City Style: Create a Florida-Inspired Space

Mediterranean Revival

When it comes to styles of architecture and design that can be described as Floridian, you don’t have to look any further than Mediterranean Revival. Popularized in the ‘20s and ‘30s – mainly along the coasts of Florida and California – architects and designers incorporated elements of ‘Mediterranean resorts’ (vibrant blues, red tiles and iron details are among the characteristics of Mediterranean Revival), to draw in tourists. Today, elements of Mediterranean Revival continue to define Floridian architecture and spaces to create the laidback, eclectic look and feel that has come to be synonymous with Florida style.

How to Decorate a Florida-Style Living Room

Get in the Florida mindset through color: since the state is home to vivid beaches, incorporate bright green décor to represent the lush palm leaves, soft blue décor to represent the sparkling coastline, and orange décor to represent the humid climates. Next, latch onto the power of texture through live plants, potted in planters, jars and vases around the house. (Side note: for an extra bit of fun, make bright, neon throw pillows out of bathing suit textures such as nylon and polyester; that stretchy, waterproof feel that is so unique to bathing suits is a fun way to invoke Tampa, Jacksonville, Key West and other vacation vibes right in your living room.) Finally, hang up wall art of beach scenes or Florida maps to bring home the theme.

How to Decorate Your Own Florida Room

A Florida room is a room devoted to sunshine – literal sunshine. It’s often filled with windows or incorporates an indoor/outdoor space and can be considered an indoor patio or outdoor living room. Florida style is filled with the motifs of Florida state, from lush greens to sandy beaches; Florida rooms don’t have anything to do with the state except for the fact that many homes in Florida have them.

To create your own Florida room, regardless of whether or not you live in Florida, let there be (sun)light: draw back the shades, and add windows, if at all possible. The idea is to make the indoors feel outdoors, so limit the amount of opaque wall space. Many Florida rooms are built customized, as additions to a home and resemble solariums or conservatories. In terms of décor, Florida rooms thrive on greens – play to the tropics of the namesake state by bringing in planters of tropic palms; on what wall space that is not already taken up by windows, hang greenery wall art and décor, and on the floor, lay a lush green rug to keep the space as cozy as it is bright.

Like what you see? Discover the designs from this article and more at a Living Spaces near you.