SOUTHWEST INSPIRED DESIGN IS DEFINITELY TRENDING RIGHT NOW. MY PERSONAL AESTHETIC IS HEAVILY INFLECTED BY OLD SCHOOL SOUTHWEST DESIGN AND I LOVE FINDING FRESH WAYS TO MODERNIZE A TRADITIONAL STYLE. THOUGH I HAVE AN APPRECIATION FOR COWBOY PORTRAITS AND DARK RUSTIC FURNITURE, I THINK MOST OF US ARE OK WITH LEAVING THOSE IN THE PAST AND RECREATING WHAT DESERT DÉCOR LOOKS LIKE.
1. Introduce Mid Century pieces into your décor.
MID-CENTURY STYLE IS ICONIC IN DESIGN. SOME OF THE GREAT DESIGNERS LIKE FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT, ARNE JACOBSEN, HANS WEGNER, EERO SAARINEN (JUST TO NAME A FEW) ALL SHAPED THIS ERA WITH THEIR AMAZING DESIGNS. FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT WAS PARTICULARLY INSPIRED BY THE AMERICAN SOUTHWEST AND BUILT AN ARCHITECTURAL SCHOOL IN THE FOOTHILLS OF SCOTTSDALE ARIZONA.
THOUGH THESE DESIGNERS WERE FROM AROUND THE WORLD, PLACES LIKE PALM SPRINGS ADOPTED THIS AESTHETIC TO THE POINT WHERE THEY BECAME A DESTINATION FOR MID-CENTURY ART AND DESIGNS. NOW I KNOW YOU PROBABLY AREN’T READING THIS BLOG FOR A HISTORY LESSON, BUT BECAUSE THIS STYLE HAS SUCH DEEP ROOTS IN AMERICAN DESERT DÉCOR ADDING ITEMS FROM THIS ERA WILL ELUDE TO A DESERT VIBE.
2. Use warm tone woods
WOOD IS THE MOST VERSATILE MATERIAL IN DESIGN (IN MY OPINION). CHOOSING THE RIGHT TONES WILL CREATE WARMTH AND TEXTURE. WOODS LIKE WALNUT, ACACIA, AND MESQUITE ALL EXIST NATURALLY IN DESERT ECOSYSTEMS AND ARE GREAT OPTIONS TO INTRODUCE INTO DÉCOR.
3. Choose the right color pallet.
DESERTS ARE FAMOUS FOR WARM EARTHY TONES AND STUNNING SUNSETS. BALANCE WARMER WHITES, TANS, AND GRAYS WITH MOODY RUSTS, BLUES AND GREENS IN YOUR ROOMS.
PRO TIP: USE YOUR FAVORITE PICTURE, FABRIC, OR PLACE TO PULL COLOR INSPIRATION FROM. CHOOSE 2-3 COLORS THAT SPEAK TO YOU AND BALANCE THEM WITH 1-2 COORDINATING NEUTRALS.
4. Swap cartoon cactus for the real deal
WE GET IT, YOU LOVE THE CUTE LITTLE CACTUS THINGS AT ALL THE STORES THESE DAYS BUT KNOW THEIR TIME AND PLACE. USING CARTOON ANYTHING CAN CHEAPEN THE OVERALL LOOK OF A SPACE. THOUGH THEY MAY BE A GREAT OPTION FOR A YOUNG KID’S ROOM KEEP CARTOON MOTIFS OUT OF MAIN LIVING SPACES. INSTEAD USE REAL (OR REALLY GOOD FAKE ONES) CACTUS, AGAVES AND SUCCULENTS TO GET YOUR POINT ACROSS. MY CURRENT FAVORITE DESERT PLANTS TO INTEGRATE ARE DRIED CHOLLA. THINK OF IT AS THE DESERT COUSIN TO DRIFTWOOD.
5. It is all in the styling
STYLING IS WHERE THE WHOLE DESIGN PLAN COMES TOGETHER. USE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO INTRODUCE NATURAL MATERIALS LIKE WOODS, METALS, AND LEATHERS TO CREATE YOUR DESERT VIBE. WOVEN BASKETS AND NATIVE AMERICAN INSPIRED PRINTS ARE ALSO A GREAT WAY TO ADD A DESERT TEXTURE. MIXING VINTAGE PIECES WITH NEW ITEMS WILL ADD CHARACTER, BALANCE AND BE A GREAT WAY TO FIND AUTHENTIC ITEMS. OBVIOUSLY THE MORE MODERN ITEMS YOU USE, THE MORE MODERN THE DESIGN WILL BE AND VICE VERSA. STYLING IS THE KEY TO PUTTING YOUR PERSONALITY INTO YOUR HOME.
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