Calm Minimal Serene Interiors & Paint Colors feel effortlessly clean yet don’t fall cleanly into a single style category. And isn’t that quality (impossible to confidently categorize) what we love about the prettiest rooms? Not purely traditional or modern, not too formal or informal, and always understated but never trendy.
![Farrow and Ball French Gray painted walls and kitchen cabinets in a classic traditional luxurious kitchen designed by Jessica Helverson Interiors.](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/jhinteriordesign-kitchen-sophisticated-furniture-island.jpg)
Calm Minimal Serene Interiors & Paint Colors
Chic Farrow & Ball Paint Colors to Consider
What a stunning kitchen in Brooklyn! There’s so much elegance and inspiration here. What makes it calming and luxurious yet approachable?
![Jessica Helgerson designed classic and chic traditional Brooklyn kitchen. #farrowandballfrenchgray](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/001-jessica-helgerson-aaronleitz-photo-kitchen-builtins-3.jpg)
Serene chic may appear effortless and simple visually, but restraint and thoughtful curation require so much effort and so many details! Paint colors for example:
Here’s the color in the dining room, and don’t you love the dramatic contrast from kitchen to dining room? Who says serenity relies on low contrast and white?
Calm Minimal Serene & Crisp Clean White
Isn’t there something incredible about the combination of dark brown furniture with Inchyra blue above? I’m not mad at those muddy Farrow & Ball colors, but I do love me some white serenity!
![Serene breakfast nook with window seat, Belgian linen slope arm chairs, and round dining table - Hello Lovely Studio.](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/hello-lovely-studio-belgian-linen-dining-chairs-serene-white-kitchen.jpg)
![Abstract seascape by Michele of Hello Lovely in a French Nordic style room (BM OC-151) with white piano and settee.](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/001-bm-white-oc-151-hello-lovely-studio-piano.jpg)
If you’re thinking about sampling OC-151 or want to see more examples – see them HERE.
![BM White OC-151 on walls in our French Nordic bedroom - Hello Lovely Studio. #bmwhiteoc151 #whitepaintcolors](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/001-bm-white-oc-151-hello-lovely-studio-bedroom.jpg)
Closets are perhaps the loftiest challenge when you’re after a soft, unfussy, airy look. And yet it is possible!
![Beautiful serene bedroom with arched nook and creamy plaster - an airbnb in Biarritz - @oursroux.](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/@oursroux-serene-plaster-white-arch-bedroom-curtain-nook.jpg)
Wouldn’t it be fun to incorporate an arched alcove for a bedroom like the one above?
All that plaster is serene indeed, and if you’re looking for a color to emulate the look, peek at Farrow & Ball Strong White.
![Beautiful serene staircase with architecture by Reagan Andre.](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/reagan-andre-architecture-marie-flanigan-staircase.jpg)
A simple branch in an organic style vase speaks serenity in a stairway and seems to float on the acrylic stand.
For that bright pure white, take a peek at Farrow & Ball All White.
Elegantly Serene Pale Blue-Gray
![Gorgeous fantasy closet with builtins painted light blue and designed by Ann Wolf, architecture by Reagan Andre.](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/reagan-andre-architecture-closet-annwolfdecoration.jpg)
Isn’t that light blue dreamy? Looks like Benjamin Moore Glass Slipper.
![Borrowed Light paint color (Farrow & Ball) in a pretty bedroom with tufted wing headboard - @embeerich. #borrowedlight #bluepaintcolors](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/borrowed-light-farrow-ball-paint-color-@embeerich.jpg)
If you’re less fond of blue and after a serene grey like this:
![Beautiful grey painted custom millwork in the home office of a Toronto home - design by Collective Studio. #homeoffice #builtins #interiordesign #millwork #serenedesign](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/home-office-toronto-collective-studio-design-custom-millwork-hgtv-canada.jpg)
Try BM Stonington Gray for a similar effect or one these AMAZING LIGHT GREYS.
Moving into our current home and living with shades of greige has taught me about the power of tranquil greys that straddle the warm/cool spectrum.
![Dining room with classic style millwork, SW Repose Gray walls, and greyed oak hardwood floors - Hello Lovely Studio.](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/dining-room-piano-repose-gray-hello-lovely-studio.jpg)
Modern Belgian, French & Swedish Serenity
I find Belgian linen so beautiful, timeless, and calming…especially when paired with greys and a little gold. This scenic tree wallpaper below is made in Sweden and called Trees White.
![Lovely grisaille mural wallpaper from Photowall with grey trees on a white ground. I created a DIY accent wall in a guest bedroom, and the mood is timeless, serene and tranquil - Hello Lovely Studio. #wallpaper #mural #interiordesign #hellolovelystudio #grisaille #treewallpaper](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/hello-lovely-studio-photowall-trees-white-wallpaper-bedroom-0021-1440x1440.jpg)
I loved it so much in our former home that I chose it for the entry we renovated in our new one – buy it HERE.
![Grisaille tree wallpaper in the entry and dining room of our modern French home - Hello Lovely Studio. #treewallpaper #modernfrench](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/IMG_5513-1.jpg)
Will white + black + natural tones ever feel outdated? So timeless!
![Betsy Brown designed neutral minimal modern European influenced living room with linen sofa, large potted tree, and olive velvet cushion.](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/@betsybrowninc-living-room-neutral-black-white-olive-bolster.jpg)
Athena Calderone creates such evocative yet serene environments, and her bath is pure magic.
Sometimes a floral arrangement can be just the serene and ethereal focal point to bring a space to life as this arrangement of lunaria proves.
The Swedes know their way around chic serenity!
![Beautiful Stockholm cityscape in winter by @maloucentaur.](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/stockholm-cityscape-winter-@maloucentaur.jpg)
Tour a Townhouse in London
Wait til you see this gorgeous townhouse tour!
In the London home tour above, I loved the space the owner carved out for her office under the stairs. Here’s another example, and a bright white for a similar look is SW Extra White:
![Betsy Brown designed staircase and desk workspace beneath.](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/betsy-brown-inc-staircase-home-office-nicole-franzen.jpg)
Leanne Ford’s Tranquil Designs
You have to agree Leanne Ford is a supremely serene queen when it comes to kitchens, bedrooms, living spaces, and beyond.
![Leanne Ford Designed white serene kitchen with area rug and oversized pendant over sink.](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/leanne-ford-kitchen-serene-erinashkelly.jpg)
The designs are always simple, chic, and minimal yet unexpected. Leanne loves Behr Ultra Pure White, and another obsession is Behr Crisp Linen.
![Leanne Ford designed living room in a guest cottage - Domino magazine (Photo: Erin Ash Kelly). #leannford #modernrustic #allwhitedecor](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/leanne-ford-erinashkelly-dominomag-white-cottage.jpg)
Old World style and serenity can sometimes be thoughtfully merged.
![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)
Easiest way to see if a paint color will work? Order samples with Samplize and have them delivered straight to your door.
Pretty Patterns That Feel Understated & Calm
I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.
![Blomstermåla Leaf Trellis 33' L x 20.87" W Wallpaper Roll](https://secure.img1-fg.wfcdn.com/im/50786408/resize-h755-w755%5Ecompr-r85/1311/131190866/Blomsterm%C3%A5la+Leaf+Trellis+33%27+L+x+20.87%22+W+Wallpaper+Roll.jpg)
Were you aware that checkered patterns and ginghams are having a moment that is stretching long?
![Light and airy Swedish style home office. #homeoffice #interiordesign #swedishstyle #oldworldstyle #serenedecor](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/home-office-swedish-luke-smith.jpg)
My mama has this fabric on her Swedish dining chairs, and it just never gets boring to us.
![Light blue Swedish check fabric (color is Skylight) from The House of Scalamandre. #swedishfabric #gingham #checkeredfabric](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/swedish-check-fabric-skylight-house-of-scalamandre-perigold.jpg)
Swedish Serenity
It is difficult to not crush on scalloped cuties like this…and the hardware!
![Swedish 4 Drawer Accent Chest](https://secure.img1-fg.wfcdn.com/im/61094467/resize-h755-w755%5Ecompr-r85/1125/112568081/Swedish+4+Drawer+Accent+Chest.jpg)
I showed you my pretty Amber Lewis x Loloi rug next to my bed for fall, and this herringbone pattern could be sweet in any number of spaces:
![Herringbone Flatweave Cotton Geometric Area Rug In Swedish Blue](https://secure.img1-fg.wfcdn.com/im/91263118/resize-h755-w755%5Ecompr-r85/1004/100459837/Herringbone+Flatweave+Cotton+Geometric+Area+Rug+In+Swedish+Blue.jpg)
Ideas With Gold
A design trend we’re seeing everywhere in kitchens is larger pendant lighting instead of lots of itty bitty shades hanging over monstrous islands.
![Chapman and Myers Gustavian 3 - Light Chandelier](https://secure.img1-fg.wfcdn.com/im/80997789/resize-h755-w755%5Ecompr-r85/1238/123830250/Chapman+and+Myers+Gustavian+3+-+Light+Chandelier.jpg)
I have always wanted one of these beauties:
Wouldn’t it be gorgeous over this?
![Gustavian Drawer Double Dresser](https://secure.img1-fg.wfcdn.com/im/62690573/resize-h755-w755%5Ecompr-r85/7377/73770402/Gustavian+Drawer+Double+Dresser.jpg)
![Sofia 44" Solid Wood Console Table](https://secure.img1-fg.wfcdn.com/im/30964029/resize-h755-w755%5Ecompr-r85/1428/142869534/Sofia+44%22+Solid+Wood+Console+Table.jpg)
![Gustavian Console Table](https://secure.img1-fg.wfcdn.com/im/39723922/resize-h755-w755%5Ecompr-r85/3145/31455762/Gustavian+Console+Table.jpg)
At the pinnacle of beautiful, calm, elegant serenity?
![Limestone flooring, antique wood doors, groin vault ceilings, plaster walls, Swedish antiques and French farmhouse allure in Brooke Giannetti's Patina Farm home - Velvet & Linen. #patinafarm #frenchfarmhouse #limestonefloors](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/patina-farm-hall-limestone-plaster-walls-pots-mora-swedish-antiques-giannetti-home-velvet-linen-brooke.jpg)
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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