Designing Spanish Revival Homes: Three Approaches from Neutral Elegance to Moroccan-Inspired Color
In the Bay Area's diverse architectural landscape, Spanish Revival homes stand as some of the most captivating canvases for interior design. While Craftsman homes dominate much of the region's historic housing stock, these Mediterranean-inspired gems offer a unique opportunity to blend historical authenticity with contemporary living in ways that feel both timeless and thoroughly modern.
"Spanish Revival architecture offers incredible design flexibility," explains Lane McNab, founder of LMI. "Unlike Craftsman homes with their characteristic dark woodwork, Spanish Mediterranean homes feature beautiful plastered walls, soaring ceilings and arched doorways that create a foundation for multiple design approaches."
After working on numerous Spanish Revival projects throughout the Bay Area, McNab has identified three distinct approaches that honor the architectural heritage while creating functional spaces for today's lifestyles: neutral transitional, colorful Moroccan-inspired and modern contemporary. Each approach celebrates the style's inherent beauty while addressing the unique needs of modern families.
Dining room with arched doorway opening to living room in a Berkeley Spanish Mediterranean cottage featuring modern Italian design.
Understanding Spanish Revival Architecture
Spanish Revival architecture emerged in early 1900s peaked in 1920s, during a period when many Bay Area architects studied at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. These architects learned to merge classical styles in contemporary ways, creating the elegant Spanish Mediterranean homes found in the region's most distinguished neighborhoods.
"These homes have all the artisan-crafted details of Craftsman architecture but without the heaviness that can feel challenging for modern living," McNab notes. "The higher ceilings, arched doorways and plaster walls create an entirely different feeling—one that's both grand and livable."
Key architectural elements that define Spanish Revival homes include:
Plastered walls in warm, neutral tones
Arched doorways and windows
Exposed beam ceilings with wood planking
Solid mahogany millwork
Trimless casings around doors and windows
Terracota and saltillo tile
Wrought iron details
These elements provide the perfect framework for layering in contemporary touches while maintaining historical authenticity.
Living room in a Spanish Revival cottage featuring modern furnishings and clean-lined design.
Approach One: Modern Furnishings in a Historic Cottage
In this project, the client specifically requested sleek Italian modern furniture, which shaped the entire design approach. The challenge was introducing these contemporary pieces into a tiny, charming Spanish Revival cottage, with classic features like a barrel ceiling and no entryway, without losing the home’s historic character.
We embraced the Spanish Revival architecture by using its structural beauty as a backdrop and layered in sleek, modern furnishings and lighting to create a fresh, contemporary vibe.
"The clean lines of Spanish arches work beautifully with contemporary design," McNab observes. "The architecture provides the character, while everything else can lean completely modern."
To meet the client’s vision, we incorporated:
Geometric-patterned rugs fromrugs from Spotlight
Italian pieces from Flexform for a sophisticated yet modern feel
Lighting by Apparatus that complements the clean architectural lines
Contemporary art to create a dynamic contrast with traditional elements
A streamlined color palette focused on whites, grays and blacks
The key is allowing the architecture to provide all the historical reference while furnishings and finishes embrace current design trends.
In-progress shots from a Spanish Revival project, capturing the design process as architectural details and modern elements come together.
Approach Two: California Casual & Neutral
This project was a large, three-story Spanish Revival home from the 1920s, grand in scale but untouched for nearly 60 years. The client wanted a California casual aesthetic inspired by designers like Amber Lewis, emphasizing neutral tones, warmth and layered patinas.
Unlike the preserved cottage project, here we completely reimagined the interior architecture. We rearranged rooms to improve flow and functionality, added storage and redesigned interior architectural details to bring the home into the present while honoring its roots.
Key aspects of our work included:
Reworking the kitchen layout and bedrooms to add a bathroom and maximize closet space
Designing and adding numerous arches throughout the hallways and rooms, since the original house had few
Layering in reclaimed wood doors, crafted by our carpenter from centuries-old wood to create an authentic patina effect
Using French limestone flooring for a timeless and durable foundation
Installing sculptural lighting fixtures that provide warmth and atmosphere, avoiding modern recessed lighting
Incorporating aged patina metal plumbing, solid bronze hardware, and vintage-style fixtures to enhance the historic character
Applying white or off-white plaster walls as a neutral, textured backdrop
Creating a unique powder room feature by repurposing a garden trough as a wall-mounted sink
The palette is very neutral, beiges and warm tones dominate, with no bright colors, reflecting the client’s vision for a calm, grounded and natural aesthetic. The focus is on layering textures and materials with a soft, lived-in patina rather than vibrant hues.
This approach showcases thoughtful architectural changes paired with a rich layering of natural materials and textures, embodying a California casual, neutral take on Spanish Revival design.
Design mood boards for a Moroccan-inspired Spanish Revival interior, featuring layered materials, bold color accents and textural elements.
Approach Three: Colorful Moroccan-Inspired Design
This project brought a bold, maximalist vision rooted in Spanish Revival architecture infused with Moroccan influences. The client wanted a vibrant, textured space that balanced exotic colors and patterns with the home’s historic character.
We started with earthy, neutral foundations and introduced carefully placed pops of citron yellow, aqua blue, and lime green to create striking, yet balanced, focal points throughout the house.
Key design details included:
Acid yellow niches framed by white subway tiles in bathrooms, creating unexpected, dramatic moments
Lime green mosaic accents in powder rooms, adding playful sophistication
Walls finished with authentic Tadelakt plaster, a traditional Moroccan technique that adds depth and tactile warmth
Handmade mosaic tiles sourced from North African artisans, layering genuine cultural texture and pattern
Custom millwork designed to be simple with a rustic patina, featuring subtle geometric details inspired by Moroccan motifs
Pattern mixing used thoughtfully, for example, mosaic backsplashes blending stone and ceramic elements harmoniously without overwhelming the space
This project was about creating a lively, richly textured environment that honors both Spanish Revival roots and Moroccan artistry, resulting in a home full of warmth, character, and intentional color.
Living room with modern furnishings and the Monument Side Table by Guild by LMI, styled with sculptural lines and a casual touch from a guitar resting nearby.
Sourcing Challenges and Solutions
Working with Spanish Revival homes in the Bay Area means sourcing materials that capture authentic Mediterranean character. Many artisans and manufacturers from regions like North Africa and Europe are now represented by American suppliers, making these distinctive materials more accessible and flexible to source than before.
We’ve been fortunate to work with local artisans who create authentic-feeling elements that beautifully complement these materials.
Forrest Lesch-Middelton, founder of FLM Ceramics in Petaluma, California, produces handmade tiles that embody the organic quality essential to Spanish Revival design. His intricate patterns and craftsmanship draw on global influences and traditional techniques, making his work a natural fit for Mediterranean-inspired interiors.
Similarly, Marcin Legowski of Art-Plastering, originally from London and now based in Woodside, brings European expertise in Venetian and limestone plaster finishes, including traditional tadelakt to Bay Area projects. His bespoke work on fireplaces, accent walls and powder rooms adds the authentic Mediterranean textures central to this style.
With growing availability through American suppliers and talented local artisans, sourcing authentic materials for Spanish Revival homes is becoming more flexible and seamless.
Dining room in a Berkeley Spanish Mediterranean cottage featuring modern Italian design with clean lines and warm, natural materials.
Integrating Contemporary Elements Authentically
One of the biggest challenges in Spanish Revival design is incorporating modern amenities without compromising the home's character. McNab has developed thoughtful strategies to balance old and new seamlessly:
Steel and Glass Doors Modern steel mullioned doors offer a fresh alternative to outdated sliding doors, thoughtfully designed to echo the home’s iconic arched elements. McNab recalls one project where "we designed a steel and glass arched door that completely transformed the connection between interior and exterior spaces."
In that particular home, the difference was dramatic: a previously dark, massive great room with soaring trusses and a classic Spanish Revival plaster fireplace was instantly brightened by the new door. It not only opened up the space but also allowed natural light to stream from the back all the way to the entryway—a connection further enhanced by the addition of a large arch at the front. The transformation changed the entire feel of the room, bringing warmth and openness that had been missing.
Architectural Arches When adding or recreating Spanish arches, precision is key. Authentic Spanish arches have a continuous curved shape with a very specific radius, just the right scale that needs to be repeated throughout a space. A common misstep is to create arches that curve only at the top but have straight sides, which can feel more French than Spanish. True Spanish arches can be challenging because they tend to narrow doorways, but getting the geometry right is essential to maintaining authenticity.
Contemporary Lighting in Traditional Spaces Instead of concealing modern lighting, McNab selects sculptural fixtures that stand out as artwork within Spanish Revival settings. “A contemporary chandelier can feel like art when placed among traditional architectural details,” she says.
Updated Kitchen and Bath Design Modern appliances and plumbing can blend effortlessly when finishes and proportions are thoughtfully chosen. For example, aged brass fixtures from manufacturers like Watermark provide contemporary functionality with an appropriate patina that complements the style.
The Importance of Architectural Details
Regardless of which approach you choose, success lies in the details. McNab pays particular attention to elements like:
Creating authentic-feeling arches when opening up spaces
Repeating architectural motifs in custom millwork
Choosing hardware that feels substantial and appropriate
Balancing contemporary art with traditional architecture
Layering textures that feel natural and unforced
"Every detail needs to feel intentional," McNab emphasizes. "Whether you're going neutral, colorful or contemporary, the architecture should feel cohesive and authentic."
Thoughtful renovation of a Spanish Revival home in the Bay Area, balancing preservation of original architectural features with contemporary design updates.
Historical Preservation Considerations
Many Spanish Revival homes in the Bay Area have historical significance, though most aren't subject to strict preservation requirements. McNab approaches each project as a steward of architectural history, making changes that honor the home's journey while meeting contemporary needs.
"Even when we're not required to preserve specific elements, we think carefully about what makes these homes special," she explains. "The goal is always to enhance rather than compete with the original architecture."
Creating Functional Modern Living
Perhaps the greatest advantage of Spanish Revival architecture is how naturally it accommodates modern living. The higher ceilings and open archways create flow between spaces that feels contemporary, while the sturdy construction allows for the infrastructure updates today's families need.
"These homes were built for gracious living," McNab notes. "Our job is simply to update them for how families live today while preserving what makes them special."
Whether you're drawn to the serene sophistication of neutral transitional design, the rich patterns of Moroccan-inspired interiors or the clean lines of contemporary style, Spanish Revival architecture provides the perfect foundation. The key lies in understanding your home's unique character and choosing an approach that enhances rather than fights against its inherent beauty.
By respecting the architectural framework while thoughtfully layering in contemporary elements, Spanish Revival homes can provide the perfect blend of historical charm and modern functionality, creating spaces that feel both timeless and completely current.
