The Spanish Inquisition

A very wise person once taught me the purpose of a Concept Statement and, generally speaking, a concept. The point is to create a vision and keep the designer on track. It is the first step in design and I wanted to skip it. In walks the wise person and she reminds me that a concept statement is required.

My process in getting to The Spanish Inquisition ::

I'm the type of designer that likes to stay true to the original intent and style of a structure; it must be respected.

Here's a suggestion regarding the style of a house :: Ignore what a realtor says.

Want to know what style a home is? Look at it. I struggled with the concept for weeks because I had it in my head that it was a "Tuder/Ranch". First of all, other than a misspelling, what is a Tudor/Ranch? It does not necessarily exist, unless it is in some dreadful suburban planned community. I chased down the Tudor style, but struggled with developing the concept. So, one night, amid piles of finishes and photographs of the house, it finally occurred to me. It's a Spanish style home. It hit me like the Spanish Inquisition and you know what they say, "Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!"

In the 1930s, Denver embraced the Spanish Colonial style and began to create it's own. If the home isn't stucco (California-style), then it's brick, like the 505. Other obvious Spanish details include Spanish tile roof, rounded arches, and terra cotta tiles. Colors included reds, greens, golds (all of which we'll find later).

The previous homeowners put their own spin on the home over the years, like metal awnings, a picket fence, blue tile countertops and tangerine orange walls in the kitchen, a mirror in the recess of the fireplace, handyman bookshelves and lighting flanking the fireplace, and white & black hexagon tile and bead board wainscot in the bathroom. This isn't Spanish, and it all must go.

The new design details :: Keep the Spanish tile roof, the rounded door, and brick. Replace the worn, tired look of the home with refreshing, clean lines inspired by Spanish Colonial, like dark woods, bronze hardware, colors of white, linen, and dark, deep blue to recount the Spanish coast.