Create a dramatic and robust home interior by decorating in Spanish style. The Spanish style works well in rooms that see the most entertaining, so add some art and accessories to the living room walls and display shelves, or transform the kitchen into a showpiece filled with hand-painted tile. If you have the budget and the time, you can integrate colonial architectural elements into your home's design. Does this Spark an idea?
Types
There are diverse stylistic approaches to Spanish decor. The colonial look features bold furnishings with hand-crafted details and a lush garden area. The hacienda look integrates antiques and distressed finishes for an old-world charm. Spanish modern style has an urban edge, expressed with modular furniture, bold graphics on textiles and abstract artwork.
Features
Most Spanish decoration centers upon natural materials. Solid wood furniture anchors rooms, while chunky metal handles and drawer pulls add a rustic, artisan look. Kitchens, living rooms, bedrooms and dining rooms often contain large shelves and cabinets with hidden storage, as well as open display areas composed of multiple niches. Accessories that blend form and function--such as handcrafted ceramics, textiles and metalwork--lend a classic Spanish look.
Palette
The Spanish palette veers away from pastels and jewel tones in favor of rustic, earthy hues accented by bold and moody colors. Walls in a buttery yellow or mottled antique whites and browns provide a neutral backdrop for an accent wall in pumpkin orange or an armoire in indigo. Terra-cotta tiles or unfinished wood on floors typifies colonial and hacienda styles, while a contemporary Spanish home may have rugs, mats, lighter tiles or polished wood floors.
Effects
A Spanish-style decor creates an inviting atmosphere. Emphasize the Spanish love for cooking and eating by accessorizing the dining room, living room and kitchen with foodstuffs. Fill the kitchen with wooden display shelves supported with wrought iron bars. You can use these shelves to hold bottles of wine, jars of olives, decanters of olive oil, spices and metal buckets filled with bunches of herbs. In the dining room, a glass bowl filled with limes and lemons adds a pop of color while, in the living room, a view of a window box herb garden or a painted pitcher holding lemonade makes guests feel welcome.
Considerations
With enough resources, you can create a home that integrates a major Spanish-style project. A garden gazebo or inner courtyard are two classic elements. Install a plaster relief arch over a doorway to emphasize a garden view, or illuminate a dark room with natural light via solar tubes. A wall mural of a vineyard scene or a crumbling villa celebrates old-world Spain.
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