International Styles: Home Inspiration From Around the World
Take a peek at some standout spaces — a cozy U.K. cottage, a gorgeous Tuscan patio, an airy home in Singapore and more
Becky Harris
July 11, 2018
Houzz Contributor. Hi there! I live in a 1940s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe as "collected."
I got into design via Landscape Architecture, which I studied at the University of Virginia.
Houzz Contributor. Hi there! I live in a 1940s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe... More
Whether you want to bring Tuscan farmhouse style to your patio or set up a cozy kitchen reminiscent of a country cottage in Britain, it’s easy to find far-flung inspiration on Houzz. Simply search the Photos section by country and metro area to find homes of all styles. Here are some of my favorites.
United Kingdom: Charming Country Kitchen
The Brits are the undisputed champs of cottage charm, and the combination of an Aga stove, cookware and spices on display, whitewashed brick accents, and a slate floor is a lovely look. Of course, Houzz U.K. has brought us plenty of chic London apartments, homey country houses and eclectic family spaces from across the kingdom.
Find more British inspiration
The Brits are the undisputed champs of cottage charm, and the combination of an Aga stove, cookware and spices on display, whitewashed brick accents, and a slate floor is a lovely look. Of course, Houzz U.K. has brought us plenty of chic London apartments, homey country houses and eclectic family spaces from across the kingdom.
Find more British inspiration
Ireland: Cozy Spot for Reading
I can easily lose myself when looking at Irish photos and Houzz Tours. There is an array of styles from small cottages in the country to modern homes by the sea to Edwardian and Victorian homes that mix traditional and modern. And although there are plenty of modern white walls, Irish designers have a special way with dark and moody colors. Whether the view is of a rolling green landscape in the country or a cozy fireplace in a dark-walled library room in the city, Irish abodes call for you to revisit James Joyce, Oscar Wilde, W.B. Yeats, Frank McCourt and other literary giants from the Emerald Isle.
Find more Irish inspiration
I can easily lose myself when looking at Irish photos and Houzz Tours. There is an array of styles from small cottages in the country to modern homes by the sea to Edwardian and Victorian homes that mix traditional and modern. And although there are plenty of modern white walls, Irish designers have a special way with dark and moody colors. Whether the view is of a rolling green landscape in the country or a cozy fireplace in a dark-walled library room in the city, Irish abodes call for you to revisit James Joyce, Oscar Wilde, W.B. Yeats, Frank McCourt and other literary giants from the Emerald Isle.
Find more Irish inspiration
Spain: Tiles With Powerful Patterns
Colorful tile patterns have been trending in the U.S. like crazy for the past few years, but the Spanish have been using decorative tiles since the Moors invaded in 711. Intricate hand-painting, glazes and eye-catching patterns have been common in Spanish homes for centuries.
Handmade ceramic tiles and encaustic cement tiles have always been a traditional component in Spanish Revival and Mediterranean homes in the U.S., but now the use of powerful patterns across all styles is a growing trend. In particular, encaustic cement tiles and ceramic tiles manufactured to emulate the look are popular. Browse through Spanish homes on Houzz to see how they do it.
Find more Spanish inspiration
Colorful tile patterns have been trending in the U.S. like crazy for the past few years, but the Spanish have been using decorative tiles since the Moors invaded in 711. Intricate hand-painting, glazes and eye-catching patterns have been common in Spanish homes for centuries.
Handmade ceramic tiles and encaustic cement tiles have always been a traditional component in Spanish Revival and Mediterranean homes in the U.S., but now the use of powerful patterns across all styles is a growing trend. In particular, encaustic cement tiles and ceramic tiles manufactured to emulate the look are popular. Browse through Spanish homes on Houzz to see how they do it.
Find more Spanish inspiration
France: The Ooh-La-La Factor
Oh, France, home of the finest couture and the quintessentially beautiful city of Paris — the rest of us get a little wave of style insecurity when we think of how easily chic elegance comes to you. Just browse through Parisian apartments on Houzz. They will convince you that herringbone floors done right will never go out of style.
Find more French inspiration
Oh, France, home of the finest couture and the quintessentially beautiful city of Paris — the rest of us get a little wave of style insecurity when we think of how easily chic elegance comes to you. Just browse through Parisian apartments on Houzz. They will convince you that herringbone floors done right will never go out of style.
Find more French inspiration
Germany: Fairy-Tale Wonder
Germany was the birthplace of the Bauhaus, and modernism abounds. But what I love to scroll through are the more traditional houses that look like fairy tales come true — kind of the lederhosen of architecture. This “captain’s house” has the best of both worlds, a new exterior made to look old, with its thatched roof, eyebrow windows, plaster facade, charming shutters and other homey details. But the interior is modern and minimalist.
Find more German inspiration
Germany was the birthplace of the Bauhaus, and modernism abounds. But what I love to scroll through are the more traditional houses that look like fairy tales come true — kind of the lederhosen of architecture. This “captain’s house” has the best of both worlds, a new exterior made to look old, with its thatched roof, eyebrow windows, plaster facade, charming shutters and other homey details. But the interior is modern and minimalist.
Find more German inspiration
Italy: Dreamy Outdoor Space
When we think of what’s under the Tuscan sun, we picture beautiful vineyards, olive groves and fields of sunflowers. Those lucky enough to live in Tuscany know the best ways to set up an outdoor space to complement the spectacular landscape — with stone walls, brick patios, colorful shutters, flowering vines and charming geraniums. Best of all, they know how to set up the most alluring spaces for uncorking a bottle and enjoying the view.
Find more Italian inspiration
When we think of what’s under the Tuscan sun, we picture beautiful vineyards, olive groves and fields of sunflowers. Those lucky enough to live in Tuscany know the best ways to set up an outdoor space to complement the spectacular landscape — with stone walls, brick patios, colorful shutters, flowering vines and charming geraniums. Best of all, they know how to set up the most alluring spaces for uncorking a bottle and enjoying the view.
Find more Italian inspiration
Sweden: Whites and Warm Neutrals
Ah, Sweden, home of Ikea and decor that conveys a calm, relaxed and cozy feeling. While we often associate mostly white and soft neutral color palettes with the style, it’s the layers of textiles and textures that lend that homeyness. Scrolling through the photos from Sweden makes you want to curl up on a white sofa under a soft throw blanket and take a nap.
Find more Swedish inspiration
Ah, Sweden, home of Ikea and decor that conveys a calm, relaxed and cozy feeling. While we often associate mostly white and soft neutral color palettes with the style, it’s the layers of textiles and textures that lend that homeyness. Scrolling through the photos from Sweden makes you want to curl up on a white sofa under a soft throw blanket and take a nap.
Find more Swedish inspiration
Denmark: Mixed Danish Modern Classics
The Danes have given us so many iconic pieces over the years, as well as the concept of hygge (in a nutshell, the recent buzzword for coziness). It’s wonderful to browse Houzz and see how they use midcentury Danish modern classics with newer and older pieces to create beautifully designed spaces.
Here, chair master Hans Wegner’s famous Wishbone chairs and Danish architect Poul Henningsen’s classic PH5 pendant lights mix effortlessly with a contemporary table and a vintage kilim rug.
Find more Danish inspiration
The Danes have given us so many iconic pieces over the years, as well as the concept of hygge (in a nutshell, the recent buzzword for coziness). It’s wonderful to browse Houzz and see how they use midcentury Danish modern classics with newer and older pieces to create beautifully designed spaces.
Here, chair master Hans Wegner’s famous Wishbone chairs and Danish architect Poul Henningsen’s classic PH5 pendant lights mix effortlessly with a contemporary table and a vintage kilim rug.
Find more Danish inspiration
Russia: DIY Dacha Spirit
The history of the Russian dacha is complicated and fascinating, and if you want to learn more, I highly recommend this article by one of our contributors in Russia. During the reign of Peter the Great, “dacha” originally referred to a way of living in weekend homes (opulent back then) located in the country but still close to cities. But later during the Cold War, they were humble plots where people could grow food for their families and eventually where people were allowed to build small houses. With a lack of materials and money for building and gardening, creativity abounded. They upcycled materials from buildings that were being demolished and anything else they could get their hands on. In his modern-day dacha, designer Vitaly Zhuykov kept that spirit alive. For example, he constructed the wood rack in this photo from a carved frame found in an abandoned house.
Find more Russian inspiration
The history of the Russian dacha is complicated and fascinating, and if you want to learn more, I highly recommend this article by one of our contributors in Russia. During the reign of Peter the Great, “dacha” originally referred to a way of living in weekend homes (opulent back then) located in the country but still close to cities. But later during the Cold War, they were humble plots where people could grow food for their families and eventually where people were allowed to build small houses. With a lack of materials and money for building and gardening, creativity abounded. They upcycled materials from buildings that were being demolished and anything else they could get their hands on. In his modern-day dacha, designer Vitaly Zhuykov kept that spirit alive. For example, he constructed the wood rack in this photo from a carved frame found in an abandoned house.
Find more Russian inspiration
India: Fearless Use of Extraordinary Textiles
The ability of Indian designers to layer loads of boldly colorful, intricate and ornate textiles is unrivaled. Although we may be fearful of overload when mixing our pillows, you can see here how the vibrant colors, skillful embroidery and dazzling prints enhance one another. So take inspiration from India and go bold.
Find more Indian inspiration | Browse decorative pillows
The ability of Indian designers to layer loads of boldly colorful, intricate and ornate textiles is unrivaled. Although we may be fearful of overload when mixing our pillows, you can see here how the vibrant colors, skillful embroidery and dazzling prints enhance one another. So take inspiration from India and go bold.
Find more Indian inspiration | Browse decorative pillows
Japan: A Feeling of Zen in the Garden
Japanese gardens are known for their contemplative atmosphere created through the thoughtful placement of rocks and plants. Raked gravel, soft moss, ornamental trees with beautiful forms and a carefully balanced composition mark these relaxing spaces where less is more.
Find more Japanese inspiration
Japanese gardens are known for their contemplative atmosphere created through the thoughtful placement of rocks and plants. Raked gravel, soft moss, ornamental trees with beautiful forms and a carefully balanced composition mark these relaxing spaces where less is more.
Find more Japanese inspiration
Singapore: Where Old and New Meet
I have to admit, about 99 percent of what I knew of Singapore before researching this story came from Kevin Kwan’s novel Crazy Rich Asians — not all that representative of the diversity of the city-state. The architecture ranges from intricate antique wooden Malay houses to glittering contemporary skyscrapers. But one of the most compelling things about the creativity there is the merging of old and new. For example, this home is located on a busy urban street, but the remodel created tranquillity via open modern spaces veiled by an intricate filigree teak screen. Architect Aamer Taher took inspiration from traditional Oriental screens when designing it (you can see additional photos on the full house tour).
Find more Singaporean inspiration
I have to admit, about 99 percent of what I knew of Singapore before researching this story came from Kevin Kwan’s novel Crazy Rich Asians — not all that representative of the diversity of the city-state. The architecture ranges from intricate antique wooden Malay houses to glittering contemporary skyscrapers. But one of the most compelling things about the creativity there is the merging of old and new. For example, this home is located on a busy urban street, but the remodel created tranquillity via open modern spaces veiled by an intricate filigree teak screen. Architect Aamer Taher took inspiration from traditional Oriental screens when designing it (you can see additional photos on the full house tour).
Find more Singaporean inspiration
Austraila: Relaxed Curb Appeal
Houzz is where I first saw the intricate metalwork that graces charming traditional cottages in Australia. This Melbourne home — with its climbing roses adding color and life overhead, wood door with narrow sidelights and transom, picket fence, graceful urns, and welcoming benches — has maximum curb appeal.
Find more Australian inspiration
Houzz is where I first saw the intricate metalwork that graces charming traditional cottages in Australia. This Melbourne home — with its climbing roses adding color and life overhead, wood door with narrow sidelights and transom, picket fence, graceful urns, and welcoming benches — has maximum curb appeal.
Find more Australian inspiration
New Zealand: Adventurous Architecture
The homes that take in the spectacular landscapes of New Zealand are brimming with clever ideas. If you search “Houzz Tour New Zealand,” you’ll find that creativity abounds. There are homes inspired by New Zealand-style barns, boathouses, the country’s flat-roofed bach forms and more. Words like “practicality,” “humble,” “simplicity” and “compact” come up often. As does using repurposed materials like old tires and corrugated-iron siding from a brewery.
Find more New Zealand inspiration
Share: Where do you look for inspiration? Has any foreign land influenced your style — perhaps the country of your ancestors or a place seen on a favorite trip? Please tell us in the Comments.
More: Read other stories about homes around the world
The homes that take in the spectacular landscapes of New Zealand are brimming with clever ideas. If you search “Houzz Tour New Zealand,” you’ll find that creativity abounds. There are homes inspired by New Zealand-style barns, boathouses, the country’s flat-roofed bach forms and more. Words like “practicality,” “humble,” “simplicity” and “compact” come up often. As does using repurposed materials like old tires and corrugated-iron siding from a brewery.
Find more New Zealand inspiration
Share: Where do you look for inspiration? Has any foreign land influenced your style — perhaps the country of your ancestors or a place seen on a favorite trip? Please tell us in the Comments.
More: Read other stories about homes around the world
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What a fun article! More like this, please. :)
Now to figure out how to add those lovely green shutters and the zen garden to our new home. My husband cringes every time he sees Houzz open on my computer! ;)
Beautiful collection, very predictable of every site/country/region; my question is why no Latin America reference is ever shown? look into every country from Mexico (room with staircase on the background) all the way down to Argentina (contemporary house) through the andean countries of Colombia (porche/surrounding veranda), Ecuador and Peru, the Caribbean and the hot in every sense of Brazil (dinning room) to surprise yourself with very different, non predictable marvels of both architecture and interior design.
@Marcia Gut, good note on a terrible oversight. I could not agree more. I love the amazing textiles, bold and bright color combinations and artwork of Latin America. Not to mention some of my favorite architects and landscape architects such as Luis Barragán, Oscar Niemeyer and Roberto Burle Marx. And such an exciting design legacy continues in those countries today.