Decorating Guides
Decorating Styles
Mediterranean Style in 11 Design Details
Bring home the popular look with the region’s characteristic colors, ceramics, furnishings and more
On the Mediterranean coast, whitewashed houses enveloped in the scents of nature call us across the sea with their beguiling charm. Let the following 11 characteristics of their distinctive style serve as a guide to re-creating, at any latitude, the timeless appeal of the region’s architecture and interiors.
1. White. In a warm climate, protection from the sun and heat is crucial for the greater part of the year. It’s no surprise, then, that buildings are often coated in reflective white. Besides the cooling and antibacterial properties of the traditional lime wash, the white finish promotes visual relaxation and a sense of cleanliness for both the eye and the mind.
2. Blue. More than any other color, blue acts as the counterpoint to white’s dominance in the region’s architecture. Its diverse shades — pale blue, turquoise and ultramarine are the most frequently used — recall the sea and break up the uniformity of a white backdrop. Blue is great not only for doors, window frames and finishes, but also for furniture and accessories.
Front and Center Color: When to Paint Your Door Blue
Front and Center Color: When to Paint Your Door Blue
3. Stone. Highly prized and frequently used throughout the area, stone is often left exposed in both outdoor and indoor spaces. It’s also versatile, allowing for the creation of beautiful pieces like this amazing bathtub. Especially characteristic of the region is tuff, a stone formed from compacted volcanic ash.
4. Ceramics. Italy’s majolica pottery, Morocco’s zellige tile, and the azulejo tile of Spain and Portugal are a huge part of the Mediterranean tradition. The use of new or salvaged tile, especially in bathrooms and kitchens, not only evokes the charm of Mediterranean style, but also allows for thousands of decorative possibilities from different tile combinations.
5. Frescoes. In villas and palaces, Mediterranean style includes rich ceiling frescoes and sophisticated floor designs, often featuring floral motifs or mythological scenes. These elements can blend with contemporary furniture for a more modern take or create deliberate accents within the Mediterranean aesthetic.
6. Handmade. Whether you’re in Italy, Greece or Morocco, many elements in the Mediterranean architectural vernacular have smooth shapes that have been lovingly fashioned by hand. Chairs, countertops, built-in benches and niches are often hand-crafted. Especially when stylishly embellished with personal items, such elements speak to an individual and human touch.
7. Wooden furniture. The furniture that has a privileged role in Mediterranean interiors is therefore also handmade, unsophisticated and marked by the passage of time. This furniture exalts in the beauty of the simple and slow work that lies at the heart of its creation. For a traditional Mediterranean aesthetic, look at conifer woods especially.
8. Natural materials. Alongside old stone, lime and handmade finishes, we often find furnishings and household linen made from natural materials. This bedroom is a perfect example: The cotton sheets are an invitation to fall asleep (linen would have worked as well), while the straw baskets are a perfect decorative accent.
9. Reed pergolas. On hot and sunny days, pergolas with reed lattices make terraces and gardens enjoyable even during the warmest hours. Their structure promotes the growth of climbing plants, which add spontaneous organic decoration. In the evening, a latticed pergola beckons to the guests of the house, serving as the natural center for a delightful outdoor dinner.
10. Olive trees in terra-cotta pots. If one had to name a plant that, more than any other, influenced the history of every Mediterranean civilization, it would be the olive tree, which grows throughout the Mediterranean basin. These trees are often found planted in wonderful (and natural) terra-cotta pots.
11. New Mediterranean minimalism. The area isn’t just about traditional style consisting of architectural staples; it also showcases the best expressions of contemporary architecture and design. Especially interesting are projects that integrate the Mediterranean spirit with a minimalist touch: houses large and small that deftly mix concrete with old, original materials, essentially representing the abstract icons of traditional forms while maintaining that smooth and cozy Mediterranean touch.
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