My Love for California Mediterranean Homes
As an interior designer based in the Bay Area, my love for California’s lifestyle and design aesthetics runs deep—but it all began long before I ever set foot in a client’s home. I was just 18 when I took my first trip to Málaga, Spain, and I instantly fell in love with the architecture, warmth, and effortless charm that seemed to define every courtyard, tiled stair, and sun-washed facade. That experience stayed with me, shaping my eye and instincts as a designer.
Years later, when I moved to Santa Barbara to pursue my undergraduate degree, that love was unexpectedly rekindled. Surrounded by whitewashed walls, terracotta roofs, and meandering garden paths, I found echoes of the Mediterranean woven into the fabric of California living. It was there that I truly came to appreciate how Spanish-inspired architecture had taken on its own identity under the California sun.
Today, my love for Mediterranean architecture lives strong—and through my work at Saga Interiors, I’m fortunate to channel that passion into helping clients create warm, soulful homes that honor tradition while embracing the comforts of modern living. By blending timeless architectural elements with the ease of California style, we craft spaces that feel both rooted and refreshed.
Here are some of my favorite ways to elevate the California Mediterranean aesthetic:
01.
Embrace Seamless Indoor-Outdoor Living
The essence of California Mediterranean design lies in the harmonious connection between interior and exterior spaces. One of my signature touches is positioning potted olive trees in sun-drenched areas near windows, creating an organic flow between indoors and out. They require minimal watering and are easy to care for, too.
Designer's Insight: Consider olive trees as living sculptures — their silvery-green leaves and slender trunks complement arched doorways and terracotta tiles perfectly. They're transformative elements that soften interiors and add depth.
02.
Preserve Architectural Integrity
The true art of Mediterranean design lies in respecting your home's architectural integrity while adapting it for modern living.
Designer's Insight: Before making any changes, take time to identify the unique elements that give your home its character. Restoring original features such as wrought iron details, exposed wooden beams, windows, or intricate moldings can add significant value and charm. Preserving these touches not only keeps the soul of the home intact but also ensures that your space feels timeless.
03.
Beautify Niches
Mediterranean homes often feature beautiful built-in niches that offer great opportunities for personal expression. Think of each niche as a curated gallery space — a chance to tell your story through carefully chosen pieces such as vintage finds, and meaningful artwork that resonates with the home's roots while reflecting your personal journey.
Designer's Insight: I love to accent the composition with those perfectly imperfect hand-thrown ceramic bowls in chalk white and stone grey, mixing organic shapes with clean lines.
04.
05.
Celebrate Exposed Beams
Nothing speaks to Mediterranean architecture quite like exposed wooden beams. When properly highlighted, they become powerful design elements that ground the space while drawing the eye upward.
Designer's Insight: Consider your beams as natural art installations. Whether restored to showcase their original patina or thoughtfully refinished, they can define the character of an entire room. I often pair them with pendant lights to create dramatic shadows and highlight their natural texture.
Incorporate Gilded Elements
The interplay between gilded fixtures and the more rustic ironwork creates a sophisticated tension that elevates Mediterranean interiors.
Designer's Insight: Mixing metals — like the warmth of gold and the coolness of iron — introduces a layer of visual interest and opulence to your home. Pair gilded light fixtures, mirrors, or decorative accents with wrought iron stair railings and window grilles to establish a cohesive design language. For instance, a gilded chandelier above a wrought iron staircase not only illuminates and brings out the intricate details of the ironwork but also ties everything together beautifully.
06.
Master the Art of Lighting
Sconces are perfect for creating the warm, inviting ambiance that’s so characteristic of Mediterranean design. These wall-mounted light fixtures provide soft, ambient lighting that highlights arched doorways, textured walls, and niches.
Designer's Insight: I approach lighting as a way to sculpt space and emotion. Well-chosen sconces can transform a simple hallway into a gallery-like passage, or turn an ordinary arch into a dramatic focal point. The key is creating a rhythm of light that guides you naturally through the space.
As someone deeply passionate about California Mediterranean design, I find great joy in helping homeowners unlock their homes' full potential. If you’re looking to enhance the beauty and functionality of your own Mediterranean home, I’d love to guide you on that journey. Together, we can blend timeless architectural elements with contemporary comfort, to create spaces that feel both grounded in history and perfectly suited for modern living.
