Design Themes for a Mediterranean Home
The Mediterranean Kitchen
Mediterranean decor includes themes that are dark red or burgundy, much like their wine, accenting creamy stucco walls that are often seen embellished with fine tapestries. Olives and grapes are also no stranger to the Mediterranean appeal. Cobalt blue, burgandy and bright yellows are naturally used as accent pieces or it can be found on ceramics throughout the Tuscan style home as well.Kitchens are by far the most popular room to transcend from blah too beautiful with wrought iron wine racks, sculptured stucco ventilation range hoods, designer glass counter tops, and Tuscany accessories. Chances are that your Mediterranean style kitchen will feature at least one window filled with brightly colored ceramic or terra cotta pots of fresh herbs like oregano or basil. Terra Cotta has made a huge come back, along with rustic textures, and hues of golds and reds in the kitchen. If you love the feel of Mediterranean, then chances are that your kitchen has a set of iron candle holders or wall sconces to set the tone. A Mediterranean kitchen is not complete until you have Italian style dinnerware sitting on European tapestry place mats, a Mediterranean table scape including iron candle holders or brightly colored pottery spread out on a dark wood dining table. In making your decision to go Mediterranean, you have brought in the elements of nature by using pieces that are sturdy and naturally made. A typical Tuscan home will have traditional marble floors, mosaic tile designs, or trendy dark wood flooring covered with a Mediterranean style area rug embossed with vibrant designs.
The Mediterranean Livingroom
The Mediterranean livingroom is quite often designed with dark leather furniture with ornately turned legs and feet, and hardware that is heavy and burnished. Depending on the region, the accent colors usually resemble that of the sea and sky. The Mediterranean region is also known for their love of bold colors normally used for accent pieces that include gold, terra cotta, creams and lavender. Many designers include wall murals of Mediterranean scenes to give the actual feel of sitting right in Italy, Greece, or Spain in your American livingroom. It’s all about textures, color and theme when you decorate in the true Mediterranean style. Texturing the walls gives the appearance of age which is a focal point for this type of setting. Also, softening the room, with the rich warmth of tapestries make the Mediterranean theme feel more inviting. Wall hangings give a focal point to the room and is an excellent opportunity to enhance your Tuscan design theme, as well as cast or wrought iron fireplace screens, and iron wall grills. Charm and grace are the key words when it comes to decorating Mediterranean style.
The Mediterranean Garden
The typical Mediterranean home is not complete without some type of beautiful water fountain, usually made up of cherubs, and displayed directly in the center of the courtyard garden. Statues made from marble are a popular tradition with Europeans, and of course their garden is never complete without a multitude of greenery surrounding the property outside. Europeans are well known for their romantic, warm, and intimate sitting area’s for relaxing and enjoying guests. Their dining table is usually small, and made from iron or wood, and embellished with plenty of warm candles. The Mediterranean lunch is typically the largest meal of the day, and it is enjoyed in the garden during the warmer months while relaxing on heavy cast iron ornate chairs placed so that guests can enjoy the views of the garden. The gardens are typically filled to the brim with large terra cotta pots filled with fragrant flowers or herbs. Larger gardens have walkways to further enjoy the ambiance that the grounds has to offer.
