19 Finstock Way, Springston
  • 16 Camberley Road, Richmond
  • 153 Brougham Street, Westport
  • 119 Carters Road, Amberley
  • 72 Hitchen Road, Pōkeno
  • 27 Finstock Way, Springston
  • 7 Oakbridge Boulevard, Marshland, Christchurch
  • 13 Oakbridge Boulevard, Marshland, Christchurch
  • 5 Bannister Street, Jacks Point
  • 46 Arbuckle Road, Frimley, Hastings
  • 9 Montiicola Drive, Papamoa Beach, Papamoa
  • 1, Flounder Drive, Ōmokoroa
  • 62, Maurice Kelly Road, Wainui
  • 108 Fairway Drive, Morrinsville
  • 274, Te Rapa Road, Beerescourt, Hamilton, 3200, Waikato
  • 37, Okaia Drive, Kinloch, 3377, Waikato
  • 7, Tūhua Close, Wharewaka, Taupō, 3378, Waikato
  • 2, Walsh Road, 2110, Auckland
  • Rotorua Grove, Aotea, Porirua, 5024, Wellington
  • 2, Buddle Road, Paerata, 2676, Auckland
  • 11, Highland Drive, Acacia Bay, Taupō, 3385, Waikato
  • 714, Te Kowhai Road, Te Kowhai, 3288, Waikato
  • 501, Webb Drive, Chartwell, Hamilton, Waikato
  • Kahukaka Road, One Tree Point, 0118, Northland
  • Pampas Drive, 0992, Auckland
  • 29, Kimbrae Drive, Hamilton, 3210, Waikato
  • 50, Hitchens Road, Pokeno, 2402, Waikato
  • Jonah Lomu Drive, Paerata, 2676, Auckland
  • Flaxfield Lane, Beachlands, 2571, Auckland
  • 1, Manutewhau Road, Massey, 0614, Auckland
  • 10, Ripeka Lane, Whenuapai, 0618, Auckland
  • 12, Harriet Johnston Drive, Pokeno, 2472, Waikato
  • Podgora Avenue, Kumeu, 0891, Auckland
  • Kapia Road, Massey, 0614, Auckland
  • Walter Lawry Road, Paerata, 2676, Auckland
  • 17, Brown Street, Inglewood, 4330, Taranaki
  • 109, Wairau Drive, Tikipunga, Whangarei, 0112, Northland
  • 60, Stace Hopper Drive, Whangarei, 0118, Northland
  • 1, Kukuwai Avenue, Red Beach, 0932, Auckland
  • 25, Jonah Lomu Drive, Pukekohe, 2676, Auckland
  • 190 Matua Road, Huapai
  • 30 Main Road, Waikanae
40B Johns Rd, Belfast, Christchurch