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Life In A Spanish Style Home

If you’re looking for a home that is romantic and charming, you may want to consider a Spanish-style house. These homes are known for their beautiful design and intricate architectural details. With their warm colors and welcoming atmosphere, Spanish Revival homes are perfect for anyone who wants to live out their exotic travel dreams stateside.

The History Of Spanish Style Homes

Spanish colonial houses in the United States share many similarities with buildings found in Spain and other Spanish-speaking countries. However, there are also some important differences. One of the most obvious is that a Spanish colonial house in the United States often incorporates Native American and Mexican influences. For instance, pueblo-style houses, known as Pueblo Revival with their adobe walls and flat roofs are a common sight in New Mexico. And in California, you’ll find Mission-style buildings with their distinctive whitewashed adobe walls and large arches.

Another difference between Spanish Revival in the United States and in other countries is that American buildings often have a more symmetrical appearance. This is due to the fact that early Spanish colonists in the United States were influenced by the English who also settled here. So, if you take a look at a Spanish colonial building in America, you’ll likely notice that it looks quite different from its counterpart in Spain. However, both styles are equally beautiful and intriguing.

The first Spanish missionaries arrived in California in the 1700s, bringing with them their unique brand of architecture. The exterior of Spanish homes is characterized by its use of white stucco walls, red tile roofs, and an overall Mediterranean feel. While these elements were originally more a matter of choice than necessity (since they were not well-suited to the climate), they soon came to be seen as quintessential features of California’s architectural landscape. Today, Spanish colonial architecture can be found all over the state, from the Mission San Juan Capistrano to the Hollywood Hills. Whether you’re looking for a new home or just admiring the view, there’s no denying the beauty and old-world charm of this timeless style.

Different Types of Spanish Style Houses

In the United States, the Spanish Colonial Revival aesthetic first gained popularity in Florida and California. In Florida, architects such as Addison Mizner designed grand resort hotels—often incorporating stuccoed exteriors, courtyards, and tile roofs—that mimicked the Spanish Baroque style found in Andalusia. In California, architects and designers like Julia Morgan and Bertram Goodhue created homes and public buildings in the Mission Revival style for such clients as newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst. Spanish Colonial Revival architecture soon spread to other parts of the country, appearing in such diverse locations as New Orleans, Louisiana; Santa Fe, New Mexico; and Charleston, South Carolina.; while Mission Revival-style architecture was inspired by the early Spanish missions and churches in California and incorporated such features as stucco walls, clay tile roofs, and arches. The Pueblo Revival style—popular in the American Southwest in the states of Texas and Arizona—adapted elements of a traditional Puebloan building, like adobe construction and flat roofs.

Mediterranean Styles

In contrast, Mediterranean-style homes tend to be more detailed in their exterior design. This is likely due to the influence of Moorish architecture, which was prevalent in southern Spain during the time when this style of home became popular. You’ll often see intricate tile work, stonework, and wrought iron accents on Mediterranean homes. Another key difference between these two styles is the roof. Spanish homes typically have a flat roof, while Mediterranean homes have a pitched or hipped roof. This is due to the climate differences between Spain and the countries that make up the Mediterranean region. The pitched roofs help to protect against heavy rains and snowfall common in this area.

Design Elements of Spanish Colonial Revival Style

The key features in a Spanish Colonial-style home are easily recognizable, exterior walls of thick, white stucco. These thick walls help to keep the interior cool in warm climates. Spanish Colonial homes often have a red tile roof and arched doorways and windows. The interiors are primarily a simple aesthetic, with white walls and tile floors. Small windows in a Spanish Colonial home are used to minimize direct sunlight. These homes often have high ceilings and many rooms. The floors are usually made of tile or stone.

Another one of the most distinguishing features of the Spanish Colonial Revival Style and traditional Spanish homes is its roofing. Clay tiles were commonly used in Spanish Colonial architecture, and this tradition was carried over into the Revival Style. While clay tiles are more expensive than other roofing materials, they offer many benefits. Clay tile roofs are extremely durable and can last for centuries with proper maintenance. They are also fireproof and resistant to rot, mold, and pests. In addition, clay tiles are environmentally friendly and recyclable.

Details In The Spanish Home Building Process

The Spanish-style house is characterized by intricate iron details. You’ll often see beautiful railings, balconies, and grates adorned with this type of metalwork. It’s one of the things that makes Spanish architecture so unique and special. Structural wooden support beams were used to help bear the weight of the home while adding rustic warmth and character. Hard work is evident in the multitude of ideas and custom details of these Spanish-style houses.

Another distinguishing feature of these Spanish-style homes is the large, covered porches called “loggias.” These were originally designed to provide protection from the hot sun and offer shade for outdoor activities. Spanish Colonial homes often have a central courtyard, which was originally used for cooking and washing clothes. Courtyards serve a few different purposes in these types of homes. First, they allow for natural light and ventilation. Second, the courtyard also served as a place to keep animals. The exterior walls of Spanish architecture provide shelter from the hot climate. Today, many Spanish Colonial courtyards have been converted into a welcoming outdoor space that is perfect for entertaining or relaxing with pools and lush gardens. And finally, courtyards can act as a buffer between the home and the outside world, providing a sense of privacy and security.

Spanish Homes: A Charmed Life

Spanish-style homes are some of the most charming and alluring in California. With their elegant stucco walls, red tile roofs and graceful arches, they capture the spirit of the Golden State like no other architectural style can. Hollywood came calling on architect Wallace Neff, who designed several classic estates in the 1920s and beyond in his Colonial Revival style. He termed his design “California Style” creating spectacular properties in Beverly Hills, Bel Air, Hancock Park, Glendora and Pasadena. The Spanish homes for sale in Los Angeles can be quaint or expansive and are available in many LA neighborhoods, Los Feliz, Silver Lake, Beverly Hills, the Sunset Strip and more. These timeless abodes are inviting, comfortable and connected to the outdoors via alfresco dining areas, patios and terraces.

Not all Spanish homes are created equal. While some are more modern and contemporary, others are classic and traditional. These homes are quite luxurious and perfect for buyers who want to invest in a property that will always be in style. Plus, with so many different types of Spanish-style homes to choose from, you’re sure to find the perfect one for your needs. Whether you’re looking for a small starter home or a luxury home, there’s a Spanish home out there that’s perfect for you. Loving all the elements above… a Spanish-style home may be exactly what you’ve been looking for. Contact Beyond Shelter to find additional historic Spanish homes for sale in Los Angeles and celebrate the charmed life.