The Silk Road: A Mixture Of Mediterranean Styles
By Ana Zuravliova
Our final destination along the Silk Road is the coastline of the Mediterranean Sea. Made up from over 21 countries, Mediterranean interior décor is host to a range of cultures and their unique design styles. The Mediterranean style we know today is based around core aspects that can be adapted to fit the styling preferences of each country. In this blog we will be exploring these key aspects of the Mediterranean style and how we can implement them into our homes, so let’s get started…
What is Mediterranean interior design?
When we think of Mediterranean interior design, we naturally think of southern European countries such as Italy, Greece, and Spain, yet there are 21 countries that border the Mediterranean Sea. Each country has its own deep-rooted cultures and decorating styles that play a role in their local interior design schemes. That said, over the years, several once local elements have coaligned into a distinct Mediterranean style. These key elements are shared collectively across many of the nations which make up the coastline of the Mediterranean Sea, and we must admit, they have created an exquisite design style.
Key aspects of Mediterranean interiors
Mediterranean interior décor is easily recognisable thanks to the use of natural materials, crisp white walls, and emphasis on the indoor-outdoor living concept. Due to the climate of the Mediterranean, natural light plays a large role within interior décor, helping keep the bright and airy feeling inside the home alive.
Natural materials
Due to the warmth of the region, there is a real focus on natural materials such as wood, linen, stone, tiles, and terracotta. Not only do they deepen the space, they also help keep residents connected to nature, putting an emphasis on mixed indoor-outdoor living which is a large aspect of Mediterranean interior design.
Wood
Wood is one of the more popular natural materials used within Mediterranean décor, as it adds depth and texture to the space. We tend to see exposed wooden beams throughout homes in Mediterranean countries, however, exposed wooden beams aren’t a design trend we can just add into our homes with ease.
Instead, styling our homes with wooden pieces of furniture and wooden blinds, will allow us to recreate the essence of the Mediterranean style. The use of lighter woods will reimagine the look of a beach weathered home, or for a more rustic approach – imagine homes in the hills – implement medium to darker tones of wood.
Linen
Linen is another core aspect within Mediterranean décor, it is a sustainable fabric that has a long-life span, adding a timeless aspect into any design scheme. There is a large use of linen within the Mediterranean style as they aid in keeping the space light and airy, as well as adding a stylish textured twist to the space.
Whether you want to add some linen curtains into the home, we have a selection that will recreate the Mediterranean look. If a more discreet injection of the linen style into the home is what you would like to achieve, then our linen look Roman blinds will add a delicate, linen inspired touch to the space.
Terracotta
Brought into interior design mainly through the use of pots and styling pieces, terracotta has an enriching power in the home. This natural material works wonderfully with large doses of natural light, aiding in creating a warming aesthetic, perfect for relaxing and soaking up the late summer evening sun!
In the UK we can implement the natural material of terracotta into the home through styling items. However, another way is to use soft furnishing in terracotta colourways, adding a comforting touch to the home, keeping the space feeling warm in the cooler months. Lampshades and cushions are great for adding pockets of the rich warm colour into the home as they can be scattered around the home, in matching or similar hues.
Mediterranean tiles
Keeping the room feeling clean and bright, tiles are a great choice for splashbacks and flooring. The hard materials make them durable, while also adding detail and pattern into the space.
Geometric print furnishings are a great way for reimagining the tile aspect of Mediterranean décor, as they provide the pattern and detailing of real tiles, without the hard finish. In the British climate, limiting the use of hard furnishings will complement both the warm summers and cold winters, so choosing geometric curtains and other soft furnishings will help keep the space feel welcoming and enjoyable to lounge around in.
Stone
Not only is stone a natural material used abundantly throughout Mediterranean interior décor, but it is also seen spanning across the Yorkshire countryside. A robust material, stone adds a warming yet elevating effect within Mediterranean décor as the lighter shades help enhance the spaces, while the porous surfaces capture the sun’s heat.
For those readers who live in a stone home, why not expose some of it internally and add that natural, rustic-chic charm of Mediterranean interior design into your home…
Other ways to implement an essence of stone into the home, for those who live in new builds or brick homes, is to use its colourway. From paintings and wallpapers, to roller blinds and voiles, the stone colourways can be implemented with ease, adding a softening touch to the space at the same time.
The Silk Road series has come to an end in the coastal region of southern Europe. We have explored the eastern world and its design trends, from intricate patterns and bold colours to the natural elements used heavily in southern Europe. For those who want to venture further across the globe, check out our ‘Rome to Rio’ blog series for the core aspects of the western world décor.
Shop some of our products inspired by Mediterranean styles:
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