Southwestern decor takes inspiration from land and sky.
If one word is used to define a Southwestern style of d cor, that word is probably "warm." It is a style that both invites and calms. It is bright and, at the same time, cozy and welcoming. Rooms offer comfort with little clutter yet plenty of interest for the eye to follow. Over decorating is a risk when so many exciting choices are available.
Color Palettes
Look to the landscape of the desert Southwest to inspire your color palette. Start with the horizon. Blues are bold like mountain skies. Southwestern sunsets often display an array of crimson, coral, orange and lavender. For further inspiration, look to desert plants. Yellows, magenta's and deep claret reds are also common colors of cactus flowers. Succulents, cacti and desert trees display greens of every shade. High iron content in some Southwestern soils gives the soil itself a red hue. The color of turquoise not only reflects the stone, but also the color of water in some natural rivers and pools.
Because of the intensity of Southwestern color choices, making a plan before you begin helps you avoid costly and time-consuming missteps. Consider the entire house in your Southwest decor plan, even if you will not paint the entire house at one time. Choose a bold decisive color for an accent interior wall, and build around a theme. Many home improvement stores provide virtual paint rooms where you can try a potential paint combination on a computer screen before you buy it.
Color Balance
The bold colors that are commonly employed in Southwest decor have their strongest impact when they are used sparingly. If you employ only bright intense colors and neglect to balance with softer, more neutral tones, you can defeat the style and instead inject confusion and conflict into your paint scheme. Since nature inspires the Southwestern look, observe nature for a balance of color. The soft, neutral colors of sand, earth, sage, river rock, quartz and pale slate offset the intensity of cobalt blue and turquoise, deep reds, orange and yellow hues and bright greens.
Textures
The textures used in Southwest decor take inspiration from plants such as cotton and animals like deer and cattle on which people in the Southwest have relied throughout history. Paints are available from paint stores and home improvement centers that reflect the textures of fabrics, such as cotton and cotton denim. Paints are also available that have a suede or leather-like texture. Texture walls before painting to give the surface an individual look. Some home improvement stores even offer classes where you can practice with various wall textures that will enhance your Southwest decor paint choices.
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