Decorating with Tunisia in mind is like holing up in a Genie’s bottle.

There is something almost physical about taking in the blue and white hues of traditional Tunisian architecture and design. In the bay village of Sidi Bou Said – long a bohemian and artist’s sanctuary – one feels compelled to be immersed in the brilliant blues, set against crisp whites, under the hot Mediterranean sun.

Originally a pilgrimage destination, this, Tunisia’s most celebrated blue-and-white village, looks more like a painting, or a shimmering mosaic.

It is a study in bicolor simplicity, glimpsed along a labyrinth of winding streets, hidden gardens and flowering courtyards. Against dazzling white walls are flashes of everything blue: doors, window frames, shutters and moucharabiehs (latticework window screens), to name a few.

We sourced some of Sidi Bou Said’s finest interiors and exteriors for inspiration, seeking to recreate a Tunisian experience at home.

An elaborate birdcage is a key piece in Tunisian interiors. They are typically round and bulbous on top, with a solid rectangular bottom.

Bowls made from Tunisian olive trees, which are too old to bear fruit, can be used as decoration or for more functional purposes. Meanwhile, hand-painted plates in blues, yellows, golds, and oranges make for an enviable dinner party. 

Decorative murals and tiling in bathrooms, kitchens and pools is typically Tunisian, and a little French too. Not surprising given the long and complicated (i.e., Colonialist) affiliation between the two nations.

Tunisia is a small country that is bordered by the Mediterranean to the north and the east. It is for this reason, perhaps, that the color blue is used so predominantly in exterior embellishments and interior décor.

The layering of rugs and textiles create a bold, patterned and lush look.

The Tunisian inspired home is like living in a genie’s bottle set adrift in the placid tranquility of the Mediterranean blue. It is for this reason that I dream of Tunisia. Do you?

Images: Kristof Abrath; Agent Smith; hdandylion; Guillem Ribera; House to Home; Bellyglad; Alexandre Paris; Nicole Jane Home; Liz Tagami; cat-o’

According to Blue Living Ideas, four out of every 10 people in the world are affected by water scarcity.

As our world’s population explodes, the problem will only get worse if action is not taken to stop wasting and start conserving the water we have. Sure, there are many large scale non-profit organizations, worldwide and regionally, who are working out how to deal with this growing water problem. But there’s also plenty that each of us can do to help conserve water – everything from fixing dripping taps to taking naval showers. Simple steps to be sure, but add everyone’s simple steps together and we’ll get (to paraphrase Neil Armstrong) giant leaps for humankind.

To learn more about the world’s water shortage and how each of us can help, head over to Blue Living Ideas and downloard their free e-book The Green Living Guide to Home Water Conservation. It’s full of practical tips and water saving ideas for work, home and play.

The e-book  was commissioned as part of Kohler’s ongoing Save Water America Campaign.

Image: Julien Harneis