Your house is in a very specific style, and to change it to look like the photo above is going to be a very big job, and probably cost a lot of $$$. What is your budget? What exactly drove you to buy this house in the first place--is the entry the only space you dislike?

I feel the style you want can be achieved but I would try to clean the Saltillo first before removing. Replace that design window or cover over it. Maybe keep the fireplace but make it square. Instead of painting the beams I would-depending on your budget-replace it all and duplicate your inspiration picture. I feel it can be done with a total overhaul of the whole house and this would be your starting point. Big $$$$ though.

I agree with other posters - you can change the look of your home but be prepared to spend a sizable amount. Cleaning your tile and repainting a bright, fresh white might go a long way toward freshening up your home.

Since you mentioned you will be updating/modifying the walls, so now would be the time to remove tile and fill in. It’s in such a prominent location, so important to reflect the direction in rest of the house in which you are heading (feels California modern).

Complement the living room’s look especially, so the spaces connect.

i bought the house for its location. I plan to paint it white and add natural woods, black metal, and green plants to move towards California modern rustic. The entry is the area that is most overtly dated, and im not sure how to set the tone. Cleaning the saltillo first is definitely a good place to start, but then what? Art instead of the tile mural? Cover the entire fireplace in a vertical tile, contrasting paint, or wood slats to make it a feature wall? Do something on the side walls of the entry?

I like the niche, but not the bull fighter tile. I would consider reworking it until you find a look you like rather than get rid of it. It has character.

Eliminate the niche and place some type of console and either art or a mirror above the console for your foyer.

Is the entry the only place where you have the saltillo? You definitely can get it stripped and cleaned (it's a gigantic, gross, chemical-y, and expensive job, as we learned last year) -- but if that's the only place where you have it, I'd use the cleaning $$ to get it replaced with matching wood. And a tile person could remove/replace those tiles for you. We also did that this year. Look up talavera tiles on Etsy. There are really pretty ones out there, including vendors who do inset tile pictures like your hopefully-soon-to-be-late and unlamented bullfighter. ;)

I agree with ffpalms. Take out the bullfighting scene, but leave the rest. It’s a very cool and interesting feature and fits the style you’re going for.

I don't think the niche is charming. I think it's kitschy.

I have to agree that changing this house to something it is not will cost $$$$$$ as for the bull get a large piece of art and cover it for right now.. The tile is perfect for an entry but IMO does not work with your plan. I am all for redoing interiors to suit me but It needs to be well thought out and right now I think the bull fighter is a small part of the overall plan you are heading into. Get a good ID who understands the need for change but can guide you into the right choices. Do you hate the FP? I see you have just ignored it and placed furniture in front . For met o help would require a ton of pictures and floor plans so please do not do this a bit at a time it needs a whole plan before doing anything.

I agree with Patricia Colwell--a plan is of utmost importance.

Thank you everyone for the commemts. i do have a plan for the overall feel and look (the furniture in front of the fireplace was the old owners, and one of the issues I‘m fixing is to reorient the layout, I just needed a vision for the entry and the comments and pictures have been quite helpful. Ive decided to leave the bullfighter for now - my adult daughter named him Pedro and said he has to stay as he ties in to the quirkiness of the rest of the house, ha ha. i also hate to remove an original /unique feature, so i’ll probably cover him for now with some art. cheap fix which is a won win.