These days, the fashion industry is characterized by trends that come and go seemingly overnight; interior design seems to now be following suit, albeit at a slightly less blistering pace.

The verdict on farmhouse style isn't so simple. Some designers say the farmhouse look feels dated and overdone, especially in mass-market homes that lack originality. Others believe the style is ...

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.