Magical Turkey

Turkey’s Mediterranean shore called the Turquoise Coast, is nearly 1600 km (994 miles) long, scattered with fine-sand beaches and sprinkled abundantly with classical cities turned to picturesque ruins. From Marmaris to Antalya the coastline is gorgeous and the weather is excellent.
This is where East and West meet, an exceptional blend of modernistic influences and Islamic tradition. The Ottoman empire had definitely left marks on the Turkish living style – fusion of oriental and modern elements.
Turkish homes frequently have plenty of mats, a divan, and small tables heavily inlaid with Arabic designs, plenty of arches, bead curtains, potted palms, and heavily sprung ottomans. Turkish carpets and rugs are another prominent characteristic of the typical Turkish home. They have strong, precise, stylized geometric or floral patterns in bold colors—red, yellow, green and blue—found usually portrayed the local mosques.
Also, Turkish ceramics are among the finest in the Mediterranean. The Turkish tradition of making pottery stretches thousands of years and reached its creative pinnacle in the 16th and 17th centuries under the rule of the Ottoman empire.

Bottom line: all you need to do is mix and match oriental and modern pieces to create your own unique style.

Mediterranean Turkish homes

Contemporary Turkish home

Magnificent fusion of modern and oriental elements

Turkish bath

Turkish design oriental wool rug

The famous Turkish tiles

Turkish mural

Sun-kissed Southeastern France…Cannes, Nice, Monaco, Cote d’Azur (French Riviera)–an epitome of style

Irresistible beaches, lots of sun, a splash of Mediterranean charm, simplicity, luxury, romantic sensibility…and those unforgettable hot summer night rendezvous.
Basically, to create a typical French Mediterranean style at your home or garden, you have to mix and match with romantic, oriental or modern pieces.
Provence (a region in southern France) style is a mixture of rustic simplicity and timeless elegance. Terra cotta tiles, bright colored pottery, usually hand painted with Mediterranean fruits or flowers, rustic urns, 18^th century floral designs, lace, antique baskets, mixing and matching fabrics (florals, stripes and plaids), intense color scheme: reds, blues, greens, beige and deep mustard create an inviting, cozy and joyful atmosphere.

French Riviera, fun, style and French romantica!

Southern France charm, simplicity and elegance

It is simply inevitable...when you think authentic French cuisine, you can't help but think cheese and wine, of course...

Capture the charm of the French Country style by using earth tones and colors from nature. Add splashes of color using decorative prints, bright pottery and other unique accessories. Creating your own special French Country look is easy with some well chosen accents. http://www.mcvayslimited.com/frenchcountrykitchen2.html

Romantic French style bathrooms

ROMANTIC NEW ORLEANS STYLE Including soft secondary lighting in a room makes it more romantic and draws attention to cozy spaces. Old world decorating accessories, when placed in an old world style bedroom or master bath, embellish the room's comfort while creating ambience, drama and style. Reminiscent of antique light fixtures found in fine hotels across Europe, Veneziano iron light fixtures are a classic style created for romantic Italian/French bathroom decorating and design.
http://www.accentsofsalado.com/FRENCH_BATHROOM_DECORATING_DESIGN.html

Transform your French bathroom with a color palette in soft, sun-drenched tones and the beauty of wrought iron. Our Scrolled Iron Mirror and coordinating accessories are at home in the romantic French bathroom or as a striking focal point in your French design foyer. The mirror is beveled for a classic finished look in your French design bathroom.

Tuscany - La dolce vita

Tuscany, the birthplace of the Renaissance movement, Dante Alighieri, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Botticelli, Chianti and olive oil…

Tuscan homes are usually of stucco and natural stone in light colors, dark hardwood furniture, and wrought iron accessories, open, airy, with many arched windows and gorgeous gardens. In other words, we can’ help but admire the peaceful, yet festive feeling that those Mediterranean dwellings exude.

We can’t get enough inspiration from that old world charm, simplicity and beauty. Infuse your life with some Tuscan appeal – comfort, warmth and style!
Use fabrics that are warm and close to nature, yet sophisticated and luxurious, calming, inviting colors: terracotta, olive greens, brick, yellows, blues, gold. Venetian or stucco plaster effects are used on new walls to add some texture and create that worn, aged Tuscan feel. Bring into play plenty of terracotta pots in the garden (different shapes), outdoor iron chandeliers and pillows, stone firepits, stone ovens (for those unforgettable homemade pizzas! Mama mia!) and you could easily recreate a Tuscan getaway.

A Tuscan villa

Tuscany

Chianti

Tuscan dreams...

A Tuscan feel bathroom

I wouldn't mind a similar wine storage in my house...

A Tuscan-style water garden
HGTV designer Scott Cohen

A traditional winding staircase reminiscent of a Tuscan villa
HGTV designer Zina Samek

Stone and dark wood, a typical Tuscan dining room
by designer David Stimmel

Mediterranean Spain

The Spanish mainland is bordered to the south and east almost entirely by the Mediterranean Sea. Spanish style is influenced by many cultures: Christian, Jewish, Moorish, but basically is a combination of Spanish and Arabic styles. The result is a quite unique mixture in decorative design. Simply splendid!

Andalucia

Spanish hacienda

Cordoba

An olive tree, Cordoba

Impressive wall decor: Castile Chargers/Trays (http://www.accentsofsalado.com/LG_CastileIronChargersTrays.html)
One of my fav websites for Mediterranean theme furniture, wall hangings, iron wall decor, kitchen, bath and wine accessories for a Tuscun, Mediterranean Old World casual home decor is Accents of Salado. If you are fond of the bold, sophisticated, yet simple Mediterranean style of living, you should definitely check it out!
http://www.accentsofsalado.com/index.html

Romantic Alhambra Iron Candle Holder,
http://www.accentsofsalado.com/item_06leather.html

Spectacular Malaga Tall Glazed Earthenware Vases http://www.accentsofsalado.com/item_06leather.html

Beautiful Hacienda Decorative Chest on Stand http://www.accentsofsalado.com/item_06leather.html

Spanish Mediterranean Hardwood Occasional Cocktail Table with rustic, yet rich, and timeless flair http://furniturefromhome.com/products/Coffee-End-Sofa-Tables/PWL-352200

A sense of color and pattern

Reminiscent of the Spanish sunflower fields

An inviting Spanish Mediterranean living room by HGTV host/designer David Bromstad

Another authentic Spanish Mediterranean living room by HGTV designer Lauren Jacobsen