CLASSIC, CHIC AND CUSTOMIZED

This Maryland farmhouse is modern yet timeless.

This Maryland farmhouse is modern yet timeless.

Every year we say goodbye to short-lived fads and trends—but every so often, a style sticks around for good. How do we sort out the“here today” from the“here forever”? The team from GTM Architects—George Myers, Doug Roberts, Luke Olson and Jessica Parker Wachtel—worked together to build a beautifully customized Maryland farmhouse. Doug and Luke gave us the inside scoop on the creative process.

CUSTOM DETAILS

The team paid careful attention to the desires of their clients, who brought in photos and ideas for their custom dream home. “The mudroom is very customized,”Doug says. The homeowners chose starburst tile and shiplap to give the room a more country feel, reminiscent of life on the farm. “It also ties it into the exterior with the Queen Anne style,”Doug says.

Architecture is permanent, so it’s important to choose designs that will save you from premature remodeling. “The most important thing is not to overdo it with current trends,” Luke says. For example, farmhouse staples like hardwood floors and

wall paneling are ageless choices. “Another example would be the classic white kitchen,” Luke says. “It’s simple, clean and makes the space feel larger.”The GTM Architects team opted for a tongue-and-groove ceiling in the kitchen with classic white cabinets to tie traditional and modern farmhouse elements together.

THOUGHTFUL DESIGN

As with many timeless styles, sometimes less is more. “That’s not to say that you can’t add detail and still have a timeless home, but it requires a thoughtful approach,”Luke says. “Wellproportioned and thoughtfully laid-out spaces with clean, simple lines and quality materials will never go out of style.”

BY HANNAH STRANDBERG PHOTOGRAPHY B Y S TACY Z A R I N G O L D B E RG STYLING BY GTM ARCHITECTS The kitchen boasts a flattering smorgasbord of textures, from the tongue-and-groove ceiling to the glossy tile backsplash. With such a simple base, extra décor for special occasions will look cute, not cluttered.

(above) GTM Architects gave the exterior a clean white base with black trim, for a fresh look loaded with farmhouse personality.

(above) “Less can be more in terms of detailing,” Luke says. Keep architectural elements interesting yet simple enough to stand the test of time, as the GTM Architects team did here with the arched doorway and board-and-batten wood paneling up the staircase. (right) Use wall paneling to customize and personalize each room in your home. “The mudroom has more informal shiplap paneling, as a … secondary access [for] the daily use of the farm,” Luke says.