Mediterranean Interior vs Moroccan Interior
Moroccan Interior is a regional variant of Mediterranean Interior — the North African, Moorish wing of the Mediterranean tradition.
Mediterranean Interior
The sun-baked villa interior of whitewashed and stone walls, terracotta floors, arched openings, and wrought iron — cool, earthy, and tuned to a warm coastal climate.
- Thick whitewashed plaster or exposed stone walls
- Arched doorways, niches, and windows as a structural motif
- Terracotta and patterned ceramic (azulejo/majolica) tile floors
- Dark heavy ceiling beams and wrought-iron grilles and fixtures
- Earthy palette of white, ochre, terracotta, olive, and sea blue
Moroccan Interior
A richly ornamented North African style of carved plaster, zellige tilework, jewel-toned textiles, and intricate lanterns centred on the inward-facing courtyard of the riad.
- Mosaic zellige tilework in geometric, star-based patterns
- Carved and pierced stucco with painted cedar ceilings
- Horseshoe and keyhole arches and fretwork screens (mashrabiya)
- Saturated jewel-toned textiles, poufs, and low banquette seating
- Pierced-metal lanterns casting intricate patterned shadows
At a glance
| Mediterranean Interior | Moroccan Interior | |
|---|---|---|
| Era | 1920s–present | Traditional–present |
| Discipline | Interior Design | Interior Design |
| Region | Spain, Italy, Greece, United States (California, Florida) | Morocco, North Africa, Mediterranean |
| Family | Vernacular, Revival | Islamic, Mediterranean |
| Formal traits | earthy, sun-cooled, arched, rustic | ornamented, geometric, saturated, arched |
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