Southwestern

Southwestern style is generally characterized by earth-tone colors, rough textures, and crafted objects, brightly colored woven fabrics, an abundance of terra cotta and clay tile roofs. Traditional palettes of cactus green, adobe red and desert-toned neutral hues. Shots of bright yellow, dusty orange and turquoise are also indicative of a Southwestern design. Sturdy woven fabrics, leather and suede are used for upholstery. Striped serapes (colorful wool shawls) can be used as pure decoration on walls. Leather is a common covering for sofas and chairs. Knotty pine is a popular choice for wood furniture, which may also feature a distressed finish embellished with burnished metal accents. Talavera pottery, painted ceramic pieces with roots in 16th century Mexico, adds color and design interest to a desert home. Hand-painted tiles are used on walls, floors and countertops. Wrought iron is used for all types of accessories.