Architecture has a powerful hold over how it can make us feel. A modern skyscraper can make us marvel at the distance humanity has reached in technological advancement. A simple cabin in the woods can humble us and bring us closer to feeling one with nature. A walk through a cobbled street in Rome invokes a special kind of nostalgia— a distant yearning for a bygone era of Old World magic of red wine, baked bread, bustling streets, and neighborly banter.
In a world where modernity reigns supreme in almost every corner of our lives, the pull of recreating that magic of the past can be very alluring, especially when it comes to the creation of one’s home. Here are a few ways you can give your new home some Old World charm.
- Incorporate natural stone in the construction of your house.
- Consider adding stucco, wood, stone, or brick exteriors to your house— as they have the same effect as adding natural stone.
- Embrace elaborate architectural designs— arched windows and entrances, complex rooflines, decorative woodwork, and more.
- Open up your floor layouts and complement them with high, vaulted ceilings.
- Embellish your home with European details such as meticulously crafted fireplaces and staircases.