Mediterranean Home Plans

House Plan: Window, stucco detailing highlight Calabro design

As a change from homes with a clear delineation between living areas, there is no formal living room or dining room in this plan. Those who enjoy open spaces will find this relaxed, comfortable gathering area quite appealing.

The great room is totally open to the kitchen and offers sliding door access to a wide screened porch. The L-shaped kitchen has everything: oven and microwave, built-in cooktop, a corner appliance center, dishwasher and pantry.

An angled combination work island-eating bar provides minimal separation, and the great room has a wet bar with a counter and overhead cabinets.

Laundry facilities, including a utility sink, are but a few steps away. The utility room is also directly accessible from the garage, which comes equipped with a long workbench.

Amenities in the owners' suite are surprisingly luxurious. You enter through French doors, the walk-in closet is huge, and the bathroom has twin vanities and an oversized shower. Glass blocks create a short privacy wall. The other bathroom is just inside the entry, handy for children dashing in from play. A pocket door allows two to use the bathroom at once, both in complete privacy.

Bedroom three in the Calabro can be used as a study, and bedroom two has a vaulted ceiling and dramatic boxed-out window — an ideal location for a window seat.

For a review plan, including scaled floor plans, elevations, section and artist's conception, send $25 to Associated Designs, 1100 Jacobs Drive, Eugene, OR, 97402. Please specify the Calabro 11-083 and include a return address when ordering. For more information, call (800) 634-0123.

Mediterranean Home Plans | Home Design & Decor

•    Landscaping tips

Mediterranean house plans should go together with a good layout for your garden. Firstly, make sure to add lush vegetation, like palm trees, jasmine bushes, and other rich foliage, to ensure that when you redo the walls of your home, there is a nice contrast between the rich green and the white stucco or beige limestone exterior of your home.

The next thing to do is add some fountains and sculptures throughout your garden. Create a footpath with limestone, using a herringbone pattern. Add a vegetable patch with herbs, spices and vegetables that you would want to use in your favorite Italian or Spanish recipe.

Although not feasible on all properties, building a wall around your garden will create a more authentic feel for your remodeled home with Mediterranean house plans. Alternatively, creating a private seating area within your garden can also create the right atmosphere.

•    Exterior tips

One of the most common and well known aspects of Mediterranean house plans is the use of light colored materials for the exterior walls. White stucco or beige limestone are very popular throughout Spain, Italy and Greece and will definitely give your home the look you want.

The roofing should definitely use red Spanish tile as that will give a strong accent to the whole house. Windows should be embellished with ornate wrought iron grills and arched as well for that authentic Mediterranean feel. 

If you really want to go all the way on the exterior of your house, an extravagant detail that will enhance your Mediterranean house plans is to add small areas of hand-painted patterned tiles in a square or circular shape above entry ways around the house.

•    Interior tips

To reflect the warm, casual and friendly ambience found in southern France, Spain and Italy, try to create an open space in your home. Build arched doorways into the main living area and kitchen.  Place appropriate artwork on the walls and window sills. Don’t forget to include a wine cellar where you can display your collection of vintage dry reds and share them during those informal gatherings with friends and family.

Bring the outdoors inside with lush potted plants, hanging plants and even a vine creeping up an interior wall.  Use natural colors and pine wood furniture to create a light, rustic feeling, commonly found in homes designed with Mediterranean house plans.

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