Hardie™ Oblique™ Cladding takes this Modern Farmhouse to new heights.

Stylishly blending rustic charm with modern elements, contemporary barn-style homes are becoming more prolific around Australia as homeowners seek a fusion of traditional warmth and sleek sophistication.

But how can you create a farmhouse design that captures on-trend features while still incorporating the timelessness of the style? By integrating Hardie™ Oblique™ Cladding in its recent Summer Farmhouse build, Bellevue Design and Construction is setting a new standard for what can be achieved in the Modern Farmhouse style.

A sprawling farmhouse with all the trimmings

When Jak Lok and Philip Chak of Bellevue Design and Construction were approached to design a house – one that would be suitable on an acreage and just 15 minutes from the Brisbane CBD – they knew they had their work cut out for them.

“Our client wanted a unique house design in a premium location, and they were planning to have farm animals like horses, alpacas and chickens,” Lok says. “They wanted this house to be different and to stand out from the rest."

“After the COVID lockdowns, their vision was to have a place that had everything on-site. That included a resort-style pool, sunken fireplace, outdoor pool house, tennis court, gym and theatre room.”

After locking in the brief, Lok and Chak immediately envisioned a modern American farmhouse. That meant wide frontage, plenty of character in the materials being used, and a high-pitched gable roof with vertical profile cladding. It would be an awe-inspiring sight when finished, but it would also be one of the most challenging homes Bellevue Design and Construction had ever built – due in large part to the steepness of the roof design.

“We knew we needed a vertical cladding exterior to achieve this Modern Farmhouse look,” Lok explains. So we gave our James Hardie rep a call to see if any products would be suitable.”

Hardie™ Oblique™ Cladding steps up to the challenge

The Bellevue team knew they wanted a standout product that would take the Modern Farmhouse style to the next level. So when they spoke to their James Hardie representative and explained the brief in detail, it became immediately clear that Hardie™ Oblique™ Cladding would be the perfect fit.

“As soon as we saw the Hardie™ Oblique™ Cladding, though, we knew it was the one and we had to have it.”

Lok and his team used two types of Hardie™ Oblique™ Cladding on all the external walls of the Summer Farmhouse project – both the 300mm and 200mm profiles. He says it just made sense to feature it so strongly throughout the home.

“It was the look we were trying to achieve,” he says. “We could not find a better product. We wanted vertical cladding almost like the Axon™ Cladding but with a more visible profile, which would give the farmhouse a bit more character."

“If it wasn’t for the Hardie™ Oblique™ Cladding we wouldn’t have achieved the look that we were after.”

Taking the Modern Farmhouse style to new heights

Even though it was a product they had never used before, Lok says the Hardie™ Oblique™ Cladding was very easy to install and made light work of the exterior. He was especially pleased that nail holes are hidden and when overlapping the cladding it simply locks into place.

“Hardie™ Oblique™ Cladding definitely saved a lot of time,” he says. “Our second option was just timber batten, and that would have taken a lot longer to install. It also wouldn’t have stood out and been as unique as Hardie™ Oblique™ Cladding is.”

Being a custom builder, Lok says he loves building different styles of homes, and Hardie™ products make his job much easier.

“We use Hardie™ products for the majority of our houses due to the wide range of options that are suitable for our designs, and they achieve the look that our clients are after,” he says. This includes the Hardie™ Architectural Collection, which delivers endless possibilities to achieve a range of looks.

Lok personally adores the Summer Farmhouse’s outdoor entertainment space, as well as the main living area with the loft and feature ceiling. With a happy design and building team, and even happier clients, Bellevue took the best of luxury farmhouse design and delivered a finished product that will keep guests inspired for years to come.

Want to take advantage of the modern design forecast and give your clients the home they’ve been dreaming about? Learn more about how Hardie™ Oblique™ Cladding is perfect for a Modern Farmhouse exterior and interiors.