1. COMBINE EXPOSED BRICK WITH SLEEK LINES
Interior designer Shannon Tate-Giordano, founder of Shannon Tate Interiors, has paired beautiful natural timber and industrial brick with sleek lines to create a perfectly balanced modern rustic look in this Boston home.
2. CHOOSE CONTEMPORARY WOOD CABINETS
With its brick floor, wooden ceiling beams and sleek wood kitchen cabinets, this stylish kitchen, set in an ancient barn in Suffolk, England, has all the hallmarks of a modern rustic space. Sleek yet characterful, the handcrafted deVOL Sebastian Cox cabinets beautifully complement the historic architecture and feature doors constructed from beech planks which have been gently stained to allow the grain to shine through. ‘We have come to think of the look as "urban rustic"; it brings a little bit of woodland into the city, with some style,’ says Helen Parker, creative director at deVOL.
3. CELEBRATE NATURAL MATERIALS
You don’t need a historic home to create a kitchen with rustic character. In this newly-built waterfront property, Herlong Architecture and Interiors introduced a wealth of timber and stone into the kitchen to create a welcoming space full of patina that pays homage to its coastal setting.
4. MIX HISTORIC ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES WITH MODERN MATERIALS
In this breathtaking kitchen, the designers at Roundhouse paid homage to the architecture by creating a stark contrast between old and new, adding a sleek white kitchen in a room within a room. While the handleless white cabinets, polished concrete and glossy marble all contrast with the history of the property, this only serves to highlight the architectural features without distracting from them.
5. EMBRACE SUSTAINABLE STYLE WITH SALVAGED WOOD CABINETS
Brimming with warmth and unique character, this kitchen by Retrouvius combines an array of reclaimed timbers ingeniously redesigned to form a functional kitchen. ‘The kitchen cabinet doors are made from salvaged frames which have been reversed so you see the textured patina, while the doors are made from salvaged hardwood architraves; the ridged structure doubles as door handles,’ say the design team at Retrouvius.
6. MIX BESPOKE CABINETS WITH ANTIQUE FURNITURE
Opting for a mix of modern, bespoke cabinetry and antique freestanding kitchen pieces is a wonderful way to create a unique space full of character. Not only do vintage kitchen pieces such as dressers and butchers' blocks have a beautiful patina from years of wear, they can also be easily moved should you want your kitchen reconfigured.
7. CHOOSE RUSTIC YET PRACTICAL MATERIALS
Interior designer Julia Dempster is renowned for her use of varied rustic textures and has continued the theme throughout this guesthouse kitchen. Fabrics like relaxed organic linens and old grain sacks are perfect for capturing the rustic look, however, in kitchens, they can be impractical as they can pick up smells and easily stain.
8. INTRODUCE TEXTURE WITH HANDMADE TILES
Mixing an assortment of kitchen tiles is an easy way to introduce pattern and texture into a timeless kitchen. Here interior designer Shannon Tate-Giordano used a combination of terracotta floor tiles and patterned wall tiles to bring rustic Mediterranean charm to this classic Shaker-style kitchen.
9. PAIR WARM WOOD WITH UTILITARIAN ACCESSORIES
With its sleek wooden cabinets paired with playful industrial kitchen lighting and mid-century-style chairs, this modern rustic kitchen by Elizabeth Roberts Architects is both sophisticated yet warm and characterful.
10. ADD SUBTLE TEXTURE WITH LIME PLASTER WALLS
Renowned for her love of rustic textures and patinas, Julia Dempster combined lime plaster walls, wood cabinet doors and a polished concrete floor to bring layers of character to this modern neutral kitchen.
11. INTRODUCE SOFTNESS WITH FABRICS
With their wealth of exposed surfaces, sometimes modern rustic kitchens can benefit from the introduction of fabrics to soften the space, plus, textiles can help deaden sound for a more relaxed atmosphere. Used under countertops instead of cabinets, fabric valance ideas for kitchens can also make a quick and affordable way to conceal modern appliances or kitchen clutter.