Mediterranean style is something of a catch-all term in the United States and beyond when it comes to architecture interior design and decorating. However the concept comes not just from Greece Italy or Spain but instead from all of the 21 countries that surround the Mediterranean Sea. So you can look to Portugal or turkey, Egypt or Morocco just as easily. So although we are boiling down the design elements to their most key components we highly advise you to look to these other countries when it comes to adding your own twist and making it yours.
Indoor Outdoor Living
Courtesy of Albrecht Fietz
One of the key elements, if not the key elements of Mediterranean style is a blend of indoor outdoor living. The people surrounding the Mediterranean Sea have a focus on being connected to nature and their home is just as much outdoors as it is indoors. So you'll want to start looking at ways you can reflect that in your own home. This can mean everything from building and outdoor kitchen and dining room, to making sure you have large windows to let the breeze move through your home easily, or bringing some of your garden indoors. Almost every aspect of what makes this decor style, ties back to this.
Natural Colors
For Mediterranean decor you will be drawing primarily from natural colors look to put together a portfolio that reflects the sea and the sky and the earth in these areas. While it doesn't matter where you use these, these are what will make up your color palettes.
Spaces Focused On Community
Courtesty of Kerstin Riemer
Many of the countries and cultures which surround the Mediterranean see have a very strong focus on family and family ties and community. For this reason the home is typically organized around either a central courtyard or the kitchen depending on where you are. This is because it's not your bedroom or office that are the heart of the home it is where you can gather with friends and family. So when designing your home make sure that your focus is on these communal spaces ensuring that where people will be is the most comfortable.
Using Natural Materials
Stone, marble, terracotta all of these are go to materials for your floors. Not only do they help in keeping your home cool during warm summer months always a bonus in Texas, but additionally they continue the feeling of bringing the outside in. They also stick mostly to the natural color palettes.
Patterned Tiles
Courtesy of Jason Goh
When you want to bring in a splash of color there are tons of places to hide patterned tiles. These can be used on your floor, on walls, in alcoves, sterilizers the possibilities are as boundless as your creativity. You can also mix and match textures and patterns to bring in your personality.
Make Sure To Look Up
Exposed beams call back to older building styles and very reflective of Mediterranean style. They are wonderful for adding warmth and a cozy feeling to any room. Best of all if your home doesn't have these naturally you can fake them. With a bit of searching online there are several different ways to fake this look depending on what your budget and skill level is.
Courtesy of Tatiana Syrikova
Start From A Neutral Background
Courtesy of Moy Caro
When it comes to the base layer of your room, the floors, the walls, the ceilings, start from neutral. Give your walls of whitewashed look or use stucco to add texture but you'll want to stick to light neutrals in order to keep the temperature down. Also don't be afraid of imperfections on your walls or your floors. Whether that's a scuff mark from when moving furniture or a ding that got put in the floor it's part of what makes the home and it adds a certain age especially if you wash over it with glazes or whitewash
Furnishing Done Right
Furniture is most often made from wood while it doesn't have to be big heavy pieces they are common to the style. Furniture can range from the functional to the formal with big heavy pieces to thin highly carved details. Your hardware and other metal work is most often going to be made of wrought iron. You'll also want to look for natural materials like linen, cotton, or jute. Then for wall hangings or storage, look to rattan, wicker, and sea grass.
That's our breakdown on Mediterranean Style, let us know what you thought over on our Facebook page!
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So? What do you think? Are you going to be doing a Mediterranean staycation? Or is this just not for you? Let us know in the comments below or over on our Facebook page.
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