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Whether you're a gardener who lives to get your hands dirty or you crave a dedicated space for tending houseplants and cut flowers, an efficient—and attractive—workroom is a pleasure to have.
This one, located just off the kitchen in a 1929 brick house, was designed around a 6-foot-long vintage nickel sink inspired by the kind of potting shed found in the French countryside, crafted from leftover boards and bricks and filled with weathered, moss-covered pots.
How to strike a balance between practicality and style when you bring such a space indoors? "Keep all the finishes natural and stick to conventional garden-tool materials: wood, metal, and terra-cotta," says interior designer Wayne Nathan, who created the Brookville, New York, potting room shown on these pages.
Creating the Modern Farmhouse Design
Here are some modern farmhouse-inspired pieces you can add to a similar space in your home to create the popular interior style.
Utility sink
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A vintage nickel sink is a rare find. But if you’re lucky enough to find one, a stainless-steel sink can deliver on many similar features—a sink, countertop, and backsplash, all in one. Incorporate it into your space by removing the legs to set it into a trio of flat-panel cabinets.
Period-style faucet
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A new pantry faucet based on a 1930s design recalls the days when sculleries served as prep areas for fresh-from-the-garden vegetables.
Open shelves
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Simple plank shelves have the right rustic feeling. These, with a graduated profile, are a bit more decorative.
Potting table
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The tray top of a potting table helps keep soil contained; line the slats with newspaper before you set to work. The lower shelf is handy for storing extra supplies.
Outdoor lights for indoors
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This reproduction pendant lamp, inspired by barn lighting, complements any hardworking task area.
Brick flooring
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Early potting sheds were built entirely from scrap, including clinker bricks, which have a poor-quality burnt finish. Use antique terra-cotta floor tiles to refine the traditional surface.
Aged Terra-cotta Pots
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A weathered patina gives these unusual square-shaped containers vintage style.
Pro Tip: "To encourage mossy growth on new pots, apply a mix of yogurt and crumpled moss, and leave the pots in a warm, moist, shady spot. The results are worth the mess!"
—Wayne Nathan, interior designer, New York City