Five Features Every Farmhouse Should Have

Even when they’re old and tired looking, their shingles curled up from wear, farmhouses have a certain turn-of-the-century charm that’s simply hard to resist—that mismatched furniture! Those exposed beams! If you’re in the market for one, here are a few fundamental designs every authentic farmhouse should have.

A comfortable front porch on which to sit and gossip about those walking by is critical. Out here, the chatter will likely be more about those damn bucolic deer that ate every last thing you grew, but no matter. Our front porch would preferably be sweeping and wraparound, with lots of rocking chairs and a pitcher of fresh lemonade. This one goes the extra mile with hanging flowers and pieces of Americana, including one well-placed American flag on the front of the house.

Let’s say the front porch is not your thing, but you still want to be near the outdoors. A respectable farmhouse should also have a bright sun room in which to relax … or roast if the windows aren’t open. You’d be able to grab a cup of coffee and that book you’ve been meaning to read for the last five years and tune out the hectic world around you. Oh, and seriously, don’t forget to open the windows, you’ll suffocate.

A true farmhouse owner would bake apple pie with freshly picked apples and eggs gathered from the chickens out back … but you could just buy a pie from the store and heat it up in your country kitchen! Make sure it has wooden cabinets, patterned walls, warm colors and some tchotchkes, like inspiring words painted on wood and ceramic farm animals.

Obviously, an authentic farmhouse wouldn’t be complete without some floral wallpaper with wildly mismatched upholstered furniture. The busier, the better. This Sagaponack home kicks in a modern twist with a brightly painted beam and borders, but it still has some country sweetness with small white lamps and wood floors and table.

Lastly, make sure to have at least one old-fashioned whimsical bedroom. This can vary according to taste, but it should probably have an iron bed frame with pink and white bedding, floral wallpaper and white chiffon somewhere. White lace drapery would complete the look. Just a suggestion, of course.