Traditional Mexican-Style Interiors

Earth tones and natural elements are traditional to Mexican design.

Elements of traditional Mexican interiors are well documented in examples of preserved Spanish colonial revival designs and traditional hacienda properties. Rustic wood, masonry, handcrafted tile, wrought iron, pottery and rich fabrics bring together the feel of Mexican-inspired design.

Incorporation of Tile and Pottery

Handcrafted Mexican tiles are a large element of traditional Mexican interiors. Tile was used throughout interior design. It was used as flooring, wall borders and accent pieces often attached to furnishings, metal craft mirrors and as murals throughout the home. Tile was both decorative and functional.

Two primary types of tile speak to the natural feel and warmth of Mexican interior design. Artistic tiles adorned with hand-painted designs found in Mexican folklore were often rough and covered with an uneven and at times lumpy ceramic glaze. Flooring, counter and furniture tops featured unglazed and glazed tiles made of mud or clay in traditional terracotta colors.

Clay was also used to make traditional Mexican pottery. Hand-thrown in natural desert colors, functional and decorative Mexican pottery was used on a small and large scale within most rooms.

Wood, Wrought Iron and Textiles

Rustic wood furniture, typically large in scale and carved from pine, is another feature commonly used in Mexican interior design. Finished with natural oils and adorned with carved wooden or wrought iron fixtures, the furnishings boasted clean lines and were made to be durable and functional.

Pops of color were provided by woven cotton and other natural-fiber Mexican textiles which have a rich history in Mexico. Natural colors of sage greens, sunset yellow, orange, rich red, deep browns, tans and blacks all added a warm, colorful addition in the form of upholstery, accent throws and rugs.

Interior Stucco and Exposed Beams

Contents of rooms aside, traditional Mexican rooms featured design elements borrowed from nature and necessity. It was not uncommon to see stucco adorning interior as well as exterior walls. Most ceilings boasted exposed beams, typically made of readily available and practical pine. The same woods were often carried through the home being used as doors and window casings.

References

• Workman and Temple Family Homestead Museum: History Paved with Tile
• "Traditional Mexican Style Interiors: A Schiffer Design Book"; Donna McMenamin; 2003