Tired of Zen and minimalism? It’s amazing how a splash of color and stylized accessories can change the look of your interiors. You can achieve a timeless look in your house with these four global styles: French, Mediterranean, Mexican and Moroccan. As with any design style, avoid the tacky look by cluttering up the place with cheap souvenirs from these countries.
Books such as Katherine Sorrell’s
The Ultimate Home Style Guide offer a glimpse of designs that will fit any homemaker’s tastes, whether it’s for the dramatic medieval style or the spare Shaker.
Mexican style largely descended from the many cultures that flourished on the land: The ancient civilizations of the Toltecs, the Mayas and the Aztecs; the Spanish, who ruled Mexico for 300 years, also brought with them architecture (influenced by the Moors) that was later merged with native Indian traditions. Then there’s the
hacienda style with its thick red walls, courtyards paved with stone and grand furniture. Mexican style is rich in folk traditions, wild colors and rustic crafts. Walls are roughly plastered or covered in
azuelos, hand-painted tiles in vivid colors and patterns are used inside and out. Terra-cotta tiles with decorative inserts are also very typical Mexican. Ornamentation is very important, especially in the woven fabrics with Aztec motifs that include diamonds, jagged lines, chevrons and stripes. To create the look from such a creative culture, choose bulbous pots, terra-cotta urns, wooden masks, and baskets.
Warm, vibrant tones are the key in Mediterranean style: the earthy tones of terra-cotta, burnt sienna, yellow ochre, blue and lavender. Just look at Provence, which was highly influenced by the Greeks, Celts, Romans and Spanish, before it became a province of France. It doesn’t cost a lot to achieve the look since true Mediterranean style doesn’t call for very fine or elegant pieces – choose furniture in distressed paint for that worn-out look. Accessories include candles in wood or terra-cotta holders; iron and brass lanterns with colored glass; rustic-looking lamps; Moorish-inspired Spanish tiles and bright ceramics. Like in a French home, the kitchen plays an important part in a Mediterranean home. Create the look with tiled countertops and copper pots hanging from oversized hooks. Emphasize practicality rather than glamour. Use straw matting and natural rug on top of hard tiles to add a focal point to the room.
Not a single style has dominated French design. Instead, the best elements from France’s past are incorporated into the modern times. Say what you want about the French, they’re certainly not too snooty to look for great finds at flea markets, antique shops or junk shops. Wall treatments are important in creating the look. You may find fabric-lined walls, a trademark of the Napoleonic Empire, in rich colors and textures. To evoke a more French feel, look for patterns popular in the 18th century like ribbons, garlands and swags on a pale background. French fabrics are very elegant; options include toiles, velvets and damasks in subtle colors. Wall-to-wall carpeting is not popular with the French except for the bedroom – polished parquet and wooden floorboards are. Oriental, Turkish or Indian rugs add pizzazz to any room. Generally, French furniture are large and formal, and an armoire , usually a family heirloom, is a must.
It may look plain on the outside, but inside a Moroccan home are elaborate embellishments reflecting a melting pot of cultures. There is a sense of mystery, of light and shadow in the courtyards, and astounding tile work outside and inside the house. Typical Moroccan colors include mustard, saffron, ruby red, emerald, orange, turquoise, purple and blue. Light fittings are an important element and are typically multi-colored pendants in shimmering colors. Look for Moroccan metalwork with hammered patterns, painted glasses, Berber jars, and Moroccan pottery from Fez, which produces enameled pieces in blue and white, and Safi, which produces turquoise and yellow plates and bowls bordered in metal. Furniture pieces can be elaborate or plain in strong colors – or you can abandon them altogether and opt for floor cushions and bolsters covered in kilims and embroidery. Elaborately carved wood are typically used as tabletops, doors and screens.