A Southwestern home showcases Native American decor, like the Kokopelli figure.
Southwestern interior design pleases a guest or homeowner with the spirit of the land and a sense of color. The Southwest generally includes California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Colorado, Oklahoma, and Texas. However the heart of the Southwest and southwest design lies in homes set in the deserts of Arizona and New Mexico. Does this Spark an idea?
Native American Decorations
Dream catchers add history and a bit of whimsical color and texture to an interior.
Keep the Native American spirit of resourcefulness, creativity and connection with nature alive in the home. Sort through antique decorations to find ones that will provide a sense of place and homage to Native Americans. For example, select or make your own dream catcher. These artistic and spiritual talismans use feathers, beads and yarn netting to catch and hold your dreams. Consider adding a differently colored and designed dream catcher to each bedroom.
For decorating seating areas, choose handwoven rugs, blankets, throws and pillows. Southwestern weavings---a tradition of the Pueblo and Navajo people---include gray, black and bright or pastel colors in an assortment of jagged or wave-like weaves. Look for weaves that incorporate braiding and beads for authenticity. Highlight the room with American Indian handmade pottery on tables and stands.
Vaulted Celings & Archways
Repeat archways indoors and outdoors to create a vaulted walkway.
Southwest homes often showcase soaring archways opening into large spaces. White vaulted ceilings and entryways invite a guest or homeowner into a space that feels more like a wide field than a tightly closed home. If your home has a pool in the back or a garden, seek designers expert in creating archways that lead to outdoor spaces. Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors offer ideal lighting for the home as well as a full-time scenic backdrop. Consider white or stonework columns in the home to support the arches.
Color Palette
Borrow color ideas from sunrises and sunsets.
Select a Southwestern color palette by watching a desert sunrise or sunset. Consider auburn, blood-red, cactus green, deep purples, blacks, neutral sand hues, dusty oranges, butter yellow and turquoise. Choose these colors for rugs, paintings, furniture, decorations or wall paint colors. Combine these colors in zig-zag patterns or use as strong earth-tone choices.
Nature
An indoor wooden ladder marks the home interior as rustic and fanciful.
A Southwestern home makes a person feel they are still outdoors even when they have walked inside. Accent the home with indoor-outdoor features like a gnarled wooden banister, an indoor cactus garden, interior adobe red bricks or an indoor wooden ladder to set the home's earthy tone.
Tags: Native American, Arizona Mexico, dream catcher, guest homeowner, indoor wooden, indoor wooden ladder, these colors