Summer Themes For Southwest Decor
Posted: Friday, May 29, 2009
by Craig Chambers - Mission Del Rey
Mission Del Rey
We all look forward to summertime when we spend a lot of time outside.Enjoying longer daylight hours and warmers evenings are wonderful benefits of summer. Watermelon and corn on the cob are summer delights to be enjoyed. Flowers and trees bring beauty to our lives and world.
Summer is sure to inspire us. It gives our creative energies a chance to work on home decorating projecxts.
When thinking of a way to introduce southwest touches, you may wish to begin with sunflowers. Start with a wreath for your deck, porch or patio that is adorned with lovely sunflowers to welcome family and friends. Hang colorful ceramic birds from ceiling rafters as well as ristras of dried chili peppers for a real southwest theme. Furniture made of wrought iron gives your outdoor space a southwestern feeling. Add brightly colored cushions to complete the look.
Excellent color choices for your southwest decor are plump pillows in the colors of red, gold, orange, yellow, green, or blue. Add plants in colorful pots to unify the area and a large rug placed in front of the seating area to define the space. A free standing fire ring could be used to cook marshmallows and hot dogs for family fun as well as to create summer memories full of pleasure.
Be careful, however, to never leave the fire unattended and to keep the flame small. For a finishing touch, hang a string or two of chili pepper lights around the area for a real southwest atmosphere.
As you enter inside your home, go throughout the rooms and look for any areas that seems a little drab and try placing a Native American woven basket filled with magnificent silk sunflowers in that space. You'll be amazed at what a little color can do. Silk sunflowers can be used year round to give your home a sunny and happy feeling.
Another southwest idea is to purchase Mexican pottery, such as Talavera to use in designated spaces. Each unique piece is hand made and painted and produced in all kinds of accent pieces for your home. Many of these items are adorned with beautiful hand painted sunflowers. This type of pottery is a sure way of beautifying your space with a southwestern flair. Stunning colors such as blue and gold can be included in your area.
Native American baskets are great for holding flowers but are also a big help in organizing our homes. Everything from mail to kitchen utensils and bathroom towels can be placed in one of these charming Indian baskets. Once you start using baskets in your home, you'll wonder how you ever got along without them. Your home will become so organized as you put various sizes of baskets to use.
You can certainly find many treasures at flea markets or second hand stores. For a crafty idea, paint your find and incorporate it into your southwest decor. Tables, chairs, book cases, just about any piece of wooden furniture can be turned into a southwestern masterpiece. You'll have a true work of art if you choose a bright color ehat complements the room. For a unique one of a kind design, once your paint is dry, stencil on designs such aa sunflowers of chili peppers.
Candles placed in table top clay chimineas will add sparkle and sizzle to your southwestern room. With this, an authentic "south of the border" theme is created. Wall sconces are also a nice touch. Create a calm and peaceful atmosphere. A nice and needed addition would be the use of big pillows placed in richly woven wool pillow covers. This creates nice areas for floor lounging. Have a CD of authentic Native American flute music playing in the background and don't forget to light the sage incense.
Summer is a great time for surrounding ourselves with beauty and things that put a smile on our faces. A southwest summer is such a pleasure to experience. Build lasting memories that will be fresh in your mind throughout the next three seasons.
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Craig Chambers is the founder of Mission Del Rey Southwest, offering unique hand crafted southwest decor and money saving rustic decorating tips. Find out more on his website and get his popular free ebook. The Rustic Southwest Decorating Guide
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