Spanish Colonial interior design refers to the style of interior design that was prevalent in North, Central and South America during the colonial period from the 16th to the 19th centuries. With roots in Spanish Colonial architecture, which was heavily influenced by Hispanic culture, the Spanish Colonial style features a mixture of classical Spanish and native American themes.
Typical features of Spanish Colonial style interiors include terra cotta floor tiles, rounded windows and doors, ornate wrought iron light fixtures, painted wood furniture, and large, open spaces. Walls and floors often feature warm, earthy colors, such as yellow, orange, red, and brown.
The style also often incorporates terra cotta and other materials such as adobe and stucco. Fabrics used in Spanish Colonial interiors often feature bright traditional patterns like stripes, pastoral scenes, or large-scale motifs.
Accessories such as hand-painted ceramic tiles, decorative plates, and old-fashioned furniture give the interior a classic Spanish charm. The design style has evolved over the centuries, but maintains its classic character.
Today, Spanish Colonial interiors are often used in homes designed to evoke the feel and splendor of days gone by.
What does Spanish style furniture look like?
Spanish style furniture typically features a combination of warm, rich colors, intricate detailing with curved edges, and hand-carved accents. Dark woods such as cherry, mahogany, and walnut are commonly used in the timeless, elegant pieces.
Ornate carvings, scrolls, and decorative latticework are common details, often highlighted with accents such as leather, brass, and iron hardware, as well as colorful tiles, embroidery, and woven fabrics.
Large-scale upholstered pieces and massive headboards with carved posts and finials are also featured in Spanish style furniture. Overall, the pieces have an opulent, antique-like look that exudes the sophistication and drama of Spanish culture.
What makes a house Spanish Colonial?
A Spanish Colonial style house is characterized by its one- or two-story design and its use of stylistic elements inspired by Spanish culture and design. The house typically includes thick walls and large window and door openings.
Exterior walls are typically finished with a white or cream finish, and a red tile roof is a popular choice. Depending upon the style, Spanish Colonial homes usually feature a patio or courtyard, as well as porches with large arched doorways or stone arches and columns.
Other features can include paneling, arched or semi-circular windows, and hand-painted tiles or colorful mosaics. Interiors of Spanish Colonial homes typically have painted stucco walls, wooden or ceramic tile floors, and terra-cotta accents.
Furnishings are often rustic and often include wrought iron details, wooden furniture, and colorful textiles.
What is Spanish style decor?
Spanish style decor incorporates a number of distinct aesthetic elements that create a unique look. This style first became popular in the early 1900s, when Spanish revival architecture began to be popular in the United States.
Since then, it has become a common decorative element in a variety of spaces. Primarily, Spanish style decor features bold patterns, dark wood furniture, intricate tiles, and wrought-iron accents.
Bold patterns can be found on walls, furniture, and décor. Bright colors and designs, such as Moorish arabesques, are often used to create a vibrant, eye-catching look. Additionally, large, dark wood furniture pieces with curved details and carved accents, such as armoires, drawers, and cabinets, are common pieces in Spanish style decor.
Tiles, either ceramic or terracotta, are a must-have. They are typically used to create intricate designs on walls, floors and mantels that are full of interesting detail. Lastly, wrought-iron accents, such as lighting fixtures, door or window baskets, and balcony accents, bring a rustic, old-world feel to the space.
Overall, Spanish style decor is a great way to add some depth, texture, and warmth to any space. Whether you want a subtle nod to the past or an all-out Spanish-revival look, these pieces are the perfect way to transform any room.
What are common features of Spanish colonial architecture?
Spanish colonial architecture is a unique style that has been developed over centuries and is still visible in many places around the world today. Common features associated with Spanish colonial architecture include an emphasis on symmetrical, geometric shapes and forms, with columns and arches being commonly used; courtyards; whitewashed walls; red-tiled roofs; an overall grandiose appearance; and much more.
Courtyards are often characterized by lush, lush vegetation that adds to the graceful appearance, as well as splashing fountains and bubbling canals of water. Whitewashed walls create a bright and vibrant atmosphere.
Tall columns and arches add a grandeur and majesty to the architecture, which typically has a hierarchical structure that emphasizes the importance of certain courtyards or grand entryways. Red-tiled roofs add a splash of color, as well as protection from the elements.
Finally, most Spanish colonial architecture is associated with religious or civic sites. This includes churches, plazas, government buildings and town halls, all built in this unique style. The architecture is usually ornate and conveys a sense of grandeur and majesty.
Whatever the purpose, Spanish colonial architecture is both awe inspiring and a testament to the hard-working and creative minds behind them.
What features do Spanish Revival homes have?
Spanish Revival homes, also known as Spanish Colonial Revival, are a popular architectural style inspired by colonial Spain and based on traditional Spanish design. These homes are characterized by red or Earth toned stucco exteriors, tiled roofs, arches, courtyards, wrought iron fixtures, and colorful ceramic tiles.
Other features of Spanish Revival homes include open floor plans, plenty of windows to let in natural light, decorative wooden detailing, curved walls, and ornate interior trim. Arched entryways, porticos, and terraces are common and often feature tiled accents.
Inside, Spanish Revival homes typically have interior courtyards, fireplaces, and wood-beamed ceilings. Plus, large windows blend the indoors and outdoors, providing plenty of natural light and making them a great choice for warmer climates.
The interiors often feature stained and/or painted wood, tile floors, and bright colors. Generally speaking, these design features help Spanish Revival homes have plenty of character and rustic charm.
When was Spanish Revival furniture popular?
Spanish Revival furniture first began gaining in popularity in the 1920s and 1930s, as consumers began to take an interest in the colonial architecture, history, and decor of many Latin American countries.
With the popularity of Mission-style furniture in California in the early 20th century, people began to develop an appreciation for the ornate furniture crafted in the Spanish style. This Spanish Revival style was characterized by the use of luxurious materials like finely carved, hand-painted woods, wrought iron, ceramics, and inlaid tile.
Dark, rich colors were often used to emphasize the intricate designs and detail.
Over the next few decades, Spanish Revival furniture became more prominent in American culture and homes. By the mid-century, it was possible to find much of this style in furniture stores. The popularity of Spanish Revival furniture increased in the 1950s, when a new wave of interest in Latin American culture swept the United States.
This fascination with Spanish-style furniture has continued throughout the years, though not always as an overarching trend.
What is the difference between Spanish Mission and Spanish Revival?
The main difference between Spanish Mission and Spanish Revival is their respective time periods. Spanish Mission style architecture originated during the 1600s to 1700s in the American Southwest, and was heavily influenced by religious missions built by Spanish friars during that time.
Characteristics of this style include low-slung roofs, protruding porches, arched windows and doors, and heavy stucco exteriors.
Meanwhile, Spanish Revival style architecture was popularized in the early 1900s in response to romanticized visions of a “past” Spanish glamor. Characteristics of Spanish Revival style include bright colors, arched windows and doorways, tiled roofs, and columns or towers to accentuate the entrance of a building.
Interior design often was equally inspired, with Moorish influences such as ornate terra cotta tiles, intricate wrought iron fixtures and colorful stained glass.
What is Spanish architecture called?
Spanish architecture is a historical culmination of all architectural styles that have influenced Spain over its many different periods of history. It is a blend of Roman, Islamic, Gothic and Renaissance styles, known for its ornate and decorative flourishes, steeped in symbolism and religious references.
Spanish architecture is most commonly divided into various periods and styles, including Pre-Romanesque, Romanesque, Gothic, Mudejar, Renaissance and Baroque.
The Pre-Romanesque period lasted from the 8th to the 11th centuries and was heavily influenced by Italian and Visigothic styles. This period is typified by churches and monasteries with site plan and decor of great significance to the Christian faith.
Examples of this architectural style can be found in places such as Asturias, Santiago de Compostela, Leon and Palencia.
The Romanesque period spanned from the 11th to the 13th centuries with most examples of this style also being religious buildings. These structures were known for their heavy masonry walls, semicircular arches and domes, as well as decorated and unadorned facades.
Examples of Romanesque architecture can be seen in places such as Burgos, Zamora and Salamanca.
The Gothic period was from the 13th to the 15th centuries and is known for its pointed arches and rose windows, as well as its use of ribbed vaulting, flying buttresses and delicate stonework. Gothic buildings can be seen all over Spain, with perhaps the most notable examples being the Cathedral of Seville, the Royal Chapel of Granada and Palma Cathedral.
The 15th century Mudejar style is associated with the Moorish influence in Spain during the Islamic occupation which lasted from 711-1492. This period of Spanish architecture is best typified by intricate stucco and ceramic decoration, combined with Christian and Islamic influences.
Examples of Mudejar architecture can be seen in places such as Granada, Seville and Toledo.
The Renaissance period lasted from the 16th to 18th centuries and is characterized by more classical forms, with symmetry, rigidity and emphasis on proportion, as well as Renaissance ornamentation such as capitals and pediments, balconies and door frames.
This period is best exemplified in places such as Granada, Seville, Cadiz, Salamanca, Burgos and Cordoba.
The 18th century Baroque period was an extension of Renaissance style, with greater extravagance, elaborate ornamentation, painted ceilings and theatrical forms of both facades and interiors. Examples of Baroque architecture can be seen in places such as Granada, Seville, Madrid, Valencia, Salamanca and Cartagena.
All of these different architectural styles are unified by their rich history and symbolism, with Spanish architecture being known for its opulence and ornamentation.
How were the California missions built?
The California missions were built by Spanish Franciscan missionaries, at the direction of the Spanish Empire, as part of their efforts to colonize what is now known as the state of California. The Franciscan missionaries established 21 missions along the coast of California, from San Diego in the south to Sonoma in the north.
Each mission was constructed using the indigenous material available such as mud and adobe, limestone and timber. This was aided by the local Native American tribes who contributed labour for the construction and hosting of religious services and gatherings.
The Spanish soldiers who accompanied the monks helped to protect the Missions and their new establishments.
The typical mission layout included a courtyard surrounded by a protected outer wall, a chapel and cubicles for the Native Americans, an orchard and granary, workshops, and other utilitarian buildings.
Initially, these structures were erected with mud and adobe and later on stone or brick were used. To date, some of the original structures still stand today, forming the basis for many of the preserved mission sites.
What is a Monterey style house?
A Monterey style house is a type of house that is characterized by the combination of both Colonial and Spanish architectural influences. It is typically found along the West Coast region of the United States, including states such as California, Oregon, and Washington.
The style comes from a variety of homes built from 1820 to 1940, mostly around the Monterey Bay, thus giving the style its name. The style typically features both Colonial and Spanish influences as well as elements from Greek Revival and Mediterranean architecture.
The design usually utilizes a low-pitched hip roof which is slightly larger than the hipped end gables and parapet walls, and often includes an ornate porch entry. Other features can include unique rounded arches, lattice windows, and symmetrical or asymmetrical massing.
Additionally, the Monterey style often uses exposed timbers and rafters, decorative shingles, and colorful stucco finishes. The style is typical of the residential housing of the early 20th century and can be combined with various landscaping features making it a recognizable and classic American style.
What is a traditional house in Spain?
A traditional house in Spain is characterized by its distinctive architecture, and it can vary by region. Generally, they are built with a combination of stone, adobe or stucco, with tiled or terracotta roofs.
Other defining features of traditional Spanish houses are arches, patios, balconies, and courtyards. All of these elements help to keep the home cool in the hot Spanish weather. Some also feature arcades (a row of arches), which is a popular style among traditional Spanish dwellings.
Inside the home, ornamentation and bright, vibrant colors are also common characteristics in more traditional homes. Spanish homes, both traditional and modern, often have stunning views of the sea or the countryside due to their location in conducive climates.
