How to create an old world earthy home vibe

Find out how to create a home that has that timeless old world earthy home vibe that is taking over home interior right now.

I’m excited to show you how you can implement this in your own home without having to hire a professional interior designer.

Imagine stepping into home that feels like it’s been there for centuries, filled with character like stone walls, texture, aged elements like wood and brass, earthy warm colours and unique elements.

Designers are shifting from minimalism to a layered, collected and historic look. European charm, aged finishes like antique touches in kitchens, livings and bathroom are being embraced. Elements like patina brass, lime-washed walls, arches and iron accents are seen more and more!

There is a shift towards home environments that promote a lived in, calm and unplugged way of living. Reclaimed materials, antique furniture and slow decorating are more popular than ever.

Let’s explore how you can achieve this in your own home step by step.

1. Paint Colors

Trending paint colors that go well with an earthy old word vibe range from warm whites to earthy moody colours. Imagine colors that aged gracefully in a sun-soaked European villa or farmhouse.

If you still want to stick with white walls then consider warm whites like “Swiss Coffee”- by Benjamin Moore, “Slipper Satin”- Farrow and Ball or “Alabaster”- Sherwin-Williams. All of these have a creamy, aged and warm feel to them.

If you want a more bold earthy and moody color, then consider going with colors like muted browns, terracotta, greens or even charcoal tones. Some paint color examples would be “Edge-comb Gray”– Benjamin Moore, “Red Earth”-Farrow & Ball, “Clary Sage”– Sherwin-Williams or a deep charcoal colour like “Railings” – Farrow & Ball.

2. Architectural Details

Whether you are building a brand new home or renovating a house there are some architectural add ons you can incorporate to achieve an old world earthy home feel.

The trick is to make the space feel like it’s been there for centuries, so think about what would be popular in architecture back then? Some popular elements that come to mind are:

• arched doorways
• plaster and lime washed walls
• wood beams usually from reclaimed wood
• stone walls, fireplaces or brick floors and accents
• aged wood floors
• wrought iron accents
• wooden shutters
• built in niches
• vaulted ceilings

These are some of the popular architectural add ons in homes that are built to have an old world earthy feel.

3. Natural Materials

Natural materials are important if you want to achieve this look and feel in your own home because they add depth, warmth, character and authenticity which is what makes this whole home style what it is. Here is a list of examples that you can incorporate in your own home for an earthy home vibe:

• Reclaimed wood that can be used in beams, ceilings, flooring, or in furniture.
• Natural stone used in flooring, walls, backsplash, on the exterior or on fireplaces.
• Textures and textiles like hemp,, linen, cotton, jute or seagrass. Used in rugs, curtains, cushions or throws. More examples are Lampshades, baskets, or wall hangings.
• Plaster and lime-wash used on walls, fireplaces or ceilings.
• Clay and terracotta are popular when it comes to pottery, planters, floor tiles or pendant lights.
• Aged metal like iron, brass or copper. You can find this in hardware, lighting, or furniture.
• Natural linen used in bedding, curtains, tablecloths or slipcovers.

4. Timeworn and Antique Pieces

Timeworn and antique pieces are perfect when it comes to creating an old world earthy vibe in your home. These pieces tell a story, they most likely have been there long before you and it adds depth and warmth.

The aged patina look softens a room visually. The earthy style draws from the natural world, a slower more mindful way of life and these pieces may it be art or furniture mirror this perfectly.

5. Botanicals & Natural Accents

Plants and botanicals breathe life and softness into earthy homes. Old world earthy homes are very connected to nature and what better way then to bring the outdoors in. Some examples of doing this are:

• Styling wild branches in a vase
• Potted herbs
• Bundle of dried lavender in a ceramic vase
• Olive trees
• Fresh greenery in the spring
• Foraged branches or wildflowers
• Dried grasses in the fall
• Evergreens and citrus in the wintertime

Room by room styling guide

Let’s go room by room and see how we can incorporate this look in each room!

1. Living Room

It is important to have a blank slate and then start with a foundation like warm walls, lime wash or plaster on the walls.

Next think of what kind of seating you want. Some great options for this style are linen or cotton slip cover sofas, vintage leather arm chairs or weathered wood frame seating. Keep it soft and low key.

For coffee tables choose something like reclaimed wood, antique trunks or stone. Patina is a bonus!

Layer with natural fibre rugs, wrinkled linen throws and woven pillows in warm earthy tones.

Use ceramic or pottery vessels, antique books, florals, thrifted trinkets like brass candlesticks or other unique items to decorate and style.

For lighting go with warm-toned ambient lighting. Try wrought iron, ceramic lamps or vintages sconces for extra flair.

2. Dining Room

For a dining table consider going with a rustic wood table. Try going for something that isn’t too polished, imperfections will add to the look!

Mix vintage wooden chairs or go for slipcover chairs, this will be a great contrast to a rustic dining table.

Antique hutches to display stoneware, ceramics or glassware, antique mirrors, vintage oil paintings or paintings in muted tones are all great additions for a old world dining room.

3. Kitchen

For cabinetry go with painted muted colours in earthy shades like sage, mushroom or warm creams. Open shelving is great addition for this style.

For countertops consider muted quartz, butcher clock, soap stone or marble-nothing glossy.

Aged brass, bronze or black iron are great options when it comes to hardware!

For displaying and styling use wooden boards, ceramic bowls, vintage jars or baskets. Bundles of dried herbs or potted herbs like thyme, rosemary, lavender or basil on a window sill are also great!

4. Bedroom

For a bed choose an iron, wooden or upholstered linen bed frame! When it comes to bedding try going for layers like washed linen, chunky knit blankets and natural toned quilts.

Use vintage tables, old stools or mismatched pieces as nightstands. Styled with ceramic lamps, dried flowers, antique books or taper candle holders.

Go for warm toned wool or jute rugs under the bed to ground the room and to add coziness and warmth.

For wall decor consider botanical prints, vintage landscapes or muted tapestries.

5. Bathroom

Antique dressers turned into vanities are a great option when wanting to incorporate some old world charm. Stone vanities and vintage brass faucets are also a great addition!

Go for vintage or vintage-inspired mirrors with character!

As decor try adding small botanical prints, linen shower curtain, handmade soap on a stone dish, baskets or apothecary jars for a clean earthy feel!

More styling tips

A few more tips when styling a home in a old world earthy vibe:

• Prioritize patina over perfection. The imperfections will add so much character.
• Layer natural materials like wood, clay, linen, stone, wicker and iron.
• Stick to an earthy color palette.
• You can mix old with new. You can also use new modern pieces but try outweighing this with vintage and antique finds.
• Keep surfaces lightly styled to avoid clutter.
• Bring in handmade and artisan pieces.
• Give yourself time! Go slow, room by room, after all antique and thrifted items take time and patience.
• Don’t take it to serious, have fun with it! This is your home, so make it your own the way you like it!

Where to source the look

And finally, where even to begin sourcing for this kind of look? Craigslist, Facebook marketplace, flea and antique markets are great places to start! Also try estate sales, local barn tear downs for some salvaged wood.

Some stores that mimic this style very well are Amber Interiors, Jenni Kayne Home, Anthropologie, Zara Home, McGee &Co, H&M Home or Etsy!

Let me know if this blog post was helpful to you, if you have incorporated any of these things in your home, I’d love to hear from you!

Until next time,