Making your house look like the Mediterranean can be achieved in several ways. The most important consideration is the colors, which should generally be muted and neutral. Consider earth tones like beige, taupe and gold as well as rustic shades of blue, green and brown.
You can also opt for white and natural tones, depending on the desired effect.
The next step is to choose building materials that give the desired look and feel. Clay or terracotta tiles are a great choice for roofing, as well as stone or brick for the walls. Natural wood accents such as window frames, shutters, and doors can bring a Mediterranean flavor to your home.
Iron detailing is another element often used in Mediterranean-style homes. Ornamental iron balconies, gates, and shutters are all options to explore.
Additionally, consider adding Mediterranean plants and trees to finish off the look. Creating an outdoor courtyard with a fountain, terracotta and stone elements, potted plants and shrubs, and even sculptured trees can help give your property the desired Mediterranean look.
Other elements like outdoor murals, sculptures, and wall hangings can also add to the Mediterranean atmosphere.
What makes a Mediterranean style house?
A Mediterranean style house typically features a stucco exterior, red tile roof, archways, and columns. Colorful accents, such as wrought-iron balconies, shutters, and window trim can be added to complete the look.
Inside, interior details such as high, beamed ceilings, terracotta or Travertine floors, breezy patios, and sun-filled rooms are hallmarks of a Mediterranean style house. There are also often plenty of rustic wood elements and furniture, as well as unique mosaics, tiles, and sculptures.
Doors may often feature beautiful custom-crafted woodwork with metal studs or simple, elegant mouldings and trim. Other common features of Mediterranean-style homes include arched French doors, white walls and furniture, multiple seating areas, built-in cabinetry, and exposed rafters in the ceiling.
Incorporating these various elements into a design can help to create a traditional, timeless look.
What color is Mediterranean by Sherwin Williams?
The Sherwin Williams Mediterranean color is a vibrant blue-green color. It is a part of the Coastal Cool color collection and instantly creates a relaxing, Mediterranean-style atmosphere. The Mediterranean color is a bright, bold, and beachy hue that is perfect for creating an airy and airy feeling in any space.
The blue-green color is bright and cheery, but also has a subtle sophistication that works well with a variety of other colors. You could pair Mediterranean by Sherwin Williams with other beachy colors, like a light pink, a creamy yellow, or a soft pastel green.
Alternatively, you could contrast the color with a dark navy, a sky blue, or a deep teal for a more dramatic look. This dynamic color can be used to add warmth to a room and delivers an inviting touch of color to any space.
What are the elements of Mediterranean design?
The elements of Mediterranean design are distinctly inspired by European influences, specifically the Mediterranean Sea region. Mediterranean design features a unique blend of colors, textures, and finishes that evoke the vibrant energy of the Mediterranean coast.
From the centuries-old whitewashed stucco walls, to the terracotta roof tiles, and the vibrant blues, greens, and golds, Mediterranean-style architecture and interior design have their roots in classic tradition and heritage.
Architecture is a large part of Mediterranean design. This style favors relaxed comfort over classic symmetry, allowing for indoor-outdoor living and effortless entertainment. Intimate courtyards, arches, and balconies create serene outdoor spaces, often surrounded by lush terraced gardens and plants.
Inside the home, decorative details like ornate carved wood door frames, wrought iron hardware and light fixtures, and exposed timber beams create an inviting atmosphere.
The colors used in Mediterranean design are an essential part of its aesthetic. Earthy tones such as tans, whites, and ochers, combined with ocean blues and blues all call to mind the sea and sand. Rich jewel tones and terracotta can also be incorporated to bring a sense of warmth and vibrancy to the space.
Texture, too, is important as it creates a layered, tactile environment. Paint and plaster walls, warm tiled floors, and intricate mosaic designs are all common elements of Mediterranean design.
Finally, because Mediterranean style brings to mind a casual, relaxed lifestyle, accessories and furniture should be selected accordingly. Furniture styles are typically light, curved, and comfortable, favouring natural materials like woven rattan, driftwood, and wicker.
Classics from the Mediterranean—antique vases and urns, rustic ceramics, and antique rugs—help reinforce the lived-in, timeless feel of Mediterranean design.
How do I lighten my Mediterranean home?
Lightening a Mediterranean home can be done in a variety of ways. First and foremost, select lighter paint colors for the walls. Opt for whites, creams, off-whites and light tans for a more airy, light look to the walls.
Stick with more neutral colors to bring out any existing color schemes in the furniture and home decor. Additionally, utilize lighter-colored fabrics, such as linen, cotton, and muslin, for window dressings and draperies.
Select furniture and home decor items that are light-colored, such as wicker, light woods, and rattan. Utilize light-colored tile for your kitchen and bathroom floors, such as terracotta, limestone, or marble.
Lastly, incorporate white or off-white area rugs throughout your home. This will give a lighter, brighter look to the floor and make the home appear more open and inviting.
Is Tuscan and Mediterranean the same?
No, Tuscan and Mediterranean are not the same. Tuscan style cooking is mainly associated with the region of Tuscany in Italy, which is known for its distinctive cuisine and use of fresh and in-season ingredients.
It has a focus on using simple ingredients like olive oil, garlic and fresh herbs, as well as locally grown vegetables. While Mediterranean cuisine is typically associated with countries and regions that border the Mediterranean Sea, such as Greece, Italy, Spain and North Africa.
Mediterranean cuisine typically incorporates the use of ingredients such as olive oil, olives, tomatoes, garlic and onions, poultry, lean meats, fish, and fruits and vegetables. Mediterranean dishes tend to have several herbs and spices incorporated into them – such as oregano, basil, and cumin – plus, it includes some dairy products, like yogurt and cheese.
Is Tuscan decorating out of style?
Tuscan decorating is still very popular and not out of style. The style originated from the Italian region of Tuscany, using natural elements and colors found in the Tuscan countryside. Tuscan decor is known for its warm, inviting atmosphere and can create a cozy and pleasant atmosphere in any home.
It mainly features earth-toned colors, plaster walls and rustic furnishings. The Tuscan style works best in kitchens, outdoor spaces, bedrooms, and living rooms. Many people love the character of this style with its warm colors, mild patterns, and old-world details.
It remains popular in many homes and continues to be a favorite way to spruce up a room or an entire house.
What is Joanna Gaines design style called?
Joanna Gaines is best known for her design style which has been deemed as “Modern Farmhouse”, a style that combines vintage, rustic, and traditional qualities. Her designs typically employ neutral colors, natural materials and textures, organic elements and a mix of old and new furnishings.
Joanna’s modern farmhouse style is all about feeling warm, comfortable, and relaxed. This style is perfect for open, airy and inviting spaces, making it great for modern rustic homes. It embraces classic Americana décor such as traditional furniture such as Windsor chairs, ironstone pitchers, and slipcovered sofas, combined with modern industrial accents like glass pendant lights, metal trestle dining tables and industrial-style rugs.
Details such as classic quilts and vintage grain sack fabrics add subtle layers of character to the space. Joanna also likes to use a lot of natural elements in her designs such as wicker baskets, wood beams and rattan furniture, jute and sisal rugs, and woven wall hangings.
Overall, Joanna’s design style seeks to embrace simplicity and character for truly inviting and cozy spaces.
What type of architectural style is found in the Mediterranean?
The Mediterranean region is known for its beautiful coastal cities and villages featuring a variety of different architectural styles. Typical coastal Mediterranean architecture includes whitewashed buildings with brightly-colored doors and shutters, tiled roofs, and ornate balconies.
Traditional village architecture incorporates local materials like terracotta tile floors and terracotta windows, and stucco walls adorned with intricate designs. The style is often quite simple and uncluttered, with pathways and courtyards lined with colorful flowers and small trees.
In addition, much of the architecture in the Mediterranean region is heavily influenced by Spanish colonial influences. These influences are especially prominent in the staircases and courtyards that usually appear in courtyards and squares.
In fact, some of the architectural styles that are popular in the Mediterranean are also found in other parts of the world that were once part of the Spanish Empire, such as Mexico, Peru, and Ecuador.
Modern Mediterranean architecture is largely based on traditional styles but incorporates new, contemporary elements. Homes and public spaces can be seen featuring modern touches such as sleek glass windows and doors, steel balconies, and the use of materials like stainless steel and concrete.
What is the major feature of Mediterranean architecture?
The major feature of Mediterranean architecture is the use of warm and sun-kissed colors along with a blend of Moorish and Spanish influences. Mediterranean architecture is all about the outdoor living and making use of the natural landscape.
Characteristics like arches, balconies, courtyards, columns and fountains are all signature components of Mediterranean architecture.
Popular exterior elements include terra-cotta tiles, stucco eave details, wooden window shutters and wrought iron fixtures. Mediterranean architecture also makes use of natural materials to deliver an organic, often rustic feel to structures like stone, rock and masonry.
The style further incorporates an open floor plan that utilizes natural light and focuses on views of the outdoors by making use of large windows and terraces. Interiors feature neutral walls, bold colors, patterned tile floors, natural wood accents, ornate archways and warm lighting.
Mediterranean architecture is all about a relaxed, yet elegant lifestyle that not only takes inspiration from the natural elements, but also encapsulates a certain timelessness and elegance into any structure.
Is Mediterranean food the same as Italian?
No, Mediterranean food and Italian food are not the same. While Italian food is based on the traditional cuisine of Italy and relies heavily on Italian ingredients such as tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, and basil, Mediterranean food is an umbrella term for the traditional foods and recipes that are found along the countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea, such as Greece, Turkey, Israel, and North Africa.
These countries all have their own styles of cooking and use distinct ingredients not typically found in Italian cuisine. Some examples of traditional Mediterranean ingredients are olives, dates, pomegranates, couscous, eggplant, lamb, honey, and yogurt.
Mediterranean cuisine typically features a variety of fresh herbs, fruits, and vegetables, as well as fish and seafood, giving it a unique flavor profile.
