ic and earthy. The materials are rugged and natural, wool, wood, iron and honed stone. Simple in color and design, the fabrics are also rough hewn, home made or at least closely resembling home-made material.

The textures are also rough. The art objects handcrafted as opposed to machine made. Terra cotta and clay tiles reflect the theme best since they are truly southwestern. You will probably not go so far as to tile your roof, but you can place tiles on the floors of kitchens

What needs to be explained is: “What is a southwestern theme?” Originating from the southwestern United States, the idea combines Mexican, Spanish and American influences. The focal point is the landscape - a dry, desert land with reddish outcroppings, dotted with cacti and boasting glorious sunrises and sunsets. The buildings are part of the landscape, their earth tones blending with and not fighting the natural world.

In order to transplant this vision into your home, it is necessary to utilize the vivid and subdued colors associated with the southwest. The palette to draw from is the earthtone colors. These vibrant hues of brown, oranges and vermilions are integral to the design project.

The most obvious use of them is in accessories, on furniture, as floor coverings and one the wall. Although it is tempting to paint an entire wall an earthy brown or soft orange, resist. It might be overwhelming. Instead, hang a woven orange and brown rug or wall hanging in a focal point. Use a neutral color for the wall but apply a soft solid border in the middle or at the bottom of the wall.

Expend the rest of the color throughout the room in throw rugs and floor coverings – spot, rather than wall-to-wall carpeting is more in keeping with the theme. Keep an eye on the detail.

Carry on the theme in furniture coverings. Don’t upholster, use blankets and other forms of draping the furniture. On coffee tables or kitchen tables or beds use the one or two stripe theme – orange stripes on a brown background or the converse, a solid color or a native or Mexican pattern.

The fabric chosen should reflect the brightness of the desert, the earthiness of the theme. Blankets resembling those decorating donkeys or worn as serapes are sources of inspiration and indicative of the direction the theme can take.

The theme is not to be a complex one. The design, the shapes, the colors, the furnishings are simple, rustic and earthy. The materials are rugged and natural, wool, wood, iron and honed stone. Simple in color and design, the fabrics are also rough hewn, home made or at least closely resembling home-made material.

The textures are also rough. The art objects handcrafted as opposed to machine made. Terra cotta and clay tiles reflect the theme best since they are truly southwestern. You will probably not go so far as to tile your roof, but you can place tiles on the floors of kitchens

ecessary to utilize the vivid and subdued colors associated with the southwest. The palette to draw from is the earthtone colors. These vibrant hues of brown, oranges and vermilions are integral to the design project.

The most obvious use of them is in accessories, on furniture, as floor coverings and one the wall. Although it is tempting to paint an entire wall an earthy brown or soft orange, resist. It might be overwhelming. Instead, hang a woven orange and brown rug or wall hanging in a focal point. Use a neutral color for the wall but apply a soft solid border in the middle or at the bottom of the wall.

Expend the rest of the color throughout the room in throw rugs and floor coverings – spot, rather than wall-to-wall carpeting is more in keeping with the theme. Keep an eye on the detail.

Carry on the theme in furniture coverings. Don’t upholster, use blankets and other forms of draping the furniture. On coffee tables or kitchen tables or beds use the one or two stripe theme – orange stripes on a brown background or the converse, a solid color or a native or Mexican pattern.

The fabric chosen should reflect the brightness of the desert, the earthiness of the theme. Blankets resembling those decorating donkeys or worn as serapes are sources of inspiration and indicative of the direction the theme can take.

The theme is not to be a complex one. The design, the shapes, the colors, the furnishings are simple, rustic and earthy. The materials are rugged and natural, wool, wood, iron and honed stone. Simple in color and design, the fabrics are also rough hewn, home made or at least closely resembling home-made material.

The textures are also rough. The art objects handcrafted as opposed to machine made. Terra cotta and clay tiles reflect the theme best since they are truly southwestern. You will probably not go so far as to tile your roof, but you can place tiles on the floors of kitchens

hanging in a focal point. Use a neutral color for the wall but apply a soft solid border in the middle or at the bottom of the wall.

Expend the rest of the color throughout the room in throw rugs and floor coverings – spot, rather than wall-to-wall carpeting is more in keeping with the theme. Keep an eye on the detail.

Carry on the theme in furniture coverings. Don’t upholster, use blankets and other forms of draping the furniture. On coffee tables or kitchen tables or beds use the one or two stripe theme – orange stripes on a brown background or the converse, a solid color or a native or Mexican pattern.

The fabric chosen should reflect the brightness of the desert, the earthiness of the theme. Blankets resembling those decorating donkeys or worn as serapes are sources of inspiration and indicative of the direction the theme can take.

The theme is not to be a complex one. The design, the shapes, the colors, the furnishings are simple, rustic and earthy. The materials are rugged and natural, wool, wood, iron and honed stone. Simple in color and design, the fabrics are also rough hewn, home made or at least closely resembling home-made material.

The textures are also rough. The art objects handcrafted as opposed to machine made. Terra cotta and clay tiles reflect the theme best since they are truly southwestern. You will probably not go so far as to tile your roof, but you can place tiles on the floors of kitchens

s use the one or two stripe theme – orange stripes on a brown background or the converse, a solid color or a native or Mexican pattern.

The fabric chosen should reflect the brightness of the desert, the earthiness of the theme. Blankets resembling those decorating donkeys or worn as serapes are sources of inspiration and indicative of the direction the theme can take.

The theme is not to be a complex one. The design, the shapes, the colors, the furnishings are simple, rustic and earthy. The materials are rugged and natural, wool, wood, iron and honed stone. Simple in color and design, the fabrics are also rough hewn, home made or at least closely resembling home-made material.

The textures are also rough. The art objects handcrafted as opposed to machine made. Terra cotta and clay tiles reflect the theme best since they are truly southwestern. You will probably not go so far as to tile your roof, but you can place tiles on the floors of kitchens

ic and earthy. The materials are rugged and natural, wool, wood, iron and honed stone. Simple in color and design, the fabrics are also rough hewn, home made or at least closely resembling home-made material.

The textures are also rough. The art objects handcrafted as opposed to machine made. Terra cotta and clay tiles reflect the theme best since they are truly southwestern. You will probably not go so far as to tile your roof, but you can place tiles on the floors of kitchens and basements and living rooms or almost any room of the house. You could also use them to build an interior southwestern theme wall or combine several of them to create a decorative plaque on the wall or small section of the floor.

Into this setting, place the right furniture. Your choice should be oversized and rustic. Wood such as knotty pine is a popular choice. Leather, cotton or bright fabrics in the appropriate colors can soften the seating. Choose adobe red, cactus green or the dusty colors of orange with bright yellow to act as accents.

One color you can also add is turquoise. Turquoise is used in jewellery but can be utilized to add a splash of intrigue and highlight certain sections.

Do not forget to add finishing touches. Placing cacti and other succulents around the room in bright potters’ planters and positioning decorative iron and pottery pieces will put the final finishes to a southwestern theme.