Greek style in the interior embodies harmony and simple sophistication. It suits people gravitating to classics, clear zoning of space. To decorate the premises in the antique style, beautiful stucco molding, columns and sculpture are used. The walls are decorated with frescoes and large mirrors in metal frames. The ceilings are decorated with rough, not hewn stone, false wooden beams or simply whitewashed. The furniture is selected strict, classic with plain upholstery. It is comfortable and pleasant to be in a room decorated in the Greek style: nothing irritates the eye. The harmony of space is combined with the harmony of the interior.
What do we recall when mentioning the Greek culture of decoration? Colonnades, arched openings, niches with fountains and sculptures, murals depicting the exploits of famous mythological heroes. All these components characterize the ancient Greek culture. It serves as a good support for creating an antique-style decor. The appearance of modern Greece is formed by completely different components: sandy beaches of the Aegean and Mediterranean seas, plantations of olive trees, delicious wine from the vine, national cheeses. Designers find it difficult to rely on modern Greek culture. To embody its basic principles, they take as a basis the Mediterranean color scheme, national color. But they also intertwine unobtrusive elements of antique decor.
Creating an interior in the Greek style, you can rely on the historically developed antique style or simplified modern Greek style. Designers often combine two directions, skillfully weaving them into each other.
Content:
The history of the appearance of the Greek style
One of the oldest interior styles began to take shape during the birth of Greek culture. Around the third millennium BC. e. At that time, Greek society was not formed into a fully developed state. Greek lands were inhabited by disparate tribes that settled in the coastal zones of the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas. The state system was formed around the VIII-VI centuries. BC e. Speaking about the history of the interior in the Greek style, one cannot but say about the culture of Ancient Greece as a whole. Since these concepts are highly interconnected.
The culture of the ancient state developed rapidly. Historians divide the development process into five periods:
1. Archaic - dates from the reign of the legendary king Solomon. Evidence of the interior and architecture of this period has not been preserved.
2. Early Classical - culture is freed from Egyptian influence, adapting the traditions of other countries to itself, the Greek style known to us begins to emerge.
3. Classic - the heyday of culture. At this time, the main traditions of architecture and stone construction were formed. The Greeks began to build not only strong, but also beautiful structures, achieving the ideal form. Above all, they rule the middle ground, which they strive for in the construction of public and private buildings, interior design, decoration of courtyards and streets. It is noteworthy that instead of coarse simple materials they began to use more noble ones. Such as marble.
4. The Hellenistic period is characterized by grace of forms and images. It is formed under the influence of the culture of the East. Sculptors care about the image of ideal human bodies, athletic and well-built. Painters paint portraits, taking care of the beauty of the composition, the right angle, perspective.The canvases depict harmonious faces. During this period, magnificent magnificent civil buildings were built - theaters, temples.
5. The period of Roman power contributed to the deep penetration of Greek culture into Roman. The Greeks stopped erecting colossal buildings in their native land, but continued their traditions in the Eternal City. Antique Greek and Roman cultures are very similar. They are distinguished by their splendor of decoration. Greek design is characterized by restraint and practicality. Each thing takes its place and is used for its intended purpose. Roman design is distinguished by ostentatious splendor and decorative excess.
Each of the periods united a certain social order, the methods of construction of monumental structures; periods of reign of historical figures; principles of interior decoration. Common to all periods of the development of culture is the use of Greek mythology as the basis for decoration, construction and fine art. In the works of any period of time there are images of heroes: Theseus, Heracles, Prometheus. The theme of the struggle of the titans and gods is reflected in sculpture and painting. Temples and theaters were dedicated to the Greek gods.
The main features of the Greek style
To create a Greek-style interior in a modern house, designers rely on the basic principles of the culture and history of Hellas. The fundamental features of the Mediterranean design of Greece are the colors, the methods of designing flat surfaces, the choice of lighting, textiles and decor. 7 main features of the style form the appearance of the premises.
1. The combination of white with natural colors of the area
Often authentic Hellenic interiors are pure white. The floor, ceiling, walls, furniture are all white. Only the decor partially brings paint to the clean palette of the room.
The theme of bright sunlight and the blue sea is relevant for many modern interiors. Designers successfully combine white and blue colors, complementing them with a zigzag wave pattern.
Muffled, as if faded in the sun, colors are considered characteristic: light angry, sky blue, sand, light beige.
2. Walls with a rough finish
To decorate the walls using plaster, masonry, deliberately uneven whitewashing. The main thing is that the walls are not smooth. The surface is decorated with ornaments, frescoes, stucco molding, columns and half columns. In the spacious rooms in the walls make niches for statues or fountains.
3. High ceilings
Greek architecture suggested buildings with high arches that were decorated with images of gods, heroes or stucco molding. This option is possible today. The main condition for creating such a relief of ceilings is height. Low ceilings simply whiten or paint. Sometimes white ceilings are decorated with wooden beams. It is advisable to decorate the walls and ceiling in a single color scheme, achieving a single space.
4. Rough floor
Finishing materials for the floor are selected in the same style with the ceiling and walls. If they are decorated with wood - it means that the floor is made of wood. If they are plastered, then a rough tile of a light shade is chosen as a floor covering. Brick walls complete with stone floors. The original Greek design of the Hellenic period involved the use of mosaics on the floor. This technique is often adopted by designers, designing a design in the Greek style.
5. Natural textiles
The fabric decoration of the premises is restrained. Use natural fabrics - linen, cotton, bamboo fiber. The windows are curtained with simple cut curtains without frills and draperies. Plain canvases with a characteristic pattern of graphic waves are chosen. It is important that every detail was not only for beauty, but also had practical application. For example, curtains protect from bright light, a canopy bed hell - from mosquitoes, pillows on the couch create comfortable conditions for sitting.
6. Simple room lighting
The room should be bright in the daytime and evening. Therefore, for lighting, you need to select the number of lighting devices. No more and no less.If the room is small, a central lamp is sufficient. If the area is vast, then it is illuminated with a central chandelier, wall sconces, floor lamps. Lamps choose a simple geometric shape from natural materials.
7. Decor with a focus on the historical past
The rooms are filled with attributes directly pointing to the traditions of Ancient Hellas: amphorae, sculptures of naked heroes, wooden ships. Columns, niches and stucco work can be added to decorative elements. They decorate the interior and create a colorful atmosphere.
Color palette and characteristic patterns
Harmonious Greek interior allows the use of such color ensembles:
White and blue.
Sand and olive.
White and beige.
Most often, the premises are decorated in a single color, without making too bright accents, avoiding unnecessary color spots.
To emphasize the Greek aesthetics of the decor of surfaces, use drawings and patterns:
1. The most common and recognizable pattern is a circle inscribed in a square, as a symbol of the beauty of forms and harmony;
2. Zigzags or graphic waves - the most common pattern depicted on curtains, tablecloths, walls and ceilings;
3. Floral ornaments and motifs.
Walls
In addition to pastel colors and frescoes, the following techniques are used in the design of walls:
- The spacious room is decorated with white polyurethane columns, which are opened with several layers of paint (beige, and white on top), then slightly overlay the edges. The impression of a natural stone or marble, aged by time.
- The living room is decorated with a fireplace. They cover it with patterned tiles or monophonic tiles.
- The walls make arched niches. They can be left empty, or decorated with plants or sculpture.
- The walls are decorated with stone.
Ceiling
The classic finish is a whitewashed ceiling without decorations. It is suitable for small rooms, allowing you to visually increase the area. Another thing is large spacious halls. They are decorated with stucco along the perimeter. If possible - decorate with hand-painted, choosing plots from Greek mythology. In rooms made under the modern Greek style, the ceilings are decorated with wooden beams.
Floor
The floor is made according to the principle of wall and ceiling decoration. Use for its decoration natural materials:
- large pebbles;
- rough board;
- stone or ceramic tiles;
- mosaic.
If the room is small, then the floor is made plain, covering it with a single material. For example, a parquet board or tile.
If the size of the room is large enough, then it is made out more elegantly. The floor is laid artistically: with colorful small tiles, mosaic patterns.
Textile
So that the textile design matches the national color, it is selected from simple natural materials:
- on the floor are laid square, oval or round tracks made of matting, mat or rough hand knitting;
- beds and sofas are covered with plain covers with a patterned edge;
- curtains are curtained with white or light curtains (you can add their blinds).
Lighting organization
Designers take the choice of fixtures very seriously. It is the shape and materials of the fixtures that distinguish Roman and Greek design in many respects. For the Hellenic interior, large chandeliers with glass pendants and forged decorations are not characteristic. Such a lighting fixture can spoil your whole picture, turning a modest interior into a demonstration of luxury and wealth.
Tip: choose lamps of a simple form (candlestick, torch, ball, hemisphere, cylinder) made of natural materials (bronze, brass).
Decor
The premises are decorated with natural, architectural and sculptural decor. Living decor is vases with flowers and fruits, indoor plants (palm trees, ferns).Under the architectural decor understand arched door and window openings, colonnades, podiums. Sculptural decor is busts, antique statues, fountains, stucco moldings, large floor vases.
The modern interior in the Greek style allows the use of modern materials and techniques. It is important that the room is harmonious, not overloaded and comfortable.
Greek style interior design photo ideas
