Adding western design touches to your fall decorating
By: Ryan, Hides and Skins
Since moving to San Antonio, I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know many native Texans, and they’ve been teaching me about what life is like in Texas. One thing I’ve noticed is that there’s something unique about the way y’all experience life as the season changes from summer to fall: in South Texas, this time of year is truly special. It’s different from up north, where we move inside as it gets colder. If anything, Texans move outside a bit more because it’s not so hot – maybe 85 or 90 degrees instead of 100. And so you have the much-vaunted high school football games, pep rallies and their resplendent and entirely over-the-top mums.
High School football during autumn in Texas.
Yes, just like anywhere, Texas has its seasonal rhythms. And the fall holidays, each of which has become deeply rooted in the multicultural fabric of South Texas, that cause us to reflect on who we are, our place in our families, and where we came from. These celebrations call us to be thankful for the things we have, and for those who’ve nurtured us, both those living and those who have died. Halloween, Dia de los Muertos, and Thanksgiving all remind us, one way or another, of the importance in our lives of the people we love .
A vivid tablecloth can be the centerpiece of your fall decoration.
And these seasonal rituals cause us to inhabit our spaces in a certain way, whether the focal point is the dining room table or the ofrenda. We enjoy meals together, we share our time and our stories with our families, and we take the time and care to give our spaces the color and texture that the season asks for. The palette of the season is usually bold. It brings some of the colors the earth gives us: browns, grays, yellows, and orange. These tones call to mind the ground, and the rocks, and the Texas sun.
There’s really nowhere that does this better than Texas. The southwestern style really embraces these fall colors and does so in a way that suggests rustic elegance. It’s not pretentious, but southwestern design sensibility is sophisticated.
Designing for the season is an organic process: it starts with a focal point and moves outward from there. The rich and vivid colors of a woven tablecloth set the tone, but there are so many different approaches. Cowhide accessories like coasters and koozies are a great addition to your repertoire, and they really deliver the brown and gray notes to your scheme. Table runners or placemats add black and silver to the mix; hand-stitching gives these items a rustic look and adds texture. If you’re visiting friends or family for the autumn holidays, a hand-stitched wine tote is the perfect choice.
Consider adding an embroidered throw pillow to your living room or lounge area. The colors are brilliant and varied, the detail is exquisite, and the textures give character to your space.
Cowhides and southwestern accessories will bring vivid color to your home. The browns, grays, and yellows that are so central to the fall season are everywhere, and they add warmth to your decorating as you celebrate with those you love.
