Hi Donna,

I'd like to create a simple rustic farmhouse look in my kitchen. I have a nice wooden kitchen table and some lovely big bowls - which is a start, but I also have a lot of mod cons and clutter that spoils the look. Any advice?

Thanks!

Jenny

Our Homes And Property Expert replies:

Hi Jenny,

There's no reason why you can't create the illusion of a farmhouse theme using a few simple style tricks. For a start, invest in a few freestanding pieces of rustic-style storage - a wooden Welsh dresser or a wooden island unit with storage underneath - so you can stash any clutter out of sight.

Rather than hide your mod cons, incorporate them into your new design for an updated modern country look - stainless steel sits perfectly well next to rural-style wooden accessories for instance. If your fridge and washing machine really do stick out like a sore thumb, you could either give them a coat of specialist white fridge paint from International Paints to make them blend into the background, or you could hang country-style checked or polka dot fabric in front of them to disguise them completely.