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.
We often feel inspired during the summer months, as in no other season, which makes it the perfect time to allow our creative energies to flow into our home decorating projects.
Surround yourself with southwest touches. So much time is spent outside. Create a unique area where you may relax with family and friends and enjoy the season. A unique southwestern environment may be created on your deck, porch or patio. Decorate your outdoor area with a southwest theme. It will become a favorite place of your home where family and friends gather.
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. Ristras of dried chili peppers may be used to decorate walls and brightly painted ceramic birds could be hung from the ceiling. Furniture made of wrought iron gives your outdoor space a southwestern feeling. Add brightly colored cushions to complete the look.
To incorporate your southwestern theme, colors such as red, gold, orange, yellow, green, or blue are excellent choices for the plump cushions. Placing a large area rug in front of the seating area will help pull the area together. Plants in colorful pottery can also be placed around the area to define space. Want to create pleasurable summer memories? Use a fire ring in your outdoor area to cook marshmallows and hot dogs.
Always keep the flame of your fire small and never leave it unattended especially around children and pets. 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. Sunflowers make any room have a sunny and happy feeling and since the flowers are silk, they can be enjoyed even after the summer season goes into fall.
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 are introduced such as deep blue and rich gold.
Native American baskets are great for holding flowers but are also a big help in organizing our homes. There are so many uses for incoporating Indian baskets into your home. Try them in your entryway for mail, kitchen for untesils and bathroom to hold towels. Once you start using baskets in your home, you'll wonder how you ever got along without them. You'll find a use for baskets in every room and be delighted at how organized you become.
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. Simply choose a bright color that complements the room and before long, you'll have a work of art. For a unique one of a kind design, once your paint is dry, stencil on designs such aa sunflowers of chili peppers.
Add southwestern sizzle to your rooms by using small table top clay chimineas to hold candles. This gives an authentic "south of the border" feeling as does wrought iron wall sconces. The atmosphere will look calming and peaceful. Large pillows covered with rich woven wool pillow covers placed around the room for comfortable floor lounging is a nice addition. For special southwestern touches, play soft Native American flute music and light incense with the scent of sage.
Put a smaile on your face this summer by surrounding yourself with beautiful things you love. These lasting memories carry us through the next three seasons until once again, we can feel the delight of a southwest summer.
Craig Chambers founded Mission Del Rey Southwest, which offers 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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