Unfussy yet luxe modern Euro country Old World kitchen designs always stop my scroll. What design elements do the most charming ones share? We’ll explore a wealth of creative inspiration below to enhance your own kitchen renovations, refreshes, and new builds. What may surprise you is the diversity and range of interpretations across this style of European country modernity. Whether you favor Old World, Cotswold cottage style or modern French, there’s much to explore!
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Old World Kitchen Love & Quiet Luxury
Quiet Luxury & Unlacquered Brass
While this natural material wasn’t in the design vocabulary of most Americans 20 years ago, it has been a mainstay in Europe for many years.
Unlacquered brass is a live finish which naturally ages gracefully and develops patina with use. The beauty of it lies in its evolution, durability, strength and luxurious warmth.
Remember Brooke’s kitchen at Patina Farm in Ojai?
As far as blogland, it was one of the first projects I recall incorporating unlacquered brass. As more designers selected it for hardware, lighting, and beyond, its richness moved into our consciousness.
Ever lived with an unlacquered brass faucet? The look is so casually elegant and appropriate for country style spaces where shiny glam things might feel out of place and fancy.
Wanna Try Unlacquered Brass?
You can always start small to live with the brass on shelf supports or cabinet hardware.
You need not overhaul your entire kitchen with cabinet knobs and pulls in this trial stage. Instead, do you own a piece of furniture which could be refreshed with new hardware? Maybe a desk? What about a few cupboards in the laundry room? Could a set of bifold closet doors be elevated?
I’m a big fan of unlacquered brass lighting and chose it for sconces in our current home. There’s a certain pleasure from watching a living finish age and evolve…here are some options for small ways of living with the material.Who could not benefit from more organic alive-ness in their schemes? Fully alive and communicating with other elements in their orbit, with the oil from fingertips, with the consequences of time.
Old World Kitchen Star: Apron Front Farm Sinks
This sure ain’t one of those design ingredients you leisurely add or try for a kitchen refresh. Hahahaha. There’s no simple way to swap out a basic stainless kitchen sink for fireclay. However, for new builds or redesigns, it’s a lovely addition to the plan when you’re after Euro old world elegance.
Worth all that fuss? Too trendy a choice for your design? Too unnecessary if you don’t intend to scrub oversized pots or bathe ducklings as influencers on IG do? 🙂
Here’s our apron front sink at the Georgian from Nantucket Sinks, and here’s an incredible sale on one of their 30″ farmhouse sinks.
This element sets a tone and sweetens every task. I am asked frequently about what it’s like to live with fireclay, and it’s all good.
We have seen a surge in designer kitchens with marble apron front sinks, and I’m always curious about how much staining and abuse those sinks can handle.
What about water dripping over the side of apron front sinks? Heard this complaint? I’m clueless how this happens. Am I not washing dishes properly? Hahaha. I have owned several farm sinks without issue.
As I consider qualities I admire most, one of them is the softness of the glaze with its sparkling clean, reflective quality. It feels luxe, approachable and less utilitarian.
Even though I don’t routinely bathe little ducklings in our sink, it has that same innocence bringing to mind infants and a simpler time.
Add Character With Accents
Even if your kitchen features an older standard sink and laminate counters, there are plenty of options to add life. For example, marble or natural stone accents such as trays and pedestals may help. For around 30 bucks, you can corral a scrub brush, dish soap, etc. while adding the richness of natural stone near the sink. Bloop!
Introducing the Warmth of Copper
While I don’t personally accent with copper tones in the kitchen, we do have warm terracotta floor tiles visible from an adjacent laundry area. It’s about all the red I can tolerate and only stays since we inherited it. However, I admire coppery kitchens and folks who embrace red.
The warmth of copper cookware, tiles, and accents adds such an organic, natural, established feel to European inspired and French farmhouse kitchens.
You can also accent with coppery tones via Chicago brick. In the kitchen above, it is installed in a herringbone pattern for an unforgettable Old World backsplash. Utterly luxurious yet quite livable. Brand new homes can lack character, but such design choices bring instant age.
If you have a copper cookware collection…oh la la.
Kitchen Essentials With Copper
So many of us own old copper tea kettles. Is there one in a box somewhere in the basement or attic? Leave the tarnish if you like. Another possibility is this sweet girl:
Stoneware, Earthenware & Crocks
How fun is it to hunt for treasures like old stoneware, vases, urns, and jars?
I have been collecting pieces forever and am still not tired of the hunt.
I favor pale colored terracotta urns and crocks, and you can do your hunting online too:
Or plan a trip to Europe to bring back as many as you can tuck into a carryon!
Vintage & Artisan Pendant Lighting
There are endless options for adding rusticity to a Euro-inspired country kitchen, and lighting is but one.
Whether it is repurposing vintage lights (the pendants in the kitchen designed by the Giannettis above were once a part of Elizabeth Taylor’s property) or installing handcrafted ones that only appear old…
It really is possible to create a WOW moment to add bespoke quality.
Curious About a Unique Pendant?
Oh so many wonderful artisans on Etsy who create pendant masterpieces. Also, you can score old exterior lanterns locally at antique malls or eBay to rewire. Finally, consider ordering a handcrafted light from a bespoke firm such as deVOL. Here’s their frilly cranberry mini pendant:
The Softer Side of Euro Country Kitchens
If you’re drawn to the sweetly romantic, slightly aquatic coastal feel of breezy pale colors, there are plenty of ways to infuse this color story.
Pretty greens, blues, and aquas are utterly mood lifting!
Can you just imagine blush garden roses or peonies in this sea of blue-greens?
Pastel Touches
Should green tile be too great a commitment, there are plenty of lovely accents to consider.
Did you collect jadeite in the 90s as so many of us did? Such a life-giving color.
Also, if your favorite color isn’t represented in this story, consider the impact paint color may make by peeking at THESE STORIES for ideas.
Injecting Nature & Texture With Baskets
Not only are baskets endlessly useful, they are fun to collect and easy to find.
So underrated and under-appreciated as an essential for an unfussy timeless look!
My favorites are handmade and antique. I have three in that category that I cherish! I would say the only drawback to valuable examples is how I hesitate to use them! Two oversized farm baskets in the kitchen are full of dried pink hydrangea plucked from our yard. A third is used as a laundry basket.
Love the warmth of baskets on white wood shelves? Such a tidy high contrast look. While it’s not a kitchen, nor luxurious modern European Country style, baskets can add softness:
Here’s a peek at our bedroom closet:
And market baskets are so easy to find these days! A quintessential European look wherever they are placed or hung.
Investment Baskets for Storage
We all seem to rely on Rubbermaid type bins for storage, but my favorite storage receptacles are woven, sturdy, and beautiful.
Belgian Linen
I have devoted entire posts to it because I hold this textile so near and dear!
This material is so easy to live with and so easy to layer with other decorative items since it plays nicely with everything in the mix. There’s nothing trendy about it – it’s hardworking and understated.
If you love the look of these chairs but aren’t crazy about the price tag, I spied these good looking arm chairs from McGee:
While the slipcover upholstery is not Belgian linen, it is 100% cotton, and aren’t they good looking for the price?
Believe it or not, when I got this olive tree years ago, it was more expensive than it is now!
If this textile is new to you, start small with placemats or a pillow cover.
We Pause for This Tiny Euro Country Kitchen Tour
Who says you need a huge space to achieve high style? This creative dynamo rents her apartment and created a luxe and timeless space I would gladly occupy:
Nothing rustic or country here, but for a change of pace, check out the European design elements in legendary designer Suzanne Kasler’s own home. (Psst. Should you require a trustworthy white paint recommendation, she reveals her favorite.)
Find more inspiration in this, and find more kitchen inspiration HERE.
Peace to you right where you are.
-michele
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