Southwestern Interior Design
Believe it or not, you don’t have to live in the West to bring a bit of southwestern interior design into your home. All you have to do is know what this style consists of.
Since southwestern interior design largely draws upon early Spanish settlers that came to North America during the 18th and 19th century, this style is dependent upon ironwork, fabrics, and wooden structures. As with any other style, color is essential. Aside from color, there are many different textures at work within any perfectly pulled together room. To get into the spirit of this area, think about adobes, deserts, and rustic cowboy ways.
When you begin to select your color palette, search for terra cottas, deep browns, and a few accent colors like reds and blues. Texture wise, look for natural elements such as clay, pine, wood, grass, and woven materials in the form of blankets and rugs. If you are going to extend this style throughout your home, cover your bed in anything that has been made from wool, and be sure to accent your home with accessories such as baskets and candles made from wrought iron.
In fact, a lot of the furniture used in southwestern interior design is made from wrought iron. If you prefer wood, look for pieces that have been made from pine, but avoid anything too contrived. The idea behind this type of furniture is to find things that really look rustic. Tables that seem to be nothing more than large pieces of wood and lamps that could have come from a cabin are what you want to aim for. Also, upholstery should be made from leather or loose fabrics that have been designed in a Native American manner. Another popular item is the oversized cabinet and chest.
Since 19th century homes did not have lots of built-in closets, they often contained large bureaus that housed many clothing and household items. You can place these pieces of furniture around your home (simply think of where you would put them if you did not have any walk in closets) for a truly authentic look.
If you love the idea of this style, you will also enjoy the fact that southwestern interior design happens to be one of the least expensive styles to put together. Remember, those things that appear unfinished are the things that you should be looking for.