Rich colors of the earth make up the Southwest design palette.
The design trend of over-the-top, cheesy Southwestern decor is long gone. In its place is the cooler, more sophisticated style of using colors, fabrics and accessories that celebrate materials native to the American Southwest. Does this Spark an idea?
Colors
When designing a Southwestern-style room, consider the hues found in the desert: terracotta, deep brown, rust, and every shade of sand imaginable. Mix in a flash of a turquoise sky, yellow and red sunset, or pinks, purples and oranges of cactus flowers, and you have your color palette in place.
Texture
The dramatic mix of textures, from rough-hewn pine, wrought iron, glass, woven grasses, natural clay and cool ceramic, identifies a Southwestern-style room.
Fabrics
Long inspired by Native American tradition, Southwestern-style decor is replete with woven blankets, throw pillows and tapestries. Rugs are most often wool and woven in geometric designs, with rich, deep colors that help anchor the space.
Furniture
Think scale when it comes to Southwestern-style furniture. Large, sturdy pieces dot the rooms, each designed with a practical purpose in mind. Most homes of the 19th century did not have closets, so huge cabinets served that purpose. Wood furniture is rugged and details are kept to a minimum. Wrought iron, glass and wood are often blended in a modern Southwestern-style home.
Tags: iron glass, Southwestern-style room
