Architecture Series: Spanish
In the spirit of discovering taste, I want to begin a series on various architecture styles, beginning with my longest favorite— Spanish Colonial. It’s the style my parents went with when they remodeled my childhood home in 2008. California has no shortage of this architecture as it was once named and occupied as “Alta California” by the Spanish over 200 years ago. The architecture involves a beautiful mix of earth tones— browns, creams, and reds— as well as involves the integration of texture with wrought iron, stucco and clay, red tiles. An affinity for this style is likely why I’ve come to gravitate toward neutral base layers, balanced with blacks and dark browns, both in my clothing choices and our SF apartment.
As I’ve continued to browse design magazines, and test things in the apartment, I’ve been pleasantly surprised by my gravitation toward color and pattern. One Spanish Colonial element my childhood home doesn’t have is Moorish influence like decorative, colorful ceramic tiles, sweeping arches and geometric elements like latticework or mosaics. I love these elements. Something to think about incorporating if my father hires me for a spruce-up of the house at any point.
Santa Barbara airport, a stunning example of California’a Spanish architecture
Mosaic floor at the entrance to Santa Barbara’s airport
Hotel California on State St. SB
An apartment entryway in San Francisco takes direction from Moorish influence
Instead of brown trim, this San Francisco house leans into color— and a seafoam green no less!
Spanish architecture and design also involves indigenous influence, like adobe and wood.
That dining table is right up my alley
a gorgeous tapestry
