• Molly Woodward-Moor, interior designer and creative director at Stone Superstore talks through her top tips for injecting Mediterranean charm into your interiors this summer.
• Amalfi interiors has been named as one of the key interior trends this summer.
• Molly shares how to achieve a Mediterranean coastal-inspired space that feels fresh and authentic – steering clear of the overdone clichés that can make the look feel forced.

As the summer weather sets in, it’s no surprise that our homes start to reflect the same easy-going, sun-soaked energy. This summer, we can expect to see Amalfi-inspired interiors everywhere, bringing with them the laid-back luxury of Mediterranean coastal retreats.

From whitewashed walls to olive wood accents and zesty citrus tones, interior designer and creative director at Stone Superstore, Molly Woodward-Moor, talks through how to bring the trend into your home this summer. She talks through how to create the perfect relaxed, feel-good space you’ll want to escape to all season long – plus, she reveals how to keep the look sophisticated and how to steer clear of the overdone clichés.

Embrace a sun-bleached colour palette:

At the heart of Mediterranean interiors is a palette inspired by its surroundings that is made up of a collection of warm and earthy tones that create a sense of comfort and escapism, inspired sandy beaches, terracotta roofs, and vineyards.

 Start with a calming base of warm-white, ivory, or this season’s ‘it’ colour, butter yellow, which is perfect for creating that sun-drenched feel that is reminiscent of the Amalfi Coast. Ideally, you should be accommodating your base colour to 60% of your interior space.

Layer this base in gentle neutrals such as beige, terracotta, or chalky earth tones. This secondary shade should complement your base colour, rather than overpowering it, and can be used in larger pieces of furniture and textiles.

You can then incorporate Mediterranean blues, olive greens, and citrus yellows to echo the coastlines, vineyards, and farms. These shades should be used sparingly to add a pop of contrast and bring the overall mood of the space together, such as in artwork, soft furnishings, or decoration.

Choose natural materials:

Mediterranean interiors are deeply rooted in natural organic elements and traditional accents, making natural materials an essential part of achieving the look. Opt for finishes that feel organic and earthy – think terracotta, stone, and aged wood. These materials bring both texture and warmth, whilst also adding to the sun-soaked and timeworn charm, synonymous with homes along the Amalfi Coast.

There are plenty of ways to weave in these elements into your interiors. Terracotta or stone tiles are a classic choice for flooring, kitchen backsplashes, or outdoor patios if you want to explore indoor/outdoor living spaces, instantly adding an authentic feel. For a more modern twist, you could consider wood-effect ceramic tiles, which offer the rustic look of wood with all the practicality of porcelain.

When it comes to furniture and accessories, embrace imperfection and craftsmanship. The Mediterranean look celebrates character, so seek out pieces with visible grain, natural marks, or a gently weathered finish. A mosaic side table, wooden chairs, or a hand-thrown ceramic vase all help to evoke the timeless and lived-in elegance.

Incorporate texture and subtle pattern play:

Mediterranean interiors, especially those in Greece or the Amalfi Coast are rich with patterned porcelain tiles, often in a sun-drenched colour palette featuring intricate motifs.

Whilst you could use patterned tiles as a focal point, whether it’s behind a kitchen hob, framing a fireplace, or in the bathroom, tiles are a hugely versatile decor option that can be used in many creative ways beyond their traditional use in kitchens and bathrooms.

If you’re tiling a space, consider repurposing any leftover tiles in different ways. For example, revamping a coffee table; DIY tiled coffee and console tables have been gaining popularity over the past few years, due to their durability, aesthetic, and the creative freedom they offer. This DIY project is also fairly easy to do; just make sure to clean and prep the surface of your existing coffee table, lay out the tiles to plan your design, and remember to use the correct adhesive and grout to make sure the tiles are set in place.

Other ways people choose to repurpose tiles include making them into coasters or utilising them in different areas of the home, such as breaking any fractured tiles into smaller pieces to create your own terrazzo-like mosaic art for your home.

If tiles are too permanent, lean into Mediterranean prints or soft furnishings such as cushions, rugs, or table runners that you can easily switch out between seasons.

Bring the outdoors in:

Bringing the outdoors in will help to capture the laid-back charm of a Mediterranean escape.

Mediterranean homes are flooded with sunlight, so maximising the natural light that rooms receive is essential. Consider using sheer curtains in rooms where it’s not necessary to have the sun blacked out in the evening, such as hallways and kitchens, opt for shades such as white, sand, or pale stone to let the sun glaze through.

Citrus is also key in Mediterranean spaces, you could add an instant Amalfi flair by incorporating a mini lemon tree to your space, they love bright light so pick a spot with south-facing windows. Choose a terracotta pot to place it in for a Mediterranean finish.

Lastly, you could seek out rustic ceramics with painted fruit or florals, such as dinnerware, vases, or trinkets to add to open shelving, dining rooms, or console tables.

How to avoid cliché elements and common coastal inspired mistakes:

Overcommitting to specific themes such as ‘beach house’ or ‘Mediterranean’, can make a home feel more like a caricature than a well-designed space. We tend to see this a lot in Air B&B spaces, which can be a great way to lean into the escapism of a holiday, however when it comes to home design, too many literal design elements can make the home look kitschy and overdone rather than a though. Instead, take inspiration from themes without being too literal. For Amalfi-inspired spaces, focus on light, airy colours, natural textures and subtle nods to the theme through terracotta, indoor lemon trees, or wooden elements.