Escape to Sunny Mexico Can't get away for a southern vacation
this year? Don't despair -- plan a sunny Mexican style refresher
for your patio décor and enjoy the festive atmosphere of a
hacienda at home this summer.
As with every other decorating style, Mexican décor has its own
basic elements.
Color •The predominant color in the sunny Mexican look is yellow
-- bright, cheery and warm. If you're lucky enough to be working
with an outdoor space that abuts a stucco house exterior,
consider painting the stucco yellow or soft terracotta.
Otherwise, fashion walls for your space from a fence, a screen
or a trellis painted an uplifting sunny hue. •Accent the yellow
with bright blue or vivid turquoise. Shades of terracotta, red,
orange and bright pink are also popular. Furniture •Furniture
made of heavy wood looks most authentic in Mexican style
decorating. Small rough-hewn side tables are suitable. If you
can't get heavy wooden furnishing, paint simple wooden folding
chairs bright yellow and blue. •Alternatively, use wrought iron
or hammered metal furniture. The Mexican influence of these
materials can be also be used in gate hinges or accessories such
as candlesticks. Tiles •Mexico is justly famous for its
beautiful tiles -- either unfinished terracotta or those with
bold glazed patterns of flowers or other objects in shades of
yellow, blue and red. •Consider clay floor tiles to give a
concrete slab patio a fresh new look. If tiling is not in your
budget, get creative with paint as we did on this city balcony.
http://www.paradiseporch.com/before_after.php •If you're serious
about the Mexican look, tile the roof of your outdoor space with
red clay tiles. •Use brightly colored tiles on a table or a
tray. Carry the terracotta theme with clay plant pots. Fabric
•Roughly woven natural fibers, such a cotton tablecloths or
woven rope chair seats, work best in this decorating scheme.
•Use a brightly colored wool serape as a scatter mat, throw, or
"wall" hanging. •This is the perfect setting for a rope hammock
for that afternoon siesta. •Use striped fabric in primary colors
for cushion covers. Accessories •Accessorize your Mexican-styled
space with wrought iron candlesticks or grille work. •Fish and
bird motifs (such as roosters or parrots) are good, especially
if made of clay or tile. •Carry the bright colors into the
plantings in your space. Nasturtiums are ideal for hanging
baskets or the lattice you've installed. If you're growing
zucchini or other squash, consider planting them near the patio,
so that the blossoms add to your atmosphere. •If you want to get
away from the yellow in your flowers, use bougainvillaea, pastel
poppies or broadleaf greenery such as yucca plants. •Heap a rope
basket with apricots, guavas or pears. Alternatively, you can
make oversized paper mâché replicas or paint wooden yard-sale
fruits. Try a few of these ideas and before you know it, you'll
be sipping margueritas and crunching tortillas in your very own
Mexican courtyard.
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