There is no better way to enjoy our world than through traveling to experience first-hand the joys it has to offer. Your travels not only open your eyes to new cultures and ways of life, they can give you inspiration on how to improve certain areas of your own life.
You can draw inspiration from your travels to create art, fashion or decorate your home. This can be a great way to preserve the memories of a particular culture that you admired or the style of a location you visited.
Some of the most fantastic and picturesque places to visit are the Mediterranean countries. If you are like most people, at the mention of the Mediterranean, your mind switches to full-bodied red wines and flavorful cuisine topped with generous amounts of olive oil. You may imagine clear cloudless skies and whitewashed buildings perched atop hills surrounded by vineyards and wineries.
However, this is only one aspect of one of the richest cultures in the world. The Mediterranean culture has had a profound effect on the world, leaving an imprint on food, art, music and even home décor. Luckily, it is easy to recreate this look and to bring the splendor of the Mediterranean to your home.
Mediterranean style characteristics
Before redesigning your home, it is important to understand some of the aspects of Mediterranean-inspired interiors that make them stand out, and how you can easily incorporate these into your home.
- Color palette
The Mediterranean style is incredibly versatile and lends itself to a wide variety of colors. When selecting your palette, draw inspiration from nature. Colors that work well include the blues and turquoise hues found in the sky and seas, the whites of the sandy beaches, as well as the deep rusts and warm reds of the terracotta clay found in the area. These can be offset using a range of cream, tan or beige hues to bring any room to life.
- Outdoor spaces
A big part of the Mediterranean culture is their love of the outdoors. You can bring this to your home by creating a lovely outdoor space featuring generous seating graced with patio furniture made from wrought iron or other ornamental metals. Decorate the furniture with plump brightly-colored pillows or cushions.
You can also incorporate some potted plants or cultivate a flower garden. If your home has limited space, consider placing flower boxes beside your windows to bring a touch of the outdoors into your home.
- Natural furniture finishes
In keeping with the Mediterranean theme, go with natural finishes in your furnishings. This calls for exposed wooden beams in overhead ceilings or rustic wooden furniture. Small touches such as wooden frames on mirrors, wall hangings or clocks can recreate the same effect but on a smaller scale.
Try dressing your windows using traditional window shutters made of wood for a dramatic flair. If you wish to add a touch of Old World aesthetic, use mosaic tile floors in your entryway to make your home truly stand out.
Whichever method you choose to bring the beauty of the Mediterranean to your home, remember to create an airy, open and welcoming space that captures the spirit of the culture.
