Terri Ramsey Beavers As the coronavirus crisis continues, with countries around the world imposing hefty quarantine periods on anyone entering the country, it’s unlikely that anyone will be vacationing abroad this year. Here are four ways you can introduce Spanish-inspired updates to your home décor so that you can at least pretend you’re on the Costa Blanca rather than in lockdown.
1. Moroccan tiles
If you’ve ever been to southern Spain, Andalucía, in particular, you might have been surprised by the amount of seemingly Arabic architecture. This is due to the occupation of parts of Spain during the Middle Ages by a group of North African Muslims known as the Moors. The Moors ruled in Spain for several hundreds of years and left behind a huge legacy with their influence seen in, amongst other things, food, architecture, and music. Their legacy can be seen in the enduring popularity of Moroccan tiles in Spanish architecture. Why not add your own Moroccan tiles? The kitchen is the perfect place, but they also make a pretty addition to your garden.
2. White paint
While you can make updates to your current home, have you considered the thought of purchasing a home in Spain itself and updating your living environment rather than just your house? While you won’t be able to travel to it yet, you can set the wheels in motion by looking at Bright’s Villa Alcuzcuz. However, if you can’t wait to move, then there is one simple change that you can make to your home to make it feel like you are already in a Spanish home: using white paint. In the hot summers of southern Spain, were temperatures can commonly reach 104 degrees Fahrenheit, white paint can help in reflecting the sun’s rays, thereby keeping the building cool. This is a design feature common in hot climates all over the world. While your own home might not endure such extreme temperatures, you can easily get the Mediterranean style with a paintbrush and a tin of white paint.
3. Window shutters
Most Spanish villas have blinds and window shutters. While this can be put down to cultural preference, keeping window shutters closed during the hottest part of the day provides another method of keeping your home cool. Although this might not be such a concern for you, depending on your local climate, window shutters do have other benefits. Closed shutters can act as a deterrent for potential burglars, and they can improve your sleep by keeping your room dark. With blinds and window shutters available in a range of materials and attractive designs, you can easily add this interesting piece of Spanish home décor to your own home.
4. Palm trees
One of the most evocative images of Spain is the Spanish villa surrounded by palm trees. Just seeing a palm tree conjures the idea of warm beach vacations and a glass of sangria! To add a tropical touch at home, why not plant a few palm trees in your garden? They are surprisingly hardy in cooler environments, and with the right care and maintenance are sure to thrive. Or, if you’d prefer, there are smaller varieties of palm trees that are popular choices as house plants. With around 2,600 species of palm trees, the key is to do your research before buying.