Spanish style architecture comes in many flavors. Examples of Spanish syle homes are Mission, Hacienda, and Pueblo. The original Mission style homes were built in California, and the style has been incorporated in homes throughout the Southwestern U.S. and even as far east as Florida. Mission style homes are similar in design to old Spanish mission churches. The simple Spanish-inspired structures are embellished with curved rooflines, bell towers and patterned tiles. The homes are usually flanked by shaded porches and the interiors are dark and cool, which is a definite advantage in the desert Southwest. The arid and dry climate makes this style a wise choice. A Spanish charmer or hacienda that has a front porch for morning coffee or late afternoon tea. It generally carries the charm to the patio or patios in the back with courtyards that are almost retreats. Lush gardens add to the serenity that is felt throughout the home. You can almost know that it will have a kiva (or sometimes called "beehive") fireplace.

It is normally a structure built of natural adobe or stucco. Vigas protrude through the exterior walls and grace the interior ceilings. The stucco, or adobe outer walls might protrude above the roof in a Native American style similar to the Santa Fe or Pueblo style home. A front porch creates a quiet place to relax and enjoy coffee and a relaxing morning retreat. Often, the porch is surrounded by a protective courtyard. A cool and refreshing garden provides protection from a more harsh desert landscape outside. Porches and courtyards are popular in the rear of a Hacienda style home as well. Places to relax and reflect on the day's events make such a retreat an ideal extension of the indoor space into the outdoors. Windows are few and small and interiors of a Hacienda style home is dark and cool. Many rooms have doors that open onto porches, inviting residents to partake in the outdoors.

Typical color palette includes:
Mustard yellows, terra-cotta tans and reds, and burnt-umber browns mix and match perfectly on the exterior or as part of the decor for an exhilarating Old West atmosphere.

Distinctive Features:

• Somewhat plain architecture with stucco siding, or occasionally brick
• Parapet walls – a low wall outlining an otherwise flat or slightly pitched roof
• Espadana – An espadaa is a curvilinear gable that projects above the roofline
• Spanish tile roofing material
• Square tower with a bell
• Mission style homes normally have a stucco chimney, some of which have a gable–roofed chimney top.
• The front door is often of heavy wood with wrought iron hardware. Doors often have a rounded design.
• Windows are round or quatrefoil (clover–shaped
• Arched dormers and elaborate arches. Covered archway leading to the front door. You find elaborate arches above windows and porch openings as well.
• Twisted columns supported by large square pillars
• Decorative work such as patterned tilework around windows and on the walls, stone carvings, or elaborate grillwork.