This sophisticated farmhouse is a forward thinking homeowners dream. Built to embrace an eco-concious and ageing-in-place lifestyle, and designed to be an handsome updated take on a modern farmhouse Julie Buckner Design created a true Sonoma gem. You won’t want to miss all of the details shared in the home tour below, beautifully captured by SEN Creative.

From the designer… This house is the first built in a community called Live Oak Farm – an ‘agrihood,’ where agriculture meets neighborhood – in Sonoma County, CA. The home incorporates net-zero energy fundamentals, such as solar power, all electric appliances, fireplace, induction range, and radiant heating, as well as universal design principles for multi-generational living and aging-in-place.

Carefully sited on a hilltop to take advantage of 360 degree views of surrounding farmlands, historic barns, and season-changing hillsides, the great room features gorgeous natural light, vaulted ceilings with artisan-crafted, hand-stained rift oak box beams; a 10-ft vintage French Oak dining table; a kitchen with inset cabinetry, board and batten design range hood; and upholstered breakfast nook looking out towards a 100 year-old windmill. Other favorite features include a large primary bedroom with a cozy reading nook, and a primary bathroom with steam shower, infrared sauna, and private deck. There are two ensuite guest bedrooms each accented with its own moody, muted color palette.

As a designer, the challenge was to embrace the client’s future forward, state-of-the-art technical goals like energy efficiency, fire resiliency, and air purification, with his desire for the home’s interiors to be traditional and conservative. While the client is more drawn to deep tones, like navy blue, rich red, burgundy, and dark furnishings, I had to work with him to move into a soft, subtle, palette to take advantage of the light and wide open views.

The other design challenge for me was to achieve a warm, fresh, sophisticated look, in contrast to the now ubiquitous modern farmhouse style, characterized by cool white walls, black fixtures and grey finishes we see so much of on social media and supermarket magazine shelves.

Like what you see? Take a peek at the talent behind the story… Interior Design: Julie Buckner Design · Photography: SEN Creative · Stylist: Leah Parks · Photography Assistant: Melissa Zink · Community: Live Oak Farm