Western Chic Style, a Spanish Colonial Home and Our Favorite Fajitas

As you know I am not a big trend person, which is exactly why I trust a look that keeps coming back. Boots, a little fringe, good leather, a lot of texture, and great Spanish colonial design. This week’s Fab Five leans into all of it, with a house I would happily move into, and family favorite Mexican inspired dish.

Designer Stephanie Parisi’s Rancho Santa Fe Home in House and Garden

It is no mystery that I love Spanish Colonial design. Our home in Chualar was a Monterey Colonial.

Designer Stephanie Parisi’s house has an authentic Spanish Colonial layout, built around an enclosed central courtyard, with hand carved doors, stone window surrounds and painted tiles, much of it made by artisans and imported from Mexico. What interested me was how she got rid of many of the small niches that are so common in these designs, removed some of the cabinetry and talavera tile to make the look lighter and current without bastardizing the history of the home. She added furnishings from different eras and cultures (you know how I love that).

Any of us who has a houseful of things we love knows the hard part is not adding. It’s knowing what to take away so the good pieces get noticed. (Steve would like it noted that I say this while standing in a room full of antiques.) Photos are by Fred Licht, and the full tour is on Homes & Gardens here.

You can find more of Stephanie Parisi’s work on her website here. You might also enjoy one of my most popular older posts The Spanish Colonial Defined.

Western Inspired Outfits of the Week

I think we can wear a little “western chic” at any age. The key is not overdoing it. Love this indian motif sweater, dream brooch, with jeans, comfy boots, oaxaca earrings and chambray. The second photo has a highly rated Quince chore coat , suede naturalizer flats and my coveted parker thatch bag.

You can find all of my western chic faves here.

Our Favorite Fajitas

This is a recipe I have been making for years. It is a family favorite that we often served at our lake house.

Print Pin

5 from 1 vote

Skirt Steak Fajitas

Ingredients

• 1 whole Beef Skirt Steak
• 1/2 cup Olive Oil
• 3 Tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce
• 1/3 cup Lime Juice Fresh Squeezed
• 3 cloves Garlic Minced
• 1 Tablespoon Cumin
• 1 Tablespoon Chili Powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper
• 2 whole Medium Onions Halved And Sliced
• 1 Red Bell Pepper halved
• 1 Orange Bell Pepper halved
• 1 Green Bell Pepper Halved
• 1 Yellow Bell Pepper halved
• Olive Oil
• Flour Tortillas Warmed
• Cheese Crumbled Queso Fresco or Cotija
• Salsas store bought
• Sour Cream
• Cilantro Leaves

Instructions

• Preparation Instructions
• In a dish, mix together olive oil, Worcestershire, lime juice, garlic, cumin, chili powder, red pepper flakes, salt, pepper, and sugar until combined. Pour half of the marinade into a separate dish. In one dish, place the flank steak, turning it over to coat. In the second dish, place all the veggies, turning to coat. Cover the dishes with plastic wrap and place in the fridge for at least 2 hours.
• Prepare tortillas, salsa, sour cream, and cilantro.
• Spray veggies with some spray olive oil and grill. Remove to a platter and keep warm in warming drawer if you have one while the meat is grilling. Grill meet until medium rare. Remove and allow to rest on a cutting board for 5 minutes.
• Slice the meat right before serving and serve with all the sides.

Make Mine a Spritzer

Many of you are already fans of Juliet’s blog, Make Mine a Spritzer. If you haven’t visited yet, you’re in for a treat, particularly if you live in California or are planning a visit. She’s in the middle of renovating another house (I love a good renovation), her taste is impeccable, and her travels take her to so many places I’ve loved or have on my must-see list.

What ties this week together is editing. Stephanie Parisi took a house full of beautiful things and gave each one room to be seen. Western chic works the same way: one good pair of boots, one piece of fringe, and then you stop. Even the fajitas are better for knowing when to leave the steak alone. I’ve come to think this is one of the real luxuries of the chapter we’ve earned. We know what we love well enough to leave the rest off the table (or out of the closet). Now go put your boots on and pop over and visit Annie and Mary Ann.

Most Lovely Things

Classic Casual Home