Old Spanish Colonial is a design style that I think is simply stunning but have never had the opportunity to work with. An Eye For Design follower suggested that I might consider featuring this style sometime. Thinking it a great idea, I have spent time researching and while I am certainly no expert on the subject, it has been fun educating myself and gathering images to share. So Barbara, here goes!
Old Spanish Colonial style incorporates design elements from a wide spectrum of cultures and civilizations. The Spanish influence came via the Conquistadors who helped colonize America and we have the native tribes of Mayans and Aztecs to thank for the traditional Mexican elements. This blend of beautiful European architectural elements and colorful tribal art has led to some of the most beautiful decor in the world. You can be assured that with the characteristic warmth and friendliness of this lovely style, you will create an interior that is welcoming, entertaining, and aesthetically pleasing for your guests.
You can tell from the exterior of an Old Spanish Colonial home that you are in for a visual treat.
and colorful ceramics and furnishings that can be found both inside and outside of a traditional Spanish Colonial style home, you know a color and artistic explosion is right behind the front door.
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Front doors of Old Spanish Colonial homes feature scrolling wrought iron grilles for a rustic, elegant touch. As you can see from the handpainted ceiling and walls, homeowners usually have a passion for art.
Front doors of Old Spanish Colonial homes feature scrolling wrought iron grilles for a rustic, elegant touch. As you can see from the handpainted ceiling and walls, homeowners usually have a passion for art.
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Inside such elements as ceiling beams, old iron gates, grand-scale doors and arches, as well as carved stone doorway surrounds are common to the Old Spanish Colonial style of decorating.
Wall finishes in Spanish Colonial design feature stucco or plaster. This heavy texture provides for interesting visual depth. Soft neutral glazes are often used in conjunction with these textured walls for more definition and color.
Familiar elements of Old Spanish Colonial homes include elegant living rooms with colorful walls, textiles, and some old-world accents in rich colors.
Quinta Quebrada, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
Old Spanish Colonial homes feature painted or stucco walls in warm shades of red, orange, and yellow.
Blue is also a popular color for this style home and you will see it reflected in wonderful tilework.
via Pinterest
Add splashes of color and interest throughout your room with traditional Mexican folk art, pottery or tapestries.
Massive and sturdy furniture is typical of Old Spanish Colonial decor. Bright colors are heavy and seem to work well with the bold look of this style.
Old Spanish Colonial interiors are accented with traditional Mexican folk art including wooden carvings, statues, religious art and other hand crafted ornaments. Headboards designed from colorful retablos shows off against bright yellow walls in this and the following picture. These accents can be used in various decor spaces in your home like along walls, tables, shelves and also as freestanding objects.
This kitchen with it's whitewashed stucco walls is mixed with dazzling bright accents in shades of red, yellow, orange, green and blue. Sculptural stove hoods are also a popular element of Old Spanish Colonial kitchens.
It is common for a Spanish Colonial style house to have many visually pleasing details,
If you love the style but can't seem to embrace all the bright colors, you can always whitewash the walls, use the brights sparingly, and still create a lovely Old Spanish Colonial interior.
Furniture pieces are typically made of solid woods such as oak and feature sturdy designs with little ornamentation.
Like I mentioned before images of saints which are carved in wood or painted are also popular in this style.
via Pinterest
Retablos are commonly used in Spanish Colonial homes. A retablo is a devotional painting, especially a small popular or folk art one using iconography derived from traditional Catholic church art. They are usually very colorful and are many times grouped together.
I love the rustic antiques, and wonderful Spanish Colonial artifacts.
A 19th-century Mexican religious painting hangs above the fireplace in the master bedroom of Jane Fonda's New Mexico Spanish Colonial style ranch. You will see doors like this one throughout this type of design style.
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Many times interiors as well as exteriors will feature small chapel type areas.
If you’re looking for a quick way to give any room a Spanish feel, add in some lovely textiles, carved furniture and accessories, and traditional pottery pieces. It can really change up a room.
I believe all styles need accessories to pull off the look, however it is a MUST for the Old Spanish Colonial style home. Look for metal items like these great candlesticks and religious art. Stenciling is another means of wall decor, just make sure you select a pattern that works well with this style.
Tile is often a distinct part of Old Colonial Spanish design.
I cannot read the source of this photo that is written at the bottom right. If this is your picture please contact me so I can credit and link to you.
One of the most sought-after Mexican-style accessory for the Old Spanish Colonial home today is Talavera pottery.The pottery was originally brought to Mexico by Spanish settlers. Authentic Talavera pottery is made in the city of Puebla and a few nearby communities in Mexico. This area contains the high-quality clay from which this pottery is made.
Talavera pottery has intricate and colorful designs, many of which are influenced by the culture, flora and fauna of Mexico. The tiles are commonly used for decorative fireplace or wall murals, to embellish sinks, as borders for mirrors, windows or doorways, on fountains and in bathrooms
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This type of ceramic is also used to make tiles, flower pots and candle holders.The types of Talavera pottery you can find for the home include tiles, dishware, platters and trays, serving pieces, wall art and other decorative accents.
This wonderful kitchen demonstrates the passion for tile in the Old Spanish Colonial home. Blue and white Talavera is used for colorful accent and the larger Saltillo tile on the floor is a type of terra-cotta tile that comes from Saltillo, Coahuila. The tiles vary in color and shape, but the majority are found in varying hues of reds, oranges and yellows.
The shape of this corner kiva fireplace is also common in the Spanish Colonial home. And of course the religion art that graces it and the large carved wooden doors assure you of the style.
Other familiar elements of Spanish Colonial homes include built-in wall niches usually containing benches.
There is nothing quite like the Old Spanish Colonial interior as it applies to dramatic color. These homes are alive and energetic and what fun they must be.
via Pinterest
For more Spanish Colonial visit http://eyefordesignlfd.blogspot.com/2016/04/decorate-spanish-colonial-old-hollywood.html
Click here to see the previous post
http://eyefordesignlfd.blogspot.com/2016/02/decorating-with-blue-and-white.html
This blog post was published by Lisa Farmer
