Southwestern Style 101

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. Here's how the style breaks down:

Colors: The pictured room showcases a traditional palette 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.

Textiles: Sturdy woven fabrics, leather and suede are used for upholstery. Striped serapes (colorful wool shawls) can be used as pure decoration on walls.

Furniture: 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.

Accents: Talavera pottery, painted ceramic pieces with roots in 16^th 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.