The Interior Design of a Highland Park Spanish Home

When I started the renovation on this 8,000 + sq. ft home, I knew I wanted the Spanish influence and architecture to come through in the interior design. The house was designed by Larry Boerder and has so many beautiful structural components. The natural light, wood framed arches, and wrought iron elements were the building blocks that started my design. It was important to select paint colors and modern design details to convey a fresh and bright interior, Spanish tiles to pay homage to the bones of the home, and lastly antiques to tie it all in with our Modern Traditional style.

Color Palette

The original paint colors of the house drew attention to the red tones in the wood. We selected Benjamin Moore Simply White to freshen the walls but and give it a feeling indicative of classic Spanish interiors. The beams were darkened and built-ins were painted a muted blue. The decorative furnishings in the Family Room continue this soft palette of blues and greens. We pulled in textures and pattern like mohair, sisal and damask to add layers to the lighter scheme.

Modern Interior Design Details

My clients are recent transplants to Dallas. They lean more traditional but, asked us to make their home fresh and livable. I achieved this with pale and airy fabrics, sleek nickel accents, clean furniture silhouettes, and modern artwork. Using traditional fabrics, like Pierre Frey, on the sofas surrounding the fireplace was a way to mix the “old” with the new clean design. Tassels, cut velvets, and trim are found in this space but carefully combined to ensure a light and uncomplicated look. We added The Frame TV over the mantle customized with a silver edge profile. This, with the large modern painting, finish the space and balance the classic architecture.

The simple window seat in the upper landing was a design opportunity. I dressed it with a graphic awning stripe fabric and large banded tiebacks. The use of the contrasted blue tape trim was inspired by old world Spanish drapery treatments. A study area for the kids, I added a navy mohair window seat and bright Ikat pattern throw pillows. This space is another example of the modern traditional mix in the home.

Spanish Tiles

The renovation of the Kitchen and Powder Bath was a fun challenge. The original tiles along with plumbing, lighting fixtures and surface materials were replaced in both spaces. In the Kitchen, I simplified the space with white painted cabinets, a plaster hood and pale Quartzite countertops setting the stage for the featured backsplash tile. I added a hand-painted blue and white glazed Terracotta tile to the backsplash to bring the space back to a more traditional Spanish feel and tie in with the architectural elements inside.

The original photos of this Powder Bath never fail to put a smile on my face. This type of renovation gives me the most satisfaction because we brought the room back to an authentic design. We painted the walls classic white, sourced a hand-carved wood console from Santa Fe to retrofit into a vanity and added traditional touches with the gilded mirror and Fortuny fabric sconce shades. However, the main interior design element is the blue and white Moravian star tile backsplash behind the wall mounted faucet. The Alhambra’s colorful tile walls inspired this choice.

Authentic Antiques Used in the Interior Design

I like grounded spaces that feel collected and lived in. As previously mentioned, the house had many beautiful iron details in the design. I built on this by adding carefully selected Spanish and Italian antiques to round out the spaces. Mixed with the other new furnishings, it adds balance and makes the spaces unique. In the Entryway, I found this small carved 19th century Spanish bench and added a damask fabric cushion. Similarly, we reupholstered a pair of antique Spanish hall chairs in blue mohair in the vaulted hallway. In the Dining Room, the painted 19th Century pale blue Italian buffet cabinet adds a wonderful patina to the newer wood paneled space.

If you would like to check out the rest of the final photos from this project, you can find them here. For side by side before and afters, click here. It’s been so nice reminiscing on the interior design of this project, and now, on to the next!