Colors such as orange and blue are often used together in Southwest decorating.
The area known as the Southwest ranges from the Grand Canyon to the Mexican border and includes the states of Nevada, Utah, Arizona and New Mexico. Southwestern design is known for its relaxed, casual and rustic feel. Southwestern style is easily identifiable by the use of bright colors and decorating with Native American crafts from pottery to colorful woven fabrics. Does this Spark an idea?
Colors
Dozens of colors can be used in your home to reflect the Southwest. These colors can be used when choosing paint color, accessories and soft furnishings. Some of these colors include sage green, adobe red, orange, salmon pink, turquoise and desert-toned neutral hues such as beige and brown. Other colors you can use in Southwest decorating are bright yellow, light blue and teal. Some ways that you can combine these colors are to use sage, brown, orange and teal; adobe red, beige, brown and orange or salmon pink, turquoise, yellow and brown.
Fabrics
Upholstery in Southwestern decorating is usually made of woven fabrics, suede or leather. Depending on the look you are going for, the leather may be distressed. Woven fabrics, some of which have colorful diamond patterns or images of animals such as eagles or rabbits, are characteristics of Southwestern design. Fabrics with these designs may be found in the form of throw pillows, bedspreads, blankets, tapestries and area rugs. Additionally, painted hides, furs and skins are used in Southwestern design.
Furniture
For furniture that is not upholstered, such as chairs and tables, wood is the most common choice of material. The kind of wood used is usually rustic pine in a distressed finish instead of clean lines. Furniture may also be a combination of materials such as wrought iron, wood and leather. Tables are usually large and rectangular in shape and may be carved. Southwestern furniture is also known for its metal accents, especially by the use of "clavos," or decorative nails. This rustic, decorative element are made of iron or aluminum and are also often used to decorate doors and gates.
Accessories
The finishing touches for Southwest decorating are the accessories that you choose. Painted terracotta pottery, woven baskets made of pine needles and yucca, and kiva ladders are just some of the things that you can use to decorate your home. Colorful tiles may be used on the walls and countertops and as flooring material. Wrought iron is also used in decorative elements such as in candelabras or wall art in the shape of a bucking horse, coyote or cactus. The use of rawhide lampshades, Native American medicine sticks, steer skulls, bows and arrows and dream catchers also add a touch of the Southwest in your home.
Tags: Southwest decorating, Southwestern design, your home, beige brown, brown orange, colors used, Native American
