Trends

Spanish Revival Style: The Comeback of Its Enduring Appeal

May 20, 2024
|
By 
Hannah Haber

Spanish influences are still embedded in its colonized countries’ culture even after centuries have passed. They remain alive in language, names, festivities, cuisine, and faith. But one cultural aspect is now making a comeback after being idle for a long time despite continuous modernization. The Spanish revival trend is having its time again to take over interiors with the perfect blend of old and new. 

Reviving a Classic

Spanish Revival Style: The Comeback of Its Enduring Appeal.

Spanish revival is a homage to its Spanish colonial and Moorish roots. Distinguished by its traditional and modern touches, it involves natural design elements like wooden beams, arched passages, and plaster walls. It also uses a blend of neutral and bold colors commonly reflected in tiles, mosaic accents, and other complex elements. 

Its timeless appeal lies in showcasing conventional Spanish architecture while keeping up with the demands of modern living. And with its various lighting sources, comfy furniture, and various textures, it exhibits both an inviting and authentic ambiance. 

Because Spanish revival lets its original and historical merits stand out and complement contemporary details, it creates classic, character-filled spaces. 

Revived from the Traces of the Past

Spanish Revival Style: The Comeback of Its Enduring Appeal.

Interior designers have observed that European and Mediterranean-inspired interior styles are becoming trendier once again. Spanish revival, as one of the styles under this category, surged in popularity due to people’s sudden interest in restored interiors. 

According to Dmar Interiors founder Mollie Ranize, people now fancy homes with a “cozy charm” instead of highly modernized spaces. She first noticed it in Southern California where historic Spanish-style homes established during the late 1700s are preserved. Although some of them have been renovated with the latest design trends, many of their original features remained intact. These make up the style’s unique visual interest that caught the attention of design communities. 

YouTuber Lone Fox, aka Drew Michael Scott, adds that the mass production of furnishings with a Spanish revival touch further fuels this interior style’s comeback. On the other hand, interior designer Kristen Fiore regards it as more of a “revived interest and appreciation” than an interior craze. She explained that this design “has never gone out of style” because it sits in the middle of being bold and being simple. Such an aesthetic is always alluring to a wide range of homeowners and interior designers alike. 

Another factor is the recent fascination for vintage and antique pieces. Since Spanish revival keeps its traditional vibe, it led to the resurgence of this design trend. 

How to Achieve Spanish Revival

Spanish Revival Style: The Comeback of Its Enduring Appeal.

You don’t have to purchase a Spanish heritage house to achieve a revival interior. Your own home can be the perfect canvas to decorate with this style’s basic elements. 

Terracotta and Earth Tones

Muted shades of red, orange, brown, green, and terracotta are all part of Spanish revival’s palette. Terracotta’s reddish brown hue is the resulting color of fired clay, often used in roof tiles. 

But because it’s a strong color, incorporate this in your interiors with caution. To ensure terracotta won’t be too overpowering, apply it on floors and leave the walls and ceilings neutral. You can also use it in smaller details and items to give an unexpected pop of red.

Old and New

Antique and vintage pieces combined with modern items is the best way to manifest the Spanish revival look. But if you lack decor like these, you can opt for classic materials like rustic wood, iron, tapestries, wool, and leather. Use the fabrics for upholstery and hard materials for furniture and light fixtures. You can further embody its traditional cozy vibe by including statement lighting and oil paintings. 

Architectural and Textural Interest

Spanish revival interiors are popular for their arches, coves, and exposed beams. But you don’t need to create faux architectural features to fully adopt this interior style. Instead, you can spice up the existing curves and lines by decorating them with tiles or textured paint. Apply limewash paint or plaster for your backsplash, door frames, and walls you want to accent. Or you can incorporate arabesque or mosaic tiles in bathrooms and countertops. Better if you choose eye-catching tile designs in darker earth tones to get a cohesive look. 

While it can’t be denied that Spanish influences in houses are still evident, the aesthetics of these architectural remains are still stuck in the past. Spanish revival is back to bring its old world charm to modern homes, where traditional and contemporary styles can meet halfway. 

Photos from GoodFon

Read more: Dopamine Decorating: Creating a Free and Happy Space at Home

Art by Leeah Joo for Art Anton at Manila'Bang Show 2024.

Manila’Bang Show 2024 and its Standout Gallery Exhibtions

The Manila’Bang Show 2024 happened between November 14 to 17 at SPACE at OneAyala. The new venue gives artists and galleries an opportunity to showcase their art at the heart of the Makati Central Business District. With that in mind, BluPrint takes you on the ground of its opening day. Many galleries came out in […]

Protected: Living Innovations Presents “A Toast to Tranquility” at its New Showroom

There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.

Classic Christmas Themes That Will Always Fill Your Home with Holiday Spirit.

Classic Christmas Themes That Will Always Fill Your Home with Holiday Spirit

Every year, the holiday season brings a flurry of new decor trends. While it’s fun to experiment with the latest styles, sometimes it can be a little taxing and confusing keeping up with them. But the good news is that you don’t need to follow every trend to create a stunning Yuletide aesthetic. Here are […]

Some of the artworks shown during ICA Art Fair.

ICA Art Fair: Funding Philanthropic Efforts Through Artistry

The ICA Art Fair happened from November 21 to 23 at W High Street in Bonifacio Global City (BGC). This inaugural art fair was organized as a charity event for the benefit of the ICA Alumni Association Scholarship Foundation.  “This one-of-a-kind charity event will feature a curated selection of leading contemporary artists, displaying works across […]

Atelier Oï Crafts Stories Through Objet Nomades by Louis Vuitton.

Atelier Oï Crafts Stories Through Objet Nomades by Louis Vuitton

Swiss architect and designer Aurel Aebi, co-founder of atelier oï alongside Armand Louis and Patrick Reymond, brings a tactile, storytelling approach to design. Visiting Manila for the Louis Vuitton Savoir Rêver exhibition, Aebi shared insights into their philosophy and process, demonstrating how everyday objects can transform into elegant, functional art pieces. At atelier oï’s studio […]

4 Interior Design Trends to Upgrade Your Christmas Decor This Year.

4 Interior Design Trends to Upgrade Your Christmas Decor This Year

This 2024, we’ve seen a lot of emerging design ideas, taking inspiration from fashion, music, psychology, and philosophy, that changed the way we perceive interior spaces. And now that we’re approaching the Yuletide season, you might want to break away from your usual way of decorating and try something fresh and out of the ordinary. […]

Download this month's BLUPRINT magazine digital copy from:
Subscribe via [email protected]