Architects and designers who favor a less is more approach often support minimalist home design.

The concept of minimalism in buildings and interior spaces calls for the use of clean lines, simple
color palettes and unadorned surfaces.

Basics of Minimalism
The core goal of minimalist design is to break down forms and structures to their basic elements.
The straightforward nature of Asian design, particularly classic Japanese design, has been one of
the inspirations for minimalism. Famous designers who pioneered minimalist ideas include Ludwig
Mies van der Rohe and members of the De Stijl Dutch art movement. Mies van der Rohe focused on
the exterior frame of buildings while adopting open floor plans on the inside.

Minimalist designers and architects concentrate on removing dimension from spaces and connecting
the intersecting visual planes of the building. This leaves room to diligently plan out the wide open
spaces of the interiors. The initial push to rediscover pure forms is now supplanted by the desire to
instill a sense of calm, harmony, and spirituality in interior spaces.

Limited Color Palette

Most minimalist houses will follow a strict color palette that is made of primarily neutral colors. One
or two bold non neutrals may be added to emphasize a particular detail or object, but in general
restrict the colors to tones of white, beige and gray.

Minimal Accessories
Visually complex items, such as bookshelves, paned windows or even patterned pillows or drapes
are limited. Most of these elements are carefully concealed within pieces of furniture. Choose a
couple of items that mean something to you and/or complement the space, and stop there. Resist
the urge to include a lot of different items, and remember to keep surfaces free of excess items.
Minimalist décor is all about empty space. As the name implies, when it comes to minimalist décor,
less is more.

Appreciation of Negative Space

In general, minimalist houses have less furniture and other accessories than other houses. Instead,
an appreciation of empty space is emphasized; place each piece of furniture carefully to do a
specific function.

Lack of Texture
Most minimalist interiors also seek to limit varying textures. If a particular pattern is readily apparent
in a minimalist house, it is there to emphasize a specific detail. If you emphasize a texture, restrict it
to only one or two pieces.You can make these pieces large or small, just don't go overboard with
them.

Minimalism in Practice
Minimalist home design can be either modern or contemporary in nature. The unifying element
should be a focus on form, color and texture, as opposed to ornamentation. Lighting in both cases
tends to be industrial in design with a focus on track lights, art lamps and accent spotlights. Plain
walls allow artwork and large accessories to take center stage. Large walls of windows or glass are
commonly used to create a sense of airiness and maximize natural light.

Furniture
Contemporary Japanese furniture, some Art Deco pieces and Dutch modern pieces are all excellent
choices for the minimalist house. Of course, minimalist furniture manufacturers are also common
and can be found in many high design magazines. Make sure the furniture is comfortable and use
fabrics that are soft and cozy to the touch. Upholstered pieces should be done in simple, pattern-free
fabrics (if you feel you must use a patterned fabric make sure it's very simple and subtle).

Upholstery and Drapes

Keep fabrics in a neutral color with very little texture. Plan on spending a bit more on fabric for a
minimalist house: plain fabrics that are inexpensive often look cheap when used without other
adornment. Natural fibers should also be used whenever available: linen and wool are popular in
minimalist designs.

Storage
Storage is an essential part of minimalist house decor. While home design magazines may
encourage you to clear clutter be discarding it, most people have possessions that are incompatible
with minimalism. For this reason, conceal these items that don't fit your decor within storage. Built-in
storage is the most practical for minimalist interiors, as long as it is steam lined to fit with the rest of
the house.

Accents and Finishes

Metal accents like stainless steel or chrome are often seen on furniture pieces, hardware, or fixtures.
Choose wood surfaces and cabinetry with a polished or lacquered finish over a light color of wood.

Flooring
Bare floors are perfect in minimalist rooms, but if you want to add softness and comfort include a
rug. Avoid patterns and keep it very simple. Choose whatever material works best for the design. If
you're sticking with bare floors use hardwood, bamboo, stone or ceramic. Just avoid patterns and
the minimalist look will be maintained.

Contemporary Versus Modern

A modern minimalist layout is typically open concept with simple room divisions made with furniture,
bookcases, fabric or low-rise cabinets. This is the more classic approach to the design, using the
traditional aspects.

Contemporary minimalist home design features the same austere environment but with a softer
approach to forms and lines. Sweeping curves and rounded lines take shape in room layouts,
furniture and accessories. Walls are kept neutral but with warmer shades like taupe, brown, cream,
and beige. Pops of bold primary colors are often incorporated with painted accent walls, art pieces,
upholstery or rugs.

Livable Design
Minimalist homes are not for everyone. Reduced clutter, concealed storage and a bare look can be
sterile and cold when not done properly. Choose each piece of furniture and decor for your home
with care, to make sure the final design is exactly what you are reaching for.

If you love the look of bold colors, rustic furnishings and Native American influences, then you might
want to consider Mexican interior design for your home. Mexican design has an eclectic feel, mixing
rustic wood and wrought iron furnishings with over-the-top, bright, vivid colors. The look incorporates
elements from the Spanish missionaries and conquistadors who came to colonize this area of the
Americas with elements from the native tribes living in what is now Mexico, including the Aztecs and
the Mayans. This blending of Spanish European architecture and native tribal culture led to some of
the most beautiful and colorful art and décor found anywhere in the world.

Color and Texture

Rich colors and woven textures are key when it comes to decorating a Mexican style room. If you
have accent pieces, like pottery or ornate furniture, that you'd like to show off, keep the background
of the room simple.
Wall Paint

Paint your walls a warm color that will serve as a backdrop for your Mexican inspired room. For a
bold look, choose an interior paint in a rich earth tone like brick or clay. If the dark walls are too much
for you, opt for a warm neutral like sand or taupe. For a look of authenticity, use a faux paint
technique to create the look of stucco or adobe.

Accents and Fabric

Use rich colors like deep blues, golden yellows, vivid reds and lush greens as accents through your
room. When it comes to choosing decorator fabrics, look for woven textures in primitive prints and
patterns.

Mexican Furniture
Mexican-style furniture has a very rustic appearance. Commonly constructed from pine, mesquite,
reclaimed wood and wrought iron, this type of furniture can be further categorized into sub styles that
include:

 Spanish Colonial

 Tuscan

 Santa Fe
 Texas Ranch
Spanish colonial furniture is the most formal and elegant style of Mexican furniture. Tuscan furniture
has an Old World, Mediterranean feel, while Santa Fe and Texas Ranch have rustic influences from
the old West. Mexican furniture can be finished with a light, distressed look of natural or weathered
wood or can be stained in dark, rich copper tones.

Mexican Décor
One of the most sought-after Mexican-style accessory for the home today is Talavera pottery.
Authentic Talavera pottery is made in the city of Puebla and a few nearby communities in Mexico.
This area contains the high-quality clay from which Talavera pottery is made. The pottery was
originally brought to Mexico by Spanish settlers. Talavera pottery has intricate and colorful designs,
many of which are influenced by the culture, flora and fauna of Mexico. The types of Talavera
pottery you can find for the home include tiles, dishware, platters and trays, serving pieces, wall art
and other decorative accents.

Mexican Design Elements

Decorative ceramic tiles are classic Mexican home accents that can be used for a kitchen
backsplash, for table or counter tops or as a colorful decorative frame around a mirror. Talavera tiles
are commonly used for decorative fireplace or wall murals, to embellish sinks, as borders for mirrors,
windows or doorways, on fountains and in bathrooms. Terra-cotta tiled floors are commonly seen in
Mexican style design.

Interior courtyards are another common element of Mexican interior design. Large arched doorways,
scrolling iron accents and painted stucco walls in warm earth tones are mixed with dazzling bright
accents in shades of red, yellow, orange, green and blue. Rustic wood, wrought iron, ceramic and
copper furnishings and décor can be found both inside and outside of a traditional Mexican style
home. VisitMexconnect to view a gallery of Mexican interior design photos and articles by Austin,
Texas based interior designers, Karen Witynski and Joe P. Carr.

Mexican Home Accents

Add splashes of color and interest throughout your room with traditional Mexican folk art, pottery or
tapestries.

Pottery
Talavera pottery is a Mexican style of ceramic that usually hand painted with colorful motifs or
intricate mosaic patterns. A Talavera vase, urn or platter set on a stand will look beautiful on a shelf
or side table. This type of ceramic is also used to make tiles, flower pots and candle holders.

Folk Art
Traditional Mexican folk art includes wooden carvings, statues, religious art and other hand crafted
ornaments. In Mexican home decor, you may see some Day of the Dead (Dia De Los Muertos) folk
art. These items include elaborately decorated skulls and skeletons.

Wall Art
Walls are a great place to showcase traditional Mexican arts, crafts and other ornaments. Here are a
few ideas:

 Wall hangings made of metal like tin or copper.

 Terra cotta plaques.

 Mexican art prints and paintings by artists like Diego Rivera.

South of the Border Influence

Southwestern design is heavily influenced by Mexican art and culture. Interior design styles found in
Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada and California all have flavors of Mexican culture mixed with
elements native to each of these different areas. However, influences from Mexico have reached far
beyond the southwestern United States. The warm and exotic look of Mexican interior design can be
found anywhere someone has a passion for it.