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Thursday, May 12th, 2016
Flexsteel Living Room Round Cocktail Table 6629-034 features solid wood, wicker and glass – all elements that work perfectly inside a Mexican-inspired home.
A famous part of many Spanish homes is the so-called comedor or dining room. Mexican homes are no different. Their dining spaces are adorned with many Spanish-inspired elements such as colorful paintings, religious relics, and pottery.
The ceilings of many Spanish dining rooms are also used as canvas for beautiful paintings. Choose from the many possible themes for the ceiling painting. In the absence of a colorful painting, have a luxurious chandelier hung.
Mexican interior design is a relative of the Spanish design. If you want to have this kind of theme in your home, then you can also use ethnic fabrics and drape them on the colorful dining chairs. These same fabrics can also be used on Mexican shelves as they can add a different level of interest and characteristic to the informal space.
Borrowed Architectural ElementsMexican homes often come with arches, thick walls and high ceilings. More often than not, hand-painted pottery lies across the table and shelves (talk of the Spanish people’s love for flair).
Mexican interior design has similar elements with Spanish architecture. Try looking from top to bottom and you would immediately notice the wooden support beams (also known as the vigas), the latticework or the latillas and the carved corbels which support the beams on the ceiling. These corbels also serve as decorative elements.
Now look at the floor where you’re standing at – Spanish flooring is often made with the most colorful Talavera tiles. These will surely draw the eyes towards the center of any room. The Spaniards have also introduced to the Mexicans the unique Saltillo tiles which are terracotta tiles that are best used in areas with warm climates.
‘Care to visit the Mexican-inspired bathroom? Then you would probably find a claw foot tub in a nook.
Universal Furniture Dining Room Upholstered Back Arm Chair 016639-RTA is the haciendero’s preferred seating style.
Mexican Accessories
When you’re out to frame the beautiful features of a Mexican home, be sure to have a lot of vibrant colors on your palette. You can use recessed lighting to provide a more magical touch to intimate rooms in your home. This style can be used in the bedroom or dining areas that are not used for frequent social gatherings.
Place a weathered chair in a corner then drape it with a huipil which is a traditional garment from Mexico. You would certainly love the embroideries on your huipil. These have special cultural meanings among Mexicans.
A bedside table can be covered with the African kente cloth then topped with a small yet antique wooden saint. In the absence of the latter, you can also resort to silver objects coming from India as they also offer a distinct, rustic appeal.
Look through your family’s heirloom furniture. You might already own some weathered chests which you can use at the foot of the beds. If not, www.mccreerys.com offers a wide array of these lovely wooden chests. They have a rustic appeal that is hard to equal. Add to their beauty by investing in iron candelabra.
Add red silk shades for a more elegant look.
Dress Up the Entry Hall
Know as the zaguan, the entry hall can feature hand-painted things on the ceiling. The more antique-looking the door is, the more useful it would be in your Mexican-inspired home. Complete the look with a Mexican tile rug. Add wall sconces for a more culturally-inspired space.
If you want to go authentic on your Spanish design, you could also use a bench right by the entry hall. This is quite common in Spanish haciendas where the hired help lie in wait.
Blend traditional elements with some of the new ones that depict your personality. Be vibrant, be colorful, have flair.
Dare to be you.
Maitland-Smith Living Room Carved Occasional Table 3030-953 will also look great on the entry hall.
Tags: McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, Mexican, Mexican interior design, Mexican interiors, Mexican style, rustic, rustic charm, rustic decor, rustic design, rustic elements, rustic interiors, rustic look, rustic style, Spanish interior design, Spanish interiors, tips
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes | No Comments »
Thursday, January 14th, 2016
This classic wooden drawer is from FFDM’s American Cherry Collection.
Southwestern design is defined with earth colors and the richest textures. This means that you should use more of orange, yellow, turquoise, and red clay. Clay tile roofs, terracotta and handcrafted stuff are all welcome in a southwestern home.
Upholstery for this design is chiefly woven fabrics, suede, animal hides or leather. Blankets could be made of traditional native clothing. Do not limit the use for these beautiful pieces inside the bedroom because they can also be great wall decor.
Wood furniture is a must and could also feature metal accents or a distressed finish. The accents used in southwestern environments can be anything from painted ceramics to hand-painted tiles. If you can find early pieces dating all the way back to 16th century Mexico, the better.
Tribal Design Elements
You will see a lot of Native American pieces inside a southwestern home. Elements such as latillas, vigas and other artwork are design themes that are commonly used in architecture. This style is quite earthy as well as organic as it captures the heritage of Arizona and New Mexico areas. Natural accents, colors and other elements look and feel a lot like Mexican, Spaniard, and Native American designs; open floor plans, flat roofs and courtyards, even gardens can become a part of your home.
This Hooker Furniture Living Room Covington Bogue Club Chair has the right color to give life to a southwestern habitat.
Southwestern design makes use of subdued earthy tones like tan, cream, brown, terracotta, and white. These colors are great as backdrop for American Indian-inspired textiles and accents. Azure is a famous color for windows and doors. Any color found in nature such as forest green, salmon, sunny yellow and slate blue can fit perfectly in southwestern interiors.
Southwestern furniture should be unpretentious. Say no to anything intricate. Cherry, walnut, pine, and just about any mid-tone wood would do. It should have soft leather or natural textiles as coverings. Make use of huge pillows right on the floor as well as hammocks in your courtyard. These can be alternative seats for your guests. Always remember that the rooms must be spacious or have a natural flow.
As for the walls, they are often made with the same materials as the exteriors. Mostly adobe, interior walls are roughly plastered. Others use smooth stone or stucco. If you want to add warmth and color onto a boring wall, then use hand-painted tiles. They can also be used in covering kitchen backsplash. If not, use the tiles as individual accents.
Murals are also a huge depiction of southwestern culture. Have spiritual stories or rituals painted on murals then have them installed as a statement wall.
You can also try stucco plaster then add builder’s sand to the paint. You may also use special paint effects such as suede, color washing, or faux paint.
Capel Incorporated Floor Coverings Biltmore Select Bidjar Rug 1773RS02000300450 at McCreerys Home Furnishings
Southwestern floors are often honey-colored. Other homeowners prefer terracotta tiles. Adding visual interest on your floors is easy. Just arrange the tiles in patterns and layouts.
Parquet or light wood flooring is widely used. You can color this kind of flooring with cobalt blue or any other earthy color to make it more exciting. Carpets and rugs are valuable pieces but if you do not want these in your home, then be sure to opt for hardwood flooring.
Use brick or stones throughout your home without letting the style suffer. Use lovely rugs with traditional patterns and colors brighten up the room.
Southwestern accents are mostly paintings, candles, wrought-iron stuff, dried flowers, sculptures, pottery (the hand-painted type), and animal skins.
Learn these Southwestern design tips and begin bringing rustic beauty into your lovely home.
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Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes | No Comments »
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