Texas Designs

Texas Designs Are Right

at Home

Years ago decorating centered on

recreating a particular style versus

reflecting the region where you lived.

For that reason, the ranch look in

decorating was frowned on as hokey

or lacking refinement. Texans avoided

this natural look because we wanted

our houses to show our worldly

sophistication.

As a result, we decorated in Williamsburg, French Provincial, or English Cottage styles. But these didn’t seem right, either, and our homes and offices looked and felt out of place.

Thankfully attitudes have changed and American design now seeks out the unique design elements of each region – from the Spanish style of California and Florida, to the low-country design of South Carolina or Louisiana, to the Cape Cod style of Nantucket Island. Each distinct region now is embraced for the originality it brings to the American design landscape.

Texas flavor gains a footing

Texas, because of its sheer size, offers a great variety of design elements that are natural and distinctive for our region. In the Texas Hill Country, the use of the area’s abundant stone is most notable. In South Texas, it’s the ranch and ranch elements that most influence our design style.

The King Ranch, the most famous ranch in Texas – if not the world – has also noticed the growing interest in Texas home style and has carried home furnishings in their catalog for years. Even Texas clothing style-maker Double D Ranch in Yoakum has gotten into the Texas home style act. They’re coming out with some wonderful and sophisticated home accessories and furnishings that reflect Texas’ unique design heritage.

Bring some Texas to your home

From Dallas to Denhawken, native Texas elements are right at home. Even in the most sophisticated interior designs, a touch of Texas is never out of place. And with the Texas flavor gaining such a strong design foothold, we don’t have to search very far to find native elements to include in our homes.

Some design elements say

Texas …and some don’t

Basically, any design element that’s

native and shows our heritage can

qualify as Texas. However, don’t

confuse Western design with Texas

style. Because even though we’re

part of the West, Texas design is

still unique. For instance, Western

style might use large timbers as

part of homebuilding (such as

homes in Colorado), but that’s not

Texas. Texas homebuilding would

incorporate elements such as

limestone, corrugated tin, board

and batten siding, or dog-run style

architecture.

Show your Texas pride by putting a little bit of Texas in your home

If you’re thinking about adding some extra Texas flavor to your home, you’ve got lots of choices now. Accents, such as cowhide pillows or “Texas Star” drawer pulls are simple changes that can give your home that Texas touch. But do try to avoid going overboard on

any one theme, because it can

quickly feel over done and cliche.

Try applying corrugated tin to

walls, ceilings, or kitchen or

outdoor cooking islands to create

instant texture and appeal (just

look around any Chili’s restaurant

for unique ways to use corrugated

tin). Or, add limestone to interior

walls, as borders for flowerbeds, or

use it as a unique patio flooring.

Nothing warms up a room like

limestone. If you’re close by, check

out the beautiful use of limestone at

the DeTar Hospital Navarro location.

The limestone walls make a warm

welcome at the hospital’s entrance.

Whether you’re building a new house or just want to add accessories, try including some Texas-inspired elements in your design. It’s just the thing to make you feel even more at home.

Do you have design questions or ideas for this column? Maybe you have a design dilemma. Either way, be sure to write and tell me what’s on your design mind!

Where to find Texas design elements

These are by no means the only places to buy items with Texas style, but they’re just some of the local retailers where you can go to find that native look.

Cowhide. What says Texas more than cattle? From chairs, throw pillows, and rugs, the distinctive cowhide is all-Texas and tres chic. Where to find: Gram’s Attic in Wagner’s Hardware Store in Cuero carries full cowhides. On the Web, go to hidesonline.com or elpasorugs.com.

Texas-inspired artwork. From the bluebonnet painting to beautifully framed maps of Texas, artwork featuring Texas or ranching themes falls right in line with Texas style. Where to find: Hall Electric has a good selection of Texas theme prints, as does Arts Etc. in Victoria Mall. On the Web, check jrmooneygalleries.com a long-standing gallery in San Antonio with an excellent selection of original paintings of Texas themes by Texas artists.

Corrugated tin and limestone. Both add a rustic Texas touch to any home. Most hardware stores and home centers carry corrugated tin. Do be careful when cutting it and seek professional help if you are not comfortable working with tin. Limestone can be purchased at Raines Brick in Victoria on the Hallettsville Highway or at Ful-O-Pep in Cuero.

Texas style furniture. Cow-hide chairs or other specialty furniture pieces usually can be ordered through your favorite local furniture store. Or, check Kleider-Shranks at the Alley in Cuero for rustic, Texas-elegant furnishings. On the Web, go to Texasfrontierstore.com or to the King Ranch website, krsaddleshop.com, for more Texas-chic furniture and accessories.

More Texas design. Foster Creek Station carries Texas oriented accessories and a good selection of metal items. For still more Texas design and style, check out Designing Texas on KENS TV (CBS, San Antonio) on Sunday mornings at 10:00 a.m. The show features unique Texas home designs and designers. On the Web, go to designingtexas.com

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Kathryn Weber is the publisher of the Everydayclean.com Cleaning Calender, that calender that puts you in control of your home by ending the power struggle. For more information log on to http://tinyurl.com/d9rh5.

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