Bedding Down in A Barn

Farmhouses and other rustic structures are enjoying an upswing. Like any trend, the rustic-building revival is a reaction against what came before—in this case the clean, hard-edged surfaces of modernism.

That cabins and farmhouses would hold added appeal in hard times is no surprise. With their heavy timber and stone walls, they convey solidity and reassurance at a time when those qualities are in short supply. Contemporary farmhouses, like those by Roy McMakin and Dennis Wedlick, combine the simplicity of old structures with modern amenities and efficient materials.

Barn conversions are also thriving, and not just for their charm. Rehabbing an old structure is in keeping with sustainable practices. The British firms Simon Conder and Skene Catling de la Peña, and the Belgian firm Buro2, have used a pleasing mix of original barn timber and modern materials to enclose loftlike spaces. Skene Catling, for instance, recently converted a dairy in Somerset, England, into a home with alternating bands of timber and glass. "The imagery of the classic farmhouse is especially compelling because it brings to mind the very definition of 'home'," says Justin Anthony, founder of the design blog material icious.com. And these days, home is where we're hunkering down.