We’re continuing an exploration of beautiful possibilities for a gentle palette when you love European country inspired cottagecore interiors! There are definitely examples of more fantasy-level interiors you would not categorize as “cottage,” because I’m sharing gentle paint colors as well. Here’s where we began.
Part 2: Cottagecore Interiors & Gentle Paint Colors
Gentle Paint Color Idea: Mid-Tone Gray
I can imagine how more green accents in here could be refreshing:
What do you think about green-gray neutrals? They can look drab in my own home in certain seasons so my heart is divided on the matter. I’m not quite dissatisfied enough to re-paint, but in my mind I’m constantly changing it up!
Here’s the neutral in all of our bedrooms at the moment:
I can’t tell you how much this paint color varies, room to room. In the family room, it looks very beige:
But if you look at the contrast with our white trim, you can clearly see how much warmer this tone is.
Farrow & Ball JAMES WHITE
The walls below remind me of this white from Farrow & Ball:
While I’m unsure of the wall color below, James White may impart a similar mood:
James White reminds me of the Sherwin-Williams Eider White in our kitchen and laundry room.
Eider White (on mood board above) is cooler and has a bit of purple/magenta which for me goes a long way…a touch of pink is always welcome here.
Behr MOUNTAIN OLIVE
Olive greens are still quite popular for kitchens and family rooms, and isn’t it outstanding paired with rustic beams and earthy goodness such as this:
Mountain Olive is the color on the cabinets and actually one of Behr’s trending colors this year:
A very similar hue in the Benjamin Moore line is Tate Olive:
Paint Colors to Mimic Plaster
No paint on these plaster skim coated walls below, but you could try a creamy white to emulate the look.
Will I ever be over each and every project the Giannettis create for themselves and clients? Not likely. They design such livable luxurious spaces that age beautifully.
Here’s the look of Alabaster in a cozy French bedroom:
And here’s Alabaster paired with Accessible Beige:
It does remind me of Agreeable Gray.
Benjamin Moore WHITE DOVE
Just because you have noticed every other white room on the internet is painted White Dove doesn’t mean you should avoid it. It has proven itself to be trustworthy.
Also, just a reminder to not think too deeply about how these swatches appear as you view them online. Hold all of those judgments loosely since the only way to truly see how the color performs is by sampling.
Earthy Green Gray for European Country Interiors
We must be careful to not get tripped up by paint color names either! Just because a color is on a swatch with grey colors or has “gray” in the name, does not mean it is not green!
What could the atmospheric green gray neutral on the island above be? Here’s the exact color:
These moody green-grays are so popular right now. Not sure of the paint color on wainscot below, but it is in the same spirit as Gettysburg Gray:
Sometimes it is a grey with green undertones that will do the trick:
This built-in reminds me of French Gray.
Who can forget how it was used spectacularly by Jessica Helgerson?
Will I ever recover after seeing this kitchen?
Doubtful! It’s such a pleasing combination with brass, touches of black, and the fine furniture glowing with warmth.
Farrow & Ball JITNEY
Followers of my Facebook page have been going nuts for this next color which is suggestive of the stone color covering this bespoke kitchen’s backsplash:
It reminds me of the color I painted our round kitchen table (Behr Garden Wall) when I was going for the feel of rugged natural stone.
Each time I share this kitchen image for inspiration on FB, it fetches excessive engagement due to the placement of the microwave:
The designer/homeowner told me it is at that level for children to safely use, and I didn’t think it strange at all since our microwave is also at that level (oven level). For some reason, it bothers a certain segment of folks to not see a microwave high above a range!
For a similar look to Jitney, though less fleshy and more grey-taupe similar to this gorgeous cozy moment:
You could peek at PPG Shadow Taupe:
Sherwin-Williams REPOSE GRAY
Please don’t believe that all grays and taupes are interchangeable! They are more different than I can say.
While I’m guessing the walls in the Giannetti’s Tennessee log cabin are plaster or skim-coated with plaster, in this shadowy image above, the walls remind me of SW Repose Gray. I did a thorough review of Repose Gray in this.
Repose Gray is on walls in our Georgian’s dining/music room, living room, and foyer:
What if you’re after a very cool crisp bright white like the color on my trim above?
You could sample Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace:
Doesn’t it add a modernity?
Here’s another brighter white to sample if you like Chantilly Lace:
Benjamin Moore WHITE OC-151
I especially love OC-151 from Benjamin Moore. This is the white I covered the interiors of our former fixer with:
One thing it is not? Shy.
Here it is on ceiling and trim in the kitchen:
I went into more detail about BM White OC-151 in THIS STORY.
OC-151 is a great choice for cool white painted trim, ceilings, doors, and windows.
Here’s another photo of OC-151 in our former breakfast nook with window seat:
Off-Whites for an Understated Atmosphere
White OC-151 may be too cool to get the effect of this plaster:
But here’s an idea to approach that look:
Here is All White on the trim paired with Farrow & Ball Ammonite for walls:
Do you like the sophistication of Ammonite on the walls?
While I’m unsure of the paint color Studio McGee used in this cozy nook, Ammonite would be beautiful for such a moment:
For fans of putty and muted limestone…
Benjamin Moore PALE OAK
Just the sound of this color is intriguing…but somebody smack me…don’t be too wooed by the names of colors!
Isn’t it lovely?
I find that many homeowners are nervous about selecting neutrals to complement wood tones, but earthy neutrals are always right at home with wood.
Cozy Grey & White
Some of my favorite cozy European country interiors use low and subtle contrast. Here’s a bunk area with painted wood floors and paneling:
Here’s Shoreline on the floor of a gorgeous kitchen:
Say what you will about the blandness or vanilla-sedative of soft greyed neutrals, but with so much chaos beyond our walls, it can be good medicine.
What a lovely calming hue!
Doesn’t it seem like a beautiful contender to sample? Wouldn’t it be lovely on a front door of an all white house?
Beyond Paint Colors: Create Cozy
So often it isn’t the paint colors that grab you when a room strikes you as warm and inviting.
And isn’t this mostly the goal? To create a mood with texture, interest, and comfort that evokes a feeling of tranquil sophistication?
Wallpaper patterns continue to keep things in design interesting and varied these days! Such pattern need not be bold and dramatic – there are so many natural patterns to echo nature these days.
You also can’t miss an increased interest in millwork, applied trim, and fine paneled details.
Even the simplicity of old fashioned lace curtain sheers turns up the cozy.
Of course we could devote an entire post to the power of candlelight…
Oh that the one below were lit!
Details for European Country Charm
What a gift to have access to the portfolios and feeds of so many top designers in the field who pay attention to the smallest of details.
We are treated to glimpses of how to live with our beloved collections and treasures…
And non-professional creative homeowners who have found their calling also show us what a cozy nest can become…
Thanks for being here and joining me as we gather inspiration on the journey.
Peace to you right where you are.
-michele
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