How to Create Mediterranean Oasis: 25 Greek Interior Design

Table Of Content

• Fountain house
• Temple of Hera, Olympia (590 BCE)
• Roman Architecture – An Inside Look at Ancient Roman Buildings
• Greek Architecture: Everything You Need to Know
• Temple of Zeus, Athens (561 BCE)
• Principles of Art – Understanding the Principles of Design in Art
• How to Create Mediterranean Oasis: 25 Greek Interior Design

The structure’s design is also believed to have had much influence on a structure that has since been uncovered at St. Omobono in Italy. The temple was flanked by two pediments on the front as well as the back, out of which the eastern one only fragments remains and the other has managed to survive in a decent state. We can imagine how the temple was meant to look, however, as both pediments were identical and were decorated with carvings of high relief sculpted mythical creatures. It also holds the prestigious title of being the first temple in Greece to incorporate the use of decorated pediments.

Fountain house

During the 5th century BCE, domestic dwellings improved as the use of stone became more commonplace and walls were plastered on the outside and frescoed on the inside of the structures. Even in the bigger cities like Athens, there was no real attempt at city planning regarding roads or suburbs, and therefore, road layouts were often maze-like and chaotic. It originated in cultures that were situated on the Greek mainland, the islands in the Aegean Sea, colonies in Asia Minor, and the Peloponnese Peninsula. Earlier ancient Greek structures have also been found in the region that date back to 600 BC. Linen’s durability and natural elegance make it an ideal choice for creating a living space that is both welcoming and aesthetically pleasing, embodying the relaxed yet sophisticated spirit of Greek design. This material’s dark, lustrous finish offers a striking contrast to the bright whites and soft colors typical of Greek design, grounding the space with its weight and presence.

Temple of Hera, Olympia (590 BCE)

Beyond its aesthetic appeal, textured plaster is practical, offering durability and a timeless quality that does not fade with trends. This finish, when applied to walls or architectural features, brings a sense of the Mediterranean’s rustic charm into the home, blending perfectly with the minimalist and natural elements of Greek design. This minimalist approach not only pays homage to the ancient Greek ideal of symmetry and balance but also speaks to modern desires for a tranquil, unburdened living environment. In embracing minimalism, the design fosters a sense of peace and clarity, allowing the natural beauty of the architecture and selected materials to shine through. Incorporating vibrant blue accents into a Greek-inspired interior design scheme captures the spirit of the Aegean Sea, bringing the beauty of Greece’s natural landscape indoors.

Roman Architecture – An Inside Look at Ancient Roman Buildings

The theater could host crowds of up to 5,000 people capacity and was host to large music concerts. In the 1950s the stairs were rebuilt using Pentelic marble, thus regaining some of the former glory of its heyday. It has since acted as a venue for a multitude of both Greek and international music performances. The other theory is that it was named after a king that was buried near the site of the temple, Erechtheus. Due to the common practice of syncretization in which two people often became one in the public consciousness, it could possibly have been a reference to both of them.

Greek Architecture: Everything You Need to Know

The light, airy fabrics used for the canopy can help to diffuse natural light, creating a serene and inviting ambiance. This design element not only adds visual interest but also offers a nod to the luxury and sophistication of Greek interiors, inviting you to rest in a space that feels both timeless and out of the world. Central to this design theme are natural elements that echo the landscapes of Greece stone, wood, and linen come together to create spaces that feel both grounded and ethereal. Houses usually were centered on a courtyard that would have been the scene for various ritual activities; the courtyard also provided natural light for the often small houses.

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The first three orders are named Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian and they were created by the Greek architects themselves. This arrangement along with the open-air design resulted in excellent acoustics throughout the structure. The stages were also semi-circular in design and the screens which backed them would become incrementally more monumental over the centuries. Many of these ancient Greek structures still exist today such as the Theater of Dionysus Eleutherius and the Theater of Epidaurus.

Temple of Zeus, Athens (561 BCE)

The importance of whitewashed walls lies in their ability to create a bright, airy aesthetic that maximizes natural light, making spaces appear larger and more open. The reflective quality of the white surfaces bounces light around the room, enhancing the sense of airiness and freshness. Whitewashed walls are a quintessential element of Greek-inspired interior design, embodying the essence of Mediterranean charm and simplicity. This design choice is deeply rooted in Greece’s historical and geographical landscape, reflecting the sun-drenched houses of the Greek islands. Incorporating artwork or photographic prints that capture the ethereal beauty of the Greek sea and sky can significantly enhance the ambiance of your Greek-inspired interior. These elements emphasize the natural color palette, with hues of deep blue, turquoise, and azure reflecting the sea, contrasted against the soft whites and light blues of the sky.

Principles of Art – Understanding the Principles of Design in Art

The earliest shrines were built to honor divinities and were made from materials such as wood and mud brick—materials that typically don’t survive very long. The basic form of the naos (the interior room that held the cult statue of the God or Gods) emerges as early as the tenth century B.C.E. as a simple, rectangular room with projecting walls (antae) that created a shallow porch. In the eighth century B.C.E., Greek architecture begins to make the move from ephemeral materials (wood, mud brick, thatch) to permanent materials (namely, stone). Considering more modest structures, there were fountain houses (from the 6th century BCE) in many Greek cties where people could easily collect water and perhaps, as black-figure pottery scenes suggest, socialise. Regarding private homes, these were usually constructed with mud brick, had packed earth floors, and were built to no particular design. Later, from the 5th century BCE, better houses were built in stone, usually with plastered exterior and frescoed interior walls.

How to Create Mediterranean Oasis: 25 Greek Interior Design

“Entasis is quite noticeable in earlier temples of the sixth and early fifth century BCE, but it gradually becomes more and more subtle, to the point where you barely notice it or it is only detectable using scientific tools,” Dr. Paga adds. Curvature, on the other hand, refers to a principle by which no straight lines exist in monumental stone Greek architecture. “Every single horizontal element—like the steps, podium, frieze, and cornice—curves slightly upwards in the middle,” Dr. Paga says. “An exaggerated drawing of this would make the entire building look like it’s springing upwards from the middle.” The main vertical elements, like columns, are inclined slightly inward. Consisting of the large auditorium, the stage building, and the orchestral area, this ancient Greek structure is regarded as the perfect theater space in terms of its aesthetic architecture and brilliant acoustics. Pausanius, the ancient Greek geographer, has stated that the architecture of the beautiful theater complex was designed by Polykleitod the Younger.

Often placed at right-angles to create an enclosed open space, stoas were used for all manner of purposes such as meeting places and storage. The agora or market place of many ancient Greek towns would be composed of a large open square surrounded by a stoa. More interestingly, the nearby shops all present the same façade despite being different types of buildings. This is evidence that there was some sort of centrally controlled planning authority which ensured harmony of architecture in important public places. Certainly, during the 5th century BCE there were professional town planners, the most famous of which was Hippodamos who is often credited with planning the Piraeus and Rhodes. Interestingly, there is very often a correspondence between architectural changes in towns and changes in political regime.

In Greek-inspired interiors, marble surfaces bring a touch of timeless beauty and natural pattern to the space, whether through flooring, countertops, or decorative accents. Greek-inspired interior design captures the essence of Mediterranean charm, blending the serenity of the Aegean Sea with the rustic elegance of ancient architecture. This design philosophy is a celebration of light, natural beauty, and minimalist grace, inviting an atmosphere of calm and clarity into the home. Perhaps the fullest, and most famous, expression of Classical Greek temple architecture is the Periclean Parthenon of Athens—a Doric order structure, the Parthenon represents the maturity of the Greek classical form. Greek temples, at least on the mainland, followed a remarkably similar plan and almost all were rectangular and peripteral, that is their exterior sides and façades consisted of rows of columns.