What Is a Mediterranean Style House?
A Mediterranean style house takes its influence from the sunny countries that border the Mediterranean sea. Italian and Greek styles are major contributors to the design of the classic Mediterranean style house, though it also takes some style concepts from Spain and is sometimes called Spanish modern. There are several architectural features that help define a house as Mediterranean, though landscaping and interior decor can also add to the overall style. In many modern examples of the Mediterranean style house, the exterior walls and roofs are a major clue as to the design style. Most often, exterior walls are constructed of stucco, while roofs are sloping and usually covered with tiles. Commonly, the walls are white or painted a sunny neutral color, such as peach, salmon, or yellow. Roof tiles are almost always red, making the exterior of many Mediterranean style homes cheerful and bright.