Opposites Attract

Is “rustic meets contemporary” a new style? It seems that we are seeing more and more new construction homes using simplistic, clean line design (contemporary) while incorporating elements of texture through beams, metals and natural stone (rustic). Remodels and updates are also implementing this style.

A simple browse through Pinterest or Houzz will show you exactly what I am talking about. You’ll see examples where contemporary meets rustic, such as modern white trim flanking barnwood flooring. Modern doors mounted on barn door tracks.

I actually think it is really cool. I started my career with an architecture firm that was a design/build firm that specialized in rustic homes. We sourced barnwood from the old leaning barns you see along the side of the road, that looked like they would topple with the next windstorm. We found hand-hewn beams and paid ranchers for their rusted metal roofing.

Seeing first-hand how those items went from being ghosts to having new life breathed into them was pretty amazing, so to say I have an appreciation for rustic meeting contemporary is an understatement.

In the industry, we are seeing this both on the exterior and interior of homes, cabins and even more and more commercial projects. Cabinetry is taking on less formality with what we used to see in stacked crown moldings, raised panel door styles, and what could be described as traditional. People are now asking for more flat panel door styles or even frameless cabinetry and using texture such as glazing, brush strokes or vintage finishes to add dimension and a rustic element to the more contemporary door style.

Hardware finishes are incorporating lots of textured metals with contemporary design as well. Hammered copper, oil rubbed bronzes, brushed gold, wrought iron black, and of course, brushed nickel. At the Dallas market two years ago, I saw brushed gold and was intrigued wondering if that was a design trend that would take off. It looks like it has – I am seeing more and more of the brushed gold. (Thankfully, it’s not the brassy gold from the 80’s and 90’s, but a softer, almost white gold).

These colors are not only prominent in hardware, but also in plumbing. White or stainless sinks are still an option, but you also have copper, quartz or granite composite sinks, which come in about seven standard colors with more options to choose from with custom palettes. These colors offer a contemporary look by matching countertops, toilets or showers, allowing the more textured items, such as tile, flooring or even furnishings be the focal point in the room.

Flooring that looks like reclaimed wood is HUGE right now. Vinyl planks that resemble circle sawn or band sawn flooring are popular. Tile that comes in wide planks is also emulating rustic barnwood. How cool is that? Straight lines of grouted tile (rectified to be able to butt closer for smaller grout lines) in a barnwood look. Oil finished, wire-brushed hardwood is also a fun option. Hand-scraped wood is popular. What do all of these have in common?? They hide high traffic areas, dirt and are more family friendly. Kids, dogs, bikes and even high heels don’t create anxiety – these floors are very forgiving. Save the high gloss texture for the countertops, the large glass on the windows and leave the textured surfaces for the flooring where its imperfections are considered “character” and are much less obvious.

Inside these homes, they don’t have much “stuff” sitting around. You won’t see a lot of clutter or overly done furnishings. There typically isn’t a lot of softness with window coverings or furniture. More structured hard angles covered with minimal fabric, hardly any tufted surfaces and no more long draperies. Yet, the thing that whispers throughout these modern homes is the rustic texture. You’ll see accents of hand hewn beams on fireplace mantels, rustic reclaimed wood accents on furniture, wrapped canvas prints, mirrors, and black and white photos, maybe an old workbench as a sideboard, a rustic barn door on a slider as a pantry door, etc.

I think this is the newer generation’s repurposing of things that are recyclable, a way to tie into the past generations, but also simply because the textures of rustic and contemporary so strongly complement each other. Maybe it’s true – opposites do attract.

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