In this lovely dining room the table and chairs, and even the console in the far corner all belong to the mid-century period. Streamlined pieces in warm wood tones and an understated aesthetic characterize this style, which shows no signs of slowing down any time soon. In this bedroom, those colors set the tone. Natural materials—like the jute rug—with a handmade feel and strong patterns on the bedding and headboard round out the style. The biggest mistake to avoid when embracing this style however is to assume that the mediterranean includes only Southern Europe when in fact the mediterranean sea touches on Africa from Morocco to Egypt as well as several points in the Middle East, so the range of cultural influences to draw from is vast, helping to ensure a worldly, sophisticated look for your space. At it’s height, the Art Deco style was a wonder to behold. It encompassed not only interior design but architecture, painting and sculpture as well. But Art Deco isn’t just for looking backwards. This entryway is a beautiful example of Art Deco at its best: bold geometric patterns cover nearly every surface of the room accented by elaborate lighting features, innovative furniture designs and lots of metallics—especially gold. While it was eventually denounced as being overly ostentatious—an understandable sentiment following a massive depression bookended by a set of world wars—it remains one of the worlds great iconic moments of art and design. However, this living room does a good job of encompassing some of the most prevalent. The first is an embrace of color and pattern as seen in the rugs and pillows. An emphasis on textiles is also a common element of global spaces. But the most important aspect is always the blending of cultures as that is the element that makes a room truly global. In this space, a Moroccan pouf sits alongside a couch filled with pillows in Chinese Hmong and Suzani patterns. Topping it all is a gallery wall of frames etched in Kuba and Ndop patterns.
