To complete a southwestern decoration, consider adding desert foliage and tabletop succulents or a full-sized cactus. You don't need to tone down your earth tones, however. Bold colors and bold patterns are also perfectly appropriate for southwestern decor. Aztec prints and patterns are an excellent choice, adding dramatic flair and color to a room. Choose Aztec prints with contrasting colors for visual excitement, or match them for a strong underlying theme.

Tile floors from the Spanish Colonial era

Tile floors from the Spanish Colonial era add a warm, authentic ambiance to any southwestern decoration. Spanish Colonial era tiles are great for decorating bathrooms, kitchens, and living rooms. They're also great for adding character to contemporary California interiors. Spanish Colonial style furniture is remarkably decorative and handsome. Many reproductions of Spanish Colonial style furnishings are available. Here are some examples of southwestern furniture:

Navajo basketry

Navajo basketry is a centuries-old southwestern craft. Navajo people made baskets for many functions, both ceremonial and everyday. Typical Navajo baskets feature black and red bands, triangular patterns, a braided rim, and an opening. Basket makers create patterns by weaving long laces of sumac around the inside of the basket. The red bands on the outside of the basket represent marriage and the birth of a child.

A great southwestern decoration made with Navajo basketry is the traditional coiled piece. Baskets of this style are made with willow, split willow, and sumac stitching. Traditionally, a Navajo wedding basket is passed around for guests to drink traditional corn meal mush. Guests may also opt for a traditional Navajo wedding basket instead of the more typical American wedding basket.

Saltillo tiles

If you are looking for a unique and authentic southwestern decoration, you should consider using Saltillo tiles. Although these tiles are not repairable individually, you can replace them with a new one. First, remove the cracked tile. This requires removing the existing mortar and tile adhesive. Next, replace the mortar and tile with a fresh one. Saltillo tiles are known for their unique character, so if you want a truly authentic southwestern decoration, you should not skip this step.

One thing you should know before installing this tile is that it is very porous. Water can be absorbed easily from thin-set mortar, grout, and grease pencils. If you're installing Saltillo tile, you should consider using a protective tile. These tiles bear the prints of animals that walk on the tiles. These tiles are generally laid in areas that are not visible. They're a great choice for warm climates.

Navajo tribal patterns

The Navajo are a tribe from what is now Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah. Navajo weaving incorporates symbols from the region such as lightning and crosses, which represent Spider Woman. These patterns make excellent southwestern decor items, and can be used on upholstery, wall art, and rugs. If you're interested in adding a southwestern touch to your home, Navajo patterns are an excellent choice.

For a touch of southwestern color, Navajo tribal patterns are a beautiful way to add pattern to any room. A framed print or a piece of wall art can reflect the wild beauty of the Southwest. To best showcase Southwestern art prints, use a warm color scheme. If you have a white room, consider an accent wall in an earthy color.

Navajo textiles

While historically a utilitarian fabric used for blankets, Navajo textiles have now become beautiful items for home decor. They are produced in the same style as kilims, but they don't use the slit weave technique. Because they have aesthetic value, they are great additions to southwestern decorating. You can even buy Navajo textiles online.

The weaving techniques used by the Navajo were originally developed for clothes. The early Navajo textiles were typically patterned with stripes and colors of brown and blue, which are derived from indigo. They are finely woven from wool and drape easily around the human form. A gallery walk will be conducted by Berlant on Dec. 4 and Sunday. The exhibition is a loan from the Berlant collection.