The roots of a Mediterranean setting are located in southern Europe, along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea: in Italy, Spain, Greece, southern France and Turkey. In such close proximity to the sea, the dominant colours in this style are blue and white. Other recurring colours include orange and red, reminiscent of terracotta pottery and ceramic tiling. Other Mediterranean colours like yellow, green, lavender, purple (aubergine) and brown are inspired by nature and the mountainous landscape you see in the southern European countries.
The Mediterranean region is an eclectic mix of cultures, so furniture can vary from rustic and charming to designer styles. Many pieces will be made from unrefined pine wood and finished with simple iron. If you want a more traditional atmosphere, then you could use more sophisticated furniture with carved details, polished fittings and dark-stained wood.
The walls are plastered by hand so that they have a rich and deep texture and can be used either for the exterior or the interior of your home. If you want to plaster the outside of your house, it’s good to know that Spanish and Italian plastered homes use yellowish and terracotta-coloured plasters, whereas Grecian houses usually have white plaster combined with blue window-frames.
Inside the home, surfaces can easily be brought to life with mosaics or a warm shade of paint. For the ultimate Mediterranean atmosphere, your home should definitely include mosaics! Mosaic is an ancient art form which can be found in many countries around the Mediterranean Sea and is now used for many different things, including furniture, flooring and accessories. The pattern of a mosaic may be completely random, or it could be an exact representation of a landscape, still-life or specific image. If you’re not feeling very creative and would rather not design your own mosaic, then a mosaic patterned wallpaper is a great alternative!
Another way of transforming your house into a Mediterranean atmosphere is softening the doorways by placing arches. Not only do they attract attention through their form and details, but the tiles on the floor beneath the archway also don’t go unnoticed!
The furniture and accessories in a Mediterranean setting symbolise the architectural beauty and simplicity of this style of interior design. Real highlights are the terracotta pottery and stone statues that won’t turn your house into a chaos, thanks to their straightforwardness and simplicity. Bronze or copper jugs and vases also fit very well in this style. The use of wrought iron is very popular, because can be used for railings, lamps and fireplace screens. A dark wooden floor or tiles are typical of the Mediterranean style. A rug can be used to add some colour and playfulness. Flowers, fresh or dried, add a colourful element to your home and are also a charming touch.
