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Regional & climate

Mediterranean

Mediterranean, Santorini style, Tuscan

Sun, breeze and sea: whitewashed walls, arches, terracotta, sea blue and rustic wood.

WhitewashSandTerracottaAegean blueOlive

Origin: Vernacular architecture of the Mediterranean coast (Greece, Italy, Spain), popular in interiors since the 20th century

Mediterranean style comes from the vernacular houses of coastal Greece, Italy, Spain and North Africa, where thick whitewashed walls, arches and terracotta roofs kept out the heat and let in the sea breeze. There are two main branches: Greek white and blue, and warmer Tuscan or Spanish earth tones. In Vietnam it is ideal for seaside villas, resorts and homestays such as in Cát Bà or Đồ Sơn, and can be used lightly in apartments through arches, patterned tiles and plaster-effect walls.

Illustration drawn by HICONIQUE from the style’s palette and signature details.

Materials

  • Rendered walls and lime-plaster effect paint
  • Terracotta tiles and clay roof tiles
  • Hand-painted ceramic tiles for kitchens and bathrooms
  • Rustic timber for ceiling beams and doors
  • Wrought iron for railings and lights
  • Rattan, seagrass and natural stone

Furniture & forms

  • Sturdy, chunky rustic timber tables and chairs
  • White or blue linen sofas with patterned cushions
  • Rattan and seagrass chairs on the terrace
  • Built-in masonry shelves and arched niches
  • Outdoor dining tables in timber or mosaic tile

Lighting

  • Wrought-iron lights and pierced metal lanterns
  • Rattan and ceramic lamps with warm light
  • Large arched openings for daylight and breeze

How it differs from similar styles

Mediterranean vs Tropical

Mediterranean centres on whitewash, arches and sea colours; tropical centres on greenery, deep eaves, sun louvres and Asian vernacular materials.
Mediterranean vs Bohemian

Mediterranean has a clear architectural language; bohemian is a free way of styling with layered patterns, textiles and collected objects.

Best for

  • Holiday homes and seaside villas
  • Homestays and resorts
  • Families who love airy, bright and relaxed spaces
  • Homes with gardens and wide terraces

Home types

ApartmentVillaGarden / resort home

Typical finishing level

Premium

Estimate building cost at this level

Common mistakes

  • Saturated blue over large areas, which looks garish
  • Arches everywhere, even where proportions do not suit them
  • Unsealed terracotta that grows algae and mould in humid weather
  • Ignoring ventilation and shading, the very origin of the style

Care & northern Vietnam climate

Exterior white render by the sea needs waterproof, anti-algae paint and periodic recoating; wrought iron must be hot-dip galvanised or rust-proofed against salty air. Seal terracotta floors to limit condensation in the humid season.

Styles in the same family

Regional & climate

Indochine

France meets Asia: patterned cement tiles, dark wood, rattan and louvred shutters in a tropical climate.
Regional & climate

Tropical

Living with the climate: deep eaves, sun louvres, cross ventilation, greenery and local materials.
Modern

Modern

Function first: straight lines, clean planes and honestly used materials.

Want a home in the Mediterranean style?

HICONIQUE balances style with function, orientation, climate and your real budget.

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