Ever since my first trip to Sedona, Arizona and Taos, New Mexico, I have day-dreamed about using the comforting, rustic, combination of Southwest décor for a homestyle change.

The images of rustic pottery, turquoise and silver accents, Flokati rugs, outdoor nature scenes of saguaro cactus, coyotes, geckos, and even the familiar humpbacked KoKopelli flute player, can be combined to transform your ranch house, townhouse, cabin or lodge into a full-fledged tribal look that will rival the actual southwestern scene.

Ideally, to start this make-over ,look down at the floor. Usually that is the largest space that can be used to show color and a lively mix of fabrics and patterns. Braided rugs in the warm colors of a Western sunset, soft and fuzzy sheepskin area rugs, and loopy casual shags can all be used to inject a laid- back attitude into your decorating scheme.

Slipcovers can improve your couch and chairs in a flash. What better fabric than denim, the cowboy’s favorite, to perk up a worn out sofa? Indigo denim slipcovers are rugged and durable, and can give a tired ,shabby-chic look a new Southwest slant.

Lighting should be the next area to consider. Tiffany lamps are a perfect example of early Western style and whether you use a table lamp or a tall free-standing torchiere the hand-painted look on glass is sure to reflect well on the casual scene.

After planning the floors, furniture, and lighting, choose a dynamic assortment of accessories to complete the total picture. These can include paintings from Diego Rivera, Jaime Olaya or Georgia O’Keefe. Incorporate some natural
desert cactus or wall-art creatures like gecko or coyotes and the entire room will come together in the Spirit of the Southwest

Walls can talk, they say, and if your choice of art adds a spark plug of energy to the immersive experience of a Southwest/Navajo/Cowboy theme, you have chosen wisely.

Not everything from Tiffany’s comes in a little blue box tied up with a pretty ribbon. Granted, some of the most beautiful gifts do come wrapped that way: diamond rings, necklaces, watches, bracelets. And we all love those little blue boxes.

One of the most distinctive and larger, coveted Tiffany items is just too big for a little blue box. Designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany in 1896, the famous, original stained-glass lamps are now antiques. Recognized for their stained glass shades soldered together with copper foil, these lamps are extremely valuable and expensive--ranging into the thousands of dollars. The design was exquisite.

His original lamps were cast in bronze in an Art Nouveau style and incorporated stained glass leaded shades, colored brilliantly. Original motifs ranged from abstract Art nouveau to American Indian, Egyptian and my favorites, dragonflies, flowers and plants.

Fortunately for modern day decorators these types of lamps are now available in reproductions or Tiffany–style designs.

In choosing a Tiffany-style lamp (often used in Arts and Crafts décor-but certainly can be used in any room) size, brightness and style are very important. Any type of home lighting should be purchased with this idea in mind, but especially Tiffany-style lamps because they provide light and ornament the room at the same time.

A table lamp should have the right proportions so the lampshade does not overlap the edges of the table. Nor should the lamp be too small for the top of the table.

A floor lamp or torchiere should be placed in an area of the room where there is little danger of it falling over and damaging the beautiful glass shade.

Today, there are numerous styles of these lamps being produced: including Mission, Retro ,Art Deco, Arts and Crafts, Country and Victorian.They can also be found in every type of finish and shade, including glass, porcelain, and brushed metal.

Some of the very unique styles and stylish decorative pieces that will tie a room together include: house accents

such as the intricate Dragonfly and unique Wisteria designs in table lighting and stunning yellow Sunflowers and beautifully formed Peacock Feather shades in floor lamps.

All of these can be found for under $200.

Are you comfortable wearing scarlet red lipstick—but not so with a cherry red couch?
Does “greening” your home mean being ecologically smart, like using recycled paper towels—or is it combining colors from nature in your décor ?
Do black and white combinations look fine in retro photos but seem boring in the living room ?
Color choices today run the gamut and it’s just a question of which colors speak to you. Any of them can be combined in a pleasant palette that makes your home comfortable for you and an up-to-date symbol of your decorating moxie for your guests to ogle.
Communicating with color seems to be the topic of many books and seminars lately and I have begun to wonder exactly what that means and how a homeowner can find his color niche.
Do you continue to follow the lead of the 2007 ideas and
work toward a citrusy-orange, apricot look; delve into the shimmering silver greys and sparkling tones or stick to the always sensible au natural earth tones ?
Maybe you want to be more avant garde and incorporate the 2008 tones which include many color palettes: the natural greens, browns and tans; the black/ whites and silvers; or the warm rich cranberry reds and pumpkin oranges.
The answer is all of the above…Wear the red lipstick, buy the red couch, and the recycled paper towels, and the celery green or weedy colored accessories, and throw in some black and white photos for fun.
Anything goes .

Never fear the use of color. A beautiful home should not be based on trends. These color palettes will come and go—after all there are just so many combinations. Choosing colors that reflect your likes and personality in a pleasing setting is the ultimate, albeit sometimes intimidating, answer.
Selecting color is not that difficult. Just try and think about how colors make you feel and what is your mood when you see them.
My favorite color is purple and I am so glad it has been resurrected as an important home décor shade.
The experts say purple is associated with creativity, drama and sophistication. My condo, once again, is “in vogue.”