Mediterranean Decor: Warmth and Clutter

Spain, Italy and Greece are countries that have given the Mediterranean style of home decorating to the rest of the world. Clutter, sturdiness and graceful age are the hallmarks of the style.

What do people mean when they talk about decorating in the "Mediterranean style?"

The name comes from the countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea, which is almost completely enclosed by three continents!

The sea is bordered to its north by Europe: Spain, France and Italy, Albania and Greece. On the east it's bordered by Asia: Turkey, Syria and Israel. And to its south it borders the African countries of Egypt, Libya, Algeria, and Morocco. (To get from the Mediterranean Sea out into the Atlantic Ocean, mariners have to go through the nine-mile-wide Straits of Gibraltar.)

However, the term "Mediterranean style" does not deal with the eastern or southern countries - they each have their own distinctive styles of interior decorating. Rather, it refers to the countries north of the Mediterranean Sea - Spain, Greece and Italy. It's also called Spanish modern.

What are the defining elements of the Mediterranean style?

As far as furniture is concerned, they are usually low to the ground, with ornately turned legs and feet; the hardware is heavy and usually burnished. Burnished metal simply means that it has "a smooth glossy finish or appearance."

The walls are the most distinctive part of the Mediterranean style - rather than simply unadorned walls painted in dull and boring, light colors, they are textured, or covered with faux designs of crumbling wood, or murals of views of a beach through an ornate window, for example.

The floors are also distinctive - the use of mosaic tile designs is quite popular.

There are no bare bones in Mediterranean design - throw rugs, pillows, and different kinds of fabric are everywhere. Pottery, statue, and baskets full of fruit and vegetables cover almost every inch of horizontal space.

Mediterranean design is all about warmth, about feeling cozy and comfortable.

When designing in the Mediterranean style, however, it's important to remember the cardinal rules that govern the use of any style.

The home must be livable. If you've got lots of kids around you might want to keep the use of fragile pottery and statuary to a minimum, to protect against breakages.

Although much of the Mediterranean style emphasizes simplicity, it can sometimes cost a lot of money to achieve that simple look. Wall murals take skill to create or apply, and care must be taken with them.

Remember also that it's not necessary to do your entire home in the Mediterranean style - many people have theme rooms, with those themes ranging from the Mediterranean style for one room to an Egyptian style for another to a classic Art Deco design for yet another. It's all as the spirit moves you.
About the Author

Adam Peters is the editor of different articles with reference to plaster moldings for http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com . For additional information on mosaic tiles or mediterranean style decorating subjects have a look at his web.