The farmhouse furniture style was commonly used as far back as the 1600s, but at that time it was not technically a decorating style. People were using the techniques and materials they had at their disposal. The Industrial Revolution changed more than manufacturing; it revolutionized Western culture. People thrived in this environment for centuries, enjoying the unprecedented luxury and ease formerly unachievable for most of the population. So the early farmhouse furniture was “popular” out of cultural practice and need.
During this era, something else unexpectedly shifted. As communities drifted away from their close ties to the land and pastoral life, their lifestyles became faster, busier, and filled with more obligations and activities. After a few generations, this unintentional consequence caused a reaction: a longing for things that represented the simpler, slower lifetimes. They blended the styles of old with modern luxuries and techniques to create the farmhouse decorating style which includes farmhouse furniture. A little rustic, and a little elegant, it implements natural or reclaimed woods, neutral colors, and straightforward silhouettes with some artfully placed ornamentation and curved or rounded edges.
Natural Materials
Farmhouse furniture is constructed from natural materials such as wood, metal, and fabrics. The wood texture varies between sanded smooth and rustic, reclaimed barnwood. Iron is sometimes used for legs on tables and chairs. Hinges and knobs are made from rustic metals including bronze, pewter, and wrought iron. Upholstery comes from natural sources such as linen or leather or mimics these natural textures. The Boston Dining Collection is a great example of these three components.
Muted Colors
Handcrafted furniture is always customizable, but farmhouse furniture is traditionally made from lighter-colored woods such as maple and oak. This style’s modern revival incorporates darker wood tones like walnut and dark oak. Red-colored woods including mahogany, cherry, and cedar are uncommon. The wood is finished to accentuate its natural grain. Shiny finishes are not used, but neutral-colored paint, especially white tones, is common. This Farmhouse Island depicts a tasteful combination of wood grain and paint in a farmhouse style.
Simple Silhouettes
Farmhouse-style furniture features uncomplicated silhouettes while staying away from an austere air. Often the overall design includes straight lines with square or rectangular shapes, but decorative additions are not uncommon. Unornamented designs are more often paired with reclaimed or rustic woods, while the smooth woodgrains are carved into turned legs or slight arches. Live edges are another way that interest and warmth are added to farmhouse furniture. The furniture’s joints are typically hidden which contributes to smoother edges and an overall uncomplicated silhouette. This Davinci Dining Collection shows the simple elegance found in farmhouse furniture.
Farmhouse-style furniture has stood the test of centuries and doesn’t appear to be going away, which isn’t unconscionable. It’s an admittedly romanticized view of the frontier lifestyle (so far no one has taken to living in a dirt house as a decorating choice), but it offers comfortable simplicity, something we are often missing in our modern lives. As such, it’s not hard to see why farmhouse furniture is popular even by today’s standards.