This inspiring collection of eclectic images reflects what is possible when you ignore trends and celebrate tradition with modern amenities. Timeless tranquility and relaxed elegance are favorites on this site, and European influenced designs seem to honor it best in country houses, English country cottages, French farmhouses, and villas with sleepy rustic charm. These modern European Country style rooms tell a story. Something romantic emerges in the mood of a room when the saturation of colors is turned down and a spare mix of antiques and modern amenities is thoughtfully curated. Let’s see the fruits of what is possible.
![Beautiful modern European country kitchen with French range and Farrow & Ball Light Blue painted cabinets - @bilottakitchens. #farrowandballlightblue #bluekitchens #modernfrench](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/farrow-ball-light-blue-kitchen-cabinets-bilottakitchens.jpg)
Modern European Country: Learn the Look!
European Country Vs. American Country
How is modern European Country different from American or farmhouse style? Oh, the world of country decorating and all of the different labels we slap on beautiful country styled rooms!
What I’m calling modern European Country style here is influenced by country homes in France, cottages in the English countryside, Swedish farmhouses, rustic Italian villas, and Belgian minimal style.
![Modern French farmhouse living room by Eleanor Cummings with Swedish antiques and white painted beams - Milieu. #livingroom #modernfrench #frenchfarmhouse #europeancountry #texasfarmhouse](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/001-eleanor-cummings-modern-french-farmhouse-living-room-round-top-milieu.jpg)
American farmhouse style may also draw from traditional style, but the mix of design elements is typically less eclectic.
![Ammonite paint color by Farrow & Ball is a wonderful warm greyed white with an atmospheric, serene mood. #ammonite #farrowandball #paintcolors #lightgrey #diningroom #europeancountry #rusticdecor](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/002-farrow-ball-ammonite-paint-color-rustic-european-country-interior.jpg)
Country houses in Europe tend to have antiques in the mix and feel evolved because they HAVE evolved.
![Serene sage green Scandinavian kitchen with mossy green cabinets and modern adjustable arm sconces - Petra Bindel. #swedishkitchen #scandinaviandesign #nordicstyle #europeancountry #kitchendesign](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/003-green-scandinavian-kitchen-@petrabindel-for-@elledecorationse.jpg)
We Americans are often in a hurry to get a look done in a day which has ramifications.
![Scrivano fixer upper cottage breakfast nook with European inspired design, black and white check floors, light grey trim, white walls, modern lighting, and romantic timeless style. #homedecor #vintagestyle #fixerupper #kitchendesign #vintagekitchen #europeancountry](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/004-fixer-upper-tudor-cottage-kitchen-breakfast-nook-hgtv-joanna-gaines.jpg)
A slower process though it be, collecting a mix of ingredients and layering them thoughtfully (with an emphasis on purposeful objects, not “decorations), results in a more sophisticated simplicity.
Modern European Country Color Palettes
Another distinctive quality of European country decorating is the use of pale colors and natural neutrals.
![Benjamin Moore White Sand paint color on walls of my French country dining room with dried hydrangea in vintage bucket on table with grainsack runner - Hello Lovely Studio. #frenchcountry #diningroom #paintcolors #benjaminmoorewhitesand #whitesand #interiordesign](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/005-french-country-dining-room-benjamin-moore-white-sand-hello-lovely-studio.jpg)
American country interiors are often bright and layered with prints and pattern, while European-inspired spaces have calmer color stories.
![Smoke Green paint (F&B) on French farmhouse kitchen cabinets. Design by Vivi et Margot has a luxurious Ilve range #frenchfarmhouse #smokegreen #paintcolors #frenchkitchen #kitchendesign #farrowandballsmokegreen #greencabinets #ilverange #vivietmargot](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/006-vivi-et-margot-french-farmhouse-kitchen-ilve-range-farrow-ball-smoke-green-cabinets.jpg)
There are plenty of interesting color stories beyond beige on beige though! Charlotte’s French farmhouse kitchen with its Green Smoke cabinets sings with personality.
I think a preference for neutrals is a natural response to a design approach which favors creating timeless rooms that won’t need to be changed any time soon.
There is always a new palette or paint color marketed on social media, and those trending products often reflect a particular consciousness in the culture.
![English country cottage kitchen with Farrow & Ball Setting Plaster cabinets and Wimborne White walls - @penlancottagebrecon. #settingplaster #englishcountryinterior](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/penlancottagebrecon-english-country-kitchen-farrow-ball-setting-plaster-cabinets-wimborne-white-walls-rustic.jpg)
However, a timeless approach is not tied to a particular chapter in history or cultural milieu (such as post-pandemic anxiety mode).
Cozy white kitchens are not going to feel silly in a few years because they have already proven to be inviting, pleasing, and great for resale.
![Wimborne White paint color by Farrow & Ball on walls of a glorious country kitchen by Siobhan McFadden of Homestead. #wimbornewhite #farrowandball #paintcolors #englishcountry #kitchendesign #whitepaintcolors #interiordesign](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/008-wimborne-white-farrow-ball-paint-color-country-kitchen-walls-homestead.jpg)
Antiques, Patina & Repurposed Materials
There’s a more conservative sensibility that goes along with timeless approaches to design.
![English Country style bathroom with Farrow & Ball Wimborne White on lower wall, trim, and floor. #wimbornewhite](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/image-23.png)
Things don’t need to be shiny and new or require polishing.
![Beautiful English country kitchen with cabinets painted Setting Plaster and walls Wimborne White by Farrow & Ball - @penlancottagebrecon. #englishcountrykitchen #farrowandballsettingplaster #farrowandballwimbornewhite](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/penlancottagebrecon-english-country-kitchen-farrow-ball-setting-plaster-cabinets-wimborne-white-walls.jpg)
A more European approach is to buy high quality and then allow it to age gracefully.
![Stunning architecture and European country inspired design in a Malibu kitchen with white oak, limestone, and bespoke details - Giannetti Home. #kitchendesign #europeancountry #frenchfarmhouse #bespokekitchen](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Giannetti_Sanders_Kitchen-patina-homes-hello-lovely-studio.jpg)
![Patina Homes by Brooke Giannetti and Steve Giannetti (Gibbs Smith, 2021) book cover. #interiordesign #brookegiannetti #frenchfarmhouse](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/patina-homes-giannetti-gibbs-smith-book-cover.jpg)
In America, homeowners are quick to replace objects with signs of wear and are less tolerant of imperfections as materials change.
![Sophisticated and elegant English cottage interior - Anton & K.](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/001-antonkdecorativeantiques-wing-chairs.jpg)
Modern European country interiors celebrate signs of age and all that is tumbledown lovely.
![French and Swedish antiques in a Cotswolds cottage by Anton & K. #englishcottage #europeancountry #countrykitchen](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/001-antonkdecorativeantiques-kitchen-stone-floor.jpg)
So many design elements get better as they age and develop patina.
![Tara Shaw designed space with butterfly bench, antique African currency swords, and Swedish secretaire. #tarashaw](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/tara-shaw-swedish-secretary-dining-room.jpg)
Wood and metal and stone change in their appearance with time, and the look feels rich and comforting because it has served its caretakers so well for so long.
![French bistro chair and stripe Turkish throw tucked in a corner of my garden to invite relaxation and reading (cookbooks are my idea of relaxation!). #hellolovelystudio #frenchcountry #bistrochair #turkishthrow #seagrassbasket #turkishtowel #outdooroasis #romanticgarden #outdoordecor #bistrochairs](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/010-hello-lovely-studio-modern-french-bistro-black-chair-basket-flowers-turkish-towel-stone-wall.jpg)
You can learn to appreciate the look of such modern country spaces in European country houses by studying design books and actually reading the commentary rather than skimming through the photos.
![Outdoor French Cafe: Shop the Look on Hello Lovely Studio! #outdoordining #bistroset #frenchaesthetic](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/outdoor-french-cafe-shop-the-look-hello-lovely-studio-banner.jpg)
The point is never to copy a room you see but to learn the look enough to apply the guiding principles to your own project.
Quietude, Living With Less & Understated Interiors
I see a greater use of restraint and thoughtful curation in European country decorating, whether it is modern or more traditional.
![Farrow & Ball Pointing paint color in a stairway of a beautiful home. #pointing #farrowandballpointing #whitepaintcolors](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/image-24.png)
In part, this is a natural consequence of smaller homes in Europe versus the United States.
A more spare look is often a more spacious look.
But there’s also a real sense of not showing off, of humility.
![BM White Sand in our French country dining room with antique grainsack runner and galvanized bucket of hydrangea - Hello Lovely Studio. #hellolovely #bmwhitesand #frenchcountrywhites](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/00001-hello-lovely-studio-french-country-dining-room-arches-1.jpg)
Let’s face it. A country house is often about being outdoors in the beauty of nature and relaxing in shelters that revere what is just outside the windows rather than inside them.
![BM White Sand paint color in Belgian style living room with original abstracts by Michele - Hello Lovely Studio. #bmwhitesand](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/001-benjamin-moore-white-sand-french-country-living-room-belgian-linen-2.jpg)
Fine things and beautiful collections of art and sculpture belong, yet they should relate and elevate the overall design.
![French farmhouse photos and design inspiration. Rustic decor, weathered stone and doors, European antiques, and French country decorating inspiration. #frenchfarmhouse #rusticdecor #frenchcountry #interiordesign #frenchinspiration #frenchhomes #frenchdecor #europeanfarmhouse](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/017-reclaimed-antique-stone-chateau-domingue-ruth-gay-home-hello-lovely-studio.jpg)
Understated elegance is never easily defined!
![Elegant rustic French country dining room with antiques, reclaimed stone, and treasures from Chateau Dominuge including limestone fireplace - Milieu. #oldworldstyle #diningroom #countryfrench #frenchfarmhouse #diningrooms](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/014-farmhouse-french-dining-room-chateau-domingue-ruth-gay-home-hello-lovely-studio-pamela-pierce.jpg)
Don’t you agree? When you see it, you can recognize it.
![Charming French farmhouse girl's bedroom with iron panel beds and windows open to countryside - Vivi et Margot. #frenchfarmhouse #bedrooms #girlsbedroom](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/015-strong-white-farrow-ball-paint-color-french-farmhouse-girls-bedroom-vivi-et-margot-hello-lovely-studio.jpg)
But reducing it to a few sentences? Well, that’s tricky.
![Gorgeous white stucco French farmhouse inspired house exterior with tile roof - Reagan Andre. #pamelapierce #reaganandre #frenchfarmhouse #houseexterior #housedesign #whitestucco](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/018-french-farmhouse-exterior-reagan-andre-annette-schatte-guest-house-houston.jpg)
Collections & Vignettes
Displaying a treasured collection can be such a joy in decorating.
![Old apothecary jars, rustic antiques from Europe, and a concerned kitty too in a dining room by Chateau Domingue. #diningrooms #interiordesign #countryfrench](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/019-dining-room-french-country-chateau-domingue-ruth-gay-home-hello-lovely-studio.jpg)
The display of a collection can read modern even if the objects are very old.
![Serene minimal bedroom - Patina Farm (Brooke Giannetti) European country farmhouse in Ojai. #patinafarm #vintagemodern #modernrustic #romanticbedroom](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/patina-farm-brooke-giannetti-master-bedroom-steel-windows-linen-bedding.jpg)
And if your collection is antique furniture, well then, it is easy to enjoy in its usefulness and ability to set a tone.
![Gorgeous European farmhouse style in a New York apartment entry with rustic finishes and antiques by Jocelyn Sinnauer.](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/020-rustic-french-farmhouse-entry-jocelyn-sinauer-remodelista.jpg)
Pieces can be modernized with new upholstery or used for a new purpose.
![Gracie wallpaper in living room - Patina Farm (Brooke Giannetti) European country farmhouse in Ojai. #patinafarm #vintagemodern #modernrustic #livingrooms](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/patina-farm-brooke-giannetti-living-room-gracie-wallpaper-jib-door-tv-ottoman-bread-boards.jpg)
For example, Old cupboards can become new bath vanities.
![Breathtaking, timeless, and tranquil bathroom design with natural materials, European antiques, and bespoke design from Giannetti Home. #bathroomdesign #europeancountry #sophisticatedstyle #brookegiannetti](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Giannetti_Sanders_GuestBathroomTub-patina-homes-hello-lovely-studio-0001.jpg)
Another way to add modernity to a country interior that is otherwise traditional in style?
![Quiet and humble beauty in a lovely country kitchen and dining area with shabby chic vintage style. A chunky antique farm table mixes with antique mismatched chairs and a white chandelier. #shabbychic #countrykitchen #beadboardceiling](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/021-rustic-french-farmhouse-kitchen-farm-table-jocelyn-sinauer-remodelista.jpg)
Modern lighting and modern art. I paint meditative abstract seascapes which blend nicely in Old World environments.
![An abstract painting by me on a white wall in a bedroom with white linen slipcovered chairs and farm table - Hello Lovely Studio. #benjaminmoorewhite #paintcolors #interiordesign](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/022-white-linen-chairs-round-farm-table-hello-lovely-studio-bedroom.jpg)
What distinguishes modern European country farmhouse sensibilities from American country decorating?
I think a more American approach to decorating is to be centered in the present or dreaming about the future.
![Alder door opens into a neutral bedroom with linen upholstered egg chair and grisaille mural on wall - Hello Lovely Studio.](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/023-egg-chair-animal-print-throw-hello-lovely-studio-photowall-trees-white-wallpaper-bedroom.jpg)
While a more European approach is more informed by history and what endures.
![The charm of vertical built-in shelves in a vintage style kitchen is hard to beat! Ironstone, white dishware, and stoneware look elegant massed in this country style space with #shabbychic appeal. #ironstone #whitedecor #farmhousestyle](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/024-rustic-shelves-white-ironstone-european-country-cottage-jocelyn-sinauer-remodelista.jpg)
![Serene bedroom with European rustic elegance looks as though it might be in the South of France, not New York...see more lovely examples of European farmhouse decor you can bring to your own spaces at home. #Europeanfarmhouse #elegantdecor #countrystyle](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/025-rustic-european-country-cottage-white-linen-bedroom-jocelyn-sinauer-remodelista.jpg)
We love innovation and the NEW and the NOW and the possibilities in modern America.
![Rustic elegance and uncluttered country decor sing in a French Nordic Farmhouse dining room with knotty wood ceiling and antique lantern. See more European inspired country decor in the story. #FrenchCountry #FrenchNordic #countrydecor](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/026-country-french-dining-room-vintage-green-chairs-desiree-ashworth-decor-de-provence.jpg)
But there’s a romance, a design intelligence and even a soulfulness about keeping goodness from the past under our noses too.
Our country may still be too young to fully appreciate the significance of wisdom from the past.
![BM White Sand in a modern French entry hall with arched walnut front doors - Hello Lovely Studio. #bmwhitesand](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/00001-hello-lovely-studio-french-country-foyer-entry-walnut-arched-doors-2.jpg)
With the rapid technological advances in recent years and a sense that to stay relevant, you must keep with it, wouldn’t you think spaces at home could be exempt from so much frenzy?
An Evolved Look & Mastering the Mix
Take your time in layering your room with furniture, decor, and colors that feel comforting to you.
![Elegant, refined, and masterfully designed, this kitchen with farm sink and arched window is but one moment in our tour of unforgettable interiors with European inspired charm. #farmsink #FrenchCountry #lightblue](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/029-kitchen-farm-sink-elegant-blue-southeastern-designer-showhouse-lauren-deloach.jpg)
Once you have a particular mood and color story in mind, try not to fill your space quickly in a few shopping trips.
![Rustic aged wood ceiling beams, brick flooring and walls of glass in a masterfully designed European country home - Oz Architects.](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/030-oz-architects-european-country-interiors-hello-lovely-studio-farmhouse-inspiration.jpg)
Rather, make a list of characteristics you admire and objects you may wish to collect and live with. As budget allows, let the design unfold without rushing it.
Modern Euro Country Farmhouse Favorites
There are so many beautiful ways to interpret European country style style! Some of these decorating ingredients seem to often show up in lovely rooms:
Harvest tables
Antique chairs
Painted furniture
Natural wood finishes
Rugged stone and marble
Farm Sinks
Solid wood doors
Iron lanterns
Organic materials
Handcrafted objects
Plaster walls
Rustic freestanding cupboards
Exposed rafters and beams
Reading Nooks
Butcher’s Block
Exposed Ceiling Beams
Patina-ed everything
Weathered Wood and Metals
Fresh Flowers
Handpainted objects
Glazed tiles
Vintage Linens and Quilts
Clawfoot Tubs
Canopy Beds
Matte finishes (non-shiny metals)
Steel windows
An absence of plastic/vinyl/disposable
I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.
![Hello Lovely European Country Decor Style Finds with furniture and home decor resources! #hellolovelystudio #europeancountry #homedecor #furniture #frenchfarmhouse #frenchcountry #interiordesign](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/hello-lovely-european-country-decor-style-finds-banner.png)
![Country French Decorating Ideas and Resources from Hello Lovely Studio. #countryfrenchdecor #frenchfarmhouse](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/001-hello-lovely-country-french-finds-banner.jpg)
![English country cottage ideas for the look on Hello Lovely Studio. #englishcountry #shopthelook](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/english-country-cottage-ideas-for-the-look-hello-lovely-studio-mood-board-banner.jpg)
![Hello Lovely French Farmhouse Design Finds](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/hello-lovely-french-farmhouse-design-finds-banner.jpg)
If you missed THIS BREATHTAKING TOUR of exceptional European inspired designs with exquisite finishes…you’ll thank me!
Peace to you right where you are.
-michele
I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.
Thanks for shopping RIGHT HERE to keep decor inspiration flowing on Hello Lovely!
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