Southwest Style: Represent!

Typical Southwest style can get a bad rap what with the proliferation of Kokopelli and dreamcatchers it's easy to think that that's all there is. But with how many people have already signed up for the Fall Cure in the Southwest I can't wait to see some mad style coming out of there. Plus, I've just spent 5 days in Moab, Utah soaking in the blue skies and red rocks so I know firsthand that the landscape can inspire. So tell me, what did I miss?

Architects like Rick Joy are transforming the landscape and the hot, dry desert is a prime place to try out solar heating and power. So what else? In a small town like Moab I didn't see any of that. I also wasn't looking very hard since I was there to be outside! But with the beauty of the landscape and the realtively cheap cost of property people are making it work and doing it with style. What design do us left coasters miss out on as tourists in the Southwest? How about you Texas? Arizona, Utah, Nevada? We want to hear from you!

Comments (10)

I'm a little slow...I'm not sure I understand the question here.

posted by K on September 11th 2007 at 1:38pm
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I want to see some modern non cocopelli non dreamcatcher interiors. Being in Moab that's all I saw, there wasn't an obvious design aesthetic beyond 'southwest'. SO I put it to you guys--where can I find some? Do you know of some great houses or decor shops smack dab in the middle of the southwest?

Hope that clearer!

posted by laure on September 11th 2007 at 1:52pm
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Although you're unlikely to find evidence of it in my particular home, Phoenix is a center of modernism. Behold!

Red Modern (which everyone is required to mention)
http://www.redmodernfurniture.com/

Phoenix Metro Retro (organic modern)
http://www.phoenixmetroretro.com/

Retro Redux (funky)
http://www.retro-redux.com/

Modern Phoenix (architecture)
http://www.modernphoenix.net/

(There are more stores that lack Web sites, and all the modernist chains are in Scottsdale, plus the hipper Phoenix antique stores all seem to rotate the same Heywood Wakefield dining set.)

There is also some interest in a sort of romantic Mexican style, characterized by really burly mesquite logs being used for everything.

Bellas Artes de Mexico (the high-end store)
http://www.bellasartesdemexico.com/

Tres Amigos (more affordable)
http://www.tresamigosworldimports.com/

Or you can mesh the two styles, for an effect that will leave you speechless, for good or ill:

Urban Southwest
http://www.urbansouthwest.com/

posted by wende in the twin cities on September 11th 2007 at 4:32pm
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Wende--you're awesome, I think I need to go to Phoenix!

posted by laure on September 11th 2007 at 4:44pm
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spellcheck: Kokopelli

posted by chartreuse on September 11th 2007 at 9:54pm
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wende - thanks for this. i have a day in october that i have to spend in phoenix and i thought i'd research some design stores to visit. you've saved me from doing my own homework!

posted by BB on September 12th 2007 at 6:51am
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Lest yee forget, Frank Lloyd Wright thought AZ a suitable site for many of his works, including his own masterful Taliesin West. Open to the public, the roof was inspired by a saguaro cactus.

http://www.franklloydwright.org/index.cfm?section=tour&action=taliesinwest

I'm still working on my "cowboy modern" pad in Tucson...paisley, cowhides...pictures like this:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=5965506

Be on the look out for my house tour...but what about the American Indian and Hispanic influences (Luchadors represent!).

And what better landscape to have a minimal decor than the desert? Low maintenance succulents and legendary rock formations provide the perfect setting for not only uncompromising pioneers like Rick Joy but also xeriscape hobbyists and solar-powered "cactus-huggers".

Big ups to T-town. Rent yourself a loft at the old refrigerator factory for a Winter...you'll be back:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twMKbgAsnPo

posted by colin on September 12th 2007 at 7:22am
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Slide show
http://images.businessweek.com/ss/06/11/rosano_design/source/1.htm

http://archrecord.construction.com/projects/residential/archives/0308HotM-1.asp

posted by 72dpi on September 12th 2007 at 9:43am
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Thanks Colin--I missed the trip to monument valley but saw my cousin's and have vowed to watch more of the westerns shot out there. The etsy photo pretty much sums it up!

posted by laure on September 12th 2007 at 9:44am
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I'm back and see that someone already mentioned F.L.W. in Airzona.

I'm no longer in Phoenix area. Here in Provo, Utah we have a collection of beautiful midcentury houses.

Also, on the 4th of July we had a walking tour of houses built around 1900. Most you could not go inside unfortunately.

Then there's the public library by Moshe Safdie in Salt Lake.
http://www.slcpl.lib.ut.us/details.jsp?parent_id=7&page_id=5

posted by K on September 12th 2007 at 10:38am
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