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You won’t see many sofas, bar stools or lamps when you visit primitive Hohokam and Anasazi sites in Arizona, but their artwork survives through pottery and textiles, patterns and colors that are just as beautiful now as they were over two thousand years ago.
In tracing the roots of today’s western-style furniture, we can go back to the arrival of the Spanish in New Mexico in the 1600’s. Most of the furniture from that period was dark and heavy, frequently carved with rectangular patterns. Along came Mexican Indians, who added even more ornate religion-inspired carvings, hammered tin, and splashes of colorful paints.
Western-style home decorating first became well known in the thirties and forties, during the growing popularity of vacation dude ranches in the American West and family travels on Route 66. Tourists wanted to experience the romantic appeal of the cowboy life, and the whimsical furnishings, tableware and linens in these establishments featured a rollicking, colorful image of the west.
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Western furniture in cooler climes usually included antlers shed by elk and deer that were used in light fixtures and furnishings. Tables sported massive burl wood legs, and Navajo rugs warmed the rough pine floors. Native American pottery, Kachina dolls and baskets added regional relevance. Many original Arizona cabins built in the high-country of the White Mountains in the 40’s and 50’s still naturally capture this look. Also In the 20th century, the Arts and Crafts movement inspired the simple, light Mission style. The Santa Fe and Taos art colonies gave us brilliant pastels. (And probably those howling coyotes.)
Iron also played a vital role in the development of the West. Forged iron horseshoes, branding irons, and spurs were all everyday items used by cowboys. These and other utilitarian iron objects have found their way into western décor accessories, and are often used today with a sense of fun.
Today, decorating with western style can be as bold as as a hide hair and fringe ottoman to as subtle as a beautifully turned table lamp crafted from native mesquite. What’s common are the colors, materials and textures found in nature, from desert to mountain. Today, using these unpretentious natural materials with vivid, colorful materials and accents defines Western décor.
From antiques and classic west to territorial and cowboy chic, you’ll enjoy prospecting through Valerie’s Furniture and Accents 4100 square foot “hacienda” in the heart of Cave Creek, where you’ll travel many trails of the West’s nostalgic past.
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