One of the most popular trends over the last few years has been Mediterranean furniture, Mediterranean decor and Mediterranean accessories. The designs can be quite dramatic while adding an exotic feel to any room. Sometimes referred to as Spanish Modern, the style originated in the countries of the northern Mediterranean, primarily Spain, Greece, and Italy. Over time, Moroccan and Moorish influences have been integrated into the style as well.

Furniture is typically shorter and heavier than most other styles. Legs and feet are normally hand crafted and feature intricate carvings. Hardware such as drawer pulls will usually be heavy and burnished. Wood is almost always dark in finish.

Mediterranean

The current trend uses mosaic tiles freely. They may be used to replace current flooring, as an accent, or to create a back splash area. Tiles can also be applied to a table top or to create a frame for a mirror or picture. For a more economical option, stencils and paint can be used to create a border or to decorate furniture.

The color schemes used in Mediterranean decor are usually subdued shades of blue, green, and turquoise. Yellow, terra cotta, and pale gold also have a place in the palette. Some areas also used more vibrant colors, such as sapphire, lavender, burgundy, and emerald for accents.

To create a room with a true Mediterranean feel, you might want to add texture to the walls. A plaster wall over which several layers of paint and glaze have been applied by hand rubbing will add a pleasing look. The depth can be simulated by a tinted paint accented by colored beeswax.

Accessories that feature bronze and wrought iron complete the look of a Mediterranean room. Covers for light fixtures, fireplace screens, or accent pieces may be airy in design, similar to a filigree, or heavier, thicker pieces. If the room is large enough and bright enough, you might consider a tapestry on the walls or a tapestry table runner. In a small, dim room, however, they can make the room feel even smaller and darker.

When buying Mediterranean furniture, expect to pay more than you would for many other styles. True Mediterranean furniture is constructed from genuine wood and craftsmen use traditional techniques to hand craft each item. This means that even when several pieces are made from the same pattern, each will be different in some way. The quality of the construction and materials means that it should give you many years of use with the proper care. Some pieces have been used for generations and still appear new.

Moorish or Moroccan influences show in several touches that have been incorporated into the style. Arches, whether designed into the architecture in the form of doors and windows or used in accents like mirror frames, are popular. Metal grills over windows or mounted on walls to imitate windows are also common. Candle holders, burnished bronze urns, and the hardware used to hand pictures or tapestries are another way of adding small touches to complete the room.

Rich, plush pillows are also nice accents for a Mediterranean style room. Square pillows are not as common as other shapes, such as rolls. They are also normally larger than the throw pillows with which most people are familiar. Some are actually intended to be used as floor seating.

If you are not convinced that you want to totally transform the room, you might want to start with just one major piece. A table or a rug may be just the place to start, or you might opt for the tile or painting first. If the look and feel is pleasing, you can continue at your own pace. One of the nice things about the Mediterranean style is that pieces are never designed to match perfectly. Instead, they blend or coordinate to create an overall feel rather than a suite of furniture. You can work on the room a bit at a time, giving both you and your wallet time to recover between steps.

Want to incorporate Spanish Modern decor originating from Italy, Greece and Spain, in your residence? Check out our online guide to Mediterranean furniture and Mediterranean decor for the ultimate inside scoop!