Modern European Country Magic

Modern European Country is a romantic, elegant, understated look far too sophisticated and evolved to concern itself with hashtags or fashion sashaying down the runway. Whispery color stories that charm me most? Hushed, atmospheric neutrals, white, and pale stone hues that feel natural, calm and serene. At its best, European antiques and contemporary forms harmonize or spring to life with subtle tension. Fresh flowers in a vintage urn feel more at home than fussy floral patterns. Linen, velvet, and natural textiles belong.

Modern French kitchen with rustic elegant design by Jill Egan and architecture by Kirby Mears. #modernfrench #kitchendesign
MILIEU (Interior Design: Jill Egan, Architecture: Kirby Mears, Produced by: Shannon Bowers, Photography: Laura Resen, Written by: David Massello)

Modern European Country Interiors

While I’m obviously no expert on modern European country design style, I remain committed to its magique and romance as a student:

Funny meme from Raiders of the Lost Ark classroom scene with student gazing at Harrison Ford.

Jill Egan’s Soulful Way With Modern European Country

My favorite designer, MILIEU’s Pamela Pierce, featured an amazing newly built home by interior designer Jill Egan and architect Kirby Mears in this 2019 issue:

Milieu magazine summer 2019 cover with red and white stripe dishes and green shelves. #milieu
MILIEU – Summer 2019 Issue

Five years, and I haven’t yet recovered from the issue.

Modern French kitchen with rustic elegant design by Jill Egan and architecture by Kirby Mears. #modernfrench #kitchendesign
Interior Design: Jill Egan, Architecture: Kirby Mears, Photography: Laura Resen

Jill’s home is truly a sanctuary of wonder and whispers. Details were thoughtfully considered; its curation feels like a gift to not just a family, but a bright future.

Modern French kitchen with rustic elegant design by Jill Egan and architecture by Kirby Mears. #modernfrench #kitchendesign
MILIEU (Interior Design: Jill Egan, Architecture: Kirby Mears, Produced by: Shannon Bowers, Photography: Laura Resen, Written by: David Massello)

This is how I imagine all grand homes a century ago were imagined. Built with integrity to last and serve future generations.

Modern French living room with elegant white mix of antiques - design by Jill Egan and architecture by Kirby Mears. #modernfrench #livingrooms
Modern European Country Inspiration – Interior Design: Jill Egan, Architecture: Kirby Mears

You get a sense of design restraint straight away, simply an abundance of breathing space. And dream space! Expanses for the soul to rest. Not nothingness or emptiness, but spaciousness for the senses to calm.

Old World Style & Artful Environments

Is it any wonder a lover of minimal modern European country style would also be drawn to understated, delicate, subtle art? This framed work by Lauren Collin is a scalpel-carved work on watercolor paper.

Elegant modern French entry in Jill Egan's home with antique wooden Swedish armchair, Kelly Wearstler stool, and art by Lauren Collin. #modernfrench
MILIEU (Interior Design: Jill Egan, Architecture: Kirby Mears, Produced by: Shannon Bowers, Photography: Laura Resen, Written by: David Massello)

It speaks volumes! If you have worked with watercolor paper, then you know. I just love this medium, and the idea of piercing it to awaken it to life is thrilling!

Even the tree surrendering its pulp for this art must absolutely sigh in gratitude.

Emily Dickinson quote about hope on Hello Lovely. #hopequotes #emilydickinsonquotes

As I considered why I love this art form, I noticed how nearly-forgotten memories surfaced. Ragtime sheet music from a player piano in the 70s. French knots on a white linen curtain. Mysteriously beautiful Braille pages read by an elderly next door neighbor. White wedding cake with delicate bas-relief icing.

Modern French dining room with antique farm table, Swedish apothecary chest, and crystal chandelier by Ochre. #modernfrench #diningrooms
Interior Design: Jill Egan, Architecture: Kirby Mears, Photography: Laura Resen

Masterful Luminosity

With a minimal approach to Modern Belgian-French, lighting and texture often play starring roles. Jill Egan’s dining room chandelier is utterly breathtaking in daylight; I cannot imagine what magic illumination emerges in the evening!

Modern French living room with elegant white mix of antiques - design by Jill Egan and architecture by Kirby Mears. #modernfrench #livingrooms
MILIEU (Interior Design: Jill Egan, Architecture: Kirby Mears, Produced by: Shannon Bowers, Photography: Laura Resen, Written by: David Massello)

As a blogger who posts ad nauseam about paint colors, I would gladly trade my painted walls for plaster walls ones this warm and lustrous.

Luxuriously sumptuous modern French bedroom with velvet and linen pillows and ring chandelier by Christopher Boots. #modernfrench #bedrooms
MILIEU (Interior Design: Jill Egan, Architecture: Kirby Mears, Produced by: Shannon Bowers, Photography: Laura Resen, Written by: David Massello)

Minimal need not lack drama.

Elegant white marble vanity in a modern French bath with gold finishes, wall mount faucet and design by Jill Egan. #modernfrench #bathrooms
Interior Design: Jill Egan, Architecture: Kirby Mears, Photography: Kerry Kirk

There’s a design intelligence undergirding the livability of such a look. To live with such spare luxe, everything must have its place. Savvy planning of hidden sources of storage for all of daily life’s essentials is a must. (Do you suppose that breathtakingly lovely bathroom mirror covers a niche where medicine, makeup, and potions live?)

Hafiz poem "Dropping Keys" on Hello Lovely Studio. #hafez #hafiz #poetry #sufipoetry #sufipoems #spiritualjourney

Jill Egan Designed Moments of Minimal Modern Belgian French

She is simply a genius with her lighting decisions which can elevate the whole mix.

Modern French kitchen with rustic elegant design by Jill Egan and architecture by Kirby Mears. #modernfrench #kitchendesign

I desperately need her to style my shelves! No heavy, brown stained wood for trim and mantels here! Lightened up luxurious trim (or none!) heighten serenity and tranquility.

Jil Egan designed interior with built-ins and fireplace. #modernfrench

Gilded iron and unlaquered brass? Clearly I’m a broken record…but kittycats! Gold works magically with cool greys and greyed-whites..

Beautiful bath designed by Jill Egan. #modernfrench
Jill Egan

Patina and texture become the color in minimal modern Belgian French interiors, and I’m here for it!

Antique desk in a space designed by Jill Egan. #europeancountry #oldworldstyle

Wait. Patina? I seem to remember another design team who know their way around minimal modern European country charm…

Patina Style: Steve and Brooke Giannetti

Brooke and Steve Giannetti have such a fresh take on livable luxe interiors that revere patina and modern French allure.

Online searches for this design dream team’s work (Velvet and Linen is a treasure trove!) often characterize the look as rustic.

Giannetti Home designed Malibu bathroom with rustic elegance in Luxe Magazine.
Luxe Magazine – photography: Lisa Romerein, design: Giannetti Home, styling: Erin Taylor, produced by: Lisa Bingham Dewart

Rustic? Really?

Another label that hardly fits is “modern farmhouse.” However, most modern farmhouses we see in the marketplace and on social feeds lack the refined sense consistently coming from the Giannettis.

Giannetti Home designed Malibu bathroom with rustic elegance in Luxe Magazine.
Luxe Magazine – photography: Lisa Romerein, design: Giannetti Home, styling: Erin Taylor, produced by: Lisa Bingham Dewart

And that’s as it should be. These creatives have worked hard for years collecting, curating, learning, traveling, and refining. You cannot order this assemblage of understated elegance online.

Romantic European Country Inspired Homes

What I love about the work of Brooke and Steve is the glorious timelessness at the heart of what they create. The craftsmanship, the organic California-influenced natural layers, and the earthy livability of it all. There’s always a golden thread of gentle grandeur and authenticity running through their designs.

Breathtaking exterior of a French country style stone house exterior with arched windows and shutters by Giannetti Home. #modernfrench #houseexteriors
Velvet and Linen

Earthy in that even though the craftsmanship and quality are high, design elements are never showing off. And we wouldn’t even blame them if they wanted to show off a bit. Right? Reclaimed stone mantelpieces? They have earned the right to brag after such a rich history of service across the pond! And yet we feel a gentle humility illumining this dining room..

Dining room with modern French country style, handpainted mural with green, and antique French fireplace - Velvet and Linen. #frenchcountry #diningrooms #murals
Photo: Velvet and Linen

How fortunate are we that the Giannettis often chronicle and share the process so we may see what lives between the before and after? These next images are from a couple of years back as they breathed to life a kitchen which feels very keeping with today’s theme.

Pavilion Gray (Farrow & Ball) painted kitchen cabinets in a luxurious kitchen by Giannetti Home. #modernfrench #kitchendesign
Velvet and Linen

Farrow & Ball Pavilion Gray Paint Color

The cool blue-grey of Farrow & Ball’s Pavilion Gray on cabinets and steel never strayed far from my mind and made an appearance in our current kitchen.

Farrow & Ball Pavilion Gray 242 paint color swatch. #farrowandballpaviliongray #bestgraypaintcolors
Pavilion Gray painted cabinetry in a pantry with glass and steel by Giannetti Home. #modernfrench #kitchendesign
Giannetti Home

That pantry imagined by the Giannettis! Is it speaking your language?

If it’s okay with you, since I have yet to become bored by examples of this enchanting design style, there shall be more. I’d love to hear what you admire about it.

Beauty quote by Alice Walker on Hello Lovely Studio. #beautyquotes #soulfulquotes #alicewalker

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

Thanks for shopping RIGHT HERE to keep decor inspiration flowing on Hello Lovely!

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White Slipcovered Sofa
SHOP MY HOME!
29″ Whitewashed Table Lamp Set of 2
White Matelasse Quilt on MY BED
SHOP MY BATH!
Trees White Wallpaper Mural
Round Farmhouse Table
Myla Slipcover Sofa
Deconstructed Wingback Bed
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Milagro Heart
Slipcovered Dining Chair
Rustic Farmhouse Stool
Edgecombe End Table
Parisian Style Iron Table Lamp  33.5″
Black or Bronze Accent Table
French Stripe Basket Set
White Cotton Crochet Bed Skirt
French Country Rattan Basket Set
Marble Subway Mosaic Tile
Rattan Basket With Lid
White Ruffle Bedding
Seagrass Basket Set
Schumacher Wild Things Wallpaper
Slipcovered Sofa
Upholstered Dining Arm Chair
Shop My Breakfast Nook
White Matelasse Quilt
Tree Mural Wallpaper
Faux Potted French Lavender
Shaw Daybed
Distressed White French Country Chandelier
French Country Headboard
Oval Back Counter Stool, Set of 2
Antique Brass Pharmacy Floor Lamp
Round French Tufted Ottoman
Kinston Wood Bench
Italian Candelabra Chandelier
Slipcovered Linen Chair
Warner Upholstered Bench
Rustic Country French Dresser
Laurel Wreath Mirror
Round Farmhouse Dining Table
Reclaimed Wood Dresser
Louis Upholstered Bench
Pardon My French Doormat
Stripe Turkish Towel Throw
Pamela Arm Chair
Sweater Weave Basket
French Carved Wood Chandelier
Terracotta Pots & Basket
French Country Wood Chandelier
French Linen Dining Chair
Gustavian Cabinet
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Bar Stool
Beachy White Slipcovered Sofa
Rattan Armchair
Diptyque Oyedo Candle
Cross Back Dining Chair
French Country Candle Holder
French Industrial Metal Chairs (4)
Designer Favorite Wall Mirror
Holborn Lantern Pendant
French Country 6-Light Chandelier
Tray Side Table
French Country Upholstered Arm Chair
Wicker Trunk Set
French Ticking Stripe Pillow
Jute Area Rug
Mohair Throw
Rustic Industrial Farmhouse Shelves
Belgian Linen Sofa
White Duvet & Bedding
Rustic Wood Candlestick Set
French Market Basket
Linen Modern Wing Chair
French Country Farmhouse Baskets
Concrete Pillar Table Lamp
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Style Lamp
Kendall Skirted Dining Chair
White Charleston Sofa
Scrubbed Wood 5-Light Chandelier
Arched Champagne Wall Mirror
Moravian Star 1-Light Pendant
Highback Armchair
Mini Pendant Light
White Vase Set
Round Woven Placemat Set
Cashmere Throw With Fringe
Wreath Doormat
Fireclay Farm Sink (Reinhard, 30″)
White Waffle Coverlet
Light Grey Vienna Quilt
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Linen Duvet Set
Round Marble Side Table
Rustic Pedestal Farm Table
Rattan Hanging Chair Swing
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Let’s SHOP!

White Slipcovered Sofa
SHOP MY HOME!
29″ Whitewashed Table Lamp Set of 2
White Matelasse Quilt on MY BED
SHOP MY BATH!
Trees White Wallpaper Mural
Round Farmhouse Table
Myla Slipcover Sofa
Deconstructed Wingback Bed
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Milagro Heart
Slipcovered Dining Chair
Rustic Farmhouse Stool
Edgecombe End Table
Parisian Style Iron Table Lamp  33.5″
Black or Bronze Accent Table
French Stripe Basket Set
White Cotton Crochet Bed Skirt
French Country Rattan Basket Set
Marble Subway Mosaic Tile
Rattan Basket With Lid
White Ruffle Bedding
Seagrass Basket Set
Schumacher Wild Things Wallpaper
Slipcovered Sofa
Upholstered Dining Arm Chair
Shop My Breakfast Nook
White Matelasse Quilt
Tree Mural Wallpaper
Faux Potted French Lavender
Shaw Daybed
Distressed White French Country Chandelier
French Country Headboard
Oval Back Counter Stool, Set of 2
Antique Brass Pharmacy Floor Lamp
Round French Tufted Ottoman
Kinston Wood Bench
Italian Candelabra Chandelier
Slipcovered Linen Chair
Warner Upholstered Bench
Rustic Country French Dresser
Laurel Wreath Mirror
Round Farmhouse Dining Table
Reclaimed Wood Dresser
Louis Upholstered Bench
Pardon My French Doormat
Stripe Turkish Towel Throw
Pamela Arm Chair
Sweater Weave Basket
French Carved Wood Chandelier
Terracotta Pots & Basket
French Country Wood Chandelier
French Linen Dining Chair
Gustavian Cabinet
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Bar Stool
Beachy White Slipcovered Sofa
Rattan Armchair
Diptyque Oyedo Candle
Cross Back Dining Chair
French Country Candle Holder
French Industrial Metal Chairs (4)
Designer Favorite Wall Mirror
Holborn Lantern Pendant
French Country 6-Light Chandelier
Tray Side Table
French Country Upholstered Arm Chair
Wicker Trunk Set
French Ticking Stripe Pillow
Jute Area Rug
Mohair Throw
Rustic Industrial Farmhouse Shelves
Belgian Linen Sofa
White Duvet & Bedding
Rustic Wood Candlestick Set
French Market Basket
Linen Modern Wing Chair
French Country Farmhouse Baskets
Concrete Pillar Table Lamp
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Style Lamp
Kendall Skirted Dining Chair
White Charleston Sofa
Scrubbed Wood 5-Light Chandelier
Arched Champagne Wall Mirror
Moravian Star 1-Light Pendant
Highback Armchair
Mini Pendant Light
White Vase Set
Round Woven Placemat Set
Cashmere Throw With Fringe
Wreath Doormat
Fireclay Farm Sink (Reinhard, 30″)
White Waffle Coverlet
Light Grey Vienna Quilt
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Linen Duvet Set
Round Marble Side Table
Rustic Pedestal Farm Table
Rattan Hanging Chair Swing