Surrounded by mid-20th century ranch houses, this 5,000 s.f. residence in Jackson, Mississippi, complements its neighbor’s scale while celebrating the Spanish colonial estancias that inspired them. With masonry walls wrapping around shaded rooms and courtyards, these houses offered protection from the elements and the outside world. Combining this sense of sanctuary with the exuberance of Florida’s Mediterranean revival, this family retreat marries mystery with sensuality. Antique terracotta barrel tiles and a carved stone door surround paint a picturesque facade. Within, a labyrinthine floor plan leads from a narrow entrance hall to a soaring living room and the courtyard beyond. From the interior’s cool Portuguese tile floors and sand-colored stucco walls to the courtyard’s Mexican fossil stone fountain, the materials invite a retreat into the house’s heart.