While many retro-styled rooms and European influenced traditional interiors are trending at the moment, we continue to PAY VERY LITTLE ATTENTION. Understated paint colors, quiet luxury and cozy European charm may all fall in and out of favor, but we’re here for it always. Livable and soothing, there’s a timelessness that holds our interest.
![Rehkamp Larson Architects designed cozy European country cottage bedroom with wood ceiling and calm color palette. #europeancottage #cozybedrooms #timelessinteriors](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/rehkamplarsonarchitects-cozy-european-country-cottage-bedroom.jpg)
Quiet Luxury, Understated Paint Colors & European Charm
Have you noticed all of the color (some vibrant, some moody) and wallpaper everywhere? Let’s face it. Before long, timeless looks will be considered “oh so five minutes ago,” and marketers will steer us in fresh directions! Here’s a mood board that captures a bit of the look I’m promoting today:
![Quiet Luxury Understated Neutral Decor Mood Board - Hello Lovely Studio.](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/quiet-luxury-understated-neutral-decor-banner-hello-lovely-studio.jpg)
![Silly tweet about excessive emails from humorist Simon Holland. #funnytweets #emailquotes #ridiculoustweet](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/silly-tweets-humor-quotes-emails-simoncholland-hello-lovely-studio.jpg)
Not everyone agrees with the notion that neutrals are soothing, natural, and beautiful. Plenty of my Facebook page audience members want to see anything but neutrals, and I find myself defending them more often now.
![Cozy breakfast nook with banquette at peninsula - Teaseal Wood Design. #englishcountry #cottagekitchen #europeancottage #breakfastnooks](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/teaselwooddesign-english-cottage-kitchen-cozy.jpg)
They assert quiet color stories are too safe, too boring, and too mainstream. The thing is, I have never relied on color at home to add vitality, personality, or even interest to my lifestyle.
![Warm Cozy Textured Layers Mood Board on Hello Lovely Studio. #cozyopulence #europeanluxury #organicluxe](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/WARM-COZY-TEXTURED-LAYERS-mood-board-hello-lovely-studio.jpg)
Philosophy & Psychological Implications
We will definitely be getting into philosophical and perhaps psychological depths here, but not necessarily concerning color theory or the meaning of “beige.” Sometimes I wonder if home decorators choose colors they think will please other people rather than themselves.
Sometimes strong color is chosen simply because the homeowner doesn’t want to be perceived as boring or unimaginative. (And it’s easier to pile on colorful trappings than add color to the personality! Hahahaha.)
![Hello Lovely Basket Love - pretty baskets for decor, serving, and organization. #frenchbaskets #basketideas](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/hello-lovely-basket-love-resources-banner.jpg)
![Encouragement quote on Hello Lovely Studio. #encouragementquotes #strugglequotes](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/ENCOURAGEMENT-quote-hello-lovely-studio-001.jpg)
Understated Colors, European Luxury & Quietude
I recall consulting with a client about a paint color for a kitchen makeover. The kitchen had been painted red, and why?
![Stunning Greek villa with view - @peligoni.](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/@peligoni-greek-villa-ocean-stone.jpg)
The client said she didn’t like red at all but had been told red is an appetizing color for kitchens. I can’t imagine living for years with dark walls painted a color I don’t enjoy that quietly entices me to eat more carbs.
![Timeless cozy opulence design elements for a bedroom to sooth - Hello Lovely. #cozyopulence #timelessbedrooms #moodboard #shopthelook](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/hello-lovely-timeless-cozy-opulence-bedroom-banner.jpg)
The red in that kitchen looked awful with the particular tone of the wood cabinets, and it failed to reflect any light which the space was lacking.
![Magnificent Suzanne Kasler designed kitchen in Flower magazine (2023) - photo by Emily Followill.](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/suzanne-kasler-flower-magazine-2023-emilly-followill-white-kitchen.jpg)
![Mary Oliver angel quote poetry on Hello Lovely Studio. #angelquotes #angelpoem #maryoliver](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/MARY-OLIVER-poem-angel-quote-hello-lovely-studio.jpg)
The Vast Array of Neutrals
Even when you decide on sticking to neutrals, there are more choices for white, tan, beige, gray, green, and brown than I can say!
![Hello Lovely's breakfast nook in a kitchen with modern French style - come shop the look! #modernfrench #frenchkitchen #breakfastnook #hellolovelystudio](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/001-hello-lovely-breakfast-nook-banner.jpg)
![Mary Oliver poetry - gratitude quote on Hello Lovely Studio. #maryoliver #gratitudequotes](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/mary-oliver-alive-poem-gratitude-quote-hello-lovely-studio.jpg)
Capturing the soft, quiet, understated neutrals from nature can be anything but dull!
![Cozy English country bath with tub - @nestandcovintage. #englishcountry](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/nestandcovintage-english-country-bath-tub.jpg)
It is actually an honorable quest full of challenging prospects when you decide to practice restraint and balance with a desaturated palette.
![Hello Lovely European country bedroom with Stikwood shiplap (Hamptons), Zuma rug, Montara pillow on bed (Amber Lewis x Loloi) and Belgian linen chair. #europeancountry #romanticbedrooms](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/001-bedroom-montara-pillow-hello-lovely-studio-gold-velvet-nightstand.jpg)
Where do you begin if you’re feeling a bit wobbly about curating and striking a balance?
![Rehkamp Larson Architects designed cozy European cottage kitchen in a Minnesota home. #cozykitchens #europeancottage #cozyopulence](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/rehkamplarsonarchitects-modern-european-cottage-kitchen.jpg)
![Encouragement quote, struggle quote, uncertainty quote by Bob Goff on Hello Lovely Studio.](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/encouragement-quote-uncertainty-bob-goff-hello-lovely-studio.jpg)
Collecting Neutral Color Inspiration
I recommend browsing inspiring images online and from magazines of rooms that stop you cold in your scrolling.
![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)
Begin to notice the temperature of the neutral colors, the amount of texture in the space, the movement of patterns, and what emotions the interior evokes in you.
![Minuet quartz topped industrial cart in my kitchen with white roses in pitcher - Hello Lovely Studio. #modernfrench #minuetquartz](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/hello-lovely-studio-white-roses-industrial-cart-minuet-quartz-kitchen-3.jpg)
It’s personal, and I find that more than ever (hello, social media!), folks need reminders that their home should reflect their unique lifestyle rather than what they believe others will admire.
![Hello Lovely's Arizona kitchen with Soprano quartz countertop and Calacatta Gold Marble statement wall. #shopthelook #serenekitchen](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/shop-the-look-arizona-kitchen-serene-soprano-quartz-banner-hello-lovely-studio.jpg)
Ever been in the market for a home and toured homes with a real estate broker who doesn’t know you well? You may understand what I’m getting at.
![Sherwin Williams Greek Villa. Timeless interior design by Shannon Bowers with nods to European antiques, patina, understated elegance, and sophisticated simplicity. #shannonbowers #timelessinteriors](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/shannonbowersdesigns-milieu-spring-2019-sherwin-williams-greek-villa-womb-chair.jpg)
Oh, look at this gloriously spacious formal dining room for amazing dinner parties! (Maybe you have yet to ever host an amazing dinner party because (1) it’s not your style or (2) your idea of a fun gathering is a fish fry at a local pub with besties.
![Life quote from Christina Baldwin on Hello Lovely Studio. #uncertaintyquote #lifequotes #encouragementquotes](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LIFE-quote-uncertainty-encouratement-christina-baldwin-hello-lovely-studio.jpg)
A dreamy idea of a fancy room for a fancy fete or a fantasy about some future self you wish to manifest shouldn’t steer you toward a property that doesn’t suit your actual life now.)
![Marie Flanigan + Visual Comfort lighting (sconces, lamps, and pendants) on Hello Lovely Studio. #marieflanigan #visualcomfort](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/001-marie-flanigan-visual-comfort-lighting-banner-hello-lovely-studio.jpg)
See How Lone Fox Used Neutrals in a Bedroom Makeover
Wow! What a ceiling treatment. This paint color was the star:
Like the wall color? It’s Farrow & Ball DIMITY:
I’m crazy about Dimity, and here it is in a neutral understated luxurious kitchen paired with RAILINGS painted cabinetry:
![F&B Dimity on walls. Zoe Feldman Design - luxurious European inspired kitchen with grey marble checkered floor, Hallman range, honed marble counters, and Farrow & Ball Railings painted cabinets. #bespokekitchens](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/zoefeldmandesign-kitchen-blue-checkered-floor-stacyzaringolberg.jpg)
If you watched the Lone Fox bedroom makeover video above, then you may have noted the think stripe at the ceiling was painted Railings as well!
Creating a Serene Sanctuary at Home
What does all of this psychological talk have to do with living with quiet luxury, understated neutrals, and cozy European charm? A lot of folks aren’t even crazy about living with color but they simply haven’t tried living with the calm serenity and quietness of neutrals.
![Lovely timeless Georgian home in Birmingham by Caroline Gidiere. James F. Farmer, architect. #timelessinteriors #birminghamhomes](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/carolinegidieredesign-white-house-exterior-david-hillegas-photo.jpg)
Colorful decor can be wonderfully uplifting, energizing and emotive, but for some of us, quiet understated tones reward us with atmospheric calm places for decompression and rest.
Psst. Here’s the color designer Caroline Gidiere says is close to her home’s custom exterior color (above). It’s very similar to DIMITY mentioned above:
Peace to you right where you are.
-michele
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