| More than 21 countries
in Europe, Asia and Africa border the Mediterranean coastline. Home decorating
in Mediterranean style is mostly influenced by a mixture of Italian, Spanish,
Turkish and Moroccan furniture and decor. Mediterranean decorating style
is appealing as it allows a lot of mix and match to put together an individual
style. But to be faithful to the lifestyle around the sea characterised
by hot and dry summer, a contemporary Mediterranean interior would aim
at feeling breezy and carefree.
For Mediterranean villagers in older
times, dressing their dwellings in bold colors is a way of expressing individuality
and pride in a world otherwise ruled by nature and the Church. A Mediterranean
cottage was painted different hues within 5 years, from lobster-red and
yolk-yellow to vermillion and shocking pink. Wives of fishermen coated
their narrow, cliffside houses with striking shades so each husband can
recognize his home from the sea. These Mediterranean traditions give rise
to vivid colors, bold simplicity, textural contrasts, stone, tile, and
stucco. These are the hallmarks of this exotic home decorating style.
Heavy and large furniture would be
too dark for a modern Mediterranean interior. Traditional Mediterranean
style sofa and chairs can be re-upholstered in bright colors. Marble flooring
and chalky white walls give a cool background. Kitchen and bathroom could
be updated by contemporary fixtures when Italian and Spanish kitchen and
bathroom products are stylish but also practical. Intricate mosiac and
tile patterns for floors and walls could be flexibly replaced by bright
colored kitchen ware and tableware with decorative Mediterranean design
to avoid over style.
Traditional Mediterrranean candlestick,
wrought iron fireplace screen, pottery and decorative pillows could be
used moderately. Art posters of modern Spanish artists' work are another
option of wall decor.
Mediterranean Style: Relaxed Living
Inspired by Strong Colors and Natural Materials
by Catherine Haig
Hardcover: 144 pages
With vibrant photos and detailed,
practical text, Catherine Haig explores all the Mediterranean home decorating
elements. You can always find ideas with your own walls and floors, windows
and doors, furnishings and accessories to re-create the look. Sand-textured
or distempered walls, a pebbled floor, a fretwork window screen, studded
doors, and a mosaic tabletop prove that it doesn't take a huge effort or
a huge budget to achieve the relaxed grace of this popular Mediterranean
decor.
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Purple sheer drapes as fashion for fireplace's picture windows with private
terrace and extensive sea view outside.
3 sheer drape panels of this bedroom allow color complement.
The kitchen design is straightforward with all the kitchen basics fridge,
vent hood, ceramic hob oven and storage space for small appliances. Different
door styles of wall cabinets and base cabinets add personality out of ordinary
modern fitted kitchens.
Shades of grey and beige give a minimalist flair while colors and patterns
of home accents refresh living space.
A single glass shower enclosure replaces shower curtain for bathtub.
Carved tables inspired by Byzantine art of floral borders and bird patterns
are traditional craft around the Mediterranean.
Blown glass work dates back to 1st century around east Mediterranean creates
chandeliers and drinking glasses that bring home decorating style to modern
fitted kitchens.
Old fashioned mosquito nets are modified to ceiling canopies to decorate
modern bedrooms. Sea theme pendents and photos boost Mediterranean home
decorating.
Mediterraneans had been using terracotta cones and stones to decorate ceiling,
wall and floor for centuries. Small colorful pebble border lightens the
contrast of blue fixtures and floor to ceiling terracotta tiles in this
bathroom.
