Mediterranean Decorating Style

The origins of Mediterranean decorating can be traced to ancient times, when the Romans built country homes in the hills of South Eastern Europe to escape the city life of politics and crowds. They built these homes with an appreciation of natural things, creating an inviting sense of warmth.

The classic, yet rustic flavor of Mediterranean decorating includes wood, stone, tile, brick, an abundance of luxurious marble, worn pieces of wrought iron and homemade wood furniture. Though natural and warm, with all the everlasting materials like stone and iron, Mediterranean homes have a strong and durable quality.

The exterior of a Mediterranean home is often stucco, which is a lightly colored sandstone material known to maintain a graceful yet enduring feel. Other types of light stones also are used in Mediterranean decorating.

To contrast with the light stucco or stone, bright reddish terracotta roof tiles have been used for centuries in southern Europe as a practical, strong roofing choice. Beautiful as well, these tiles can add the rustic feeling of an authentic Tuscan villa to your home no matter where it is.

Architecture is an important element in Mediterranean decorating. In their escape to the countryside, Romans loved open spaces, lots of natural light provided by many large windows, private gardens and patios, and beautiful details like arched entryways and pillars.

Water is another natural element of Mediterranean decorating. Many Mediterranean homes have a water fountain in the central courtyard surrounded by greenery and classic marble statues. The exteriors of Mediterranean homes often are covered by ivy or other greenery, which softens the stone exterior and adds a vibrant green framing device. Cyprus trees and shaped bushes also can add a charming lushness to the outside of a Mediterranean style home.

Though these elements are the base of Mediterranean decorating, the specific elements of interior decorating can vary, but usually include basic and practical furnishings, and few ornate decorations or busy patterns. Because Mediterranean decorating includes a somewhat diverse cultural area from Portuguese's Atlantic shores to Aegean's rocky islands, from Egypt, Libya, Algeria to Turkey's turquoise colored shores, Mediterranean decorating style and color palate differ from region to region.

Mediterranean decorating can be divided into three main categories:

Greek Mediterranean decorating: The traditional blue and white combination is always present in Greek homes. Homes on Greece's Aegean and Mediterranean islands vary this color palate with more tropical colors like lime. A typical Greek landscape often is scattered with white-washed homes with blue doors and window shutters.

Provencal Mediterranean decorating: The Provence region's palate picks its colors from local flowers, crops and other products, combining dark tones of green and blue, lilacs, dark pinks, yellows and terracotta clay colors.

African Mediterranean decorating: The African Mediterranean region is surrounded by the Atlas Mountains, deserts of Northern and Southern Africa, and the Nile Delta which influences the color palate to include dark and light sandy tones, as well as deep water blues. Terracotta is a main feature in homes here, used in roof tiles, floor coverings and everyday objects like pots and decorative items. The earthy and bright terracotta color is a base for the other colors of the African palate.


Sources:
http://interiordec.about.com/od/mediterranean/a/a_ tuscanstyle.htm
http://www.home-improvement-decorating.com/style/m editerranean.html
http://www.saladotex.com/giftsmain.html