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Friday, September 30th, 2016
This Accessories Uttermost Tobia Burnt Terracotta Planter 20069 will sit beautifully on terracotta tile flooring.
If you have started kitchen renovation or remodeling, then you know how overwhelming it can be. There are kitchen fixtures to worry about, pros and cons to consider, flooring to install, and a color scheme to decide on. Today, you are going to consider one material that will make your decision-making a whole lot easier – terracotta.
The wonderful world of tiles shows a wide array of patterns, colors, finishes, styles and textures. The material that you pick for your floor tile often determines the aesthetics. Consider terracotta to fulfill not just the aesthetics part of the project but also the durability, budget and style issues.
Stone and wood flooring are popular choices but terracotta is another timeless classic that you could look into. You can even achieve the look of a Spanish Revival home by simply using these tiles.
Terracotta and Its Distinctive Features
Terracotta literally means baked earth. It is hard because it is fired, unglazed clay. What makes it standout is its reddish-brown hue which is why it is linked to styles such Southwest, rustic, Old World and Mediterranean.
Terracotta tiles have long been around. For hundreds of years, this material has provided a uniqueness that is difficult to equal. It is a homeowner favorite because it can be used in both traditional and contemporary settings.
Terracotta is made of natural materials that are quite durable. It comes in a variety of finishes from zero to high gloss. Terracotta also offers an earthy and warm feel which makes it suitable both indoors and outdoors. It is a material that’s resistant to bacteria and mold.
Terracotta is porous, it absorbs moisture quite quickly. This is also why it is susceptible to alcohol, citric acid, vinegar, and oils. Terracotta tiles must be sealed each year so that stains, cracking and discoloration can be prevented.
Installing terracotta tiles can be a bit more difficult compared to other flooring materials. It is highly recommended that professionals would do the job.
The Thomasville Dining Room Elba Round Dining Table 43622-740 is equally rustic which is why it would go well with terracotta flooring.
Terracotta Maintenance
Clean terracotta tiles with a mild dishwashing liquid, tepid water, and soft cloth. Use this for spills and stains. You can also use a damp mop, just make sure that you dry the spot immediately.
Grout is also prone to staining so you need to scrub it off as soon as possible.
Terracotta in the Bedroom
If kitchens and central courtyards have an endearing look because of terracotta tiles, then the bedroom can have the same charming look.
Terracotta tiles in the bedroom means having a relaxing and comfy sanctuary. There are reddish hues to look into and finishes to consider. Your bedroom style is never an issue with this material since it can work in just about any setting where you install it.
Terracotta in the Living Room
Finding the right terracotta tiles for your living room may not be easy – back in the day. In the last years, homeowners have been looking for a unique material to use inside their living rooms and terracotta just couldn’t be passed up.
Terracotta isn’t for everyone, though. This is just the material to use if you want to stray from the obvious styles. Use it to blend rustic and contemporary, timelessness and classic beauty.
Mediterranean and Versatile
Your home can make good use of terracotta tiles if you want the Mediterranean, farmhouse, eclectic or rustic look. Many homeowners who have used them in the past can vouch for this material’s durability, beauty and overall quality.
Just make sure that you buy your terracotta tiles from a reputable seller. Be ready for annual care, too, in terms of yearly sealing. This is pretty small to ask for something so beautiful. These tiles are also less taxing on everyone’s feet because of its porous nature.
Tags: McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, Mediterranean interior design, Mediterranean interiors, Mediterranean style, rustic, rustic charm, rustic elements, rustic look, rustic style, terracotta, terracotta design, terracotta floor, terracotta flooring, terracotta material, terracotta tiles
Posted in Accents, Accessories, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | No Comments »
Thursday, February 25th, 2016
Hooker Furniture Bedroom Corsica Dark Queen Panel Bed 5280-90250.
The French Mediterranean style came from the countries situated at the north of the Mediterranean Sea. These countries include Greece, Spain and Italy. This is a style that is referred to today as Spanish modern.
Mediterranean furniture pieces range from the mere functional to the most formal. Most of these pieces are short and have ornate legs and feet. The wood used is often heavy and burnished. The walls of Mediterranean homes are often textured, with the bullnose edge being a common design on fireplace mantels.
Mediterranean Colors
The hues of these regions echo the beauty of the sky and the sea. Depending on the region, though, the hue could be lavender, a cool yellow, or the warmer terracotta.
Stucco finishes and tiled roofs dominate Mediterranean style houses. Spanish histories display a lot of these as do other states with warm climates.
Influences come from Italy, Portugal., and mainly Spain. Other countries from the Mediterranean regions also have some design contributions.
Hooker Furniture Dining Room Corsica Dark Round Dining Table with 1-18in Leaf 5280-75203
Mediterranean Architecture
Architecture under this style that is found in North America was quite popular from 1918 till 1940. The designs echoed the beautiful haciendas of New World Spain. Features included arches, red tile roofs, and plaster made to look like plastered adobe. Various homes in Florida and California were built in this style.
Pretty soon, developments from other European nations were already found in Mediterranean houses. Influences came as far as the Balkans and France. Cypress, Turkey and Lebanon provided the Asian inspiration together with North African nations like Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria.
These days, a lot of the ornate homes that fuse the different countries’ elements are categorized as Mediterranean or Neo-Mediterranean. Other features include courtyards, terraces, porticos, stucco finishes, and balconies.
During the 1920 till the 1930s, many Hollywood movies featured Mediterranean settings. Celebrity magazines also plastered stars living in Tudor, Spanish colonial or castle-like dwelling places. These years saw the peak of construction of Mediterranean houses.
Home building was dampened by the Great Depression, though. Following the Second World War, the focus was turned to stucco tract housing. In the 1960s, though, Mediterranean homes had a marvelous comeback. The rest of the United States, mostly those from the South, embraced the Mediterranean look.
Hooker Furniture Bedroom Corsica Metal Floor Mirror 5480-90009
Famous Mediterranean Homes
Some of the homes that are immediately thought of when the word Mediterranean is mentioned are the Frances Marion and Fred Thomson house; the Smith-Heberton house; and the house of Fred C. Aiken.
These homes had one or more of the key features of a Mediterranean house. The red tile roof which was copied from the Mexican and Spanish missions were made of bricks and clay pots. The half tubes were able to shed water effectively.
The stucco walls are next which protected the exterior walls from extreme temperatures which are common in Mediterranean climate. Arches are also features that go back all the way to the Roman times. These self-supporting structures are also found in beautiful Mediterranean homes. Just imagine the architectural magic of these arches and you are sure to marvel. Every stone depends on the keystone at the top of the arch, with side columns having their weight distributed on the sides then downward.
Tiles are also common, especially the mosaic tile designs. Bring this same beauty into your own floor or your kitchen backsplash. Simulate the look of a lovely mosaic tile with a stenciled mosaic border on the walls, floors or on your furniture. Wall textures can be layers of glaze and paint or sand-textured.
Mediterranean accessories include filigree light fixtures, burnished bronze urns, and wrought-iron fireplaces. Heavy wooden doors complete with ornate carvings welcome the visitors of every Mediterranean-inspired home.
Tags: French design, French Mediterranean, Greek design, Italian design, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, Mediterranean interior design, Mediterranean interiors, Mediterranean style, natural stone, Spanish, stone, wood, wood elements
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Themes | No Comments »
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