The romantic feel of Mediterranean style evokes images of seaside dwellings, sparkling turquoise waters, sun-drenched times and vibrant sunsets. The area’s simple elegance is reflected through its stunning houses. This style is based upon casual, rustic textures and finishes in classic European lines and forms to reflect the local landscape. Low-maintenance substances, earthy but bold colours, wrought iron beams and plenty of natural lighting emphasize the low-key luxe that the Mediterranean is known for.
Craving exactly the exact same classic and casual style? Add Mediterranean elegance to your home by focusing on these seven key elements.
1. Color. The colours of Mediterranean design can be both vibrant and earthy. Bold jewel tones, like aubergine, emerald green, lapis blue and sunflower yellow, are set against earth-toned backdrops to reflect the area’s natural hues.
Get this appearance: If you’re a little hesitant to pay your walls in extreme color, concentrate on beams. Classic Mediterranean houses have light, earthy walls with art, textiles and substances in vivid colours. Paint a canvas in a bold color or frame outside your favorite textiles for touches of jewel-toned brilliance.
2. Wall texture. Textured, plastered walls are somewhat commonplace in traditional Mediterranean houses. Finishes can vary from smooth and refined (like Venetian plaster) to highly textured and rough.
Get this appearance: Raised textures can be a challenging to achieve on your own, and may need an experienced hands. However, if you’re open to a little trial and error, you can mimic the appearance of raised texture with the addition of sand or coffee grounds to paint for finished walls.
JAUREGUI Architecture Interiors Construction
3. Flooring. Tiled floors dominated the classic Mediterranean home, appreciated for their low maintenance, durability and cool temperatures. Terra cotta was most commonly used, though limestone and marble were used occasionally in more high-end houses. Hand-painted tiles additional color as border or field tiles in these classic interiors.
Make this appearance: Try adding some hand-painted or terra cotta border tiles round the area’s perimeter up a flight of stairs or framed on a wall. On a budget? A couple of tiles in an entryway or in a outside path may make a sudden impact for little cost.
4. Furnishings. The furnishings for this particular layout style were often large, sturdy, rustic and hand-carved. Upholstered pieces frequently had leather or tapestry alongside the exposed and wood-carved components.
Get this appearance: Search for bits that have an aged or rustic quality at a classic European form. When larger furniture pieces are outside of your budget, then try a few small accent pieces — such as an entrance table or side seat. Rustic wood mirrors, carved boxes or small stools can help attain the appearance, too.
Tommy Chambers Interiors, Inc..
5. Fabrics. Cotton, silk and wool textiles adorned every area of a Mediterranean home. Elegant drapes, rugs and cushions were sometimes made with thicker wovens to mimic the expression of tapestry.
Make this appearance: Purchase a few yards of a heavy, printed tapestry-inspired fabric to hang on your wall. This very simple project just takes a sewn pocket hem on the top side of the fabric to suspend it from a wrought iron curtain pole.
Cornerstone Architects
6. Iron. Wrought iron may be used as a simple accessory like on a lamp base, candelabra or chandelier, or in larger architectural components. Elaborate scrollwork was frequently used, but more contemporary interpretations may add a room and character.
Get this appearance: Iron hardware is a far cheaper way to integrate this material in your home. Look for iron doorknobs, cabinet hinges and pulls in classic Mediterranean designs. If your budget is super tight, you may try picking up spray paint at a wrought iron finish to spray your existing pieces.
Mykonos Panormos Villas
7. Light and bright. Mediterranean houses always adopt the region’s plentiful, natural lighting. These houses wouldn’t be complete without plenty of large windows, breezy window treatments and a continuous sea breeze.
Make this appearance: Utilize lighter paint hues, glossy finishes and mirrors to reflect the lighting you’ve got in your home. Switch drapes that are heavy out with sheers or take out farther and higher up your draperies on either side of your window. This permits the maximum amount of light to permeate your home while camouflaging the small size of a window.
More: Length of Style: Most Cultures Make Their Marks on Mediterranean Design