I've fallen head over heels for David Harbour's open-plan farmhouse kitchen – it's not the modern marvel I expected, but it's even better

Characterized by the warmth and beauty that natural materials bring to a space, farmhouse kitchens embody a pared-back look that celebrates the world of restoration and reclamation. It is a functional aesthetic, edging towards the industrial, yet one that also retains the inherent warmth characteristic of a traditional kitchen scheme.

A key tenet of this design, according to Adrian Bergman, design manager at Plain English, is to ‘embrace the natural warmth and charm of architectural details in the kitchen, such as beams or stone walls, which have aged and weathered over the years.’

This is the mantra Gramercy Design followed when crafting the farmhouse kitchen in American actor David Harbour's downtown New York loft.

An intriguing mix of modern and old-school, David's quirky sense of style consistently impresses and delights in equal measure.

To dress your kitchen with the same country aesthetic, invest in vintage finds and antique-inspired designs to soften the harder edges and ensure the space is brimming with personality.

One way to give a kitchen a lifestyle feel is to showcase decorative, antique, or handmade items. However, this mustn’t come at the cost of avoiding valuable counter space. Open shelves, ideally with a pot holder and magnetic knife holders below provide the perfect spot to display vintage decor, as beautifully illustrated in this kitchen.

Natural materials are the cornerstone of country kitchen or farmhouse design. In this space, wood cabinetry has been used to bring a sense of warmth and tactility to the room. Elsewhere, stone countertops with deep veining add a splash of seasonal color, which is mimicked by the brass faucets.

The color of a farmhouse kitchen is equally important. In order to create a Farmhouse country feel in a kitchen, we would typically use a color palette made up of easy whites punctuated with gentle soft browns and flecks of gold and brass.

‘We’ve seen that there is a greater desire to surround ourselves with comforting kitchen color ideas that are easy to scheme and provide tranquillity in the heart of our home,’ says Ruth Mottershead, creative director at Little Greene. ‘This has been reflected in the increasing popularity of neutrals and earthier tones that have an inherent warmth.’

The power of a neutral kitchen color palette should not be underestimated. A soft scheme of harmonious neutrals creates a reflective backdrop to the ever-changing light of the seasons. David Harbour's kitchen is a testament to this theory.

Shop the look