A home is a place where all the stresses of the day should melt away. The colors and pieces inside should bring you peace and a sense of belonging when you return from the travels of the day. Every time you walk through the front door, you should feel transported to somewhere that makes you feel the ocean breeze, smell the firewood, or feel the warm soft fuzzies of comfort. Home should be a vacation away from life, where all the trials and tribulations of the bustling world outside seem insignificant.

How many of us actually get the vacation time we deserve? Bring the vacation to your home by creating a design that reflects your most perfect vacation spot. My perfect trip for ultimate relaxation would be a week-long trip to Greece; I love the cool blues and creamy whites that reflect the color of the warm shores. Greek homes are often designed to be open with high ceilings and doorways, white washed walls and soft corners that almost seep right into the beachy landscape. Re-create your perfect getaway in your home by incorporating the colors of the Greek islands and bring a little bit of that cool sea breeze wafting into your living space.

There are certain things to keep in mind when creating your seaside cottage. Greek design is based off of the natural curiosities on the islands; everything is inspired by the landscape of high cliffs, the foliage and the cool blue bodies of water. Do as the Greeks do, and get your inspiration from the island, pull colors from pictures of the shores and flowers and use materials found in nature like driftwood and stone. Keep patterns simple, and lines clean in order to reproduce the relaxing atmosphere of an island getaway.

You’ll also notice that Greek design is very minimal and free of clutter. Rooms feel clean and fresh, as though the linens were just freshly starched, dried outside in the breeze, and spread over the bed. Take this opportunity to clear out some of the junk in your spaces, organize and tuck away anything you don’t toss to leave the living spaces open and airy. Wooden or iron bookshelves are a great way to organize small trinkets and pictures while leaving tables and desktops clear of clutter.

If you don’t have any trinkets to fill your bookshelf just take a walk outside! Bring natural items into your home, like smooth rounded stones, wildflower arrangements, and shells. It will cost you almost nothing, and align perfectly with your Greek inspired design. Use a jar of shells and sand as a centerpiece, or hang flowerboxes on your windowsill. Look for inspiration around you and let the natural state of the pieces speak for themselves!

If the thought of mostly white decorations scares you, or if you have small children that threaten the cleanliness of your home, opt instead for cream or tan colored textiles. You can still achieve the look of a Greek island resort without the frightening prospect of easily tarnished white linens and walls. Greek design can range from warm wooden bungalows to whitewashed beach side cottages, so don’t be afraid to utilize the flexibility of colors and textures to create the perfect feeling for your space.

Share your getaway design dreams with us!

xo Amanda!