Need something colorful and unique as focal point for desert home

last year

Santa Fe style located in desert foothills of Arizona. Close to Algodones Mexico where I looked at tile murals, Talavera pottery and metal art. Nothing caught my eye except a huge orange Talavera pig!

No access to electric, but irrigation to new cobalt pot with a now gone by Red Hot Poker plant. Hot late afternoon sun, lots of wind, dust and sand on this north facing wall. Landscaping by previous owner in lots of colors. Seasonal wreath always on front door. Wicker belonged to my mother, could be re-painted or replaced. Four Mexican pottery exterior wall lights along front.

Arch is 46”w x 64”h from curved shelf

Shelf protrudes 22” from wall, 43” from ground and 46” wide

Too many birds around here to have a fountain. I can easily go back to Mexico if I know what to look for. Thanks in advance!

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Beth H. :

last year

last modified: last year

I like mexican tile in the niche idea. you could try doing a water fountain like pictured and get a solar power pump

here's a few ideas. you could paint the bump out portion like shown, and do a faux fountain and mural above it, use the talavera pots to make a fountain,

Or even hollow out that bump out and put water in it. I like how they did the Cobalt tiles in a mosaic around the edges.

for my back yard area

I did the saltillo tiles and the talavera tiles (right from mexico) on my back patio

and I did some on my front patio. you can set these right over your concrete walk

I had plans to do the rest of that sidewalk area, but haven't gotten around to it!

So imagine if you did something to the walkway or porch landing like shown in these pics

And painted your door one of those vibrant colors. (I'd get rid of the white wicker chairs only because they don't work w/your style)

or something like this one. you could tile the porch area like shown, do the talavera tile on the riser or step, along w/the niches on the walls.

I love a good tiled front door. You could tile the entire wall area around your front door.

If you don't plan on painted your stucco for awhile, then try out some diff door colors that coordinate w/that mauve tone you have.

bring in some potted bougainvillea, and think about doing the arch w/those tiles. or even the area around the front door.

You have a beautiful yard, but doing someothing w/the garage door would make it look so much better!

at the very least, I'd paint it a darker color and add some type of Iron Hardware to it (Amazon sells a ton of stuff) . you could do the iron handles and those large nail heads.

Or, if you wanted, you could do a faux wood paint treatment to get this type of look w/your current door,,,,,and then just add the iron hardware

bring in some spanish style exterior lighting,

maybe do some terra cotta pots (or the talavera pots) w/some other plants

Here's a similar pink color home w/a vibrant blue accent

These are the types of chairs you need to replace the white wicker. or the wood bench.

you could also use a flagstone on the cement walkway/porch,,,maybe do the wall around the front door in a bold color

Your home looks like this Artifact color. These are all SWestern colors. pick a coordinating one for the door

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Comments (62)

Jilly
last year
@cindylouhoog I like the one you posted! Very pretty. Anything with birds and/or flowers gets my vote. :)
cindylouhoog thanked Jilly
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Beth H. :
last year
last modified: last year
or try these. they have the lavender undertones

Maybe the Coquina color and Breathless around the front door?

Black/white talavera tiles?

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1018066035/32-talavera-tiles-handmade-6-x-6

you could stencil the concrete w/black and white if you don't want to tile

Etsy has the underlying purple tiles if you want to go w/the stucco color.

https://www.etsy.com/market/hand_painted_tiles?ref=seller_tag_raised_image-6
cindylouhoog thanked Beth H. :
cindylouhoog
Original Author
last year
Beth H, I don’t know where to begin! Thank you for all your input! Your tile is beautiful, so is your home. How soon can you get here??? I’ve gone thru all your suggestions four times. I’ll probably dream about all this tonight!

So, my house is actually a cocoa brown, as in Swiss Miss hot chocolate. It was a custom color that the previous owners chose and it does look pink at times. These two photos are from the original listing. The photos also make the paint look blotchy (maybe dust?)

This picture was supposed to be last but I don’t know how to move it!

but it is not when you are in front of it. No plans to paint for a couple of years and the color will be similar when we do because when this stucco chips off the color underneath shows.

My favorite of all your ideas is the periwinkle door with the peacock mural from Jinx. I would have to replace my lights though, and my husband won’t be happy about that! They are his favorite feature of this house and he wants more! And would you recommend painting the garage doors darker brown with that?

I guess the first thing to do is go back to Mexico and find a mural then take it from there. Thanks again, you have some very unique ideas! Just what I was hoping for.
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Beth H. :
last year
last modified: last year
what an interesting color. I've never seen that. and yes, it looks mauve in some of the pics.

I would go w/any coordinating bold color

this is the perfect periwinkle color

I think I have one of these tiles. beautiful colors w/the Lupine. paint the door that color and then tile that whole wall w/this tile!

your home is amazing.

Those garage doors are killing me!

Bridgeport Steel door

These are Clopay garage doors.

look up how to faux wood paint garage doors. (and get the iron hardware too). you have nothing to lose by trying it.
cindylouhoog thanked Beth H. :
ptreckel
last year
Thanks for posting additional photos as I was curious about your little fence. It makes more sense now. But….I would suggest removing the portion that is acting as a gate right near your front door. It seems irrelevant and, potentially, a tripping hazard. And it awkwardly segments that courtyard near your front door. Perhaps just removing that little section? It is unclear how it coordinates with the larger fence that has the brick columns…
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Jackie Brown
last year
Following. Love your house. Please post updates!
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cindylouhoog
Original Author
last year
Ptreckle, I don’t understand the fence either! It seems that in Arizona the developers build concrete block walls (they call them fences) on three sides of everyone’s property. This house was the first built in this section and we think the original owner took it upon himself to design his fence, adding the metalwork onto walls of varying height for the front and two sides. He had a little dog and the low fence kept him confined. My dog can easily jump the fence, but he’s content to stand there and bark at the occasional vehicle at this end of the cul de sac. The little gate at front leads to the side of the yard. To open it you just tap a foot pedal and nudge it. It’s all very unusual!
cindylouhoog
Original Author
last year
Beth H, I think I’ll start with finding a dark brown paint for the garage doors and get a sample can of the Lupine for the front door to test them. Then I’ll order magnetic hardware and nail heads from amazon to see how everything looks before investing in metal hardware. I’m also going to drive around the neighborhood to see if anyone else has a painted front door. No HOA here, but we do have CC & Rs that require earth tones. But a lupine is a flower and it grows in the earth, right?

Thanks again for all the time you are putting into this! I love all your colors!
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Beth H. :
last year
last modified: last year
ciny, yes it is! lets also remember that these pueblo/adobe style homes were all meant to be surrounded w/color. Originally they were done w/light colors to help stay cool. but the doors/windows, surrounding accents, were always done w/the bright colors. It's not like Lupine is hot pink (which also would look nice) and the door is tucked under that porch. you will need something bright just to be able to see it!
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cindylouhoog
Original Author
last year
If he squawks I’ll bake him another blueberry pie!
decoenthusiaste
last year
I'd be looking for a mini water feature to set on that shelf with the tiled background. These are too big, of course, but the sound of water in a desert place is so satisfying and peaceful when guests approach your home.
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LED Lighted Cascade Bowls Fountain with Pump by Pure Garden · More Info
cindylouhoog thanked decoenthusiaste
cindylouhoog
Original Author
last year
Decoenthusiaste, I’d love a water feature, but we have so many mourning doves and pigeons that it would probably become the local bird spa. Neighbors have told me water can also attract snakes-the desert is just down the road. And it’s so hot already the water would probably evaporate in a day! The blue tiles and pots would look great though! Thank you for taking the time to share your ideas!
kculbers
last year
Beautiful home!! Could you share some pictures of the interior of your home.
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ci_lantro
last year
I like the idea of tile in the niche but here is another thought.

I've seen some amazing metal work in fences & gates in Algodones on my several trips there. Something custom designed for the space would look awesome. OTOH, metal work will collect dust so I lean towards tile in the niche.
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ci_lantro
last year
last modified: last year

Here is one where tile is inset into stucco. Another approach rather than tiling the entire niche.

ETA: I remember my friend saying that she went to San Luis (Rio Colorado) to get the tile that she used. I don't recall seeing a lot of tile vendors in Algodones and none that sold tile exclusively. My bet is that you would have better luck in San Luis.
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cindylouhoog
Original Author
last year
ci_lantro, I don’t think it matters what I use-tile or metal art or pottery, the dust here is like cement. It is as fine as powder and comes in through every crevice!

Thanks for the info on San Luis. That’s not too far away either and a much bigger city. Thanks for your input!
cindylouhoog
Original Author
last year
kculbers, thanks for the compliment! The interior of my home is not southwestern at all. I’ve lived in RI, SC and two homes in AZ. I have no particular style! Just what I like and lots of white and color. This house has been a challenge! Glad to show you the interior.
kculbers
last year
Your interior is lovely too!! Thank you sharing the pictures.
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decoenthusiaste
last year
last modified: last year
Snake-Away granules would help with snakes, but then the birds might eat them if they showed up against the gravel. You might only have to put them directly around the fountain area. You could drape bird netting over the area for a while to discourage bathing and drinking in the fountain. Birds are smart enough to avoid traps. Put a birdbath further out in the yard for them. With all that sunshine, you could use a solar fountain in the bath to have splashing that attracts them away from the feature wall and fountain. Poor things may have a hard time finding a place to drink and bathe. Evaporation might be an issue, especially when aerating the water. Put out a shallow pan of water and see what the evaporation time is. Might not be as severe as you imagine, or could be worse!
cindylouhoog thanked decoenthusiaste
cindylouhoog
Original Author
last year
Decoenthusiaste, if I find a fountain in Mexico I will try your suggestions. I always used to feed the birds until I moved here. They are invasive and messy. I do feed the hummingbirds though and they love to bathe in the irrigation sprinklers! Thanks again!
cindylouhoog
Original Author
last year
Beth H, I got a sample of SW Lupine today and painted white paper to try on the door. I also got loads of brown color chips and like SW Chateau Brown. I ordered magnetic garage door hardware from amazon to see if hardware and paint improve the garage doors. The wicker has been relocated. I found a door similar to mine with nailheads which I like, especially if painted Lupine.

Any thoughts?
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Beth H. :
last year
I like that door.

garage hardware should be good. you can also do nail heads on the garage to match your door.

I love the lupine color. You could even do more of a colbalt if you like.

where were you going to do the brown?
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ci_lantro
last year
One thing about that area in the SW US is that they are not afraid of using bold, saturated colors. IMO, the Lupine though it is a pretty color, is just too wimpy to use on the exterior. You need bold colors to stand out vs the intensity of the sunlight in that part of the world.
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cindylouhoog
Original Author
last year
Beth H, I thought I’d have the garage doors painted chateau brown but not sure the hardware would be seen on that
cindylouhoog
Original Author
last year
ci_lantro, what colors would you suggest?
Jilly
last year
last modified: last year
Pretty interior!

I would not paint your front door. It’s very nice-looking wood, and fits the style of house well.

I’d bring in color with the furniture, the possible mosaic, pots, etc around the entrance. The door really is beautiful and nicely organic.

Here’s a house with courtyard doors similar to your front door color, and darker garage doors like Beth suggested. Looks great.

Just my two cents, probably worth less. :D
cindylouhoog thanked Jilly
cindylouhoog
Original Author
last year
Jinx, my husband agrees with you! I prefer everything painted though. Maybe I’ll leave the front door till last and add color around it, get a new door mat and paint the garage doors dark brown and add some hardware. The garage looks like a big block as is.

I drove around the neighborhood yesterday and there is one house with a few pieces of talavera pottery and a donkey. It’s nicely decorated and the colors are enough to give it some interest and it definitely stands out from the others.

Your opinions are worth way more than two cents! I really appreciate everyone’s suggestions!
Jilly
last year
That's a great idea! Once other decor is around, see how you feel.

Fun project, looking forward to seeing what you do!
cindylouhoog thanked Jilly
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Beth H. :
last year
last modified: last year
since your door is set back, and your entire house is brown, i don't think the brown door does anything to help your look! (if you had a bright white home, maybe, but brown on brown? no way.

(that house that jinx posted looks great because of the lighter stucco color AND the existing stone accents on the home. All of that helps to coordinate w/the wood door. Plus that door is way out front! You have an entirely diff color palette and door set up.

Paint it!

once you add in the tile, the blues/greens in the pots, or whatever else you're using, it will all tie together.

if you want warmer tones, go for the copper/burnt orange colors

I think I like the cooler colors, but the photo reall doesn't depict your actual color. it looks very pink.
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ci_lantro
last year
last modified: last year
I love turquoise for the door. Or no paint; leave as is.

Or, if you tile the niche, wait & pull a color from the tile for the door.

Turquoise would be better if the house was a lighter color. If you are planning in paint in the next couple of years, then you use a lighter color on the house??

I love the turquoises in Beth's last post. The sky can be such a brilliant blue in AZ and there is so much sky there (few clouds & few trees to block it)--colors need to hold up to intense blue of the sky.

About the garage doors....are they vinyl or steel? If vinyl, you probably can't (or should not) paint them a darker color. Vinyl may not even be used there because of the extreme heat but thought I would mention it just in case.
cindylouhoog thanked ci_lantro
cindylouhoog
Original Author
last year
Thanks for your input ci_lantro. This southwest stuff is all new to me. I will hold off on doing anything until I find something for the niche, that’s my starting point. We will most likely paint the house in a couple of years, but we will have to keep the same color. When this stucco chips off, the color underneath is exposed.

The garage doors are steel and I got a sample can of a darker brown paint to try, along with temporary magnetic garage door hardware arriving in a couple of days. Next stop, Mexico!
cindylouhoog
Original Author
last year
I haven’t forgotten the helpful suggestions from you all. We’re going shopping in Mexico tomorrow. Over the weekend, I discovered a new section of my neighborhood that has a style I can’t even describe! A mix of southwest, ranch, farm and boho. Bold colors. Funky metal art. This huge rooster was my favorite find!
Jilly
last year
last modified: last year
Have fun! That’s a great picture above. :D

I like the wood (non-gaudy painted) front door. ;)

Funny giant chicken/rooster story from long ago: https://thebloggess.com/2011/06/21/and-thats-why-you-should-learn-to-pick-your-battles/

There’s a similar one in Fredericksburg, Tx I have my picture with.
cindylouhoog thanked Jilly
Jackie Brown
last year
Jinx, that chicken story is hilarious.
cindylouhoog
Original Author
last year
Jinx, my husband just asked me what I was laughing about. “Nothing” I said, “but we’re taking the truck to Mexico! “ Now I have to buy a five foot tall chicken! Today is our one year anniversary of buying this house, so “Happy Anniversary, Honey!“ What can he say!!!

I like that door too. Amazon has some good quality hand forged nails I’m going to order, but I need to figure out an interesting pattern.

Thanks for the great story. Now I know how I can pull this off!
Jilly
last year
I can’t wait to see! And hear what name you decide. :D
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cindylouhoog
Original Author
last year
Jinx, my daughter thought it would look tacky in my yard. Is she just being a wet hen?
Jilly
last year
Yes, or just too chicken to step outside the box.
cindylouhoog thanked Jilly
cindylouhoog
Original Author
last year
Yes she’s more conservative than I am. I don’t mind ruffling a few feathers!
Jilly
last year
My daughter would be the same. I can just hear the clucking she’d do if I surprised her with one!
cindylouhoog thanked Jilly
cindylouhoog
Original Author
last year
She did just surprise me with a link to some very creative rooster mosaics on etsy. If I could get one that’s big enough, it would work in that niche.
cindylouhoog
Original Author
last year
We used to live on a farm in RI (we didn’t eat our animals, I named them all after my husband’s old aunties so he couldn’t kill them) and I miss my chickens and peacocks. That’s why I can’t resist anything to do with chickens!
Jilly
last year
I love the idea of a rooster/chicken mosaic!

Chickens named after your DH’s aunts … brilliant idea. 😂
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Jackie Brown
last year
last modified: last year
The chicken might be too corny to keep but it would be worth the effort just to put it in front of the door and ring the doorbell, even if you ultimately return it. That part of the earlier story made me laugh out loud. (As did the dueling chicken wit between Jinx and cindyloo)
cindylouhoog
Original Author
last year
Still working on this! We’ve gone camping again so will finish up next week. I couldn’t find a vertical tile mural so I brought home this giant pig! Not sure of what else to do here, maybe paint? It looks lost there. Pink bougainvillea to be replaced with an orange one. And no chickens, but I did get this vulture! And some javelinas! 4’ metal lizards possibly over garage doors Any suggestions?

I’ll be back!
kculbers
last year
Cute!! Quite unique!!
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Beth H. :
last year
last modified: last year
love all of those!

I'd still do the tile in that 'niche' area though. some talavera tile. would look so pretty in that spot.
cindylouhoog thanked Beth H. :
cindylouhoog
Original Author
last year
Yes I think it needs tile too
tozmo1
last year
Love it! Definitely some tile behind the pig but if the pig is to have a permanent home there, make the tile very calm, solid with perhaps a border, so the pig will pop.
cindylouhoog thanked tozmo1