PINCH THE PLAN! OUR DREAM MODERN FARMHOUSE, YOURS TO STEAL
We’ve been working on something a little different lately - dreaming, designing and scheming from the warmth and comfort of Three Birds HQ without even setting foot on a building site. And we’re so excited to share this new home design with you!
Say hello to our brand new Modern Farmhouse design - crafted in collab with our mates at James Hardie for their 2025 Design Handbook. She’s got all the charm of the countryside (glorious gables, grooved cladding and wraparound verandahs for days), with a fresh, modern edge.
But here’s the twist… this home doesn’t actually exist! Nope. We didn’t build it, style it or shoot it IRL. This one’s a purely hypothetical dream house, designed to get your inspo wheels turning.
Whether you’re planning your next reno or just love a good stickybeak (same!), we’ve got the floorplan, the façade, and a whole lot of farmhouse feels waiting for you. Feel free to pinch with pride for your own project!
Ready to meet your modern farmhouse fantasy? Let’s take a look!
OUR Vision: Old-School Charm Meets Modern Magic
We set out to design a home that feels equal parts nostalgic and now. We’re big fans of barn doors and breezeways… but make them sleek. This Modern Farmhouse blends rustic charm with clean lines, practical zones and all the natural light.
Here are some of the dreamy features we’re swooning over:
✨ A gabled roofline clad in wide-rib steel sheeting – classic silhouette, modern edge.
✨ A single-storey layout – direct access from inside to out.
✨ A breezeway connecting the garage to the house – practical, pretty and perfect for showing off the view.
✨ A double garage with timber barn doors that bring serious character.
✨ And of course… Hardie™ Oblique™ Cladding for days! It’s what brings that signature Modern Farmhouse look to the exterior.
This cladding is a total game-changer. It gives you the look of gorgeous timber boards, minus the upkeep because of its fibre cement fabrication. And because it’s pre-primed, it speeds up installation and saves on painting costs. Win win!
With a soft, natural and timeless colour palette (sage greens, creamy whites and warm timber tones) we needed to bring in plenty of texture and visual interest. We’ve done just that by layering different types of cladding from the extensive James Hardie range, including:
✨ Axon™ Cladding for those vertical lines we can’t get enough of
✨ Hardie™ Axent™ Trim to frame up the windows and doors like a dream
✨ Hardie™ Fine Texture Cladding for that smooth, rendered finish (without the fuss)
“Modern Farmhouse blends rustic style and modern convenience, with pitched roofs and large windows that create a sense of openness and connection to the landscape.”
The Floor plan: Built FOR REAL LIFE
The brief for this home design was to seamlessly blend functionality and aesthetic charm. This design isn’t just about the look, it’s about liveability. The floor plan has been thoughtfully zoned for real life (and all the chaos that comes with it). There’s space for everyone, and everything!
Here’s what’s inside:
🛏️ 4 spacious bedrooms (including a dreamy parents’ retreat with an ensuite)
📺 2 lounge rooms (so the kids can watch Bluey while you binge your fave show)
🍽️ An open kitchen–dining–living zone made for everyday hangs
🌿 An internal courtyard - so there’s a view of nature from every window
🚪 A beautiful breezeway that links the double garage to the main home
We’ve also added the option of a wellness studio and sauna in the backyard for the ultimate me-time zone. Designed with space, flow and flexibility in mind, it’s the kind of layout that works just as hard as it looks good.
Designed for the Way We Live Now
And ready for the future… The way we live is changing and our homes need to keep up. The James Hardie Modern Homes Forecast 2025 highlights four lifestyle shifts shaping how we live today. And this Modern Farmhouse design ticks all the boxes:
🛋️ FLEXIBILITY
Multi-purpose rooms and smart zoning mean your home can grow with you. A guest room today, a home office tomorrow. A nursery that becomes a playroom. Whether it’s a wellness space, a teen retreat or room for the in-laws, this flexible floor plan lets your home evolve with your lifestyle - all under one cleverly connected roof.
🌱 WELLBEING
Big windows, skylights and breezy open spaces let the natural light flood in and keep the fresh air flowing. Verandahs, alfresco zones and lush garden views lift your mood and connect you to nature every single day. And for the ultimate self-care moment, we’ve included a dedicated wellness studio, with space for a sauna, as a beautiful bonus.
🔥 RESILIENCE
Your home should be as tough as it is beautiful, and that’s where the right materials make all the difference. Hard-wearing options like James Hardie’s fibre cement cladding are designed to take on everything Aussie life throws at them - from wild weather to rowdy kids and backyard cricket matches. Pair that with double-glazed windows and clever cross-ventilation, and you’ve got a home that stays cool in summer, warm in winter and easy on the energy bills all year round.
💡 EFFICIENCY
With smart, sustainable choices like solar panels, battery storage and low-maintenance finishes, this design makes everyday living easier and more affordable. It’s all about creating a home that runs smoothly behind the scenes so you can focus on enjoying the good stuff, like slow mornings and sunset drinks by the pool.
Ready to Steal the Look?
Whether you’re daydreaming, designing or deep in demo mode, our Modern Farmhouse design is packed with inspo. And yep, you can totally steal the floor plan, styling ideas and dreamy exterior palette for your own place.
Inside the 2025 James Hardie Design Handbook, we’ll walk you through how to create that iconic Modern Farmhouse façade and the warm, welcoming vibes of a classic country home, reimagined with a fresh, modern twist. It’s all about creating a space that feels calm, connected and inviting from the moment you step inside.
Click below to get your hands on the full guide 👇
“The Modern Farmhouse aesthetic beautifully balances timeless charm with contemporary functionality. It captures the warmth and character of country living while integrating the modern conveniences and efficiencies of a new build.”
