Southwest Rugs and Western Tapestries for Rustic Interior Decorating

by Craig Chambers

Hand woven southwest rugs and western tapestries are the icons of rustic interior decorating. If you love southwestern style and western decorating, you just have to have wool rugs and tapestries for your rustic cabin, room or home. Truly functional and versatile, you will find that rustic area rugs and wall hangings will bring your room to life and give it a wonderful southwest, country or western feel.

Many times people will add floor rugs and runners but do not think of using wall tapestries made of the same beautiful fabric to dress their walls. The truth is that a wall tapestry is on of the simplest ways to add needed colors and textures to your space. In addition, because they are hand loomed, they are really artwork worthy of display.

There are so many colors and patterns available that you will be able to choose something just right. Southwestern decor usually uses light colors with turquoise and desert colors like pink and purple. Western themes usually look great with bold red backgrounds with white accents, black, and grey for balance. For a Native American feel, there are numerous patterns available with the Navajo storm pattern being one of the most popular. Unlike years ago when colors were limited, you can now find rich warm colors in every style of woven rug and the tapestry designs continue to get more and more intricate.

The great thing about western rugs and southwest tapestries is that you can use them anywhere. Use them as wall hangings or rugs. Place them in front of doors or in hallways as well as in front of couches and chairs or to fill vacant floor space. Hang them in entryways or where you might normally put a framed picture. For some homey casual style, hang them at an angle to accent the fact that it is wall hanging art. You will be amazed at how much value they add to your room and what an impression they will make on your visitors.

When you start your interior designing use your color swatches to add rustic tapestries and area rugs and you will be thrilled with the foundation they make for the room. Do not be afraid to use them together in the same room and to carry the theme through the house from room to room. When you make your choices do not settle for cheap looking imitations. Get real 100% wool, that has been crafted by hand by a real person, not knocked off on a machine. Handcrafted wool gives the look and durability that you want.

Spruce up your favorite room today with a little taste of the southwest, the old west or Native American Indian style with hand woven southwest rugs and western tapestries.

Craig Chambers is a rustic design enthusiast who enjoys
http://www.missiondelrey.com/
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southwest rugs and western tapestries and offers extensive free decorating articles and resources on his website
www.missiondelrey.com
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Picking Accessories For The Southwestern Style Decorating Theme

by Lee Dobbins

Accessories are to your home decor what jewelry is to an outfit, and your Southwestern decorating theme is no exception. This interior style works the best with natural accessories which help enhance the fun and colorful charm of the west. Adding items such as wall art, knick-knacks and pillows can help add the finishing touches to your Southwestern style home.

Wall art is a vital factor in any design theme, but your room will only look sharp if you situate it properly. When arranging art, think like a gallery and put the center of the piece at eye level. If you have numerous artworks to display on one wall, lay them out on the floor initially to get the best design. You can bring interesting ambiance into your Southwestern decorating theme design with colorful rugs or native American art that you should put anywhere.

Look at adding potted plants, horse figures, and colorful tiles for more of a feeling of the west. To best add to your decorating scheme, you should find accessories that not only match each other, but also the decorating theme. Stick to on theme pieces exclusively in order to achieve the look and feel you are working hard for.

Finding the perfect knick knacks to add appeal to your interior design can be fun plus help pull the room together. To add zip to your Southwest decorating, make sure you purchase accessories that have a fun and colorful feeling. Arranging Native American pottery in colorful groupings or having wrought iron knick knacks on wood shelves. When looking for accessories try to pick out ones which show your unique style. Contrary to what you might have been told, you don't have to break your budget to take home the proper knick knacks. Looking for buys at thrift stores, garage sales and flea markets can get you interesting accessories for a lot less.

Another item you can purchase to add flair to your room design is decorative pillows. If you had the notion that pillows were purely for the bedroom, think again, they can put a fascinating touch to any room including the living room, dining room, bathroom and kitchen. Pillows can be displayed in the bathroom and kitchen, think about displaying them in chairs, on the hamper or on shelves. Pillows can be a wonderful enhancement to the bedroom when piled in front of the headboard. Pillows on the sofa or chairs in your family room, den or living room should help instill a bit of the Southwest decorating feel. To appropriately enhance your room design, stick with pillows that have southwestern colors - red, black, aqua, peach.

Adding leather and Native American prints to your Southwestern decorating theme will truly help the room stand out. But before you go out and purchase a bunch of items, you will need to have an idea of what kinds of items you want and purchase those pieces. When decorating with accessories, proportion is key so be sure you purchase items in the sizes you need. Using this philosophy you can make sure to get items that fit and look together perfectly.

Lee Dobbins writes for http://www.perfecthomedecor.com where you can get more tips on decorating your home.

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Western Mirrors - Décor Tips

by Joanne Dorin

The old west may be gone but the love of the style certainly isn't. In fact the western décor is more popular now than ever before. Perhaps it's the down to earth appeal. Don't forget to add western mirrors to your western décor.
Here are some tips to achieve that western décor.
1. Color Scheme
You need to choose colors that have a western feel. Colors like black, gray, sugar, honey accented with dark greens, reds, and blues. Think earth, forest, and rivers. You can paint in light shades and then use the darker shades for accents.
You can also do a feature wall if your room is big enough. Dark colors make a room look smaller so be careful in a small room. The lighter the color the bigger the room will look.
2. Décor
Choose decorations that have a western tone - cacti, animals, mountains, rivers, streams, forests, woods, and Native American.
Pictures, plants, statues, taxidermy, and figurines are all great additions to a western décor. Pottery done with a southwestern flare can add a nice dramatic effect to the room.
Get real creative and find an old saddle or turn a pair of cowboy boots into planters. Or how about a wagon wheel table? Let your imagination run wild.
3. Fabrics
Choose materials like leathers or suede's. Aged leather is much better than new. Think shabby chic, gently worn.
4. Furniture
Furniture should be comfortably worn. Cracked or chipped works great. Think comfortable and cozy. The wild west was long ago and your furniture should feel like it has traveled through time.
5. Western Mirrors
This is a great way to decorate a wall. In fact it's a great way to decorate a whole wall and if you've done one wall in a dark western color like red this is the wall to put your mirror display on.
The mirrors will give your room the illusion of being larger than it is. Use your imagination! How about that saddle mirror or that mirror made from boot leather? Perhaps one with a Native American style or an etched cowboy mirror?
6. Wallpaper
Western wallpaper borders can add a nice finishing touch to your room. Make sure you stick with the western theme and don't overdo it.
It's no secret that mirrors are a very handy décor tool and western mirrors are certainly no different. There are some great choices online from more traditional western styles to custom order mirrors to meet your exact needs.
Not to worry, you might feel slightly overwhelmed by so many choices but narrow your search by deciding what it is you want to accomplish.
1. Will your mirror complement or will it be a focal point?
2. What size mirror are you looking for - larger has more impact?
3. What material type?
4. What type of finish? Consider staying with shabby chic, worn finishes which tie nicely with the western theme of age.
5. What is your budget?
6. New or old? Vintage? Antique? Contemporary?
That's it! Once you know where to focus you'll quickly find the western mirrors that might work for you. Then all that's left to do is pick your favorite! Your rooms going to look fabulous!
Joanne is an author of Decorz.com. If you're looking for more mirrors decor ideas for your home visit http://www.decorz.com.

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