How To Tell If You Live In a Mid Century Modern Spanish Revival
Identifying features to look for to learn if your house is a Mid Century Modern Spanish Revival.
Mid Century Modern Spanish Revival throughout the 1950s and 60s was undeniably a big deal but it’s important to note that it was not the beginning of Spanish Revival in America. Spanish Revival homes became popular in California during the 1920s following the Panama-California Exposition, which took place in San Diego from 1915-1917. The Southwestern states took the idea and ran with it for decades to come.
About Mid Century Spanish Revival Homes
The first process of elimination is finding out if your home is in fact mid-century modern. These are homes built roughly between 1950 and 1970. Spanish revival homes in the late 40s and early 1950s steered closer to the multi-level tight footprint of Spanish missions. They were inherently traditionalist and colonial. By the late 50s and early 60s the sentiment of Spanish flair was more focused on the endless Summer vibes and warm elements of Mediterranean aesthetic. Ranch houses and split levels took the center stage at the time as well. By the top of the century, 5 out of every 6 homes built were either a single-story ranch home or a split level. In the mid-century going up and down stairs fell out of favor thus removing the need or desire for the traditional wrought iron adorned staircases of their older sisters.
Common Locations of Mid Century Spanish Revival Homes
Spanish elements worked wonders in sunny climates and their eternally stylish features make sense for homeowners in gorgeous sunny places. The idea of soggy stucco walls didn’t entice anyone living in damp and dark climates and the flat roofs were not ideal for snowier places. You see a lot of mid century modern Spanish revival homes in places like Florida and along the southwestern states in New Mexico, Arizona and California. These are also areas in the US with some of the highest rates of Spanish influence throughout American history.
Interior of a 1969 Mid Century Modern Spanish Revival split level home in Four Hills Village, Albuquerque, NM.
Identifying Features of Mid Century Modern Spanish Revival Homes
Archways
Rounded archways in Spanish architecture dates all the way back to the Moors.
Stucco Walls
Clean white stucco walls are made of natural materials and look more warm and organic looking than other wall construction available at the time.
Clay Shingle Roof
Terra Cotta tiles are a staple for Mid Century Spanish Revival homes. These were often labors of love and each tile or shingle was molded by hand.
Wrought Iron Details
These details are most often found as decorative motifs above front entrances and the material was used on balconies and decoratively as a breezeway when filling arched window spaces.
Exposed Wooden Roof Beams
Another common identifier of Spanish Revival homes are exposed wooden roof beams. The exposed structural supports add some visual interest and bring the eye upward.
Enclosed Gardens
These homes often have a sizable and fully enclosed private garden area in the front and/or back reminiscent of true Spanish home design. Another common feature of these gardens is tile work water features.
Clay Tile
Look for original tile details embedded into walls and tile work floors. A common style of flooring in Spanish Revival homes is naturally warm-toned clay tiles. Due to the skill level required to install and maintain terra cotta tile if your home still has original 50-year-old terra cotta tile in great condition it could be worth refurbishing versus replacing.
With a growing appreciation of mid century modern design and craftsmanship many modern homebuyers are on the lookout for features that show off the originally intended nature and age of their property.