REVIVING ELEGANCE
HARMONIZING CLASSIC SPANISH REVIVAL AESTHETICS WITH SUSTAINABLE INNOVATIONS
Entry: “One of the beauties of doing a Spanish Revival style home is that it really allows the blending of old and new,” shares Cruz, who incorporates a classic arch adorned with hand-painted tiles. The exterior showcases the calming tones of TundraBrick by Eldorado Stone. Upon entering through the custom blackframed arched door, visitors are greeted by a foyer featuring a groin-vaulted ceiling finished in polished Venetian plaster, elegantly complemented by an aged brass chandelier from Visual Comfort.
SSince founding Cruz Interiors in 2009, Christina Cruz, RN, has dedicated herself to sustainable design practices. As the Owner and Principal Designer, Cruz integrates her nursing background with her interior design expertise in each project, focusing on health to create spaces that positively impact well-being.
“We like to use products with no or low VOCs and are Cradle to Cradle certified,” Cruz explains. “It’s not only about the production but ensuring that the final product impacts health positively.” Cruz extends this philosophy to the design of this Spanish Revival-style home, ensuring that every element contributes to a healthier living environment while maintaining aesthetic integrity. u
Kitchen: The custom hood by Archways & Ceilings is expertly finished in adobe and features a band in aged bronze-styled adobe by a local artist. The design achieves a harmonious balance between the painted wood Shaker cabinets and natural walnut cabinets, playing off their light and dark tones. Black hardware complements these elements, echoing the Spanish Revival style. This functional kitchen includes a hidden pantry and an environmentally conscious Café series induction cooktop.
In the dining room, 14-foot groin-vaulted ceiling detail finished in Venetian plaster create an old-world charm. Custom wainscoting amplifies the room’s height, and Cruz uses a round chandelier to anchor the voluminous space. Drapery panels made from William Yeoward fabric cascade gracefully, adding a soft elegance to the architecture. The client’s dining table integrates seamlessly with a low-pile custom rug for easy maintenance.
Cruz masterfully enhances the home’s elegant architecture with authentic Spanish flair, beginning with a striking entry transformation. The entryway now boasts a mesmerizing arched opening, a Spanish design hallmark adorned with exquisite artisanal tiles in a rich palette of terracotta, green, cream, and blue hues. These ornate, colorful tiles, reminiscent of traditional Spanish ceramics, frame a sleek black metal and glass door, creating a harmonious fusion of classic and contemporary elements.
This thoughtful juxtaposition of old-world craftsmanship and modern architectural sensibilities showcases Cruz’s expertise in blending styles. The intricate tilework pays homage to Spain’s rich artistic heritage, while the clean lines of the modern door add a touch of understated elegance. The result is an entrance that exudes both warmth and sophistication, serving as a captivating prelude to the Spanish-inspired design elements that await within.
“I wanted people to feel embraced by the Spanish Revival style,” says Cruz, who designed a groin-vaulted ceiling finished in splendid polished Venetian plaster. Beyond pure design, style, and finish selections, Cruz embraces the principles of neuroaesthetics, which studies how our brains respond to aesthetic experiences. She ensures her designs not only please the eye but also promote well-being by creating mood-enhancing environments and using natural lighting that supports healthy circadian rhythms. This careful attention to the sensory impact of environments leads from the foyer into the heart of the home. u
Bar & Lounge: Cruz selects a custom stain for the cabinetry, drawing inspiration from the dark knots and graining of the engineered wood floor. Backlit Cristallo arches and brass hardware from Belwith Keeler create a luxe visual, giving the bar a melded-modern vibe. This functional space features a Sommelier refrigerator from Monogram and a washable rug from Ruggable. Above, an Etruscan bronze light fixture with a mesh band beautifully diffuses light, enhancing the intimate feel of the space — ideal for social gatherings.
Dinette: This dinette table is crafted from a tree trunk and lends an organic touch to the room. Terracotta pots from Jeffan sit atop the table, displaying vibrant sprigs of eucalyptus. The black and white cushion pattern on the built-in storage bench harmonizes with the black frames of the chairs from Lulu and Georgia, linking these elements with the architectural black accents of the door and window frames for a cohesive overall look.
Primary Bathroom: The large-format porcelain tiles are made with post-consumer recycled content and mimic natural stone, while the zero-entry shower — clad with Dekton’s Entzo slabs — offers a seamless, spa-like experience. Brass plumbing fixtures from Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery amplify luxury. The terracotta pot, brimming with vibrant foliage, recenters one with nature. Nearby, one can relax in the natural stone tub; its taupe hue harmonizes with the restorative color palette. “I wanted this primary bathroom to be a place where you would be enveloped in relaxation and nature,” shares Cruz, “and this soft color palette achieves that feeling.” The burnished finish cabinetry is mild and soothing, topped in quartz with a generous backsplash and earthy stone vessel sinks from Native Trails. A pleasing rhythm is created by alternating the vintage brass sconces and mirrors across this vanity.
Primary Bedroom: Cruz chooses this woven wool rug in neutral colors to introduce a little pattern that calls back to the Spanish style. Earthy tones evoke comfort and respite, like the camel leather bed with plush, inviting bedding from Boll & Branch, enhancing the cozy atmosphere. Rustic beams against the creamy white ceiling bring a balance of earth and light to the space, and here, a forged, hand-hammered chandelier gives off an organic texture and an old-world feel.
The fireplace in the grand living room, originally contemporary, now features a graceful, sweeping arch that beautifully enhances the room’s Spanish Revival aesthetic. This thoughtful redesign not only elevates the visual appeal but also promotes a healthy environment, thanks to the innovative zeroemission fireplace system selected by Cruz. Arches are a recurring design theme throughout the home, creating seamless transitions between spaces while establishing captivating focal points. u
A beautifully tiled archway gracefully connects the kitchen to the bar and lounge, enhancing the flow of the space. The kitchen exemplifies Cruz’s design vision, striking a harmonious balance between grounding hues, lush plant life, and sophisticated Spanish style. Brass accents adorn many of the lighting and plumbing fixtures, adding a touch of elegance to the overall aesthetic. The color palette features warm woods, soft alabaster, and rich greens and blues, with black as a unifying accent that seamlessly ties the design elements together. u
Guest Bedroom & En Suite: Cruz skillfully blends textures and colors to complement the home’s Spanish style, using terracotta, green, and cream tones with elegant patterns that celebrate the aesthetic. A table lamp adorned with an organic vine motif serves as a constant nod to this naturalistic influence, while underfoot is a plush custom rug that ties the colors of the room’s decor together. The guest bedroom’s en suite introduces a contemporary element with a sleek vanity from James Martin Vanities.
Laundry Room: The laundry and mudroom are infused with playful encaustic tile in a black-and-white Kenzzi pattern. This functional space is welcoming, featuring storage and drop zones, and is made warm by the morel hue of the cabinetry. A white quartz countertop and glossy white beveled subway tile pack a fresh punch to the warmth of the cabinetry stain. The space wouldn’t be complete without a biophilic element, and to be fun, Cruz adds a Picasso print as decor.
The primary suite garners tranquility through large windows that frame conservation area views. “We wanted to emulate the peaceful, calming feel of the outdoors in the primary suite,” Cruz shares. “We connect our interiors with nature through biophilia, natural light, and organic materials. This connection enhances the visual beauty of the space and also promotes well-being.”
This residence is a testament to the successful fusion of the Spanish Revival style and sustainable design principles. With this dedication to health and sustainability, Cruz crafts a home that is aesthetically pleasing and nurturing. “We aim to set ourselves apart by building our designs on a solid, sustainable foundation. This commitment to sustainability is central to who we are and what we aspire to be known for,” Cruz says, looking forward to continuing to innovate in the realm of sustainable interior design. n
Outdoor Living: The outdoor living area features a tongue-and-groove ceiling, and teak wood chairs with woven charcoal banding from Coco Republic. A creamy-hue adobe fireplace with corbel details and hand-painted tiles resonates with the indoor design. Moreover, it is yet again a zero-emissions fireplace, exemplifying Cruz’s commitment to clean spaces. Brass lanterns and large throw pillows create a casual, intimate gathering space. Porcelain pavers mimic travertine, chosen for their low maintenance.
Outdoor Dining & Kitchen: Blurring the line between superbly beautiful and ultra-functional, this outdoor kitchen and dining space excels in both. The outdoor kitchen, clad in durable Dekton, impresses with its subtle pattern that harmonizes with the plaster hood. These durable materials reduce waste and serve as another example of Cruz’s commitment to conservation. Equipped with a 36-inch grill, refrigerator, and sink, along with a durable concrete top dining table and comfortable seating, this area is perfectly prepared for both cooking and entertaining.
Written by Rachel Seekamp
Photography by Bos Images
Interior Designer: Cruz Interiors Tampa, FL 33629
813.444.4023
www.cruzinteriorsinc.com
Resources:
Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery
302 North Willow Avenue Tampa, FL 33606
813.251.1690
www.build.com/ferguson