Southwest colors reflect the natural surroundings.
American Southwest style is known for its geometric patterns and beautiful, muted colors. The Southwestern palette mirrors the regional landscape and traditions, taking inspiration from adobe and brick structures, desert sand, endless expanse of sky, precious water, flowering cactus, sagebrush, scrub and sunshine. The colors of the Southwest were created by Native Americans who mixed paints and dyes from local flora and animal fats. Today, the same palette continues to please in its resonance with nature. Does this Spark an idea?
Brown and Tan
Brown shades make up the base of the Southwest color palette. Inspired by the various rock pigments, shades run from light to deep, mimicking the changing pattern of light and shadow on the earth as the sun moves across the sky. Variations range from light, sandy beige to rich chestnut.
Blue and Green
There is not much green in the Southwest landscape, so natives value all vegetation. White sage is considered sacred by Native Americans. Sage is actually a pale gray-green color; sage green is one of the most popular colors in the Southwest. Juniper green and clear cactus green are also often found in Southwest style.
Blues reflect the typically cloudless sky in hues usually found only in the desert climate. Blues of the Southwest also reflect shades of water, the most precious resource in the region. Pale gray-blue, bright Taos blue, vivid turquoise and deep, dusky blue are some of the more common blues in Southwest design.
Yellow and Orange
Yellows and oranges can be bright and vibrant or soft and muted. It's no wonder ancient artists found inspiration in the brilliant sunrises and glorious golden sunsets and sought to re-create the colors in their surroundings. Many lively oranges and yellows can be found in the fleeting spring flora as spring monsoons flood the deserts and bring them to life. From dull mustards and pale corals to bright, golden yellows and glowing orange, the Southwest color scheme celebrates the life-giving force of the sun.
Red and Pink
A few bright reds and some dusty pinks can be found in Southwest design, but reds in the Southwest palette mostly resemble the muted tones of the surrounding sandstone, adobe brick and iron-rich terracotta. Rusty brick red, deep reds tinged with orange and dull medium reds constitute the main shades at this end of the spectrum.
Tags: adobe brick, colors Southwest, found Southwest, from light, Native Americans, Southwest color, Southwest design