How to Style the Luxurious European Home

Expert Advice: Architects’ Top Tricks for Creating a European-Inspired Interior

We know—Europe is big, and a European “look” doesn’t mean one thing at all. Still, romantic notions of European decor continue to inspire.

Short of moving your house to the Med (or the Baltic, Black, or North), there are things you can do to add some European flair at home. We asked members of our Architect/Designer Directory for their thoughts.

1. Think painterly color palettes.

NYC Architect Drew Lang notes that a nuanced color palette can look distinctly European. In this Brooklyn project, he says, “We used Fine Paints of Europe paint, which is a Dutch paint—rich and beautiful, with a European sensibility.” Here he paired a complex white with Italian Pietra Cardosa sandstone and the entire composition—of carefully arranged tablewares behind glass-paned upper cabinets—was influenced by Italian painter Giorgio Morandi.

2. Add reclaimed beams.

Above: Interior designer Ellen Hamilton knows a thing or two about creating a lived-in feel. Photograph courtesy of Ellen Hamilton.

In this new home in Washington, Connecticut, Hamilton and architect Reese Owens took inspiration from the Flemish countryside and used patinated, antique oak beams to add age and dimension. “Adding them to the room was a decision we made to make the house feel more like a European farmhouse of some age,” says Hamilton.

3. Source handmade light fixtures.

Architect Lauren Rubin thinks handmade light fixtures lend a particularly European vibe: “The idea of a handcrafted light fixture that has been designed and shaped by an artist reminds us of a time in Europe when craftsmen were an essential part of the community,” she says. “Both everyday and decorative items were provided by artisans who were experts in their fields. These kinds of details give life to the home.”

4. Be thoughtful about window treatments.

Above: A Bartleby-designed TriBeCa apartment. Photograph by Elizabeth Felicella , courtesy of Studio Bartleby.

Architect Mary Chan of Studio Bartleby in Brooklyn says, “Europe creeps in on my window coverings—we end up making custom coverings like interior shutters on a rail, or fabric shades on a simple pulley, to really highlight the window or correct a proportion.” It’s European to focus on details, functionality, and “treating the covering as its own object,” she says, “rather than simply an object to cover up another thing.”

When she recently remodeled her own Brooklyn townhouse, architect Kanan Vyas of Kananshree Interiors (formerly Ka.Va Design) sought modern, energy-efficient windows and found European tilt windows to be just the ticket. “We love how tilt windows give unobstructed views to the outside,” she says, “and we can leave a little bit of window open throughout the day for cross breeze.”

Eric Liftin of Mesh Architectures in Brooklyn also uses tilt windows, noting that “the US is one of the last places where double-hung windows are typical.” Learn more in Ask the Expert: 9 Smart Materials Every Remodeler Should Consider.

6. Incorporate herringbone.

Designer Alison Davin of Jute in San Francisco uses herringbone floors in European-inflected projects. “Adding texture through flooring adds character and instantly ages a room, making it feel more European,” she says.

7. Add wood paneling.

Above: Photograph by Laure Joliet, courtesy of Nicole Hollis.

Says San Francisco designer Nicole Hollis of a recent restaurant project: “For a Scandinavian or Nordic feel, we use white oak wood paneling in our interiors. It creates a very welcoming, warm look that’s still sophisticated.” Here she paired the oak with a modern Scandinavian pulley pendant, Welsh pillows, and Thonet chairs. (For more, see Remodeling 101: The Ultimate Wood Paneling Guide with Jersey Ice Cream Co.)

8. Go traditional with cement tiles.

Above: Designer Ellen Hamilton used decorative cement tile as a rug of sorts in her Flemish-inspired project in Washington, Connecticut.

Above: Says architect Lauren Rubin: “Cement tiles have become more fashionable lately. They will always remind me of the coastal cities of Italy, France, and Greece.”

9. Leave pipes exposed.

Above: Exposed brass shower fixtures in a clubby New York City hotel. Photograph courtesy of The Ludlow. (For more, see The Ludlow Hotel: Downtown NYC’s Most Glamorous New Clubhouse. )

“Exposed plumbing in the bathroom, especially in brass, has an old-world, European feel,” says Lauren Rubin. “It is reminiscent of the days when walls were solid stone or plaster and shower plumbing could not be hidden inside. With drywall stud walls it is far more common to run the plumbing behind the drywall, so deliberately choosing to reveal it can give a European look.” (For more ideas, see Trend Alert: 10 DIY Faucets Made from Plumbing Parts.)

10. Source casement windows.

New York architect Page Goolrick says, “I believe metal casement windows and French doors that swing out, rather than into the space, are very European in appearance. This is particularly true if the windows open at least 90 degrees, which European casements typically do.” She notes that sourcing European window hardware matters, too.

Find more ideas for an American home with European flair in New Salem: Peter Cohen’s Classic Beauty Receives a Modern Makeunder.

And for more European style, see:

N.B.: This post is an update; the original story ran on June 2, 2016.

European Interior Designers – Our Top Designers Choice

European Interior Designers – Our Top Designers Choice

European Interior Designers is today’s topic! Covering countries from Finland, Russia, Germany, Lithuania, Spain, Switzerland, Romania, France, Italy and Belarus, we bring to you our finest pick of designers from these countries!

See Also: Avenue Interior Design – The Secrets to Impactful and Unique Designs

Belarus

Zrobym Architects is an architectural studio that has at its core the intention to always use the newest trends in architecture and design. The studio aims to design in order to materialise the clients’ version of ideal space. Zrobym Architects‘ projects are unique and tailored for each individual they create for.

Finland

Darling Room was founded as an art-atelier in 2009. Nowadays it brings beauty, style, quality, comfort and functional design to the world. From home furnishing finishes, Darling Room offers plenty of lighting fixtures, decorative items, fabrics, dining utensils and tools, working with over three hundred different manufacturers across Europe and the United States.

France

Collection Privee has over thirty years experience in the design world, having covered architecture, interior design and decoration, working on a diverse range of projects, from houses, apartments, boats, aeroplanes and offices. They offer services in France, but all abroad, taking on all styles and settings.

Germany

MöbelaPort is a trade agency consisting of Matthias Wobbe and his team, that sell furniture imported from Portugal and Italy to hotels, restaurants, ship equipment suppliers and retail. We are one of the lucky 12 brands that are presented by this retailer!

JOI-Design is an interior design studio focused on hospitality design, creating projects worldwide. With over thirty-five years of experience, the design studio has developed over five hundred hotel projects, having received over one hundred awards. JOI-Design design is multifunctional, tailor-made and individual, creating a personalised atmosphere in every project.

Italy

CIAC Group was established in 1977 with the aim of creating a group of Italian furniture manufacturers located in Tuscany region, drawn together by an innovative businessman who wanted to join forces with furniture factories operating at the highest level of quality. Their aim was to export their products around the world.

Illulian is a historic brand internationally renown in the design and luxury accessory sector, has built a path of continuous growth and evolution in its 60 years of activity. Founded in 1959, the company is today an exclusive point of reference in the field of modern and antique rugs, with collections that in addition to being exclusive furnishing proposals, represent real works of art capable to preserve all their charm intact over time.

RIABIZ and PARTNERS is an architecture firm and interior design contractor with the goal to create spaces and environments where the presence of architecture is in constant balance with the forces of life. The reputation of the office is established by both a commitment to the collaborative aspect of creating architecture and a strong focus on refining design ideas to arrive at a solution which is architecturally, socially and intellectually coherent.

Salvioni stores host the most prestigious design and decor brands, showcasing a wide products range that includes some of the most iconic and traditional objects to the very latest trends. The company’s philosophy is, first and foremost, to propose a comprehensive collection of rigorously selected furniture brands.

For over 40 years, Studio D’Interni has been an important reference point for interior design: from the sale to the design of the furniture of the best brands. From the historic headquarters of Castiglion Fibocchi, Studio D’Interni has over time linked its name to many of the most prestigious Italian and international furniture and design brands.

Lithuania

Madam W is a showroom that displays and sells collections of the world’s most famous furniture manufacturers. They provide furnishings for the living room, dining room and bedroom, but also accessories such as lighting features, bathroom equipment, rugs and carpets, beddings and many other things one may need to furnish a beautiful, stylish and comfortable home.

Romania

SE Desing Interiors is an interior design studio that offers comfortable and sophisticated solutions, having something unique and special to share with their customers. SE Design Interiors provides personalised and friendly design service, giving emphasis on creating custom and unique atmospheres tailored for each client.

See Also: Frank Stüve, From Florist to Interior Design Genius

Russia

Grand-Stroy is a construction company that has a wide range of services, having already built residential buildings, offices, retail spaces and parking, as well as social and other facilities. Having been founded in 1996, over the years, Grand-Stroy became the flagship of its business and strives for new achievements for the benefit of the people.

Lighthouse is composed of a team of professionals in the field of industrial and decorative lighting. Their purpose is to increase energy efficiency, to improve the comfort in the house and to make the operational characteristics of industrial buildings work better.

Palissandre has a complete selection and a complex supply of furniture, lighting, appliances and plumbing from Europe and Italy directly fro the manufacturers to the customers. They provide for both the private sector and the commercial and public sector. Palissandre provides catalogues and samples from the brands they work with, making sure that all items are custom made and unique.

Spain

Manuel Burgos is an architect from Seville with nearly forty years experience in the interior design field. The studio, Manuel Burgos Architecture Studio has carried out numerous projects of single-family homes, hotels and Mediterranean towns. With an architectural style of Mediterranean root and without forgetting the latest trends, Manuel Burgos creates amazing modern spaces.

Marti & Deba is a Spanish business that specialises in working with exclusive natural stone architectural projects all around the globe. It is their enduring passion to achieve the highest work standards, continue their versatile work in the use of contemporary materials, striving for the ultimate level of excellence in every project they engage in.

Studio AMA is an interior design studio that takes pride in themselves for being innovative and adaptable. They are able to adjust their style to the clients’ brief provide a realistic, fresh proposal. Studio AMA in-house services are vast and include high-end design, planning, construction and furniture supply. They also collaborate with local suppliers and international brands in order to prove a full range of options fit for every imagination.

Switzerland

Martinuzzi Interiors creates high-end interior architecture and design concepts that are fresh and new in the market, adding consistent value to each project. With over fifteen years of expertise, the studio believes the interior space of every building should be enhanced with great design, aesthetics, quality and functionality, however, most importantly, is to create a unique space that adapts to the soul of the project.

Wyttenbach is an interior design studio founded in 1990, and since then has acquired a team of long-standing experts who have specialised in various planning areas, designing and furnishing living areas.

See Also: Avinoor, The Doorway to Diverse Furniture and Furnishings

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How to Style the Luxurious European Home

Europe is a multicultural continent with a rich and long history. As the birthplace of influential literature, arts and styles it not only gave rise to some of the greatest minds in the world, it was at times the source of inspiration for their work.

It’s not hard to imagine then, why Europe holds such a romanticized vision for Americans. Vacations across the continent are usually associated with long carefree days, soaking in the breathtaking scenery and monumental architecture, as grand in stature as it is in historic meaning. But visitors often come back from their tours with more than just memories; the popularity of European interior decor in the States attests to its appeal as the effortless sophisticated style that many try to recreate. In this blog, we have compiled all the know hows on how to instill the European flair in your home!

Colors

Since the continent is made up of many countries, which have distinctive interior design styles themselves (think Scandinavian and French), the “European style home” can initially seem vague. But undoubtedly. it has now evolved to encompass specific characteristics, that allow it to be a standalone theme. The most prominent characteristic of European homes is the combining of neutral colors with a color theme, often created through accent furniture or home decor. Neutral colored walls set the perfect fresh palette needed to play with deep set tones, usually in olive, rouje or cherry brown shades.

Styles

As for a general vision, think mostly Old World Charm, with some quirky pieces that offset the traditional look. Europeans are very apt at combining influences; it wouldn’t be uncommon to find a home with traditional furniture sets and contemporary decor, which often speaks to their interests. Among popular designs, safari and bohemian are by far most widely used.

Overall Vision

In terms of a particular era to envision, especially for furniture choices, European homes lean heavily towards mid-century. While Scandanavian design takes this to another level, usually collecting items that are more utilitarian, the European style balances the ultra modern look with ornate details, a romantic vision usually associated with Tuscan & French homes.

Much like their American counterparts, Europeans are avid fans of art. The most sophisticated homes always have art, usually enormous in size, that take advantage of high ceiling homes.

Whether you have always wanted to imitate European style homes or you are inspired to do so after a recent trip, we hope this guide motivates you to undertake the project, as the finished result will be well worth it! As always, let us know your thoughts below.