4 Ways You Can Decorate With A Mediterranean Influence

Two chairs, neo-Greek, inspired by the style of the Villa Kerylos of the end of 19th beginning 20th style. Gray patina wood.

It is hard not to think of the rich colors when one thinks of Greece. Intense colors, a sense of balance and proportion is what they have been known for.

Here are 5 great tips you can incorporate into your home to achieve a rich Greek look for your interior.

Go For Natural Materials and Textiles

To create a Greek or Roman-inspired style, look for natural stone flooring, such as limestone or marble which are popular choices in both classical and modern Greek homes. Stained concrete is another inexpensive option to throw around. You can re-create the beautiful rustic flooring styles simply by using concrete stain by Behr, or polishing existing concrete. Polishing concrete can give an appearance of the expensive stones, and depending on your space can be upwards of 5k +. Work with animal fur throws, wool and linen for upholstery, silk for drapery, and comforters, and leather for the occasional chair. Brightly painted furniture with distressing fits into this style well, along with faded leather that looks worn.

Balance, Balance, Balance

What does that mean exactly? Focus on creating a space where the interior architecture is designed around symmetry. Exposed columns are closely associated with classic Greek and Roman design. Re-create architectural details such as creating faux ceiling beams, even when they are not needed for structural support. To incorporate a more subtle form of this design, use a fluted pedestal to hold a planter or sculpture.

Earth Tones Are Important In Greek Design Schemes

From ancient times, Greek and Roman emphasized color in their interiors. The colors Greece is known for are those found in the natural landscape. The earth tones palette consists of browns, tans, warm grays, greens, oranges, whites, and some reds, and some blues. The colors are often found muted and flat, and originate from clay earth pigments, such as umber, ochre, and sienna.

In Roman design, you will also find plenty of earth tones that range from a rich terra cotta to brown and saturated burnt oranges. Greek design often utilizes sharp contrast when pairing together white. White-washed walls often are paired with turquoise or navy for a punch of color. Drawing inspiration from the landscape, and incorporating colors such as golds, ochre, poppy, inspired by flowers and sunlight, and pinks and corals found in the sunset can be a way of getting the right color palette into your home.

Wooden Furniture Is The Way To Go

In both Greek and Roman homes, you’ll primarily find furniture made from wood. Greek furniture tends to be simpler, where as Roman furnishings are seen with carved animal feet or intricate designs. Tripod tables and stools are much more common in these homes as the tripod design makes it easier to balance tables on a rough or uneven floor. Mosaic-topped tables, metal or tortoiseshell inlays are also common in Greek furniture. Work with a few raw pieces, that are heavily distressed, or seen better days. Having one of those rough looking pieces can add to the intrigue of the design.

Additional Great Links:

– Greek Island Decor- Joanne Hadjikonstantinou On Pinterest

– Outdoor Charm- Jolie Leanne On Pinterest

– Authentic/Greek/Roman Inspired Home Decor Nina Carstens Pinterest

Work Desk Mykonos – Found on greece-villas.com

Grecian End Table – Found on softsurroundings.com

Living in Greece- Barbara & René Stoeltie, Angelika Taschen

Rich Colors Of Greece

Greek Tole Urn, Pair Of Hand Painted Greek Revival 19th Century Vases

Wisteria entrance, Crete, Greece

Greece Style: Exteriors, Interiors, Details

Discover the best of Greece’s hidden treats in this lovely book of mythical homes. Packed cover to cover with traditional interiors throughout the country and its islands, Greece Style perfectly captures a wide range of variations on the classic blue and white-dominated palette that characterizes the architecture of Odysseus’s homeland.

Large Greek Terra Cotta Olive Jar