Tile and Spanish Colonial Revival Architecture at the Homestead Museum

By Bill Buyok, Avente Tile

The hot, humid weather we've been experiencing in Southern California since last week has taken a toll on me. I am not used to the tropical weather, so I find my mind wandering.

The entry gates to La Casa Nueva at the Homestead Museum

However, with the stifling and oppressive heat, there is great news! We received some much-needed rain for our parched California lands. Also, as my mind continues to wander, I couldn't help but think of a getaway or vacation, so I thought I would share one of my favorite tile haunts here in California, The Workman and Temple Family Homestead Museum.

The Moorish-inspired, Spanish door and entry of La Casa Nueva is meant to impress.

The Homestead Museum is a hidden gem that resides in the most unlikely of areas, the City of Industry, just outside of Los Angeles. The museum is a place to explore the history of the Los Angeles region from 1830 to 1930 through the hopes and dashed aspirations of two families. The six-acre site features the Workman House, an 1870s country home constructed around an 1840s adobe built by William and Nicolasa Workman.

Additionally, La Casa Nueva, a 1920s Spanish Colonial Revival mansion noted for its architectural crafts, was built by the Workmans' grandson Walter Temple and his wife, Laura. Additionally, El Campo Santo, one of the region's oldest private cemeteries, contains the remains of Pío Pico (the last governor of Mexican California), and other prominent pioneer families. Being a huge fan of Spanish and Spanish Colonial Revival architecture, I'll share some of the highlights of La Casa Nueva or the New House.

The main entry with its central, open plan is impressive and filled with hand-crafted details like carved vegas, wood floors, and tiled stair risers.

The main entry is filled with bespoke details of Spanish colonial revival architecture.

A grand staircase with Spanish tile and tile floor molding in La Casa Nueva.

As you discover the grounds, with your guide, you'll also find some unique rooms like this barbershop embellished with cement tiles. Cement tile such as this remind me of Cuban tile barbershops found in Havana during the same time period.

Cement tile in the Barber Shop reminds me of handmade Cuban Heritage tile.

A close-up detailing the cement tile pattern found in the Barber Shop.

I'll continue with this amazing tour of La Casa Nueva in August. It's a feast of design details and tile - everywhere you go.

Feeling inspired? Want to learn more about how to use tile that create the style and feel of Spanish and Spanish Colonial Revival architecture? This is one of our passions and we can help. Visit our Spanish Tile Design Center today!

Visit our Spanish Tile Design Center

Discover Design with Historic Spanish Tile Installations in Los Angeles

By Bill Buyok, Avente Tile

As summer starts to kicks into full swing with the solstice less than 10 days away, I find myself enjoying the perfectly splendid outdoors of Southern California with longer walks each day. This summer, our blog is dedicated to handcrafted tiles and their use outdoors. Last week we introduced our new Artisan Porcelain Tiles for the Pool! This week I share my favorite historical tile installations that I've discovered during my urban treks in the neighborhoods of Los Angeles and Beverly Hills.

Brightly colored tiles are grouped beneath a Moorish arch
create a colorful tribute to Spanish Revival architecture.

Most of these homes, duplexes or commercial spaces were built in the late 1920s. What you’ll see in every photo is the optimism that was prevalent in the era. Optimism expressed in the colors of the tile and the details of every structure; details that you rarely find today. Each installation pays homage to a specific architectural style: a portico found in a Mission style home, an extremely decorated façade of a Spanish Renaissance commercial location, or a fountain typical of Spanish Colonial architecture found in a duplex courtyard. You’ll find that these installations show some wear; but, they are a great tribute to both Los Angeles architecture and the classic forms they honor.

Patterns grouped or "blocked together" create an impact on the entry to a California Courtyard.

Color or pattern blocking is a common method where tiles of the same color or pattern are grouped together to create maximum impact or define an area. Unlike the photo above, here you see several different patterns and formats used on a planter box below a window. The quarter design circular patter has strong ties to Moorish patterns and the smaller format cross pattern is class Spanish. The colors are typical of tiles from the 1920s with a listello border on the bottom of the planter box.

Tiles patterns on this planter box are Spanish and Moorish influenced.
The cohesive palette and tiles is circa 1925.

Something you don't see very often today is the use of brick with Spanish tile. We often think of brick as being traditionally English. However, the red clay brick plays nicely with the red clay roof tile and decorative Spanish tiles on the planter box because it has a natural "terra cotta aesthetic."  The architectural details on the home enforce the Spanish style theme.

Brick can work with Spanish tile designs especially when the
home's architectural theme is influenced by Spanish details.

Spanish tiles are used for the stair risers on this brick path leading up to the home. Notice the planter box to the left of the door at the top of the stairs. A cohesive color scheme of different shades of blue on the tiles work well with the alternating stair rise patterns and the planter box.

A cohesive color palette of blues in the stair riser and planter box tiles
allows different patterns to harmoniously exist.

Architecture often speaks to the times both in form and function. The period in the late 1920s in Los Angeles was one of optimism and hope. Sunflowers are often considered a symbol of optimism with their big, over-sized, bright yellow flowers reaching up to the blue sky in the warmth of summer. Nothing symbolizes this optimism more than these stylistic sunflower tiles used on this Beverly Hills duplex.

Architecture captures the mood of the times.
These stair risers are tiled with a sunflower motif (circa 1925).

Doesn't that get your attention? You can't help but smile seeing those tiles on the stair risers.  Here's a close-up of these stunning tiles!

Detail of sunflower tiles on stair risers in Beverly Hills circa 1925.

I hope you enjoyed exploring some of my favorite historical tile installations near the Los Angeles neighborhood where I reside. These are great examples of how Spanish tile have been used to complement an existing architectural style. Throughout the summer, we'll explore more homes in the neighborhood and share additional ways to bring tile outside! If you liked this post, don't miss my previous post, Spanish Tile Details Charm this Los Angeles Neighborhood.

Want to add some Spanish tile charm to your home? Then look through our Spanish tiles or browse our Ceramic Tile Design Ideas where you can find a large collection of projects showcasing our handmade and hand-painted Spanish tile. Let us know how we at Avente Tile can assist you!

Spanish Tile Details Charm this Los Angeles Neighborhood

By Bill Buyok, Avente Tile

The Memorial Day holiday marks the unofficial start of summer for just about everybody in America. I hope you enjoyed yours. For me, here in Los Angeles, I know summer is almost here not just by the long, warmer days but the early and relentless songs of the mockingbird - sometimes too early and way too long into the night.  These longer days allow longer walks in my Los Angeles neighborhood.

Spanish tile adorn the riser and column on this Los Angeles home.

During each walk, I usually spy decorative tiles in outdoor settings that adorn the Spanish and Mediterranean homes that were influenced by Mission, Spanish, and Spanish Revival architecture. The asymmetrical arch is a rich architectural feature; but, look at the Spanish tile on the column. These are original tile circa 1928.

Spanish Tile on a column circa 1928

Brightly colored tile are influences of Spanish Revival architecture. 

I do have a soft spot for tile and love seeing how decorative tile is used to add a splash of color or touch of interest to a home. Exterior stair risers are of course a common home for Spanish tile. This small, inviting patio places Spanish paver tiles and decorative Spanish tiles both on point. This "on point" layout for pavers can help small spaces like a front patio seem more expansive.

Both pavers and decorative riser tiles are "on point" in this open courtyard.

For a more private patio, the owner of the home below chose a high wall with Moroccan details and wood for the entry. And who wouldn't want a turret for their second-story bedroom? It's almost story book material!

Spanish tile, wood and Moroccan detailing provide an inviting entry.

But, let's get a closer look at those Spanish stair riser tiles.

Spanish tiles in the same pattern adorn these stair risers.

Not as common is the use of patterned cement tile. There is one unique example that I want to share. I love the quaint look of patterned cement tiles placed in the cement walk of this home.

Patterned cement tile placed in a poured cement walkway add interest.

The color and pattern in the walk guide you to this stunning recessed entry.

The cement tiles in the walk complement the color and pattern in this entry.

I hope you enjoyed exploring just a few of my favorite homes near the Los Angeles neighborhood where I reside. These are great examples of  how Spanish tile and cement tile can be used to complement an existing design, while adding curb appeal. Throughout the summer, we'll explore more homes in the neighborhood and share additional ways to bring tile outside!

Want to add some Spanish tile charm to your home? Then look through our Spanish tiles or browse our Ceramic Tile Design Ideas where you can find a large collection of projects showcasing our handmade and hand-painted Spanish tile. Let us know how we at Avente Tile can assist you!

Top Design Tips for Stair Riser Tiles

Decorative tiles are the perfect design accent for a stair riser. For a classic look use the same tile for all the risers. For a more bold statement, alternate the pattern used on each row or try using different designs on the same riser. Here's our top five ways to use hand-painted or decorative tile on stair risers.

Try using:

1. The same tile pattern on each row for a classic approach.
   
   
   
   
2. A different pattern on each row.
   
   
   You can also limit your selection to just a few patterns and repeat the pattern every other row.


3. Different designs on the same riser. For instance, our Spanish tiles shown here are the Teruel, Alcala, and Andalucia. They look great next to each another on the same row.
   
   
   
   
4. Use different size tiles on different rows.
   
   
   Above, Caceres 3"x6" was placed on the top row, 6"x6" for the middle row, and 2"x2" dots for the bottom row. You can also be creative with sizes. Try using two rows of 3"x6" tiles instead of a single row of 6"x6".
   
   
5. Place the decorative tiles 'on point.' Or, Include a vertical or horizontal "spacer row" using a 2"x2" of the same design or in a solid color field tile.
   
   
   

Be creative with your designs when using hand-painted or decorative tiles for stair risers. There aren't any 'strict design standards' to follow, except your own! Try different sizes, patterns and groupings. You can place them in a traditional grid pattern or on-point with field tile in a coordinating color. Get samples and and try various layouts until you find one that suits your sense of style.

Our slide show of stair riser installations has even more great design inspiration ideas for tiling stair risers!

 

Have a favorite? Of course you do! Let us know your favorite from our top five picks by leaving a comment. Or, share your own idea. There are few projects more fun than tiling stair risers!

Use Different Decorative Tiles on a Stair Riser

Use different decorative tiles on a staircase. You don't have to use the same tile for all the risers. You can even use different designs on the same riser. Try various, complementary designs and patterns until you find one that works well. See how creative you can be!

Different Tile Designs on the Same Stair Riser

Consider using:

• A different pattern on each row. For instance, one row is Caceres; the other Cadiz.
• A few designs and alternating them on each row.
• Different designs on the same riser. Teruel, Alcala, and Andalucia look great next to each another on the same row.
• Two rows of 3"x6" tiles instead of a single row of 6"x6.
• Cement tiles for the stair riser, instead of decorative tiles. You can customize the colors and designs.
• Include a vertical or horizontal "spacer row" that utilizes a 2"x2" of the same design.

Our slide show of stair riser installations displays some of these great ideas.