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Create the Med lifestyle in your home without setting foot on a plane!
The experts reveal their tips.
As the UK braces itself for the predicted summer heatwave, it wont be
long before fond memories of crystal clear Mediterranean seas, secluded
coves, and al fresco meals on sunlit terraces come flooding back.
But whether your heart lies in Greece or Corsica, Italy or Spain,
theres no need to wait until your next summer holiday to relive the
unique style and feel of your favourite Mediterranean hideaway.
All you need are a few subtle touches of European, African and Oriental
design, simple furniture incorporating both past and present influences,
and natural floors scattered with rush mats or brightly coloured rugs.
The traditional notion of Mediterranean living is suffused with
simplicity, explains Dominic Bradbury, author of Mediterranean Modern
[Thames & Hudson, £19.95].
He describes the style as: An openness to landscape and the sea and
with that particular erosion of divisions between indoor and outdoor
space, as well as emphasis on texture, organic and sea-blown colours,
and solid, natural materials.
Indeed, top interior designer John Stefanidis says that one discreet but
very effective way to recreate classic Mediterranean accents in your
home is to choose cool stone or fine wood flooring to achieve a rustic
yet chic effect.
Continue the flooring into your outside areas to create a smooth
consistency for outdoor living, he advises.
To add an easy feel to your sitting room, go for rough textured
canvasses or linen in fresh and zesty colours, or even clean blues and
whites.
For authentic Mediterranean entertaining update your outdoor furniture
by adding a lick of blue or white paint, and to complement, add white or
pale blue walls or even white with ochre, Stefanidis says.
Go for clean line furniture and loose cotton covers in clear colours
which can be changed with the seasons.
:: COASTAL CHIC
The Mediterranean region is dominated by the blues of the sea and sky,
the bright light of the sun, and the homely colours of the earth and
nature.
Fired Earth do a wonderful range of stone floor tiles including Old
Tuscan Travertine and Venetian Stone, intricately patterned ceramic
tiles ideal for bathrooms, kitchens, and halls, as well as a large range
of beautiful terracotta tiles made from specially prepared clay, all
from around £4 for each 20x20cm tile. Or for beautiful wood floors from
vanilla beeches to caramel maples check out the range at Naturally Wood
Floors.
Perfect for a dreamy afternoon in the garden or conservatory, you cant
beat John Stefanidis gorgeous powder-blue Odessa Chairs at £790 each
(+ VAT), or why not accessorise distressed wooden chairs with a
selection of zesty-coloured Agra rib cushions from The Pier, at £9 each
for small, and £15 each for large.
Casually strewn rugs and mats also look great anywhere in the home,
including John Lewis Sisal Rug in natural, £95, and their Multistripe
Rug Ombre from £75. And if you prefer to make a statement with
stronger, more vibrant hues, have a peek at Nexts colourful Berber
rugs, from £40.
Finally, to add a nautical feel to your home, why not bring the
freshness of the seaside into your bedroom with Habitats Watercolour
duvet cover, £75, with Coast pillow cases, £8 each, and frothy white
Derwent sheer curtains, £20.
:: IBIZA STYLE
On the sun-drenched island of Ibiza, far from its crowded beaches and
pulsating nightclubs, lies a secret treasure trove of some of the
worlds most stylish interiors.
From charmingly rustic fincas nestled in groves of orange and lemon
trees, to cool coastal retreats for artists, writers and musicians, new
book Ibiza Style is packed with a myriad of design ideas to inspire
island-lovers everywhere.
Ibiza has a uniquely relaxed style: island life is all about lounging
on daybeds or in hammocks strung between palm trees, surrounded by
bougainvillaea-shaded terraces, ancient olive trees and fragrant olive
and almond groves, says author Chloe Grimshaw.
To recreate Ibiza chic in your own home try adding a touch of glamour to
your patio or decking area with Marks & Spencers gorgeous all-weather
rattan daybed, £999, scattered with baby rib cotton cushions in navy,
lime green, cream, turquoise, sage green or bright coral, £5 each.
Alternatively, chill out and put your feet up with their solid hardwood
hammock with stripy padded sling, £249.
:: INSIDE OUT
With temperatures set to soar into double figures, now is the perfect
time to introduce a touch of Mediterranean glamour to your traditional
English garden, so indulge yourself with the super-stylish Egg Hanging
Chair by Pierantonio Bonacina, £1,205 - a summer must for design gurus.
For the young at heart, add a wonderful splash of colour to your garden
with Zanottas famous Sacco imitation leather easy-chairs, £221 each.
So grab yourself a champagne cocktail and get comfy! Both available from
Europe By Net.
If you fancy a quick break from the sunshine or you want to stay outside
to enjoy the balmy evenings, do a bit of al fresco entertaining in your
garden under an elegant patio awning. Try Thomas Sandersons impressive
new Ultima Patio Awning, from £2,500, which features inbuilt heating
and lighting, and even a wind sensor designed to make it retract during
high winds.
:: STOCKISTS
Europe By Net - 020 7734 3100/www.europebynet.com
Fired Earth - 0845 366 0400/www.firedearth.com
Habitat - 0844 499 1111/www.habitat.net
John Stefanidis - www.johnstefanidis.com
Marks & Spencer - 0845 603 1603/www.marksandspencer.com
Naturally Wood Floors - 020 8508 2555/www.naturallywood.net
Next - 0844 844 8333/www.next.co.uk
The Pier - 0845 609 1234/www.pier.co.uk
Thomas Sanderson - 0800 220 603/www.thomassanderson.com
UPCOMING
:: May 17: STYLE Selling Home: Its the season for selling your home or
buying a new one. We reveal the top features that will make your home
attractive to buyers, what you can do to improve your property and what
to look for as a buyer. With pictures.
:: May 24: STYLE Detail: Followers of fashion know that accessories are
a must-have for stylish dressers but theyre also vital in todays
successful rooms too. Annabel Lewis, founder of internationally famous
VV Rouleaux - specialists in ribbons, trims, and tassels - reveals her
secrets and tips in her new book, Ribbons & Trims. With pictures.
:: May 31: STYLE White: Turn your rooms onto summer by taking a shine to
white. White paint, fabrics and furnishings could give your rooms a
perfect summer look and used cleverly neednt be a magnet for sticky
fingerprints. With pictures.
:: Ibiza Style, by Chloe Grimshaw and Ingrid Rasmussen, is published by
Merrell, priced £24.95. Available now.
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