6 Secrets of Southwestern Style

When deciding on the decor of an area the best results are often found by first outlining one's ideal style. In the hopes of helping people create their personal design, here is a quick overview of southwestern style.

1. Texture

Possibly the most identifiable feature of southwestern style is its rough-hewn appearance. More often than not the best parts of any rugged interior design come from the textures in a room. A little rock work, worn wood, and a wool rug can make an area southwestern to the bone.

2. Rugged Natural Materials

Some of the best southwestern textures can be found by using the right materials. Local (as in from the southwest) natural materials are perfect. Think wood, certain types of stone (like flagstone or granite), wool, and a flavoring of wrought iron.

3. Bright Colors

The southwestern United States has more than it's fair share of sunlight. This intense sunlight has a tendency to make colors really jump out. Couple the sunlight with the vibrant and color-loving culture of the southwest and one quickly finds a beautiful style.

4. Desert / Organic Colors (reddish tans)

In addition to sunlight the southwest has a plethora of dust. The dust lends the area, and much of the objects in it, a tan tint. When people think of southwestern colors it is the color of the land, and thus the color of the dust, that often comes to mind first. Warm colors from yellowish tan to red are especially southwestern.

5. Geometric Patterns

The patterns used in southwestern carvings and textiles are often geometric. These patterns can be used in many places including rugs, tablecloths (or carvings on a table), upholstery, and tile work.

6. Simplicity

Be careful not to over complicate things. Southwestern style is generally uncluttered.

These tips are provided by Hazaad.com, a hand knotted rug retailer in Scottsdale. Hazaad.com brings rugs to people and strives to make it easy for them to see rugs in the context they might be used.