At Home: The Holmans

Rooted in Spanish Style

Words by Natalie Caudle and Lifestyle Staff | Photos by Dakota Jacobi

Spending time outdoors during the warm summers, hosting friends and family for dinner, practicing for the next rodeo, and creating a retreat setting are the ingredients the Holmans wanted for their busy family when they built their Spanish-inspired home.

Their Family Story

Pete and Shane Holman’s worlds collided when she was living in the Bay Area and competing in the rodeo. “I competed professionally and met Pete when I stayed overnight in Visalia between competitions,” says Shane. Fast forward to today, they’ve raised daughter Billie and son Lefty and are now bringing up their grade school sons, Pistol and Blaze. “The rodeo has always been a part of our family’s lives. Billie and Lefty have competed since middle school,” she shares. The family travels extensively to different events throughout the country. Lefty competes at the highest level. After ten nights of competition, he recently placed second in the world at the National Finals Rodeo this winter. Pete comes from a family of creatives–his sister Holly has created a beautiful Spanish-style home and his youngest sister Quincy owns a local rodeo apparel company, Rodeo Quincy.

Pete keeps himself busy as a cattle trader and owner of a local company, Arrowhead Trading. Shane has worked for Ariat International as the Head of Global Western Merchandising, where she’s been designing cowboy boots for over 17 years. She has also owned and operated Envie Boutique for more than a decade. They keep their endeavors balanced with working from home offices and sneaking in some travel.

The Design

Their property consists of 12 acres on the same land as their previous home. Rather than remodeling, the Holmans built exactly what they wanted, which was more efficient and cost-effective. They both grew up inspired by Spanish-style homes influenced by family heritage. Pete grew up in Exeter during his high school years and his mom later relocated to Reedley where she owned a beautiful Spanish-style home. “Pete’s late mom, Sally Marvel Freeman, was the most fashionable cowgirl and a creative genius. We spent a lot of time at her ranch and were always inspired by her blend of Spanish and western roots,” Shane shares. Shane was born in the Bay Area, but in grade school, her family relocated to the Santa Barbara area—full of Spanish colonial-style homes, due to the influence of Spanish settlers from 1600-1800. This shared style ties together their home through the influences of Mexican heritage and Western lifestyle.

Pam Gist and Steve Syler of a local drafting company, The Drawing Board, designed the Holman home. As Madrigal Homes took over the building process, Shane spearheaded the design, hand-selecting finishes and sourcing material from local companies. Shane’s job with Ariat has nurtured her passion for fashion and creative style. She began dreaming up her home by making Pinterest boards and taking inspiration from home catalogs and design books. One of Shane’s go-to places was Rare Art Motif in Kingsburg to find unique pieces to fit her vision. The furniture was custom-made by Luna Rustica in San Luis Obispo, where Shane attended college.

When first entering their home, the floor-to-ceiling windows and natural lighting in the living room create a striking impression. Shane says it’s her favorite room: “Photos of our kids growing up and time spent at rodeos flank the walls.” Saddles and cowboy hats accent the place, including an old Spanish saddle from back-in-the-day parades in Camarillo—where Pete’s family finds their rich Spanish heritage roots. The bar pops with color from the eclectic mosaic-inspired tile and rose details. With starshaped lighting fixtures and leather barstools, the bar area beckons guests to take a load off and is one of Shane’s favorite nooks within the home.

“The kitchen and family rooms are the heart of our home,” says Shane. “It’s where we come together around meals and watch TV.” The cabinets' rich shade balances well with the copper accents and the inviting caramel-coffee tones of the warm leather couch. The focal point, a sleek copper hood that frames the gray Mediterranean-style backsplash, and copper light pendants pull the space together. Mixing materials with different textures and elements was one way the Holmans created a Spanish-Mediterranean feel. The Spanish tile, chestnut brown hues, and wrought iron accents create a touch of rustic comfort.

The Holmans spent most of their budget on the home’s tile and custom wood furniture to ensure an authentic Spanish style. Their hand-built headboard and front door are cherished possessions. By not splurging on less-permanent items like plumbing fixtures, appliances, and couches, they were able to create their dream home. The outdoor space breathes tranquility with a crystal blue pool, relaxing lounge chairs, and bright pink bougainvilleas scattered against the white mission-style backdrop. They hope to one day expand and build a pool house.

It would be an understatement to say that the Holmans have perfected the art of working hard and hustling. At the end of a busy day filled with kids’ sports, entrepreneurship, and rodeo travels, they’ve created a place of rejuvenating comfort and a space to make memories.