Southwestern Boho: A Design of Textures, Patterns and Colors
If you are a fan of Paramount TV’s Yellowstone series like I am, you will see beautiful landscapes, clothing and décor that I love! I have introduced some of these new and interesting trends in my own home, that combine a bit of the Boho style, Native American or Tribal influence, as well as the Southwestern motif that I am calling Southwestern Boho. I have beautiful décor ideas to share that will help you either incorporate a complete design change, or just add simple hints of the Southwestern Boho charm into your existing home design.
What is Southwestern Boho?
It is part of our history. It incorporates the artistry and culture of our indigenous neighbors, as well as the western and southwestern landscapes. I have found that you can incorporate my designs with the use of textures, patterns, and colors with your own furnishing, art and wall color into your home. There are beautiful woven baskets, Aztec geometric designs, colors from Mexican pottery, Austin stone, and of course the beautiful Douglas Fir wood used for many timber log homes. Of course, there are adobe homes reminiscent of the Pueblo style home. All of these things influence my current home design.
Why do I like this style while living In the South?
Obviously, I think it is beautiful. More importantly, this style introduces natural materials into your home with warmth, tradition, and culture. You can incorporate this style into your current traditional or Farmhouse home as much or as little as you like. It’s very easy! While bringing the outdoors in, this design esthetic creates a relaxed vibe, great for quiet family time in front of a fireplace or festive get-togethers around a rustic table with friends!
Tribal patterns are easy to come by, especially if you find fabric that match your color scheme! I bought enough fabric from a fabric store to cover 4 chairs and sew a table runner for my console table.
The current trend towards cottage or Farmhouse designs reminds me of the Southern and Midwest farms of long ago. The Southwestern Boho design reminds us of the past as well, perhaps of the Western expansion and the many physical landscapes one might encounter while traveling West! Cottage and Farmhouse styles are quite popular now, but you can incorporate some elements by using fabrics to add texture and color.
Decorating Ideas
To the left is a pillow cover I found at Hobby Lobby that combines the Aztec/Tribal with a bit of Boho. All of the pillow covers are under $20! Sales with 50% off are the real steal! I chose this cover because the red stitching coordinates in the family room, and the turquoise adds a pop of color as it coordinates with a sofa throw in the same color.
More of an Aztec/Tribal pattern is used in the bed throw that include those same colors. This was ordered through Southwest Indian Foundation who mail catalogs throughout the year. They contain many décor and gift items you will love.
Cowhides
In my master bedroom, another natural texture, a true cowhide, is displayed as a rug. I have moved it several times while re-arranging décor from season to season. It is indestructible and easy to clean, simply use a broom! The website below offers variations (depending on the animal), in addition to pillows as well.
Wondered about real cowhides? They are amazingly easy to keep clean and can be used as a wall hanging if desired. They are available in various sizes and colors and are very affordable! Visit eCowhides for more ideas.
Next week, I will showcase specific décor and textures, along with how to incorporate them into your home design. Here are some things to take away and look forward to in future blogs:
- Southwestern Boho can be added as little or as much to your own design style, just experiment!
- Choose the earthy colors of browns, rusts, off white, and black to add to your existing color palate. General rule of thumb is not to have more than three colors. Add a pop of turquoise!
- While looking at colors, look for interesting textures. Woven, metal, stone or wood items add interest. Rugs can also add texture, pattern and color!
- Pottery and baskets work well with this design and I will delve into those in an upcoming blog.
- Artwork is another way to add this design style and I will cover this topic in the future.
- Finally, plants/succulents (we will discuss later) can be used to round out this esthetic, and bring the outdoors inside you home.
Enjoy “breaking free” with new designs and see you next week!