French Mediterranean Style Home Decor

Home Attributes

• Although you can use French Mediterranean decor in any home, most homes in the French Mediterranean have certain attributes. These homes typically feature stucco exterior walls and low, clay-tiled roofs that lend a rustic feel to the outer appearance. The windows are usually deeply inset and feature shutters. Arched French doors are also the entryway norm. Balconies and verandas boast ornate wrought iron accents that dress up the simpler elements of the exterior.

Colors

• The French Mediterranean palette reflects the colors found in the natural setting of the region. Golden yellow and cornflower are common interior colors, evoking the warmth of the sun and the wildflowers of the region's foothills. Shades of green can mirror the countryside while tans and turquoise can complement the colors of the sand and sea. No hard and fast rules exist as to which colors to use in French Mediterranean decorating as long as the colors suggest those found in the natural environment, regardless of whether they come from the sky, land or sea.

Furniture

• The furniture found in French Mediterranean decor is often a combination of simple, rustic pieces and antiques. Wooden rustics, such as a light pine plank table in the kitchen, are favorites. Most antique pieces have legs and feet, such as those seen on classic Queen Anne style chairs. This combination of rustics and antiques simultaneously blend the carefree nature of the region with an old-fashioned elegance associated with French culture.

Accessories

• French Mediterranean accessories are what lend flair to this style of decor. Colorful mosaic tiles can adorn lamps, rustic tabletops or even be set into wall plastic to lend vibrancy to a room. Garlic braids or dried red peppers can add a useful and decorative touch to the kitchen. Flowers of all forms -- fresh, dried or in floral fabrics -- are another way to dress up a space while reflecting the region's vast choice of flora.