This style originated in countries north of the Mediterranean Sea, including Spain, Greece and Italy, and is often referred to today as “Spanish modern.” Mediterranean-style furniture ranges from simply functional to extremely formal. Pieces are short, with ornately turned legs and feet; hardware is heavy and often burnished. Walls are predominantly textured. A bullnose edge is a common design detail on countertops and fireplace mantels. Here’s how the style breaks down:
1. Colours
Mediterranean colors echo those of the sea and sky and, depending on the region, can also include warm terracotta, lavender and yellow.
2. Tile
Mosaic tile designs embody the beauty of a Mediterranean interior. Bring the designs into your home on the floor or a kitchen backsplash or on something you can take with you if you move, like a mirror frame or a table top. You can also simulate the look of tile with a stencilled mosaic border on floors, walls or furniture.
3. Accessories
Burnished bronze urns, filigree light fixtures and a wrought-iron fireplace screen exemplify a Mediterranean look with a Moroccan influence.
4. Texture
Layers of paint and glaze are hand-rubbed onto plaster or sand-textured walls to add visual depth. Simulate the look of a plaster wall with a textured finish using tinted drywall compound and coloured beeswax.
