You don't need an attached acreage to enjoy the honest design of farm living. While the mauve ruffles and dusty blue "duck-in-bonnet" motifs of the 1980s country craze are out, today's true farmhouse details also can be at home in suburbia or a city loft.

The modern take on classic country design creates a homey feel no matter where you live, says Joanna Gaines, co-owner with husband Chip Gaines of their Waco, Texas-based Magnolia Homes, and co-star of HGTV's "Fixer Upper."

"People are so busy in their lives, they crave simplicity and calm when they come home at the end of a frantic day," she says. "Chip and I see the value in taking something old and making it new again, whether we're repurposing or restoring it."

Modern farmhouse design begins with solid craftsmanship, whether it requires rehabbing an old house or just bringing a bit of "old soul" into a newly constructed home. "The details in older homes are perfectly imperfect," Chip says. "These homes are meant to be lived in and have a character about them that only time can give."

Open Spaces

Removing interior walls to achieve an open floor plan is often the first step toward creating a modern farmhouse aesthetic. "You want the energy to flow in a home," Joanna says. "A lot of walled-off rooms really affects the functionality of a space -- and not in a good way."

Chip and Joanna bought their family's 1895 Victorian-era farmhouse, located on 40 acres outside of Waco, in 2012. The Gaineses reconfigured the walls within the original 1,800-square-foot home to highlight the kitchen as the workhorse of their house.

The cornerstone of modern farmhouse design is to focus on the kitchen and its connected living and dining areas, but Chip warns against being too eager to "take down those walls."

"As much as we promote DIY (do-it-yourself) projects, removing walls requires a reputable professional," he says. "A respected contractor will know whether a wall is load-bearing before removing it, because the last thing you want is to compromise the structural integrity of your home."

Light, Bright and White Design

After achieving an open floor plan, Joanna builds on a clean color palette by painting walls white or a neutral color. "Interest is created in a home by using natural materials," she says. "I love painting the walls' wood paneling or shiplap white and then layering wood, stone, metal and pops of color on top of that blank canvas."

White ceilings with stained wooden beams, open shelving cabinetry and wide-plank wood flooring are all at home in a modern farmhouse. Bright and airy interiors invite natural light into a space through windows. A bright tip is to install vintage light fixtures -- whether it's over the kitchen table or the bathroom tub -- to illuminate and accentuate this simple, yet sophisticated style.

The Gaines' farmhouse was originally a two-bedroom home with an unfinished attic. After its renovation, the home's square-footage doubled by finishing the upstairs with a family room, guest bedroom and craft room. A master bedroom was added onto the house, and Joanna incorporated old doors and fixtures while using salvaged molding and trim pieces to preserve the architectural integrity and interest in the home.

But Chip cautions against having the interior of the house too monochromatic. "An operating room is also light, bright and white, but we're not going for a sterile environment," he says. "Don't be afraid to incorporate rustic touches or distressed finishes into your home, because that's what gives it character and warmth."

While the design foundation of the farmhouse is neutral tones, Joanna likes to accessorize with the colorful dishes she displays or textiles she uses. A simple needlepoint sampler, colorful antique quilt or rustic folk art piece can personalize the space and add to a farm fresh vibe.

Bringing the Outside Inside

The overall modern farmhouse style can be viewed as uncluttered and contemporary. But by incorporating natural elements into an otherwise austere atmosphere -- such as a wooden butcher-block countertop, metal basketry and stone fireplace -- a warm, intimate farmhouse feeling can be achieved.

The Gaineses look to nature for design inspiration. If possible, keep windows bare or use light and airy window treatments so outdoor views are unobstructed. French doors can replace windows that lead to an outside deck, patio or porch.

"Use what you have and only have what you use" is the modern farmhouse mantra. Farmhouses were historically constructed without waste, so reclaimed wood can be used to build a kitchen island, or an old dresser can be converted into a freestanding bathroom vanity.

"It's the tiny details that add charm and personality to a home," Joanna says. "And don't forget the flowers -- whether you pick them up at a grocery store or just pick them from the garden outside your home."

Farm Out

For design inspiration, go to MagnoliaHomes.net. Click "Shop" to purchase items from Magnolia Market or "Fixer Upper" to view design projects.

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Hone your home to have a street-smart look.

Creating curb appeal is a wise investment that often requires brains and brawn, but not necessarily a big budget, says Jeffrey Fick of Fick Bros. in Baltimore. Named the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) 2014 Contractor of the Year award winner for residential exteriors, Fick Bros. is a century-old company spanning four generations.

"With the new year, people are making personal resolutions to look better. Why wouldn't you do the same for your home?" he says. "Spring is right around the corner, and freshening up the front of the home is in the air."

Fick encourages homeowners to try and look at their home from the street with new eyes. "It doesn't matter if your home's worth is $50,000 or $500,000, how it looks from the street certainly affects the property's value," he says. "You don't have to wait to sell it to spruce it up."

Front Door

The entryway to your home creates a first impression. The front door pulls double duty. It welcomes guests, yet protects a household from intruders. Fick says a fresh coat of paint on the front door works wonders for the front facade.

Your home design can take a turn for the better when you get a grip on the door's hardware, too. A decorative exterior handset will open the door to a home's design, and swapping out an old doorknob for a new one can make for a grand entrance. The doorknob is, in turn, both functional and ornamental.

But, if the welcome has been worn out on your home's front door, it might be time for an upgrade. Today's doors are becoming more warp-resistant, energy-efficient and secure. Fick says to take cues from the existing door's size and style for an appropriate replacement. Fiberglass doors with a foam core are one of the most popular choices when replacing an old front door, with costs starting under $1,000.

Ring in Spring

When at the front door, a visitor's first point of contact is the doorbell or knocker, so give the uninspired buzzer the ding-dong ditch. One of the most overlooked components to a front door's decor, a decorative doorbell ringer or doorknocker can be an inexpensive upgrade to the front of a home, starting under $100. A doorbell or doorknocker is also a small but mighty motif foreshadowing a personal sense of style found inside the home.

Illuminating Style

Shed new light on the front of a home by creating a warm, inviting atmosphere with new light fixtures. Fick says swapping out old lighting is an easy fix, but it's important to choose fixtures that coordinate with the door's hardware and complement a home's architectural style. Light fixtures used outside should also be rated by the Underwriters Laboratories (UL Wet) to be safe when exposed to the elements.

Into the Gutters

While gutters and downspouts serve important functions, these elements are also architectural details that run the perimeter of the house. Whether constructed from aluminum or high-end metals such as copper and zinc, Fick says dented gutters falling off a house and full of tree debris never leave a good impression. Regardless of the material used, all installed gutters must be slightly pitched toward downspout holes, and water should be directed at least 2 feet away from the building's foundation.

Driving Design

Drive up a home's street appeal by focusing on the largest front entry -- the garage door. An attached garage door can constitute more than one-third of the front of a house, making it one of a home's most prominent curbside features.

A fresh coat of paint on the garage door -- coordinated with the front door design -- can pull the look of an entire home together.

If it's time for a new garage door, today's homeowner doesn't have to settle for builder's grade, standard raised-panel and windowless garage doors. Manufacturers are rolling out new garage door options that are more insulated and energy-efficient, with eye-catching styles accented by decorative hinges and pulls.

Hardscaping

Homeowners can pour creativity into their driveways and walkways. The first impression of a house can start at the driveway and sidewalk as visitors make their way to the front door.

Concrete, stone and pavers crack over time. Fick says repairing or replacing damaged areas is a matter of safety and shouldn't be considered a superficial fix. "Secure any loose bricks or pavers back into the walkway, and fix any deteriorating concrete as soon as you can," he says. "Not only are these imperfections an eyesore, they can be considered a tripping hazard, and there's nothing pretty about that."

As a homeowner, don't curb your enthusiasm for the outdoor aesthetic. The appearance of the front entrance sends a message about the homeowner. "You can make a big impact without spending big bucks: plant flowers and put down a fresh bag of mulch in beds around the front door," he says. "How a house looks from the street is a reflection of the homeowner who lives inside."

On Easy Street

-- National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), NARI.org. To find a professional, click "Consumer," then drop down to "Find a Pro."

-- Fick Bros. Roofing and Exterior Remodeling Company, FickBros.com, 410-889-5525

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A secondary kitchen in the home can really cater to entertaining needs. Featuring warming ovens, additional countertops for food preparation and extra refrigeration, a catering kitchen keeps a meal's mess out of the main kitchen, where most parties eventually end up taking place.

"The kitchen has always been the heart of the home," says Zach Elkin, director of brand marketing for Thermador, a nearly century-old kitchen appliance corporation based in Irvine, California. "As more people continue to gather in the kitchen space, homeowners are finding it necessary to expand and to create the ultimate culinary stage where they can cook impressive feasts."

A catering kitchen in the home is not to be confused with a commercial space for catering companies. While some homeowners bring in caterers for parties thrown at their homes, a catering kitchen can also be seen as the evolution of the kitchen pantry, expanded into a work area that not only stores food but also holds serving dishes, additional glassware and appliances.

"The area surrounding the kitchen is prime real estate in a home," says Geri Higgins, CEO and president of the decade-old, award-winning design firm Portfolio Kitchen & Home in Kansas City, Missouri. "We are designing these secondary or catering kitchens by combining the pantry, mudroom and laundry spaces into one large utilitarian room that really cooks."

Before catering to the impulse to build a secondary kitchen, you must first have a plan in place. Otherwise, there is the potential for the space to become a catchall, especially if it will be used as a multipurpose room, including laundry and storage. "This needs to be one of the most purposefully designed rooms in the house," Higgins says. "There needs to be a place for everything, so everything is put back in its place. This room also requires a door that can be closed, because people in the kitchen during a party just need to experience the magic, not see what happens behind the curtain."

A catering kitchen is usually designed to be the bridge between the garage access door and the opening to a home's main kitchen. "This is a great in-process room and isn't just meant for the wealthy who host catered affairs in their homes," Higgins says. "It can also be the room in which you do all the food prep for a party -- from chopping vegetables to decorating cookies."

Because they are physically linked, Higgins says the catering kitchen should also emulate the main kitchen, but with a cleaner design. "The catering kitchen is really the workhorse of the main kitchen," she says. "Flooring and paint colors can be the same as they are in the main kitchen, but surfaces need to be easy to clean up and wipe down."

That means placing chef mats on the floor, having slab door cabinets -- without rails and moldings -- and as much clean, uncluttered countertop space as possible.

Culinary creativity can start in the catering kitchen. While the main kitchen can tout beautiful form, the catering kitchen is all about the function.

-- Island life rules. If space allows, a catering kitchen shouldn't be unchartered territory for an island. A kitchen island requires, minimally, a 3-foot clearance on all sides. Optimally, the dimensions of an island should be about four feet long by two feet wide with a no-fuss, no-mess surface, such as engineered quartz stone countertops, which are durable and low maintenance. While recessed can lights may be the standard in a catering kitchen, task lighting above an island, such as the use of simple pendants, is also a bright idea.

-- Bring the heat. During large gatherings, there's never enough oven space, so a set of wall ovens in the catering kitchen is important. Higgins says some people have warming drawers in their catering kitchens, while a microwave is a must. If there's space, you can have a cooktop in your catering kitchen, but the flat surface of the induction variety is preferred over one that has gas or electric grates on top.

-- Water, please. An additional dishwasher pressed into service during and after a party can make cleanup quicker and easier. A deep, non-divided sink made of metal, stone or porcelain is essential to wash large serving pieces. Higgins says in a catering kitchen, some clients prefer professional faucet fixtures with sprayers, while a heavy-duty garbage disposal is a necessity.

-- Chill out. Refrigeration is key during party prep. Higgins says to make sure the refrigerator in the catering kitchen can accommodate large trays of party food. If space allows, refrigerator drawers for bottled beverages, an ancillary ice maker and a wine refrigerator can make replenishing refreshments easier.

-- Additional appliances. More hectic households are building breakfast bars into their catering kitchen designs with a complete coffee station, which can also be pressed into service at the end of an evening. The catering kitchen is also the perfect place to house countertop appliances, such as the large stand mixer, blender and toaster.

-- Simple storage. Since many people will use this space, it's important to have shelving and cupboards designated and designed for the items housed there. Roll-outs are especially good to use in cabinets, while trays and containers can organize items on shelves.

But homeowners don't have to undergo a total remodel or spend a golden egg to enjoy the benefits of a catering kitchen, says Higgins. "If you have a walk-in pantry or laundry near the kitchen, you can start by making that space a more beautiful one in which to work," she says. "A catering kitchen shouldn't be a disconnect with the main kitchen, and should empower the entertaining experience in a home."

Catering to Kitchen Needs:

-- Portfolio Kitchen & Home, portfolio-home.com, 816-363-5300

-- Thermador, Thermador.com/dealer-locator

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