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Houzz Tour: East Meets Southwest in New Mexico Home
Persian rugs, pieces by local artisans and a rich color scheme help an East Coast couple feel at home in sunny Santa Fe
This spacious adobe house perched on the top of a hill outside Santa Fe, New Mexico, is home to a retired couple with East Coast roots. The pair was looking for a place to host family and friends that's also comfortable and casual enough for just the two of them. Designer Karla Tewes used most of the couple's existing pieces, re-covering and refinishing to help the East Coast–style pieces fit into this decidedly Southwestern home. By accenting with lighting and accessories made by local artisans, and picking a rich color scheme based on the clients' Persian rug collection, Tewes created a welcoming design that's right at home in New Mexico.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A retired couple
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico
Size: 4,200 square feet; 2 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
That's interesting: The house sits 7,000 feet above sea level.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A retired couple
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico
Size: 4,200 square feet; 2 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
That's interesting: The house sits 7,000 feet above sea level.
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by Tewes Design
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| The living room is set up to be visible right from the home's double front entry doors. An axis runs from the entry gates through a front courtyard and all the way to the living room fireplace, immediately drawing the eye to the center of the space. "There's a grandness to the room, accentuated by high ceilings and wood beams," says Tewes. "But there's still warmth, which is inviting and comfortable." The rustic chandelier and sconces in the living room were designed and handmade by local artisans. |
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by Tewes Design
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| The clients have designed several of their homes over the years and have a great sense of their personal style and taste. "The one consistent thread in their homes is that they love color," says Tewes. "We used an existing collection of their Persian carpets in order to lead us in our color direction." Couch: custom in Kravet chenille; pillows: custom in Scalamandre and Brunschwig & Fils; coffee table: antique |
by Tewes Design
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The surrounding desert landscape was a huge source of inspiration. "There's a clarity to the air up there that I've rarely seen elsewhere," says Tewes. "The light is also very special in Santa Fe, and you truly understand the term 'purple mountain's majesty' there, not to mention the multicolored sunsets."
by Tewes Design
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The faded brick ceiling mirrors the brick on the kitchen floor, creating an unexpected sense of symmetry. More of the client's Persian rugs and a set of bar stools create additional pattern and textural warmth. The custom Italian glass pendants provide an elegant counterpoint to the more rustic artisan cabinetry.
by Tewes Design
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Skylights, large windows and open door frames allow natural light to flow from room to room. A tiled ceiling, a brick floor and exposed wood beams in the kitchen reflect the rough nature of the desert outside.
Countertops: marble; backsplash: custom mosaic tile
Countertops: marble; backsplash: custom mosaic tile
by Tewes Design
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The kitchen is open to the living room, so the clients wanted a feature that would make the kitchen feel just as welcoming as the living room. The small fireplace creates a unique focal point and a sense of intimacy here.
by Tewes Design
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Tewes installed very few recessed lights throughout the space, emphasizing the home's natural light. Sconces, table lamps and floor lamps provide ambient lighting and decorative detail.
The master bedroom is simple and stylish. Tewes used classic Chang Mai fabric on custom curtains and pillows to tie the room together. The artwork above the master bed is a hand-painted piece Tewes found in Vietnam.
Curtains: Schumacher Chang Mai Dragon
The master bedroom is simple and stylish. Tewes used classic Chang Mai fabric on custom curtains and pillows to tie the room together. The artwork above the master bed is a hand-painted piece Tewes found in Vietnam.
Curtains: Schumacher Chang Mai Dragon
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| Although the style of the home is relatively simple, its rich architecture and subtle custom touches create a sense of richness and depth. The custom headboard in the master bedroom is a perfect example — a closer look reveals the rich navy blue mohair. Pillows: Christopher Hyland and Schumacher; table lamps: Carson & Co; headboard: custom in Christopher Hyland mohair |
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The couple had lived on the East Coast for some time, and their previous homes were decorated in a very different style. For Tewes, the challenge was figuring out how to use their exquisite pieces in a Southwestern setting.
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The Persian rugs provided a great base for the home's style. With a few custom adjustments to existing furniture, Tewes carried the reds, browns and blues of the rugs throughout the home.
More Houzz Tours:
A Colorful Patio Blooms in the Arizona Desert
Southwestern-Style Florida Mansion
Rustic and Traditional in South Carolina
More Houzz Tours:
A Colorful Patio Blooms in the Arizona Desert
Southwestern-Style Florida Mansion
Rustic and Traditional in South Carolina
Ideabook published on April 4, 2012.
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