| We all look forward to summertime when we spend | | | | Talavera, a unique southwestern pottery crafted in |
| a lot of time outside. Enjoying longer daylight hours | | | | southern Mexico, makes beautiful accent pieces in |
| and warmers evenings are wonderful benefits of | | | | designated spaces. There are all kinds of accent |
| summer. Watermelon and corn on the cob are | | | | pieces for your home. Each piece is beautifully hand |
| summer delights to be enjoyed. Flowers and trees | | | | made and painted. There are a lot of items available |
| bring beauty to our lives and world. | | | | with hand painted sunflowers. Pottery of this kind will |
| Summer is sure to inspire us. It gives our creative | | | | definitely turn your southwestern space into an area |
| energies a chance to work on home decorating | | | | of beauty. Stunning colors such as blue and gold can |
| projects. | | | | be included in your area. |
| Surround yourself with southwest touches. Since so | | | | Organization becomes easier with the use of Native |
| much time is spent outside, its only natural to create | | | | American baskets in various sizes. They work great |
| a special area to relax and enjoy all that the season | | | | for holding dried flowers. There are so many uses for |
| has to offer. A unique southwestern environment | | | | incorporating Indian baskets into your home. Try |
| may be created on your deck, porch or patio. | | | | them in your entryway for mail, kitchen for utensils |
| Decorate your outdoor area with a southwest | | | | and bathroom to hold towels. As baskets are added |
| theme. It will become a favorite place of your home | | | | to the organizational needs of your home, you'll find |
| where family and friends gather. | | | | so many creative ways in which to use them. Your |
| Sunflowers are a wonderful way to introduce the | | | | home will become so organized as you put various |
| southwest theme into your decor. Start with a | | | | sizes of baskets to use. |
| wreath for your deck, porch or patio that is adorned | | | | You can certainly find many treasures at flea |
| with lovely sunflowers to welcome family and friends. | | | | markets or second hand stores. For a crafty idea, |
| Hang colorful ceramic birds from ceiling rafters as well | | | | paint your find and incorporate it into your southwest |
| as ristras of dried chili peppers for a real southwest | | | | decor. Any piece of wooden furniture may be turned |
| theme. Furniture made of wrought iron gives your | | | | into a southwest masterpiece. Consider your table, |
| outdoor space a southwestern feeling. Add brightly | | | | chairs and book cases as a potential piece of art. |
| colored cushions to complete the look. | | | | You'll have a true work of art if you choose a bright |
| Excellent color choices for your southwest decor are | | | | color that complements the room. For a unique one |
| plump pillows in the colors of red, gold, orange, | | | | of a kind design, once your paint is dry, stencil on |
| yellow, green, or blue. Placing a large area rug in front | | | | designs such as sunflowers of chili peppers. |
| of the seating area will help pull the area together. | | | | Candles placed in table top clay chimineas will add |
| Plants in colorful pottery can also be placed around | | | | sparkle and sizzle to your southwestern room. With |
| the area to define space. Want to create pleasurable | | | | this, an authentic "south of the border" theme is |
| summer memories? Use a fire ring in your outdoor | | | | created. Wall sconces are also a nice touch. The |
| area to cook marshmallows and hot dogs. | | | | atmosphere will look calming and peaceful. A nice and |
| Be careful, however, to never leave the fire | | | | needed addition would be the use of big pillows |
| unattended and to keep the flame small. Create a | | | | placed in richly woven wool pillow covers. This |
| real southwestern feel by hanging a few strings of | | | | creates nice areas for floor lounging. For special |
| chili pepper lights around the area. | | | | southwestern touches, play soft Native American |
| As you enter inside your home, go throughout the | | | | flute music and light incense with the scent of sage. |
| rooms and look for any areas that seems a little drab | | | | Put a smile on your face this summer by surrounding |
| and try placing a Native American woven basket filled | | | | yourself with beautiful things you love. A southwest |
| with magnificent silk sunflowers in that space. Color | | | | summer is such a pleasure to experience. Build lasting |
| can do amazing things. Silk sunflowers can be used | | | | memories that will be fresh in your mind throughout |
| year round to give your home a sunny and happy | | | | the next three seasons. |
| feeling. | | | | |