Obviously It’s hard to imagine what your space looks like. These two pictures inspired me. Maybe they’ll inspire you too. However I’d suggest showing pics for more detailed advice. I’d probably embrace a Scandinavian look...

https://www.houzz.com/houzz-tv/tour-a-spanish-colonial-style-beach-home-with-amazing-ocean-views-stshtvvw-vt~143417512

Thought this might inspire you....

this is what it looks like

this is the living room

Personally, I really dislike saltillo tile and ended up removing and replacing around 3000+ sq.ft of it in our house in CA. It wasn't of great quality and the uneven surface didn't make for a user friendly floor. Yes, there was some added expense to remove it all, but we never regretted getting it done.

What are you interested in changing ? What can you do....? What’s your favorite style? Do you like the idea of bringing out that Scandinavian look? I’d start in the kitchen. Redoing that tile...

I was looking for someone that can guide me without changing the tile for now since that will be a very expensive project

Is the furniture in the living room yours?

no the furniture is the pervious owner the house. I have never seen these tiles before thought I would change it but that is blowing up my budget now so have to work with them for now

these tiles color takes over the whole home but it does go with the theme of the house that is the other big problem.

this is the patio

Is your living room furniture more contemporary ? That should lesson the heavy Spanish mood. Go for off white or beige linen couches with a black and whiteMoroccan rug, pillows with a lot of texture. Getting rid of all the wall tile will make a big impact. Once that is done, reevaluate.

Thank you so much for your advice since this flooring is really stressing me love the home but these tiles are difficult to work with compare to whites

Agree to remove wall tiles in the kitchen, they make everything harder. When the house was built? Asking because before certain year, might have asbestos-one should know and take precautions when demolishing that tile.

Love saltillo but these are challenging for sure due to several tones.

They're of very rustic character.

You can work with them though. One way would be what Jeanne suggested. Off whites, whites, creams, blacks.

Another, might be a bit harder unless you're into it: bring in lots of colors. Take cues in how Saltillo is used outside-all these gorgeous decorative borders with colors in them.

Just don't be in a hurry, figure out what you like. And in what proportions.

Leave the walls cream(can't see their exact color from the pics)

Whatever direction you pick-definitely agree on rugs, and texture in fabrics.

Do you have furnishings, or you start from scratch?

Art can be modern. You can have an interesting mix of lights too. Don't forget greenery.

Simpler furniture lines, not too overwrought.

Nice house, love that kitchen window.

Go slowly as you decorate..won't be modern, as in modern style, but can be cool.

thank you so much the house was built in 1981

I am starting from scratch got furnishing

I ended up ripping out all our Spanish Saltillo tiles. I loved them but they were the big clown in the house and I could not make them work for our plans. We were taking away a wall and could not find other tiles to fill those empty spots on the floor. They had to go. It was a HUGE project and thankfully the GC took care of all these details.

It took weeks of jack hammers to remove them and dust beyond imagination.

Okay back to your project, Would you consider removing the tile wall? Go with something simple and very plain. Even the backsplash area. Plain and let your Spanish tile be the star.

You can work with the Saltillo and make it beautiful. Especially if you like them. There are loads of mediterranean terra-cotta tiles in homes that are stunning. You can do it.

I do have some ideas photos below that I collected when I thought we were going to keep them.

I would study this below image for hours trying to figure out how to keep my tile and create this space. A nice mix of contemporary and rustic. I love it.

Rustic Dining Room · More Info

I do not like the Backsplash but I love that the teal color really brings out the tiles even more. The counters are too busy for me but boring some ideas from this space could help you find what works for you. Notice the calm wall color.

SoCal Southwestern Kitchen · More Info

Carefree Homestead Renovation · More Info

I love the soft teal green splash behind the range only. very pretty

Southwest Style Kitchen · More Info

Front Room · More Info

Do you like farmhouse? You could create a farmhouse theme embracing the floors and making them work with that rustic yet country feel.

Wine Country Farmhouse, Wood-Mode · More Info

Olivera residence · More Info

Artisan Place Project · More Info

Spanish Revival Restoration · More Info

Spanish Revival Restoration · More Info

Portfolio · More Info

I think you're most likely in the clear for asbestos, that's very good. One worry(and expense) less. But I'd make sure just in case. Or you know what? Maybe don't as you'll have to disclose it in the future if you know for sure, and most chance it was built without -but do be careful with the demo anyway. Never hurts to be safer.

thank you everyone for all your help I really appreciate it

does anyone have any advice on how to make the tiles less orange

Your tiles are from the Yellow-Red Hue Family. The further away from this neighbourhood you choose other colours, the more the orange of the tiles will become pronounced.

Have a look at colours from the Yellow-Red and Yellow Hue Families at The Land of Color Colorographie.

thank you so much do does that mean I could use white, Beige, green, brown

I am in the same process. Whole house is saltillo. In FL. Going with a coastal california type look. We just painted our home chantilly lace. It looks awesome with the tiles. We are changing the backsplash/painting the cabinets. Doors/windows are changed and it's much more modern and bright. Based on your photos - it looks dark and could be brightened up. Let the floors stand on their own. They can be quite beautiful and Palm Beach FL has a lot of these floors too and are elevated through paint and updated/brighter furniture.

4-5 photos are mock ups (Zeld helped) and the last one is somewhat the look I'm looking for. But I have my fireplace all white. More Serena and Lily type look for me since we are in FL. It's bright and light. Chairs will have more texture with a wicker or natural type look. Bamboo.

Colours from the complementary Hue Family, on the opposite side of the wheel from the Yellow-Red region will intensify the orange most.

All these colours are from the Yellow-Red and Yellow Hue Families and so will share a degree of harmony with your tiles as they share some of the characteristics of their Hue Parents. Some connections are more obvious, some less so, just like in a real Family.

These are from the same family and near Hue Family neighbourhood - even the greens.

( See their Hue Angle° in degrees to find where they plot within their Families)

Colours from two adjacent Hue Families create a Diad palette.

See lots of whites, near neutrals, greens from these Hue Families, in the Colorographies at The Land of Color .com

Here's picture I saved some time ago, that gives a nice visual to Marylee's suggestions, in terms of color scheme. Their Saltillo also is varied, albeit more on the yellow side, than orange. But same idea of similar hues. very pretty result with this pallette

The 'dated' look is coming from multiple places. The house is fine...the wall tiles in the kitchen are SUPER dated. So are some of the lighting fixtures and the ceiling fans.

Can you get rid of the 'orange'. Yes you can....but you have to go DARK. Saltillo is BRICK. It is made of clay that has many tones to it. As we know, brick is VERY porous (think of brick as a sponge...it LOVES to soak things up). Which means, you can have the tiles STRIPPED of their polish (mason can do this for you...about $3/sf) and then they can add a stain to the tiles. This stain is PERMANENT...so be aware that once it is done, you won't be able to go backwards.

The stain will add another $2/sf onto the job. But when you are done, the tiles will be a deep espresso colour with hints of warm tones...but not much more than that. They will be resealed by the pro (part of the original $3/sf price). And you continue on with your life.

Now that you have that price in mind (work with $5/sf...it makes for nice round numbers) you can budget yourself into a 'No can't do it' or a "Totally do able!" type of answer.

For me, I would ignore them. Floors are floors are floors are floors. Unless they are completely wild (no...these are not ranked as wild....wood floors come in these tones as well = natural colours seen in millions of homes in N. America alone).

I would take my $5/sf (if you have 3000sf of this tile...it could cost as much as $15,000 to stain these puppies!) and invest in some SERIOUS area rugs. There are thousands of rugs on the market in the tones that you like. Go ahead and look at all of them. Give yourself the budget of $10K - $15K....and see what you can do with that.

And if you move, you can take the rugs with you...or if you change the floors in the next 7 years, you can keep the rugs...in other words they are not a complete waste of money.

But first things first: update the kitchen walls and update the lighting options. Those are cheap and easy. If you don't have the budget after that, then you will have to 'ignore' the floors anyways.

Just another thought ... saltillo tile can be painted.

I've seen it done in a bathroom on Houzz, will have to look for the photo.

Not sure how durable it would be in a main living area.

Thank you so much I really appreciate the inputs. the more I am thinking about it the more I think I may have to just change the tiles. since these tiles are cracked and chipped and would only get worst as the previous owners move and we move our furniture

Thank you so much can't wait to start implementing everyone's suggestions. All of you have really helped with your kindness with guiding me. I really appreciate it

I always hope we can help with these things. There are many threads that can become 'snarky' simply because people are looking to poo-poo everything that isn't 'their' idea.

I'm so glad you did not have that type of situation. Keep plugging along. Remember: set up a 'colour plan' for your home. That way you know where your headed...even if it takes you severl years to get there.

I found this thread to be very helpful too, as we have some (beaten) saltillo in the entrance which we generally love..but as I returned from my long trip from abroad I found out my DH spilled a lot of bleach on it I guess in attempt to disinfect something..now I have several unevenly bleached Saltillos..))

nice to know these can be refinished..I looked up the pictures of refinished saltillos-I liked the color!- and found some restoration websites as well

(of course a question remains what happens when somebody spills bleach again))

Nita thank you for your kind gracious words, and I wish you luck in whatever you decide to do..and of course lots of good times in your new home,

I have a question on if I should paint the wood cabinets white and then the house has tuscan style paint in the whole house that I have heard is expensive. Do you think I should keep that wall paint style and do you think I would paint the cabinets white?

Here’s what we are thinking of doing. Coastal California style? Creams seem to go well with terracotta and natural wood tones are fortunately coming back.

all of you have been so kind in giving me your guidance on the interiors. I had a question on the facade of the house how could I make it look modern

A lot of that will depend on how much you can chew right now.
Are you able to make some big significant changes?
And by modern do you mean modern in style? Or time? Because this home inside and out has pretty traditional bones...
that being said. Ideally I’d want to see a new roof 😬
Paint.
Clean up the landscaping.
Can you take a better picture closer up. Like past that center tree. Maybe on the driveway....

We finally got the house today and just to update everyone I think I really like the saltilo tiles without all the furniture. I am going to take all your ideas and put them to work. Would appreciative any more inputs