12 Mediterranean Homes That Are the Antidote to Mid-Winter Blues
We’d gladly opt for a vacation anywhere in this dreamy region, but for now we’ll settle with just fantasizing. Think picturesque villas set atop dramatic cliffs, charming seaside towns where wine and olive oil flow in abundance, and a laid-back lifestyle for locals and visitors alike.
The architecture of the Mediterranean reflects this culture and builds off the rich heritage of the region. Features of note include rough-hewn beams juxtaposed against stark plaster walls, and large terraces and atriums that bring in more light. Read on for the homes and rentals that have us craving the breezy, simple lifestyle unique to this special terroir.
This John Pawson–Designed Retreat in Mallorca Is a Minimalist’s Dream
This Mallorcan villa was the firm’s first full architectural project. It was originally built for German art dealers whom Pawson had met by chance on an Italian beach. Acclaimed for his moody minimalism, the architect lends his signature touch to this five-bedroom home. To obtain a rosy hue, pigments from the local red soil were mixed with plaster.
Located high up on a hill, Es Bec d'Aguila is a place to truly escape urban life by finding sanctuary in Menorca's rugged landscape.
Campo Loft is a blend of industrial architecture and the natural materials found in the surrounding valleys. It is a contemporary residence where contrast plays a large role—old and new, sleek and rustic, light and dark, rough and soft.
If you’re traveling to Puglia in Italy, one of the most iconic sights are trulli (trullo is the singular), an ancient hut that's specific to the Itria Valley in the Apulia region of Southern Italy. Made with dry stone, trulli date back to medieval times.
As if undertaking an archaeological dig, architect Carles Oliver peels back layers of his home over the course of three years.
Resting along the crest of a volcanic crater on the little-known island of Nisyros in the Aegean Sea, Villa Nemésis marries the mystique of ancient Greece with modern design.
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City House by SMS Arquitectos features a second-floor townhouse extension that explores new possibilities with plywood.
Floor-to-ceiling glass runs along the entire front facade, providing expansive views of lush forests and the Mediterranean Sea in the distance. Polished concrete and natural wood dominate the minimalist aesthetic.
As the former home of modernist architect Barry Dierks, this French Riviera residence that overlooks the Mediterranean Sea was updated with modern interiors and amenities. However, its white cubic architectural facade from 1926 was kept intact.
Rug designer Nani Marquina and photographer Albert Font created their home in a peaceful corner of the Spanish island of Ibiza. In their living room is a pair of kilim-covered chairs by Philippe Xerri, a chest of drawers by Piet Hein Eek, and a handmade Tunisian rug that provides bursts of color amidst the overall color scheme of white, ecru, and cream.
"The placement of the stacked boxes and the space between them has been treated in a sculptural way—always considering the functional needs of habitability and the beauty of the house," explains Estudio Caballero Colón.
An indoor/outdoor swimming pool flows into the living space and grand, floor-to-ceiling windows lead onto a large ,semi-covered terrace with stunning views of the Atlas Mountains.
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