Details Of HGTV's Jonathan Knight's Rustic Farmhouse Kitchen Renovation & How To Get The Look

If there's one renovation guru who's mastered the farmhouse aesthetic, it has to be Jonathan Knight — the star of HGTV's "Farmhouse Fixer" who's preserved the historic charm and breathed new life into fixer-upper homes for over 25 years. On HGTV, Knight showcases the versatility and evolution of the style that, by all indications, has become a mainstay in the design world and isn't going anywhere anytime soon. Knight's "Farmhouse Fixer" Season 2, Episode 8 project is evidence of what many designers know to be true about the classic style: The farmhouse look is transitioning toward a look that embraces a classic, cozy rustic feel. It integrates more colors along with fresh, modern elements. And, one room that particularly nails the rustic renovation to the 1800s farmhouse is the kitchen, which seamlessly blends old and new elements for a space that's stylish and functional with just the right amount of modern twist.

From the modern white marble counters to the rustic wooden island addition and dark navy custom cabinets, the homeowners were thrilled with the final result. "Oh my God. The colors are amazing," said Knight's client, Michelle O'Connor. "I love how it looks old yet fresh and new." Knight's remodel is the perfect example of a rustic kitchen that's warm and inviting, yet perfectly adapted to the comforts of contemporary living. Below, we share how to steal the look, what's worth splurging on, and where you can save to help you perfect a farmhouse kitchen look that has both on-trend and timeless aesthetic appeal.

Like all timeless interior design styles, the farmhouse kitchen trend has changed with the times and evolved. Now the key to nailing the look is in crafting a farmhouse kitchen without overdoing it with traditional farm elements and incorporating more contemporary and colorful elements to make the space feel functional, relevant, and on-trend. Knight's kitchen strikes that perfect balance between modern and traditional while still retaining the core cozy elements of rustic farmhouse design: natural materials like wood, crisp whites, earth tones, textures and textiles, large multi-pane windows, and storied vintage accents.

Some of the most standout selections are the rustic exposed wood beams paired with three modern black and gold pendant lights from Restoration Hardware donning the ceiling. In the center of the kitchen, an oversized modern marble island adds contemporary elegance while an aged wooden desk serves as an island addition that expands the space and adds that cozy traditional farmhouse appeal. "Look how massive the island is," remarked Kristina Crestin, Knight's HGTV co-host, during the reveal. To which homeowner Michelle O'Connor replied, "It's massive, and yet, the beams make it look cozy though." 

Below three oversized kitchen windows that provide lots of natural light, Knight placed a farmhouse sink and custom navy cabinets that add a pop of color to the otherwise neutral farmhouse kitchen. And, the luxurious 48-inch range didn't feel out of place with the vintage wall shelf and pottery rack off to the side of the kitchen. Everywhere you look in this renovation is Knight's stunning and seamless signature blend of old and new.

The best part about the evolving farmhouse interior design style is that allows you all the rustic charms of the traditional look, plus the contemporary comforts of an updated home. We recommend taking a cue from Jonathan Knight's HGTV kitchen makeover. Go new and fresh for most built-in appliances and fixtures, and incorporate traditional farmhouse elements with your furniture and decor. Also, instead of the tried-and-true farmhouse color scheme of white, gray, and beige, we'd choose a timeless kitchen cabinet color or wall color to modernize the look. If you're wondering where to splurge, it's always smart to go with high-quality flooring and cabinetry, reliable appliances, and updated countertops for your kitchen counters and island. Many of these will improve the value of your home, create ease of daily living, and save you the hassle of fixing or replacing them when they age or break down.

Our advice is to think of what you use your kitchen for most and splurge there. If you're a regular baker, you'll want a great oven and lots of countertop space for baking prep. On the other hand, you can save big by finding lots of rustic furniture and lighting at thrift stores, online forums, and decorating with flea market finds. You might even luck out by searching for free pieces being given away on sites like Facebook or Craigslist. We'd advise skipping vintage shops to save cash, as these can be more expensive. For reclaimed wood, construction dumpsters, local farms, and online listings can be a great resource.