Turn your house into a casa with these Spanish design tips

There are few homes as instantly recognisable as coastal Spanish villas. With light stucco walls, terracotta roofs and sweeping curves, these buildings evoke a feeling of long hot days under the Mediterranean sun. 

Rather than travelling to the other side of the world to enjoy the European way of life, how about spicing up your own home and garden? With the right interior design and exterior features, you too can live in a Spanish villa.

Here are some tips for transforming your home into a Spanish casa:

The colour wheel

There are perhaps two key images that come to mind when thinking of Spanish architecture – white stucco walls and terracotta roof tiles. In terms of colour, these homes are deeply involved with earthy tones and neutral hues. However, it is not uncommon for these homes to have a pop of primary colour scattered throughout.

To truly capture the essence of a Spanish villa, consider the natural and rustic appeal of off-white and sand-coloured walls, complemented by exposed dark wood floors and ceilings. It is important, when painting your interiors, that you start with a textured base to preserve the authentic Spanish style.

An excellent colour wash and textured wall begins with a light basecoat and a heavier shade for the topcoat. Resene Quarter Spanish White is a light and breezy neutral that will be influenced by the surrounding colours and illumination, and can work as both a base and full-wall feature.

Once the bottom coat is on and dry, apply the topcoat wash with irregular strokes. For this step use warm, earthy tones like orange, red, tan and yellow – traditional Spanish colour schemes.

However, although these hues are centred on earthy colours, the Spanish culture is not one to pass up on patterns and splashes of bright colours. Spanish design typically accentuates a variety of palettes, including blues, reds, oranges and even pinks. For a pop of colour in your home, try a feature wall painted with Resene Tangerine or draw the eye with a swatch or two of vibrant patterns from the Ibiza wallpaper range.

Decorating for a Spanish style

To fill your casa with an authentic Spanish atmosphere, there is a lot more than just colour to consider. Your furniture, features and knickknacks all contribute to the overall scheme, so it's important to get that right.

A good place to start is with wood. Your furniture, shutters and other large items in living rooms, bedrooms and on the patio should complement the hardwood floors within your home. This is a safe bet even for those who can't make the drastic change of exposing their floor or roof, as a few wooden features can help draw out the texture in the walls and support your Spanish colour scheme.

Another consideration is wrought iron. Rails, grates, window grills and lanterns are great additions to a Spanish villa, and you can also add iron pieces in the form of lighting fixtures and art on the walls. The more decorative the better when dealing with iron in the home. 

Ceramics and stone are another standard Spanish design, as well as pottery and tiles – either painted in bright patterns or left bare. Terracotta pots, ceramic ornaments and painted tiles can all be stunning features in your home, lending themselves to the Spanish style.

Finally, if you can, try incorporating curves and arches into your design. This will call back to the authentic seaside villas and can also help your home feel softer, calming and more welcoming.

By following these tips when redesigning your property, it is easy to capture the essence of ever-popular Spanish style. With the right colours and features, you too can transform your home into an authentic casa.

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