Mediterranean magic: a slice of bliss at home

Let yourself be carried away to evenings beside the Mediterranean Sea with crisp blue hues and patterned flooring.

Colours like Resene Sail Away and Resene White Noise are your one-way ticket to a slice of paradise. If you're dreaming of a holiday in a luxurious resort – perhaps perched poolside somewhere in Italy – why not create the look and feel of one at home using a little design flair. Whether your home is city-central, suburban or coastal, designing spaces with resorts in mind is a versatile trend you can channel in any season.

A home should be your haven. Plenty of homeowners are opting for a style that exudes a luxurious, resort-like atmosphere. One of the most popular resort themes is the Mediterranean style, which incorporates elements from the region to create a fresh and welcoming space. The Mediterranean style is characterised by its use of natural materials such as stone and terracotta, and the colour palette is often inspired by the landscape of the Mediterranean region. Crisp shades of blue, white, green and turquoise reminiscent of the sea and sky regularly feature.

In this space we’ve leaned into a Mediterranean resort-look, opting for bright whites and contrasting them with soothing blues. A patterned floor and wall mural bring the wow-factor to the sitting space. Resene White Noise sets the backdrop on the walls, clear and bright with a delicate undertone of green and yellow. The hue is layered and playful, compared to that of a straight-white tone. A 3D painted arch is incredibly effective and adds to the dreamy, resort vibe of the room. The simple shapes that make up the arch – windowsill in Resene Eau de Nil, background in Resene Sail Away and arch in Resene Comfortably Numb – are easy to recreate at home.

The patterned floor is the star of the room – a great way to elongate the space and add visual interest. We contrasted Resene Half Alabaster with Resene Sail Away to create a crisp, Mediterranean-inspired pattern. This combination of colours also offers a sense of lightness and airiness. Resene Sail Away is a happy blue, a colour that evokes images of cloudless skies and summer days. It’s soft but still packs a punch. The pattern leads the eye into the space, the crisp Resene Half Alabaster popping against Resene Sail Away. The combination of these two hues give the curvy pattern a crisp edge and keeps the room feeling playful. It’s a versatile pattern that would look just as fantastic in a bathroom or kitchen as it does in a living area.

Before beginning any floor painting projects, it's essential to properly prep the floor – this means thoroughly cleaning the surface and ensuring it’s free of any dirt, dust or debris. Remember your curvy pattern should elongate the space and create an illusion of depth. To achieve this effect, the curves should be sweeping and organic, rather than sharp, too short or angular. Use a pencil and measuring tape to mark out the pattern on the floor and create a cardboard swirl template to trace across the room. The combination of Resene Half Alabaster and Resene Sail Away is reminiscent of the Mediterranean region, with its sun-drenched beaches and crystal-clear waters. It’s inviting, and you can’t help but feel relaxed in their presence.

We created a sense of openness and flow with our furniture choices, keeping things pared-back and really letting the floor be the star of the room. We painted a side table in Resene Half Alabaster with stripes in Resene Deep Teal, adding an unexpected, bold element that prevents the space from feeling predictable. The stripes of Resene Deep Teal are bold enough to hold their ground against Resene Sail Away, without overpowering the space. The soft edges of a stool in Resene Sandy Beach build counter this effect and keep the room feeling grounded and gentle.

For a Mediterranean resort look, arrange your furniture in a way that encourages conversation and relaxation. Consider adding a few comfortable chairs or a chaise lounge for lounging and reading. This provides a sense of escape and ultimately helps to create a tranquil zone in your home. The Mediterranean style, in particular, is embraced because of this warm, inviting aesthetic and its ability to evoke a sense of serenity.

Colours and products mentioned in this article

Styling by Kate Alexander. Photography by Bryce Carleton. 2023