Europeans embrace life with passion! This is especially true in their homes, where rather than being ‘showplaces’, they reflect a love of family, food, nature and living well. Read on for some tips on how to add a touch of Europe to your space:

Don’t be afraid of colour on walls. Bold oranges, golds, reds, blues and greens adorn walls, often accompanied by envy-worthy high ceilings. The saturated colours create a perfect backdrop for art, lush draperies and furnishings that may also be rich in colour. There’s no room for understatement – yet the look is always sophisticated and elegant.

Create an air of abundance. Minimalism doesn’t seem to exist! And why should it? Life is lived on a grand scale. Display your dishes, crockery and pots & pans. Have a throw on your sofa and each accent chair. Load up on pillows. For your furnishings, choose designs with tufting, lavish patterns, dark woods and ornate touches.

Display food and wine in your kitchen. Why hide the pleasures of eating? Display wine bottles in beautiful holders. Keep a large basket of fruit on the table. Have a bowl of bright peppers on the counter. Maybe even a cake sitting in a crystal cake stand!

Keep the old with the new. Europeans seem to value older things rather than disposing of them for the ‘latest model’. What’s especially pleasing aesthetically is to mix old and new – for example, a new sofa with an antique coffee table or a beautifully worn rug topped by a new dining room suite.

Incorporate gold and silver. Sparkle adds glamour! Whether bright silver or lustrous gold, metallics are on trend! They suit the spirit of European décor, reflecting light and accentuating the other elements in the space.

Celebrate dining. Every meal seems to be a celebration! Create a dining room with an elegant suite, whether matched or a blend of styles. Provide ample seating, comfy chairs, a solid table – and most importantly – use it every day rather than just for special occasions!

Display handcrafted items and international treasures. One-of-a-kind accessories are given special importance, whether it’s a handmade needlepoint pillow, an artisan wooden bowl or a beloved photo.  Mementoes from travels are also often displayed – not souvenir trinkets – but beautiful artifacts from a different culture.

Embrace opulence. Luxury is welcome! Whether it’s a grouping of candles for the bathroom, gorgeous silk draperies, a wool rug, a glittering chandelier, a buttery soft leather chair or bunches of fresh flowers, if it appeals to the senses, add it!

Integrate nature. Whether a small balcony or large yard, Europeans love their gardens! Often more ‘random’ than our gardens, there’s a special beauty in the variety of blooms and plants and the feeling of an ad hoc tropical oasis. Even if you don’t have a garden, add some plants to a window sill or a floor plant to brighten a corner.

Bring a touch of Europe into your home and lifestyle!