Mediterranean Style 101

This style originated in countries north of the Mediterranean Sea, including Spain, Greece and Italy, and is often referred to today as "Spanish modern." Mediterranean-style furniture ranges from simply functional to extremely formal. Pieces are short, with ornately turned legs and feet; hardware is heavy and often burnished. Walls are predominantly textured. A bullnose edge is a common design detail on countertops and fireplace mantels. Here's how the style breaks down:

Colors: Mediterranean colors echo those of the sea and sky and, depending on the region, can also include warm terra cotta, lavender and yellow.

Tile: Mosaic tile designs embody the beauty of a Mediterranean interior. Bring the designs into your home on the floor or a kitchen backsplash or on something you can take with you if you move, like a mirror frame or a tabletop. You can also simulate the look of tile with a stenciled mosaic border on floors, walls or furniture.

Accessories: Burnished bronze urns, filigree light fixtures and a wrought-iron fireplace screen exemplify a Mediterranean look with a Moroccan influence.

Texture: Layers of paint and glaze are hand-rubbed onto plaster or sand-textured walls to add visual depth. Simulate the look of a plaster wall with a textured finish using tinted drywall compound and colored beeswax.