Decorating

A Fresh Take on Western Style

Western style is almost always stereotyped as kitschy design with animal heads and wagon wheels.  That really isn’t the case and designers are mixing the modern and the rustic to create a cozy and chic space, a fresh take on western design if you will.  Here are some ways to incorporate western design anywhere, even a New York City penthouse.

Pops of Color

Western design tends to pull color from nature which means a lot of green, tan, orange and yellow.  This leaves you with a home full of basically neutral colors, but you can use rich reds and brilliant turquoise as accent colors or in rugs and throws.  Have a brightly colored or patterned quilt to add color to your bedroom or on the back of a couch.  Here are some ideas on how to do just that.

Soften Up the Log Cabin

If your home’s interior feature a lot of wood, particularly on the walls you can soften that look a bit with the right window treatments. Use lighter colored window treatments and bedding in the bedroom.  In the living room you can still use lighter colored drapes but avoid that heavy dark leather furniture.  Instead consider pale colored fabric sofas and chairs.

Rethink the Antlers

Deer heads and antlers on the wall are what can turn your room from classy to over the top, so rethink the antlers.  Try instead a ceramic sculpture or piece of Native American art.  You can add color while still maintaining that western feel without making your home look like a hunting cabin.  There are lots of pieces of tasteful wildlife art that can replace the antlers.

Add Some Modern Details

Living rooms and kitchens done in western design often come with big features, large wood cabinets, big stone fireplaces and big trusses.  You can add some modern details to soften up the room, you can work in some modern pieces of art or accessories that give the room modern touches.

Combine Textures

There is a lot of wood and leather in western design which can make your room feel kind of cold and impersonal.  You can soften the space with accents in different textures.  A high quality lush area rug is one way to do that, something like fleece or equally soft works great.  So do throw cushions or a blanket on the back of the leather sofa, both will make the room feel cozy and warm.

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