Pattern Play: Subtle Southwest Style
Use this mix of color and pattern for a Southwestern look without a coyote in sight
I'm really loving all the Southwestern influences I've been seeing in fashion and interiors this past year. Many times I get asked how to achieve certain looks without necessarily making them a theme. By playing with textures and colors I was able to get a look to illustrate this for you. As you can see, I didn't really use any actual Southwestern patterns. You'll see no arrowheads or bison in this pattern play!
More Pattern Plays: Modern Masculine | Traditional Modern
More Pattern Plays: Modern Masculine | Traditional Modern
Here's a closer look at the mix of textures going on. Next, more on the individual fabrics I used to get this look.
KRAVET VARI
This Ikat has a sublte wood grained pattern in its beige background, giving it an even more rustic edge — another great way to achieve a Southwestern feel without that theme.
I'd love to see these used on an accent chair or even throw pillows.
I'd love to see these used on an accent chair or even throw pillows.
Lee Jofa-Beehive color: Mallard
The teal color in this fabric was gorgeous, and the chenille added just a hint of softness and shine to an otherwise mostly flat-sheened fabric palette.
This heavyweight fabric would wear well on an ottoman.
This heavyweight fabric would wear well on an ottoman.
Lassen - Lassen Tawny - Carole Fabric
I'd use this lightweight faux silk as draperies or as a throw pillow that would be placed in a lighter traffic area. It's always good to interline silk or lighter weight fabrics to help them hang more beautifully.
Kravet-26281 color: 616
This tweed could be used for a chair, or if you were daring enough, even a sofa. Its smaller pattern would make a nice backdrop for some of our larger patterns on throw pillows.
Grandview Stripe - Grandview Stripe Adobe - Carole Fabric
The stripe would make great pillow or upholstered item, as it has such a heavy texture.
Browse Spanish Colonial home photos
More Pattern Plays:
Modern Masculine
Traditional Modern
Browse Spanish Colonial home photos
More Pattern Plays:
Modern Masculine
Traditional Modern
1. Pick a starting print. I started with the stripe. It gave me a great way to pull my colors in, and the texture reminded me of a tapestry or a poncho.
2. Build the color palette. With this stripe, I was able to pull in terra cotta, teal, browns and beige. Great colors to give us our Southwestern feel.
3. Vary the style. Before, I pointed out that I didn't actually use a typical Southwestern print. Instead, I used an Ikat which isn't traditionally Southwestern but rather it gives me a similar feel. I then mixed in a tweed pattern that added a masculine touch and an oval patterned chenille that read more modern to me. The traditional faux silk diamond pattern added yet another layer of texture by using twine to layout the shape.
4. Vary the size of the pattern. The Ikat is my large pattern, the stripe, diamond and tweed are my medium patterns and the oval chenille is my small pattern.
Tip: You can mix in more medium-sized patterns than you can small and large.