Desert Nouveau: Building a Backdrop of Warmth

Creating a sense of home is often at the center of many interior design projects. We want our spaces to feel welcoming, calming, and inviting. For many, bringing that sentiment into a home’s design is rooted in the choice of materials and colors that fill the space. In the kitchen, this is reflected by cabinetry, countertops, and hardware. In living and entertainment spaces, the feeling is translated through furnishings, artwork, and accessories. While many design styles offer varying levels of “hominess” that can resonate in different ways, the Desert Nouveau aesthetic can be especially inviting.

Desert Nouveau embodies a combination of bohemian, transitional, and distinctly Southwestern styles. Rich browns, terracotta, brushed golds, and brass create a warm color palette that takes on a calming appeal when paired with cool sandstone, woven linen, and leather. Inspiration from Southwestern culture and the desert landscape add dimension to the design while maintaining a streamlined, modern finish.

Explore the Desert Nouveau aesthetic with us and consider these characteristic elements as you create a sense of warmth and welcoming within your own home.

Draw Inspiration from Nature
The rhythms of nature have a way of creating harmony within our environments. Designing your home around this cadence can create an ambience that brings energy to your days and serenity to your evenings. To allow more natural light to enter your space, consider the placement of windows and keep window treatments minimal. Add in live plants, especially succulents and grasses, and natural objects to further the connection with the surrounding environment.

Build a Backdrop of Warmth
The desert landscape is a beautiful tapestry of tawny browns, red clays, and sunlit golds. Combined with lighter shades of sandstone, cement, and linen, the Desert Nouveau palette is warm and comforting in any room of the home.

Embrace the Beauty of Wood
Wood grain, introduced in flooring, cabinetry, and ceiling beams, is a quintessential characteristic of Desert Nouveau style. Opt for plain sawn wood if you prefer a wider circular grain. Rift cut wood will create a more linear pattern. Wood stains, like Spring Wheat, Matte Fossil Wood and Mojave Sand compliment the warm Desert Nouveau color palette while also allowing the woodcut to remain visible.

Add Character and Comfort
Furnishings and accessories provide an opportunity to add both character and comfort to your space. Combining modern amenities and crafted elements add meaning and depth to your design. Create softness within the space by layering textiles such as buttery leather, braided rugs, cozy shearling, and cotton.

Plan Your Next Design
Whether you are in the inspiration phase or ready to plan your next desert-inspired project, our team of Wood-Mode designers can help you create the home of your dreams. Explore a collection of Wood-Mode spaces to spark your inspiration or visit a showroom near you.