Farmhouses, both modern and traditional, remain as popular as ever. The design aesthetic feels warm and inviting — but only if it is done correctly. Like any decor movement, there are trends within ...

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Jeffrey Steele has been a freelance writer for one-third of a century. Fashion fads come and go, as do popular home design trends.

But when modern farmhouse becomes overly popular, it becomes prosaic, something that Karens and Eat, Pray, Love crowds enjoy. Joanna Gaines herself is now mass producing the style via a partnership ...