Why Spanish-Girl Style Is Fast Replacing Our French-Girl Obsession
Everything that’s happening across the Atlantic.
Updated Sep 29, 2021 7:04 AM
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French girls might have given us the secret to perfect skin, but when it comes to achieving summer-ready style, no one does easygoing better than the Spanish. In the same way style-savvy Parisians seem to have effortlessly mastered the perfectly imperfect, the Spanish girl’s equally covetable design aesthetic is also based on the fearless principle of leaving much of the home up to chance.
Unlike her neighboring friends to the northeast, however, she’s directly influenced by the diverse landscape and dynamic destinations that surround her. From the shores of Ibiza to the peaks of the Pyrenees—and back again through the bustling streets of Madrid and Barcelona—her design perspective is the result of the casual mingling of urban fervor and rural respite.
Ahead, a peek inside the homes of the Spanish bloggers, artists, and entrepreneurs who are inspiring us right now. Plus, all the interior tips we’re bookmarking for our own spaces.
Set the Mood With Large-Scale Art
Lourdes Hernández might be an L.A. girl now, but the Madrid native’s Mediterranean-style cottage is peppered with reminders of home, including two portraits by Spanish artist Carla Fuentes. The low-key glamorous works embody the playful and casual approach that the singer took with the rest of the room’s decor.
Add Some Quirk to Your Vignettes
View this post on InstagramCan we talk about how important is the inspiration of fashion in art? YES
Who says you can’t display your go-to wedge or kitten heel atop your favorite art books? Stylist and designer Maria Bernad’s off-the-cuff arrangement of various oddities works because it doesn’t attempt to abide by the rule book. The things you love will look good together because you love them—not because you were strict about symmetry.
Pair Down Luxe Decor
Among the many defining characteristics that separate Spanish girls from their European counterparts is the careful blending of the ornate and the rustic. Blogger and globe-trotter Paula Ordovas’s bedroom is an idyllic example of what it means to strike the perfect balance. Sophisticated touches like blush pink accents and intricate metallic accessories peacefully coexist alongside more primitive pieces, like the worn wood bench at the foot of the bed.
Weave in Woven Accents
Handwoven finds and muted grays capture the coastal-cool spirit of interior designer Eli García Cruz’s sun-filled Barcelona apartment. Although the detailed molding and tight quarters give her tiny urban dwelling away, the many textured accessories lend breezy, beachy vibes.
Prioritize a Neutral Palette
Madrid-based creative Itziar Aguilera’s apartment is nothing short of an escape for the soul. Abound in neutral jute rugs, blond wood furniture, and wall-mounted mementos, her personal haven is a simple ode to her many travels, as well as her bohemian aesthetic.
Foster Desert-Inspired Ambience
Familiar nods to rural living also make their way into model and jewelry designer Ana Moya Calzado’s abode, where an enviable collection of prickly prints add charm to a built-in storage nook.
Bring Poufs to the Dining Room
As if designed with the intention to transport guests to their favorite beachside eatery, famed fashion blogger and proud plant parent Gala Gonzalez’s nonchalant dining space makes a serious case for backless seating.
This story was originally published on June 12, 2018. It has been updated with new information.
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