A muted, modern Mediterranean style provides a very light and enduring palette that’s as relaxed as it is chic.
This versatile style offers subtle references to contemporary Boho and retro 70s design nostalgia, which blends seamlessly into both coastal and inland suburbs.
It’s a style that Kat executed beautifully at Boutique Homes’ Parkville 31 display home in Mt Atkinson. Below, she shows you how to recreate a modern Mediterranean feel within your own home:
1. Choose a light, muted colour palette
The hallmark of this version of modern Mediterranean is its light, muted colour palette. Rooms should feel fresh and airy, with a predominantly white base. Use minimal grey or ‘greiges’, adds Kat, and avoid black all together.
‘The palette should work in harmony for a calming effect. At the Parkville display home, I layered caramel browns and beiges with warmer undertones, incorporating sandy notes and a sprinkling of terracotta,’ she explains.
‘A feature is Polytec’s Legato Castel cabinetry, with its warm taupe hue very much on trend. The terrazzo tiles used in the flooring downstairs create interest without diverting from the neutral colour scheme. They are also very functional for active families who love to spend time outdoors.’
Wallpaper is another way to delicately incorporate feature colours and interest. Just make sure you select subtle matte finishes rather than heavy patterns or bright colours, warns Kat.
2. Bring nature indoors
Biophilic living is seriously trending in design circles – and for good reason! Surrounding yourself with nature offers a wealth of health benefits, helping to reduce stress and support creativity.
Emphasising natural light and organic materials and finishes are key elements of Mediterranean interior design. At the Parkville 31, the light timber-look battens featured on the façade are carried through the interiors, from the front door and the cabinetry in the kitchen, to the outdoor porch lighting and decking.
‘Integrating timber-look surfaces brings warmth to your spaces and creates consistency and flow. Just make sure your timbers don’t clash – you want the space to remain harmonious and balanced,’ says Kat.
‘At the Parkville display home, expansive glazing creates connectivity to the grand outdoor living. Extended paved seating and a pizza oven in the alfresco makes this the perfect place to relax during summer.’
You can also use stone to create a sophisticated and design-centric feature. ‘Mix a low stone splashback with tiles overhead for a high-end detail that’s also more cost-effective,’ suggests Kat.
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A modern Mediterranean inspired four-bedroom, two-bathroom Parkville 31 featuring the soft-toned Arc façade is now on display in Mt. Atkinson, Truganina.
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2. Soften your spaces with curves
Avoid any harsh lines or corners in your furniture and fixtures. Instead, opt for curved pieces and soft organic silhouettes for a romantic and calming feel. Think oval and pill-shaped tables and mirrors, and oversized rounded sofas.
‘The curves at the Parkville 31 begin with the stunning painted brick feature wall of the Arc façade,’ says Kat. ‘They are then weaved throughout the home – in the cabinet profiling, wall cladding, decorative lighting and the loungeroom rug edges.
‘I particularly love the timber and glass abstract staircase of the Parkville display home. This is the first time we have displayed this staircase in this u-shape. It really opens up the living areas while also being a beautiful feature of the home.’
Incorporating curved kitchen shelving and ‘crazy’ outdoor paving can help to enhance this resort-style aesthetic.
3. Add plenty of layers
Dimension is the aim of the game with the modern Mediterranean aesthetic. Use plush fabrics such as boucle and corduroy to create depth and interest.
‘Create layers with bed linens, throws and cushions in beige and warmer neutral tones,’ says Kat.
‘You can also play with textures in your decor and finishes. In the main bedroom of the Parkville 31 display home, I used a textured render on the bedhead coupled with delicate locally handmade wall lights.’
5. Keep spaces minimal with clever design options
The muted Mediterranean aesthetic should feel homely, while maintaining a sense of modern minimalism. So, keep design elements subtle.
‘Less is often more – you don’t want to overwhelm your spaces,’ says Kat. ‘A good example is the curved profile to the overhead cabinetry in the Parkville display’s kitchen, balanced with the slim edging profile of the base cabinetry.’
Clever storage options can help to hide clutter, particularly for younger families. A strong feature of the Parkville 31 display home is the tall, oak doors that conceal the Butler’s pantry. ‘These not only tie into the natural finishes of the fridge and oven towers, they also help to conceal your kitchen prep and pantry items,’ adds Kat.
Discover the muted modern Mediterranean style in-person at Boutique Homes’ four-bedroom, two-bathroom Parkville 31 display home in Mt Atkinson. The first display home Melbourne to feature the lighter Arc façade, this stunning home brings a tropical feel while remaining modern and sophisticated. Open with or without an appointment.
Find out more about the Parkville home design or Arc facade.
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