White-washed cubist structures, terracotta floors, blue-green waters and full-bodied red wine. Welcome to Santorini, Greece, one of the Cyclades islands in the Aegean Sea. The romance and drama of the Mediterranean — be it the culture, cuisine or climate — has enthralled the world for long.
No wonder the region attracts approximately one third of the world’s international tourists. Why not bring the Santorini, aka Greek, look home?
The look evokes the colours of the sea — deep blues, bright aquas and vibrant turquoises — juxtaposed against white walls and floors. The sun-baked climate of India makes this look ideal for homes.
The outdoors
Start right by setting up a small Greek-style patio. Convert your verandah or terrace into a Mediterranean haven — white, cracked walls, lots of (flowering) plants and warm colours. Keep the white walls smooth and simple, bumpy and textured, or dry and gravelly. If the texture seems too smooth, ask your mason to sandpaper the walls.
Do as the Greek do and grow your herbs such as lavender, thyme, rosemary and basil in the verandah . Put gravel or stone chips in the pots (to keep the moisture content high), and place on a bed of pea gravel. Add a Mediterranean touch with a mosaic-top table and wrought-iron cafe-style chairs. For a stylish finishing touch, keep a sturdy iron candle holder or lantern.
The floors
When it comes to flooring, tiles work really well in outdoor areas. Terracotta tiles tend to be porous but new tiles that look like terracotta are available on the market. Weave mosaic tile designs into floors for an authentic feel. Or else, try rough stone. Inside the home, hardwood flooring works well and so does stone. Use bright mosaic tiles around the house — on staircase treads or risers, around door and window frames, and in the kitchen.
The interiors
Keep all rooms simple and avoid too much of architectural detailing. Mouldings, trimming and other pretty touches are a no-no. Keep the walls neutral (white, ivory, lace, taupe) and perk up the neutral interior with bright pops of colour such as burnt orange, turquoise blue, creamy yellow or olive green. Furniture can be of fine hardwood or simple rustic designs in regular wood.
Pieces tend to be low and heavy set, and are often characterised by accents of tile, marble or iron. If you’re looking at old-style furniture, consider armoires, chests of drawers and cabinets. A large rustic dining table with mismatched chairs adds appeal. Vibrant wall tapestries can be used as window treatments or displayed on wrought iron rods. Don’t forget metal: Wrought iron wine racks, candle stands, light fixtures, mirror frames and burnished brass urns add a sense of drama. Colourful pottery adds a dash of cheer, indoors or outdoors. Choose from pots, vases and urns, in a variety of forms and shapes.
The furnishings
Add colour and interest by tapping bright colours for soft furnishings. The overall impression must be cheery and colourful. Carpets don’t really meld with Greek interiors — which tend to be sparse — but their humbler cousins, the rugs, do. Opt for textured pieces in rustic or geometric designs in deep and warm shades. The Greeks often go without window treatments and let the sun shine in. If you can’t dare to go bare, get simple window treatments such as wooden shutters (paint them blue for a very authentic Greek look) or simple white voile/ muslin drapes.
