From terracotta pots to bright blue tiles, get that sunshine holiday look

Forget booking a holiday abroad because summertime has arrived in the UK and there are few better places to be. Styling your home for high summer is about creating spaces for rest and play. It’s a minimalist and practical style rooted in the beautiful coastal regions of Greece, Italy, Spain and more. 

“The Mediterranean or coastal style remains a popular interior design trend and is timeless in its simplicity. The relaxed and fresh style takes us back to lazy summer days or holidays when everything was carefree and tranquil,” said Jenine Timms, creative director and interior designer of Loke Interiors.

Controlled colour palette

Pouf. Image supplied by Myface

Mediterranean colours are inspired by the region’s breathtaking landscapes and brilliant sunshine. Deep azure blues that mimic the sky and sea, sun-baked terracotta and browns that echo the earth, Amalfi lemon yellow and greens of olive groves.  The high summer colour palette feels like a holiday.

“Mediterranean style has a signature look of snow-white walls (inside and out) and blue accents in the décor,” explains Timms. “If you prefer to avoid the cool shades inspired by the sea then reach for warmer colours such as terracotta, red, olive green and deep yellow. This style is often monochromatic which creates a simplistic and harmonious space.” Picking one specific colour and using a variety of shades to add contrast will keep it simple but if you want different colours, choose opposites on the colour wheel as they work well together.

Light-filled with splashes of colour

Santorini Fabrics. Image supplied by Prestigious Textiles

A defining characteristic of many homes around the Mediterranean basin is being filled with natural light. Think large windows, French doors and archways that let light flood the interior spaces. To enhance a light-filled, breezy feel, white walls and gauzy curtains are favoured. Additionally, embracing an open floor plan ensures flow between rooms and a sense of airiness.

“Generally, walls should be white or neutral with the emphasis on light and airy,” said Simms. Avoid painting walls or fencing a bright azure blue.  Instead, add interest and character with strategic splashes of colour. For example, ceramic patterned blue tiles in a bathroom or a bright blue pressed metal splashback in the kitchen. “More pops of colour than a complete wall,” suggests Timms.

Check out the Santorini Collection of fabrics, above, from Prestigious Textiles.  Inspired by the natural beauty of Grecian islands, it presents a quintessentially Mediterranean range of prints, damasks, and tactile jacquards. “A palette of washed cobalts, muted corals and soft teals capture white-washed Aegean shores, presented with sandy tones and shale grey hues,” says the company.

Pare down and focus on natural materials

Inside and outside, the key to this look is to create a laid-back, rustic vibe. Use natural elements, such as linen fabrics, wood furnishings, wicker lampshades and stone accents against whitewashed walls. Mediterranean inspired decor should “feel effortless and welcoming,” says Timms. Focus on pieces that will see you through summer and beyond.  Add cushions in warm shades and rugs alongside complementary tile designs to create a cohesively Mediterranean look.

Simms said: “This style is about simplicity, not overcomplicating and being functional. Uncomplicated and relaxed, just as you would find on a summer holiday. The use of plants both inside and out add harmony to the space but also further accents of colour.”

Introduce relaxed seating areas

Taymar dining chair. Image supplied by Sweetpea & Willow

Mediterranean countries have a focus on outdoor living because of the warmer climate.  A relaxed outdoor seating area is essential whether it’s a comfortable sofa, wooden bench with cushions or wicker-style seating. Surround it with plenty of hardy tropical plants, grasses and fragrant herbs.

To keep cool on hotter days, why not hang a sail shade above seating which can be taken down when not required.  Reeded screening is another way to provide both shade from the sun’s rays and privacy from prying eyes.  You don’t have to spend a fortune. Timms said: “Inside and out the key is relaxed and informal and using rustic elements to create the style. Think reclaimed wood, wicker and wrought iron. Add layers with cushions and rugs.”

Create an alfresco dining spot

Give your garden a Mediterranean makeover by creating an alfresco dining spot. Few things beat eating outside on a warm summer’s evening.  Perhaps indulge in a built-in grill, pizza oven or even straw-covered tiki bar. “Again, relaxed and rustic is the key,” says Timms. A wooden table, surrounded by mismatched chairs or a rendered built-in bench painted white and covered in cushions is ideal for enjoying a meal with friends and family. String solar-powered lights overhead or along fencing. Additionally, colourful tableware and linens, as above, will help create a festive look.

Eye-catching tiles inside and out

Corsica Fan Ceramic Tiles. Image supplied by Porcelain Superstore

Tiles are a staple of Mediterranean décor. They are widely used on walls and floors, both inside and outside. Moroccan inspired motifs, including geometric shapes and intricate tilework add a touch of exoticism. “Floor tiles running from the inside space to the outside creates a real Med feel and when the weather is nice (and French doors opened) gives the illusion of your inside and outdoor space becoming one.” She added:

Terracotta tiles are reminiscent of the style but equally imagine a stunning white and blue patterned tile creating the illusion of waves underfoot.” Similarly, splashes of azure blue tiles in the bathroom, see above, can give a Mediterranean vibe.

Mediterranean planting

Scoop armchair. Image supplied by Sweetpea & Willow

Silver leaved and aromatic plants, like rosemary, sage and mint, reflect the sun’s rays, conserving the plants’ moisture. Consider planting a bee-friendly lavender border. Add hardy grasses that thrive in the sun and won’t need constant watering and let your conscience recline on the sun lounger. Nothing says Mediterranean quite like a palm tree. Olive trees are easy to grow in containers, climate permitting. Rustic stone, water features and elegant sculptures are other ways to add Mediterranean style to your garden scheme.

“Introduce colour with plants against a milky white backdrop. Think Santorini,” suggests Timms. Consider hanging terracotta pots filled with vibrant red geraniums on a whitewashed wall. Or a trellis covered in hot pink bougainvillea, a tough tropical vine that puts on a spectacular show of colour in spring. Be aware bougainvillea need plenty of sun and a well-drained soil to keep blooming.

The Mediterranean style remains a popular design trend. Of course, there’s no single path to this aesthetic but whitewashed walls, accents of azure blue and terracotta pots filled with bright blooms will help. “It’s a simplistic but timeless style and easy to create,” says Timms.

Many thanks to Jenine Timms of Loke Interiors www.lokeinteriors.com for her help with this article