The Key Design Elements for an Authentic Mediterranean Mood
From iconic blue and white to handmade wooden furniture, these are the ingredients that say ‘Mediterranean’
Giulia Zappa
16 January 2018
Collaboratore Houzz Magazine. Design nerd, giornalista, copywriter e docente di comunicazione, collaboro con il mondo della carta e del web per progetti editoriali e di marketing.
Collaboratore Houzz Magazine. Design nerd, giornalista, copywriter e docente di comunicazione,... More
Along the Mediterranean coast, the timeless charm of the sea melts into the distinctive shapes of classic Mediterranean architecture. Enveloped in the scents of nature, these houses truly indulge in a style that’s completely ‘southern’.
So what makes Mediterranean homes unique, and what characterises their interiors? Take a look at the following 11 ingredients as a guide to recreating, at any latitude, the magic touch that defines the timeless style of the Mare Nostrum.
So what makes Mediterranean homes unique, and what characterises their interiors? Take a look at the following 11 ingredients as a guide to recreating, at any latitude, the magic touch that defines the timeless style of the Mare Nostrum.
White
In a warm climate, protection from the sun and heat is crucial for the greater part of the year, so it’s no surprise white is the predominant colour for buildings in this region. Furthermore, pale lime plaster has cooling and antibacterial properties, so it’s very widely used, making white even more widespread in Mediterranean architecture.
However, white’s significance has long overtaken its original practical uses, and it’s become a kind of aesthetic code, associated with visual relaxation and a sense of cleanliness for both the eye and the mind.
In a warm climate, protection from the sun and heat is crucial for the greater part of the year, so it’s no surprise white is the predominant colour for buildings in this region. Furthermore, pale lime plaster has cooling and antibacterial properties, so it’s very widely used, making white even more widespread in Mediterranean architecture.
However, white’s significance has long overtaken its original practical uses, and it’s become a kind of aesthetic code, associated with visual relaxation and a sense of cleanliness for both the eye and the mind.
Blue
More than any other colour, it’s blue that acts as the counterpoint to white’s dominance in the architecture of the region. Its diverse shades – pale blue, turquoise and ultramarine are the most frequently used – recall the sea, and are the perfect choice for breaking up the uniformity of a white backdrop.
It looks good not only on doors and window frames, but also on furniture and accessories.
More than any other colour, it’s blue that acts as the counterpoint to white’s dominance in the architecture of the region. Its diverse shades – pale blue, turquoise and ultramarine are the most frequently used – recall the sea, and are the perfect choice for breaking up the uniformity of a white backdrop.
It looks good not only on doors and window frames, but also on furniture and accessories.
Stone
Stone is one of those materials that are able to define the aesthetics of a space. Especially characteristic of the region is tuff – stone formed from compacted volcanic ash.
Highly prized and frequently used throughout the Mediterranean region, stone is often left exposed in both outdoor and indoor spaces. Furthermore, it’s versatile, allowing for the creation of beautiful pieces, such as the amazing bath in this home.
How many of these do you have in your bathroom?
Stone is one of those materials that are able to define the aesthetics of a space. Especially characteristic of the region is tuff – stone formed from compacted volcanic ash.
Highly prized and frequently used throughout the Mediterranean region, stone is often left exposed in both outdoor and indoor spaces. Furthermore, it’s versatile, allowing for the creation of beautiful pieces, such as the amazing bath in this home.
How many of these do you have in your bathroom?
Ceramics
From Majolica (Italian glazed pottery) to azulejos (Spanish and Portuguese floor tiles) and zellige (mosaic tilework especially typical of Moroccan architecture), glazed and hand-decorated tiles are a huge part of the Mediterranean tradition, especially on bathroom and kitchen surfaces, or in built-in stone kitchens.
The use of new or reclaimed tiles not only evokes the charm of Mediterranean style, it allows for thousands of décor possibilities through different tile combinations.
From Majolica (Italian glazed pottery) to azulejos (Spanish and Portuguese floor tiles) and zellige (mosaic tilework especially typical of Moroccan architecture), glazed and hand-decorated tiles are a huge part of the Mediterranean tradition, especially on bathroom and kitchen surfaces, or in built-in stone kitchens.
The use of new or reclaimed tiles not only evokes the charm of Mediterranean style, it allows for thousands of décor possibilities through different tile combinations.
Fresco-embellished ceilings
In villas and palaces in the region, Mediterranean style evolved into a richer décor that included ceiling frescoes and sophisticated floor designs, often featuring floral motifs or depicting mythological scenes.
These elements can be melded with contemporary furniture for a more modern take or to create deliberate accents within the Mediterranean aesthetic.
Check out these alternative ways to decorate your ceiling
In villas and palaces in the region, Mediterranean style evolved into a richer décor that included ceiling frescoes and sophisticated floor designs, often featuring floral motifs or depicting mythological scenes.
These elements can be melded with contemporary furniture for a more modern take or to create deliberate accents within the Mediterranean aesthetic.
Check out these alternative ways to decorate your ceiling
Handmade features
Whether you’re in Sicily, the Cyclades or Morocco, many elements in the Mediterranean architectural vernacular have smooth shapes that have been created by hand. Everything from kitchen worktops to built-in shelves and even niches are often hand-crafted.
These elements add individuality, especially when embellished with personal items.
Whether you’re in Sicily, the Cyclades or Morocco, many elements in the Mediterranean architectural vernacular have smooth shapes that have been created by hand. Everything from kitchen worktops to built-in shelves and even niches are often hand-crafted.
These elements add individuality, especially when embellished with personal items.
Raw wooden furniture
Furniture in Mediterranean interiors is also often handmade, unsophisticated and marked by the passage of time. This furniture celebrates the beauty of the simple and slow work that lies at the heart of its creation. For a traditional Mediterranean aesthetic, look at conifer wood especially.
Furniture in Mediterranean interiors is also often handmade, unsophisticated and marked by the passage of time. This furniture celebrates the beauty of the simple and slow work that lies at the heart of its creation. For a traditional Mediterranean aesthetic, look at conifer wood especially.
Natural materials
The handmade aesthetic is continued in accessories and household linens made from natural materials. This bedroom is a perfect example: cotton sheets – linen would have worked just as well – are an invitation to fall asleep, while the straw baskets are a perfect decorative accent.
The handmade aesthetic is continued in accessories and household linens made from natural materials. This bedroom is a perfect example: cotton sheets – linen would have worked just as well – are an invitation to fall asleep, while the straw baskets are a perfect decorative accent.
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 a natural spot for a outdoor dining.
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 a natural spot for a outdoor dining.
An olive tree in a terracotta pot
If one had to name a plant that, above any other, has influenced the history of every Mediterranean civilisation, it would be the olive tree, which grows throughout the Mediterranean basin. We often find olive trees on terraces overlooking the sea, so why not plant them in natural terracotta pots on your patio or balcony?
If one had to name a plant that, above any other, has influenced the history of every Mediterranean civilisation, it would be the olive tree, which grows throughout the Mediterranean basin. We often find olive trees on terraces overlooking the sea, so why not plant them in natural terracotta pots on your patio or balcony?
New Mediterranean minimalism
It should be emphasised, however, that the Mediterranean area is not just about traditional style built up of various 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 cosy Mediterranean touch.
Do you like Mediterranean style? Have you incorporated any elements into your home? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
It should be emphasised, however, that the Mediterranean area is not just about traditional style built up of various 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 cosy Mediterranean touch.
Do you like Mediterranean style? Have you incorporated any elements into your home? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
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Can anybody tell me whats the type of stone used for the bathtub in the third picture?
The stone looks like one of the dense limestones that we get in Spain, it seems to have a mix of sediment in it and hat makes it less porous. A lot of public drinking fountains and horse trough are made of similar material.