Designing an Arizona home in a rustic, Southwestern style
Southwestern interior design is a blend of Native American, Spanish and Mexican cultures, and is a decor that is often seen in Arizona and other southwestern regions of the United States. Creating a Southwestern look is fairly simple with a few special decorating techniques and the incorporation of a Southwestern color palette, natural upholstery fibers and rustic wood furniture, wrought iron details, tile or wood flooring, cacti or succulent plants, and Southwestern accessories. The result is a decor that is casual, rustic and stylish. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Incorporate a nature-inspired color palette. Choose colors that are reminiscent of natural elements found in Arizona, such as terracotta rusts, sandy tans, dark mahogany browns, and sunshine yellows. Add bright red and blue highlights as accent colors to enhance the overall color scheme of the space.
2. Choose leather, cotton, linen and wool for upholstery. Southwestern interior decoration is enhanced by the use of natural fabrics and materials. When selecting upholstery for couches, chairs and ottomans, incorporate leather, suede, cotton, linen and wool fabrics for a Southwestern look and feel to the decor.
3. Add rustic, hard furniture pieces. Southwestern furniture finishes are usually rough and rustic, which makes low-sheen woods like knotty pine, medium walnut and cherry appropriate choices. Use these medium-colored woods in coffee tables, end tables, armoires, desks and other hard furnishings to amplify the Arizona Southwestern decor in a home.
4. Select tile or wood flooring. The climate in Arizona is hot and dry, which makes tile or wood flooring good choices. Accent the Southwestern interior design by adding conversational area rugs in bright colors with Native American motifs or geometric patterns for an added design touch.
5. Utilize wrought iron. Southwestern design often showcases items in wrought iron. Select chandeliers, wall sconces, table lamp bases and furniture details that include this rustic material for a decor that exemplifies the Arizona style.
6. Add Southwestern plants. To further the Southwestern feel of the space, display various cacti and other succulent plants in colorful pots for a natural element to the decor.
7. Choose Southwest accessories. As a finishing element to the room, add a variety of Southwestern accents, such as Native American blankets, clay jars, old saddles, cowboy hats, kachina dolls, handmade pottery, wagon wheels, baskets and other rustic, decorative accessories to complete the room and give it an authentic Arizona visual appeal.
Tags: decor that, Native American, Southwestern interior, tile wood, tile wood flooring, wood flooring