On a recent weekend jaunt to Denver, I was exposed to some Southwest Style and took on the personal challenge of finding some up-to-date interpretations of a style trend that has waned in the recent past. Though it was difficult at first to wrap my head around the idea — sunset pink and turquoise? — I found that by concentrating on reclaimed woods, Native American patterns and a rustic interpretation of traditional furniture, it was both do-able and attractive...
SOUTHWEST ROUNDUP
• 1 The Tux Chair from Crate & Barrel is stocked in the textile Alchemy in 'Spice' - &800 (the Alchemy fabric comes in 3 other colors and is available for custom upholstery at C&B)
• 2 The Hands On Hips Wool Rug is available in 4 sizes from Pendleton - $300-$1,600
• 3 Ox Yoke Buffet Table from Direct From Mexico - $762
• 4 The Adobe Canyon Bedding from Pendleton uses a modern color palette with a traditional southwest pattern - $94-$398 (shams, duvets and bedspreads)
• 5 This Vintage Fir Storage Console from Viva Terra is made of reclaimed old-growth Douglas fir. It's a great rustic piece that serves a modern function -$1,425
• 6 The Columbia Sideboard from Sundance Catalog combines a galvanized tin top with antique pine timbers from Thomas Edison's phonograph cabinet factory - $1,295
• 7 The Mitchell Gold & Bob Williams Sawyer Coffee Table where "rustic meets refined" - $1539 (side table also available - $425) floor models for both of these tables were available at the SoHo store on 6/25 for $509 & $325!)
• 8 Punched Tin outlet covers are an easy way to add some southwest style — lots of styles and patterns from Direct From Mexico - $5-$14
• 9 This rustic Curved Leg Pine Entertainment Center comes from Direct From Mexico - $680
• 10 Chimayo Toss Pillow from Pendleton - $48 (shown in Sage Stripe but available in 3 more colors. Coordinating throws also available - $134)
Does this roundup make you think differently about Southwest Style?
© 2009 Apartment Therapy
No, not particularly. "Southwest Style" is something of a misnomer. The trend is heavy throughout the west, including Wyoming and Montana, which are not particularly southwestern. "Southwest Style" is done best when it is the least self-conscious. When you stumble into a room with weathered old leather chairs, a Navajo rug on the floor, and an open fireplace, it's particularly comforting. If it gets too tricked up, it becomes the apotheosis of what it supposed to be.
view AustinSarah's profile
this is the type of stuff that's been in the sundance catalog and others for years...agree "western" is more appropriate terminology
view ec05's profile
I'm not wild about the textiles, but I looooove the Viva Terra console. It's clean-lined but has an amazing patina.
view whytephoenix's profile
Reminds me of too many "trying to be rustic" homes I saw growing up in Oklahoma. I think no matter how much they update this style, I'll never like it.
view blc's profile
That chair looks like something out of a Best Western in Arizona. Ugh.
view mangabanga's profile
Um. How can I say this.... YOU ARE KILLING ME! Denver is not really a cow town! It is certainly not SF or NY but if you look to most if not all of the metropolitan cities in the middle of the country Denver is the MOST cosmopolitan (that may not be saying much but southwest it is not). Maybe you need to visit Santa Fe? And what you have presented as modern "southwest" is atrocious (except of course the lovely piece from Viva Terra). Unless you live in the East and are trying to "outfit" your Vail or Aspen home NO ONE chases this style down for their own abode. Sorry Aaron. Did you happen to check out zModern, Nines or ModLivin while you were here or were you just trying to define modern southwest?
view arielingolden's profile
I completely agree with you, AustinSarah.
view jamiealyse's profile
i like the look of punched tin. i think a mirror framed in something like that would be cool.
view ohmaggie's profile