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Southwest Country
Making your decor Southwest Country
Southwest country, what
does that mean? Sounds like a realtor’s catalog
highlighting great land deals and mini-ranchettes. No,
Southwest country is a style of decorating evolved from
a way of life.
When we think of
southwest decor we invoke images mostly Native America,
including everything from artwork to rugs and textiles
to home accents like pottery and such. But that is only
one aspect of decor in the southwest. There are many
types of decor to be found in the southwest depending on
the sub-culture, taste, budget and materials available.
Those living in the
cities have a wide range to choose from due to
convenient shopping and resources. Many city-ites prefer
the sleek, contemporary look like you will find in
Phoenix’ Desert Living Magazine. Others may prefer a
more traditional Spanish blend such as that found in
homes in places like Santa Fe. Locales like Aspen and
Denver showcase the high-end mountain homes and tastes.
Of the many types of
decor in the southwest there are Spanish, Native
American, Western, Contemporary, Territorial with a
taste of Victorian leftover from the mining booms and
the ladies who came from the East and tried to bring a
bit of comfort and style with them to a very sparse and
uncomfortable land. Many times you will find a
combination of several or all of these styles. You will
also find "country" scattered through all areas of the
southwest but we don’t hear much about it.
What does southwest
country include? The feel of country living in the
southwest. Country implies the melding of lifestyle and
decor into one easy blend. Practicality meets creativity
and births a style that’s easy, affordable and useful. A
desire to return to the old ways of days past combined
with modern living. Utilizing items found locally
offering more of a rustic decorative feel. Country can
be sparse and practical or cluttered and lovingly filled
with everything from collectibles to folk art. Rustic
and natural are key foundations in a southwest country
decor.
Going country cannot be
achieved overnight just like your current decor was not
achieved overnight. First, if you have a current
decorative theme running through your home, remove all
of the old items relevant to that theme. It can be
overwhelming to try to do this to the entire house. You
may want to first pick one room to work in. Get down to
the basics, to the bare essentials. You’re going to need
wall space. Herbs, wreaths, garlands, swags all drape
the walls of country homes.
Problem: I
don’t want to put holes in my walls; I am a renter I
cannot put holes in my walls; my walls are Sheetrock and
for various reasons I am unable to make a change.
No problem, wall
treatments are easily made and readily affordable.
Of course, it would be hard to know if those holes would be covered by your
home insurance so it is best to use alternatives. Redwood lattice placed over a single Sheetrock wall
offers a rustic look and the ability to hang all sorts
of country items from herbs to antiques. They cost about
$35 for a sheet, they can be tacked on, and though you
will have holes from the placement, it will be way less
than that required to hang your decorative items.
Material is another option; old photos, vintage
post-cards, vintage ribbons and such can be hung from
the material creating a wall-sized collage of days gone
by. Another option is bamboo blinds. Get the largest
ones available, turn them sideways and hang on the wall,
for a standard eight-foot ceiling, they will go
perfectly from ceiling to floor. Makes a lovely soft
wooden wall covering. As long as you stick with
lightweight items, push-pins can be used to hang items.
The push-pins will make a hole but not like a nail.
Wreaths, herbs and such are lightweight and in most
cases will work with a push-pin. Be creative, that’s
part of the heart of country. What other materials can
you find to turn a suburban wall into a country wall?
Quilts are another. Utilizing items at hand is the art
of country.
Grouping items together
for visual effect is another reason your decorative wall
space is important.
Shelving. Shelves,
hutches, cabinets, buffets are fundamental to southwest
country. You will want lots of shelving to display your
collections, antiques and country creations. Urns,
crocks, glassware also serve as the perfect display for
florals, and florals can be one of the easiest, most
available and affordable transitions to your new look.
If you or your family
members suffer from sinus or allergies, you will want to
stay with artificial florals rather than dried naturals.
It may require some experimenting, some things bother
some people and do not bother others. But a big part of
country is taking advantage of the harvest and nature’s
bounty, so whether or not you can use the real thing,
creating the illusion of doing so is the key. Places
like Hobby Lobby offer a wide selection of florals to
work with. Natural is better whenever possible and if
you are a gardener, flowers, vegetables and herbs will
offer a wide abundance in decorating possibilities.
Country in part is the
planting, harvesting and putting away for the coming
year until harvest time comes again. Therefore, dried
naturals, canned preserves, braids of garlic and onion,
wreaths of apple, all of these types of things were
important to the country way of life. Whether we
actually do them, simulate them or purchase them, if we
want a country decor, they are integral to making it
country.
Regional items will add
that southwest flair to your country theme. What
part of the southwest do you live in or are you most
attracted to? We have deserts, mountains and high
plains. Various regions include agriculture and
ranching, mining, industry and commerce. An aged and
worn pair of cowboy boots, an old iron used by a
frontier woman, baskets woven regionally, the ideas are
endless. In the high country, old snow shoes, skies,
sleds make excellent accent items. Regional souvenirs
can add a splash as well, especially if they are
vintage.
Trial and error will be a
part of your redecorating. Try something, be bold, if
you don’t like it, don’t do it. Try several different
options to see what you like best. Most importantly,
have fun, enjoy creating your new southwest country
decor!
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Tips
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Attend Flea
Markets, auctions, yard sales
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Offer to
clean an elderly relative's attic, they
don't want "that old stuff"
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Learn to make
the things you like to decorate with
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Support small
business crafters, their prices are often
much more affordable and items are
one-of-a-kind
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Plant, grow,
harvest and utilize. Even if you don't
have garden space, herbs and flowers can be
grown in pots for use in your southwest
country decorating.
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