Rock the Casbah with Ethnic Interiors!

Mirabelle has a thing for modern interiors that incorporate cleaned-up pared-down period features, with ethnic touches to add interest and relate history. Those bring a tamed version of the world's natural habitats and cultural heritage in the form of statement wooden artefacts, stone sculptures, complimented by the use of other organic materials like rope, jute, sisal or hemp. These are the kind of interiors we feel at home in. Welcome in!

Sources: Ethnic touches from Portugal, Greece and Spain: (1) 'A Beautiful Home in the South of Portugal' (the holiday retreat of French designer Jacques Grange), via The Style Files, originally from Marie Claire Italia. We note the statement azulejos (tiles) that typify Portugal, Spain, and Central and South America. (2) 'A Renovated Greek Fisherman's House', via The Style Files, photography credit: Lefteris Miaoulis. We note the whitewashed walls contrasting with the wooden ceilings. Check out more ethnic interiors from Baobab Interiors (+ Pinterest). (3) 'Loft em Barcelona', via Casa Très Chic, originally from Micasa. We note the scalloped terracotta ceilings, a trademark of southern Europe, also found in the sought-after 17th- and 18th-century palazzi of Bastia, Corsica. (4) Aghia Sophia House by Aiólou Architects. We note the monumental wooden ceiling, and the traditional Greek touches (whitewashed surfaces and blue-painted doors and window-frames). Be sure to visit Aghia Sophia's dedicated blog to follow the fascinating step-by-step construction project. Besides this, Aiólou Architects have been involved in other interesting projects like the Mani house project (Greece), as reported by My Paradissi.