13 Ideas for a Timeless and Tranquil European Country Inspired Look

If you enjoy luxuriating in peaceful interior design inspiration from tranquil French farmhouse moments with plenty of soft neutrals and white, these Ideas for a Timeless and Tranquil European Country Inspired Look will uplift. The inspiration here is rooted in that undeniably serene spirit of airy, natural, unfussy European influenced style.

I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.

Ideas for a Timeless and Tranquil European Country Inspired Look

If you have been hanging out on this blog for any time at all, you may have noticed I admire European country inspired interiors. *Ahem* What can I say? Those European sensibilities and proclivities for effortless chic style, masterful mixing, and je ne sais quoi are simply unmatched.

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I will forever marvel in wonder how our friends in the countrysides of France, England, Belgium, Italy, Scandinavia, and elsewhere manage to gloriously feather a nest.

Authentic & Timeless Design

Capturing an authentically European country look was explored in this piece about getting that rustic yet refined look.

Since antiques play such an important role, budget obviously matters. Yet it is possible to capture the spirit of a lovely country home for yourself if you are willing to lean into a more relaxed Euro state of mind.

One of my favorite things about the world of interior design is our ability to create an atmosphere that serves us NO MATTER WHERE WE CALL HOME.

Modern French Design Inspiration

Hence, designer Eleanor Cummings can create a modern French farmhouse from scratch in Round Top, Texas. I am fascinated by such living works of art and heart because for me they also represent a spirit of American fearlessness and hope. It is risky business when you’re going for timeless and tranquil!

My own home, an airy and sparely decorated cottage in the Midwest incorporates favored design elements gleaned from European Country decor.

1. Live With What You Love

I’m picky and don’t hang on to things I don’t love, and this is the secret to keeping the look light and more personal. It’s also a very French way to approach decor in that everything decorative must also serve a purpose.

Trends come and go, so at times the look I love is all the rage, and at times, it isn’t. None of that red carpet fashion forwardness deters me.

If you love to collect, than living with what you love may be easy for you! I don’t feel like a collector, yet when I look around I see pale-hued objects and lots of white. So I suppose I collect muted colors.

2. Embrace a Reverence for Euro Textiles

Our home incorporates my favorite textile: Belgian linen. Gorgeous and nubby Belgian linen covers dining chairs, furniture, pillows, and drapery.

A wonderful way to bring a rustic layer of European country style and history into your home is to use antique or vintage grain sacks for upholstery, pillows, and art. You can score authentic and old grain sacks RIGHT HERE.

3. Opt for Patina & Weathered Finishes

Ah the look of age! Weathered wood, stone, metals, pots…it’s just so comforting to live with things that have endured what time and the elements dished out! Materials and objects affect us at very subconscious levels, and surely they become these silent reminders that endurance is a key ingredient for maturity and personal growth. See a few exceptional weathered finishes here.

4. Plaster & Artful Finishes

Here’s a breathtaking collection to delight with the most lovely finishes for timeless interiors you can imagine!

5. Rustic Wood Shutters

There is something so irresistible to me about rustic wood shutters on a home exterior. It was one of my favorite design elements at our prior French country home, and our shutters were handmade by my husband. In our present home, I have a few beautiful antique shutters used inside in a subtle way for accent and texture.

Check out these gorgeous DIY custom ones on an authentic French farmhouse HERE.

6. Open Shelving for Ease

When you have limited space at home, it only makes sense to have only what you need and love. It also follows that those things should be easily accessible. It’s laughable how we Americans have excessive storage spaces we fill and soon forget what we own…out of sight, out of mind.

Is it time to open up those cupboard doors and dig inside closets for treasures (and multiples!) long forgotten?

7. Glowing Candles

While the glow of candles is not limited to country European designs, it is surely a romantic common thread running through them. While there is beauty and safety in our battery-operated “candles,” there is nothing like wax dripping down a brass or turned wood candlestick or the flickering flame of sweet glowing pillar.

Need an idea for friendly priced ones? SEE THESE.

8. Glazed Pottery & Earthenware

There’s just nothing like beautifully handcrafted dishes, pots, urns, vases, and useful pieces with purpose and presence.

9. Hardworking Farm Sink

It’s my favorite design element in our kitchen because it is so user friendly, beautiful, timeless in design, and gorgeous to the touch.

10. Fruits from the Garden

French lavender.

11. Treasures from the Past

Copper pots. See a pretty set HERE.

12. Beautiful Baskets

Whether it’s a beautiful French market basket or a rattan storage trunk, well made baskets are purposeful and double as decor. I love the quality and charm of shopping baskets from Vivi et Margot, and you can also search for options for a variety of styles HERE.

13. Tranquil Color Palette

I share paint color ideas often here on Hello Lovely, find ideas here:

Tranquil Paint Colors

Calm Paint Colors

Designer Favorite White Paint Colors

Tour a Laid Back Cottage in the Pacific Northwest With Farmhouse Style

Shop the Post!

If you have a moment, I’d love for you to check out my PINTEREST BOARDS and PIN pretty things you like – I just started saving images to a White European Country Decor board!

I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.

Peace to you right where you are.

-michele

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