design class: mediterranean style

Welcome to All in the Detail... I am so glad you are here!

I thought it might be fun to have a Design Style class so everyone could get to know a few details for individual design styles. There is so much talk about style in home decor… do you think you could pinpoint your style if asked?

Remember, there are no set rules when it comes to design or style, it really just boils down to personal likes and dislikes.

To see all the Design Style details, click here. Yesterday, I went over some design details for Traditional Style. Today, how about a quick trip to the Mediterranean?

 

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:

Colors: Mediterranean colors echo those of the sea and sky and, depending on the region, can also include warm terra cotta, lavender and yellow.

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 tabletop. You can also simulate the look of tile with a stenciled mosaic border on floors, walls or furniture.

Accessories: Burnished bronze urns, filigree light fixtures and a wrought-iron fireplace screen exemplify a Mediterranean look with a Moroccan influence.

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 colored beeswax.via