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Thursday, June 21st, 2018
The Marge Carson Living Room Seville Cocktail Table shows how effective it is to merge a metal framework with wood and glass surfaces.
The Spanish interiors are observed to have many features that are similar to the Mediterranean homes. These share architectural looks as well as craftsmanship. For centuries, Spanish homes are also sometimes interchanged with Tuscan homes, French Country homes, and even the Moroccan style. But what makes Spanish style stand out?
Spanish Design Basics
Without a doubt, Spanish interior design is greatly influenced by the Mediterranean region. It is typical to find coastline palettes of green, blues, browns and whites. You will also generally find terracotta shades of red and oranges and these are apparently because of the use of terracotta tiling on the roofs as well as on the flooring.
It is typical to find ceramic and stone elements alongside wrought-iron pieces, pottery, candelabra, and carved wood panels. Copper and other metal accents are also an important part of this cultural design.
Now take a look at the wall finishes on Spanish interiors. These are heavily-textured complete with plaster or stucco to create visual interest. The neutral glazes are easy on the eyes because they are often used with textured walls.
Do you like hanging woven tapestries especially on wrought-iron grilles? Then you have a taste for Spanish style. Just keep your accessories to a bare minimum such as interesting displays of pots, urns, planters and vases. These are enough to make the rooms more interesting.
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The Colonial Style
The Southwestern states show a fusion, ironically, of Native American and Spanish colonial cultures. This is referred to only as the Spanish Colonial style. To others, this could be what’s referred to as the Mission style because of the infusion of mission churches on the design.
Other common elements of the Spanish Colonial design are corner fireplaces, wall benches, cabinets, and earthy floors. You could easily use ceramic, stone or rock flooring and accessorize with metal accents, pottery, stained glass as well as wall hangings. Are you tempted to display an image of a saint in the living room?
You’re welcome to do so.
The Revival Style
This Spanish design is called the Spanish Revival style because, in the 1920s, tourism to the southern part of Spain demanded for their architecture to be set up in California. Here, the Spanish Revival homes were set up and they became hybrid structures complete with adobe bricks, terracotta roofing, shutters, wood ceiling beams, and entry doors with carvings.
You will also notice the liberal use of railings, wrought-iron gates, banisters and lots of window grilles.
The Spanish Revival interiors housed many wood furniture. The typical species used were pine and oak. You will also marvel at the details on the carvings, inlays, and even the paint finishes. It was common to find furniture completed with nailhead trim and leather.
Modern Spanish
You could always go traditional Spanish and choose the elements that were already listed or you could go with a touch of modernism. A lot of Spanish style structures come with stucco walls, especially in the kitchen. This texture can be recreated by faux finishes in apricot, off-white, bold or burnt sienna.
Remember to use a natural, dark wood finish on the trims, wood works and molding. The contrast would be the rich-colored walls, giving your home a warm, welcoming feel.
As for the stairs and banisters, say goodbye to solid wooden banisters. Use wrought-iron whenever you can as this contrasts well with tiles and woodworks. Add some terracotta risers to otherwise bare stairs.
As for the ceiling, keep up with the exposed wood beam trend. As for the accents, add hand-glazed tiles all around the fireplace and on the kitchen backsplash. Go for heavy, hand-carved furniture pieces and steel lamps.
Don’t forget to show your personality with the colors that you experiment with.
Tags: McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, Spanish interior design, Spanish interiors, Spanish style
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes | Comments Off on Satiating the Hispanophile in You: How to Make Spanish Interior Design Work
Monday, September 4th, 2017
Uttermost Accessories Raya Burnt Orange Containers, Set/2 19525
Not a lot of people are lucky to have a Spanish Colonial home so when you happen to live in one, then you should make the most of it. If you don’t then don’t fret, too, because you can do so many things to make your home look like a Spanish haven in no time.
The Arches and Curves
These architectural features make a huge difference. Curved steps can beautifully lead to a beautiful archway which, in turn, leads to the welcoming front door.
A series of arches known as arcades are also quite a popular addition to bigger Spanish and Mexican homes.
White Exteriors
What’s a Spanish home without the white stucco exteriors? It is easy to mix this type of Spanish paint – just fuse some sand or lime with water and cement. What you’d achieve is an aged look that’s just amazing for that Old World look that you’re trying to achieve.
Terracotta Roofing
Most Spanish homes also come with those authentic red clay roofs giving the homes a more rustic, earthy look. The roof lines are also often multi-level making them more interesting and asymmetrical. Add a turret and you’re on the right path.
How about some painted, tower-like chimneys? These may seem like a small detail but with small windows and specially-treated moldings, these chimneys will complete the look of your Spanish home.
Paint ‘Em Tiles
Have you seen those Mexican telenovelas on TV? Then you probably already noticed the painted staircases. The curved staircases reveal the most beautiful tiles that have been hand painted. You could adopt this design element, too, if you want to have a more authentic Spanish-looking home.
Talavera tiles can also give your bathroom a more authentic Mexican look. Cobalt blue tiles will easily complement hand-painted sinks.
Maitland-Smith Living Room Carved Spanish Galleon Finished Occasional Table, White Ash Burl Veneer 3030-953
Balcony
Balconies are designed so that you can have some moment, outdoors, to enjoy some fresh air. This is also the perfect spot to see some amazing sceneries.
Graceful Iron and Wooden Work
Who could resist an ornamental wrought-iron working on windows? They also look great on stair railings. Spanish Revival lanterns are also great additions to walls as they serve two purposes – decorative and illuminative.
Wooden gates and doors are also amazing features in many Spanish homes.
Patios and Courtyards
We all know the Mediterranean climate to be mild and great for outdoor living, hence, most Spanish homes have patios and courtyards. Again, these are mainly there for people to enjoy the outdoors. Some patios also have fireplaces which allow the homeowners and their visitors to linger outside during the night.
Pottery and Textiles
Spanish country living also means having hand painted pottery and the most colorful paintings. How about having a painting of a Spanish matador right across the dining table? This denotes activity and passion which is perfect for those steak dinners and parties that you hold for your friends.
Vibrant Colors Everywhere
Having green, pink, and yellow walls are acceptable inside a Spanish home. Colors are not limited to the walls, though. You can also play up the rooms in your home by mirroring these colors on the carpeting, throw pillows, candelabra, headboards, and chests.
If you’re feeling a little more magnanimous then go for a Spanish-Style Colonial dining room. Look upwards and find ways to make the ceiling into a colorful art canvas. If your ceiling has exposed beams, then they, too, can be used as another decorative element.
Or how about having a golden yellow entry hall? Again, some hand-painted accessories, furnishings, and paintings will make this area a lot livelier. Think cultural colors such as sabino wood, deep reds, and burnt orange.
Tags: McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, Spanish design elements, Spanish home, Spanish homes, Spanish interior design, Spanish interiors
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes | Comments Off on Spanish Elements: Creating a Much Sought-After Home
Thursday, May 12th, 2016
Flexsteel Living Room Round Cocktail Table 6629-034 features solid wood, wicker and glass – all elements that work perfectly inside a Mexican-inspired home.
A famous part of many Spanish homes is the so-called comedor or dining room. Mexican homes are no different. Their dining spaces are adorned with many Spanish-inspired elements such as colorful paintings, religious relics, and pottery.
The ceilings of many Spanish dining rooms are also used as canvas for beautiful paintings. Choose from the many possible themes for the ceiling painting. In the absence of a colorful painting, have a luxurious chandelier hung.
Mexican interior design is a relative of the Spanish design. If you want to have this kind of theme in your home, then you can also use ethnic fabrics and drape them on the colorful dining chairs. These same fabrics can also be used on Mexican shelves as they can add a different level of interest and characteristic to the informal space.
Borrowed Architectural ElementsMexican homes often come with arches, thick walls and high ceilings. More often than not, hand-painted pottery lies across the table and shelves (talk of the Spanish people’s love for flair).
Mexican interior design has similar elements with Spanish architecture. Try looking from top to bottom and you would immediately notice the wooden support beams (also known as the vigas), the latticework or the latillas and the carved corbels which support the beams on the ceiling. These corbels also serve as decorative elements.
Now look at the floor where you’re standing at – Spanish flooring is often made with the most colorful Talavera tiles. These will surely draw the eyes towards the center of any room. The Spaniards have also introduced to the Mexicans the unique Saltillo tiles which are terracotta tiles that are best used in areas with warm climates.
‘Care to visit the Mexican-inspired bathroom? Then you would probably find a claw foot tub in a nook.
Universal Furniture Dining Room Upholstered Back Arm Chair 016639-RTA is the haciendero’s preferred seating style.
Mexican Accessories
When you’re out to frame the beautiful features of a Mexican home, be sure to have a lot of vibrant colors on your palette. You can use recessed lighting to provide a more magical touch to intimate rooms in your home. This style can be used in the bedroom or dining areas that are not used for frequent social gatherings.
Place a weathered chair in a corner then drape it with a huipil which is a traditional garment from Mexico. You would certainly love the embroideries on your huipil. These have special cultural meanings among Mexicans.
A bedside table can be covered with the African kente cloth then topped with a small yet antique wooden saint. In the absence of the latter, you can also resort to silver objects coming from India as they also offer a distinct, rustic appeal.
Look through your family’s heirloom furniture. You might already own some weathered chests which you can use at the foot of the beds. If not, www.mccreerys.com offers a wide array of these lovely wooden chests. They have a rustic appeal that is hard to equal. Add to their beauty by investing in iron candelabra.
Add red silk shades for a more elegant look.
Dress Up the Entry Hall
Know as the zaguan, the entry hall can feature hand-painted things on the ceiling. The more antique-looking the door is, the more useful it would be in your Mexican-inspired home. Complete the look with a Mexican tile rug. Add wall sconces for a more culturally-inspired space.
If you want to go authentic on your Spanish design, you could also use a bench right by the entry hall. This is quite common in Spanish haciendas where the hired help lie in wait.
Blend traditional elements with some of the new ones that depict your personality. Be vibrant, be colorful, have flair.
Dare to be you.
Maitland-Smith Living Room Carved Occasional Table 3030-953 will also look great on the entry hall.
Tags: McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, Mexican, Mexican interior design, Mexican interiors, Mexican style, rustic, rustic charm, rustic decor, rustic design, rustic elements, rustic interiors, rustic look, rustic style, Spanish interior design, Spanish interiors, tips
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