Builders' Choice: Crafting Modern Farmhouse Perfection with the Hardie™ Architectural Collection

In the picturesque landscape where the coast meets the countryside, Bakker Homes brought their dream home to life – a Modern Farmhouse inspired by Scandinavian architecture and contemporary New Zealand Barn Houses. The creation of this home was an easy process guided by a blend of aesthetics and practicality.

As a builder, selecting the right materials is crucial to achieving the desired outcome. Having used Hardie™ products in previous builds, they felt confident to use Hardie™ products again on this project as they knew they would achieve the look they wanted with their high quality. For the exterior, three products from the Hardie™ Architectural Collection became the backbone of the project. "We were originally looking to use completely different products but loved the look of the Hardie™ Oblique™ Cladding, Hardie™ Fine Texture Cladding and the Hardie™ Brushed Concrete Cladding," explained the homeowner and builder Carina Bakker. “Using products that were all designed to complement each other made the design process so easy.”

The Modern Farmhouse style of architecture seamlessly blends traditional and contemporary elements, resulting in a home that is the perfect combination of old and new. This style satisfies the desire for both modern functionality and the comfort of traditional design and craftsmanship, with the clean lines and minimalist aesthetic creating a bridge between past and present.

To create this look, Bakker Homes installed Hardie™ Oblique™ Cladding painted in Dulux® Black around the master suite, garage and pool house walls. “We installed the Hardie™ Oblique™ Cladding vertically with a mix of both 200mm and 300mm widths. The unique pattern we installed was big, small, big, big, small, big, small, small, big – a pattern without it being a noticeable pattern.” Carina explained. The rest of the home was clad in Hardie™ Brushed Concrete Cladding painted Dulux® Natural White. “The Hardie™ Oblique™ Cladding definitely gave the house depth and rhythm. The windows blended with the Hardie™ Oblique™ Cladding and contrasted with the Hardie™ Brushed Concrete Cladding, which are hallmarks of the Modern Farmhouse look.”

The four projecting gables on the house are Hardie™ Fine Texture Cladding painted Dulux® Black with merbau cladding to internal of gables. Merbau oversized posts at the front and rear of the house, along with decking and under the fascia at the rear, further accentuated the architectural details. “Installation of the Hardie™ Oblique™ Cladding was relatively quick and easy. The structural integrity of the board made sure that any imperfections within the wall frame were nullified, leaving a smooth well defined finish. The smooth face of the board made it easy to patch and fill. We gapped all the joints, this was quick and easy, as was the painting.” Carina explained.

“The larger boards of the Hardie™ Brushed Concrete Cladding were very easy to install. It was a better alternative to render and more cost effective. It was the perfect texture for the Modern farmhouse look.”

As an owner-builder project, Bakker Homes encountered unique challenges, particularly concerning bushfire zone regulations. "The house is in a bushfire zone, and the cladding had to meet the bushfire rating of BAL 40," they shared. The selected Hardie™ products met the BAL rating, providing the necessary durability and safety standards.

The project's success was not only attributed to the quality of Hardie™ products but also to the versatility they offered in design. "Using 3 different products from the Hardie™ Architectural Collection allowed us to achieve the desired look while complementing each other seamlessly," remarked Carina Bakker Homes.

“At Bunnings Port Stephens, we always turn to their helpful and knowledgeable staff, and thanks to their assistance, we were able to achieve our dream Modern Farmhouse with the Hardie™ Architectural Collection” said Carina.

As they continue their journey in home construction and design, Hardie™ remains their trusted partner in bringing visions to life. Carina Bakker found the product installation easy which helped saving time and money in the project. Their success story proves Hardie™ products are the go-to for builders aiming for excellence. It's not just about building homes; it's about turning dreams into reality, one board at a time.