Creating Your Dream Spanish Style Home
Essential Guide

Spanish influence, from Revival to Colonial, Mediterranean, Mission, and Andalusian styles, has seen a resurgence in modern interior design. Today, I’m sharing  the defining characteristics of this warm and timeless aesthetic, along with some of my favorite inspiration photos and tips on how to bring this style into your home.

As we embark on a new Spanish-inspired renovation project this summer, I’ve been deeply immersed in ideas and inspiration, and I’ve completely fallen in love with this design style. There are countless variations, from traditional to modern, offering endless creative possibilities for incorporating different aspects into your home. I’m particularly captivated by the contrasts within this style of elegance paired with playfulness, minimalism with eclecticism, neutrality with boldness allowing for the freedom to adapt this aesthetic to your personal preferences.

There are so many different home styles to fall in love with, each offering unique ways to create a beautiful look. We adore homes that feature fresh, airy furniture and finishes while still honoring the original bones and character of the space. Today’s dream home exemplifies this balance perfectly. With arched doorways, terracotta tiles, layers of artisan styling, and a beautiful mix of woods, this remodeled home exudes character and charm, a charming setting for a cozy holiday week. Take a look and be inspired!

Spanish style architecture gained immense popularity in the early 20th century, with its causal asymmetry and seamless indoor/outdoor connections reflecting a cultural shift towards informality. This style was ideally suited to the climate of the burgeoning Southern California region, and perhaps most importantly, it embodied a romanticized past while capturing the contemporary allure of Hollywood.

What is a Spanish Style Home?

A Spanish style home is identifiable by its uniformity, minimal embellishments, and smooth stucco, adobe, or stone exteriors. Spanish style homes are often recognized by their tile and stone roofs, typically featuring barrel-shaped tiles in warm earth tones. Other common characteristics of Spanish style homes include arched doors, entryways, and windows, as well as heavy wooden doors with intricate carvings and metal work.

The interior of a Spanish style home may also feature an interior courtyard, often surrounded by arcades or adorned with water features, niches, wrought ironwork, or colorful tile accents. Exposed wood beams and floors made of tile, stone, or cobbles are also typical in Spanish style homes.

To summarize, here are some main features of the Spanish style home:

• One or Two Story
• Minimal and Uniform
• Barrel Roof Tiles
• Smooth Stucco Walls
• Wood Support Beams
• Arches and Curves
• Wrought Ironwork

What is modern Spanish style design?

Modern Spanish style design, or "Spanish Modern," blends traditional Spanish style elements with contemporary influences to create a fresh and updated look. This style is characterized by clean lines, minimalist aesthetics, and earthy neutral colors, replacing the vibrant hues of traditional Spanish style. Natural materials like wood, clay, metal, and tile are key components, reimagined to fit modern trends.

Spanish style homes are celebrated for their timeless beauty and old-world charm, especially in regions like California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Florida, where the hot climate has shaped their design. These homes, closely tied to the casual California lifestyle, are perfect for indoor-outdoor living, combining elegance with relaxed living. Their design often includes features that promote airflow and keep the heat out, making Spanish style homes ideal for warmer climates.

Benefits of Spanish Style Homes

1. Versatile Style: Spanish style homes can range from minimal to more ornate, satisfying a range of design tastes. Homebuyers can opt for a one-story design with few embellishments, or a two-story design with colorful tile accents and a water feature in the interior courtyard, or any combination of these options.

2. Outdoor Space: Balconies and central, interior courtyards offer stunning spaces to enjoy the outdoors for recreation or relaxation. Courtyards can be adorned with tile accents, water features, beautiful gardens, and comfortable outdoor furniture, a perfect space to enjoy nature and soak up the sunshine.

3. Practical: The exterior materials of Spanish style homes hold up well to the elements, reducing maintenance and costly updates or repairs. Additionally, homes with tile floors keep cool in warm weather and are easy to clean. These homes are also common as one-story plans, an ideal option for many families.

Iconic Features and Architectural Details of Spanish Style

Red-Tiled Roofs: Spanish style homes are renowned for their iconic red-tiled roofs, inspired by Spanish and Mediterranean influences. These roofs not only enhance the aesthetic appeal but also reflect the historical connection to Spanish and Moorish architecture. Traditionally, these red, barrel terra-cotta tiles were handmade and curved to fit, contributing to their unique charm.

White Stucco Exterior Walls: The exterior walls of Spanish style homes are typically finished with smooth but slightly irregular stucco, often in tones of creams to light earth tones. This stucco, placed over brick walls and painted white, is chosen for its durability and weather-resistant properties. It reflects the sun and helps keep interiors cool, reflecting traditional building methods that aimed to combat the heat.

Outdoor Living and Courtyards in Spanish Style

Courtyards & Outdoor Spaces: One of the defining elements of Spanish style homes is the integration of outdoor living spaces. Charming courtyards and patios blur the lines between indoor and outdoor living. These areas, often defined by low garden walls, built-in benches, or plantings, create private, inviting retreats. They are perfect for entertaining, enjoying a morning coffee, or simply relaxing in a personal oasis. Courtyards, inspired by Mediterranean traditions, enhance the lifestyle experience and connect modern homes to historical precedents.

Wooden Doors and Beams: Large, carved wooden doors, often featuring wrought iron details, are a staple of Spanish style homes. These doors, sometimes split into top and bottom halves, add to the rustic charm and practicality. Inside, dark, unfinished wood beams often adorn the ceilings. Originally structural, these beams are now primarily decorative, contributing to the old-world feel.

Architectural Elements of Spanish Style

Arches: Graceful arches are a signature feature of Spanish style homes. Found in doors, entryways, windows, and between rooms, these arches add elegance and are integral to the structural composition. They reflect the historical masonry techniques where arches were crucial for weight distribution. Even in modern wood-framed buildings, preserving the arch aesthetic is essential to maintain architectural integrity.

Small Windows with Shutters: Spanish style homes typically feature few and small windows, designed to allow air flow while minimizing heat and light. These windows often come with heavy wooden shutters, used during the hottest parts of the day to keep interiors cool. The placement of windows establishes a rhythm on the façade, balancing the solid wall sections and enhancing the overall design.

Decorative Elements and Color Palette in Spanish Style

Talavera Tiles and Wrought Iron: Intricate Talavera tiles, known for their vibrant colors and geometric patterns, often adorn kitchens and bathrooms in Spanish style homes. Additionally, wrought iron fixtures, gates, and railings are prevalent, adding functionality and a touch of Old-World charm. These details, reminiscent of artisanal Spanish blacksmith traditions, contribute to the home's visual richness.

Earth-Toned Color Palettes: The color palettes of Spanish style homes favor soft whites and light earth tones for the main body, with earth tones like terracotta, ochre, and green for trims and details. These colors, derived from natural pigments, blend with the surroundings and create a cozy, timeless atmosphere. Dark-stained or aged wood accents in ceiling beams or furniture add warmth and a rustic touch.

Modern Integration and Preservation of Spanish Style

Balancing Old and New: Maintaining the architectural integrity of Spanish style homes while integrating modern features is a delicate balance. Preserving elements like arches, thickened walls, and original windows is crucial to honor the design's historical roots. When remodeling, it is important to use materials and proportions that match the originals to maintain the home's aesthetic coherence.

Expert Guidance: Navigating the remodeling process without losing the essence of a Spanish style home requires expertise. Design-build firms with experience in historical homes can help homeowners blend modern needs with traditional design, ensuring a harmonious result that respects the past while enhancing contemporary living.

Conclusion

The modern Spanish style seamlessly blends classic elegance with contemporary touches, offering a timeless charm and a deep connection to cultural heritage. By integrating iconic architectural elements like red-tiled roofs, graceful arches, and interior courtyards, this style not only beautifies homes but also creates spaces that invite relaxation and enjoyment of outdoor living. Preserving the essence of this design while adapting to modern needs is essential for maintaining its authenticity. With the right guidance, you can renovate a Spanish style home, respecting its history while incorporating modern features.

FAQs

Do you need to live in a warm climate to have a Spanish style home?

Not necessarily. While this style is common in warm regions like California and Florida, the features of Spanish style homes, such as tile roofs and interior courtyards, can be adapted to different climates. The key is to choose materials and finishes that are suitable for the specific region where the home is located.

How can I incorporate Spanish style elements into a modern home?

You can start with small changes, like adding Talavera tiles in the kitchen or bathroom, installing carved wooden doors, or adding wrought iron details to railings and windows. For a more comprehensive approach, consider remodeling key spaces like the courtyard or adding arches in entries and windows to create a more authentic architectural flow.

What materials are recommended for maintaining authenticity in a Spanish style home renovation?

It's advisable to use natural and durable materials like wood, wrought iron, ceramic tiles, and stucco in earth tones. Preserving or restoring original windows and doors is also crucial for maintaining the authenticity of the design. If replacements are needed, it's important to select high-quality products that respect the original proportions and styles of the home.