How Spanish style suits sunny SoCal living

Elaborate tiles and ornate mirrors in the 1920s house in La Canada. Full story here.

Afternoon light falls on an old kitchen door inside this Laguna Beach Spanish Revival home.  (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Dr. Harlan Bixby and his dog Nell, a chocolate Labrador, are photographed in the backyard of his home in Pasadena.  (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

The classic film “Double Indemnity” was partially shot inside this Hollywood Spanish Colonial Revival house.   (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Old religious paintings hang above shelves of books and Mexican pottery in this Laguna Beach Spanish Revival home.   (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

The front door of the 2012 Pasadena Showcase House of Design, a 1927 Spanish Colonial Revival home in La Canada Flintridge.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Rose Portillo stands at her doorway in Silver Lake, covered with mosaic tiles.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

An arch inside the kitchen of designer Martyn Lawrence-Bullard features a collection of 18th century South American retablos on the wall.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

The living room of this Spanish Colonial Revival home in Los Feliz features an arched window and French doors.   (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Reproduction Malibu tiles from Mission Tile West in South Pasadena add rich color and period detail to this fountain.  (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

The master bedroom of a 1929 Spanish-style home in Los Angeles opens to the backyard and pool.  (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)

Many of the old Spanish-style homes in San Marino originally contained Batchelder fireplaces.   (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

A modern take on Spanish style in San Marino.   (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)