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Simple, distressed and rustic, the modern country kitchen offers design enthusiasts the unadorned charm of an authentic farmhouse kitchen (think oversized sinks, industrial-style light fixtures and painted furniture) with the great characteristics of a contemporary design (clean lines and mixed materials). The key to modern country kitchen style is striking the right balance of vintage materials—metal, wood, tactile linens—that retain some connection to the rural roots of the design while adding in enough contemporary details to not let the design skew too country. These 9 ideas will put you on the right track.
1. Metal Works
Photo: Courtesy of Pottery Barn
The metal Wyatt barstool from Pottery Barn is a stunning mid-century piece that can bring an airy setting down to earth. The aluminum color recalls farm machinery and captures the heart of the modern country kitchen, making it an ideal choice for adding a subtle country element to a family breakfast bar.
Wyatt barstool, $249 to $269, Pottery Barn
2. Bright Idea
Photo: Courtesy of Rejuvenation
With its utilitarian design, the Wiley pendant from Rejuvenation offers true country style. Repurposed from its original use as a hand-held work light in unelectrified barns, it embodies what design enthusiasts love about the modern country kitchen, offering both functionality and rustic charm. Try clustering a few over a kitchen island or breakfast nook for a modern take on an age-old design.
Wiley pendant, $229, Rejuvenation
3. Earning Your Stripes
Photo: Courtesy of Williams-Sonoma
Often overlooked, kitchen textiles are a small design element that can pull the room together, and nowhere is this more true than in a country kitchen. Kitchen linens should be used to add color and comfort—this striped tablecloth from Williams-Sonoma features a classic pattern rendered in soft earth tones, and it's easy to switch out depending on the season.
Rustic stripe tablecloth, $59.95 to $79.95, Williams-Sonoma
4. Table Talk
Photo: Courtesy of Pottery Barn
At the heart of every country kitchen, traditional or modern, lies a simple but substantial kitchen table. Ideal for large eat-in kitchens, this rectangular wooden table from Pottery Barn has a multi-tasking design (each end features a drawer ideal for storing linens) that offers the no-nonsense feel of a rustic antique.
Laney fixed kitchen table, $899, Pottery Barn
5. Chickening Out
Photo: Courtesy of Williams-Sonoma
No country kitchen would be complete without an animal motif or two—but to keep things modern, look for pieces that are sophisticated, not cutesy. This gold-accented rooster tureen from Williams-Sonoma is a whimsical conservation piece. Displayed on open shelving or in a hutch, it's the perfect piece to top off a modern-country look.
Apilco rooster-accented tureen, $199, Williams-Sonoma
6. Push & Pull
Photo: Courtesy of Rejuvenation
If there's one accessory that defines a kitchen's style, it's hardware. These basic bin pulls from Rejuvenation mimic ones traditionally used in utilitarian turn-of-the-century pantries, making them a natural choice for country kitchens with an industrial edge. Plus, they're available in nine different finishes, allowing for myriad variations on the theme.
Crescent bin pull, $14, Rejuvenation
7. White Nights
Photo: Courtesy of Sherwin-Williams
Sherwin-Williams' "Gauzy White" paint color perfectly captures the muted tones essential to a country kitchen. Soft and warm, this rich white shade is like the paint version of comfort food. Whether you use it on walls, cabinetry or kitchen furniture, it's the perfect backdrop for layering other colors and materials.
Gauzy White paint, from around $35 per gallon, Sherwin-Williams
8. Neutral Party
Photo: Courtesy of Caesarstone
Polished, rich and hard-working, this natural quartz countertop creates a neutral statement. The darker tones of the brown quartz will offer a nice balance to an otherwise light and fresh color scheme, but the material won't distract from the overall simplicity of a country kitchen design.
Wild Rice quartz countertop, call for price, Caesarstone
9. Sticks & Stones
Photo: Courtesy of Jeffrey Court
Integral to any new country kitchen is the ability to use natural elements in a modern way, and this stone mosaic tile thoughtfully bridges the gap between traditional and inspired. Stunning as a backsplash or underfoot, this mosaic adds rustic charm, but with an eye-catching twist.
Monochromatic stone mosaic tile, call for price, Jeffrey Court
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