Whether or not you are living on a Colorado ranch, you can have some fun turning your Denver CO real estate into authentic Western retreats. Decorating in a Western theme is an exciting process of discovery for owners of Denver homes. Local museums, historic hotels, and other properties offer great ideas. Plan to take a while accumulating interesting Western pieces for your horse property or other real estate in Denver.
The first step is to go sightseeing with the intent of getting ideas for your color scheme and precise Western theme. Western usually means plenty of earthy tones. Accent colors like turquoise, white, and red brighten up the palette. Look in old bars and hotels, restaurants, ranches, and museums for get ideas to help you decide on a wall color or two for a specific room.
Try to narrow down your Western theme to one or combine two themes. For example, your son’s cowboy bedroom may have an old cowboy hat, saddle, spurs, chaps, and posters of horses and cowboys. A pioneer theme may have wagon wheels, old milking pails, rustic woods, etc. Pulling off a fur-trader or Indian theme may incorporate fur rugs and wall hangings. The Western hunter would have elk horn chandeliers or tables with possibly woven blankets on the wall or used for throws. One theme may be better suited to the family room and another to the kitchen or bedroom.
Besides wall colors, other elements of the Western decorating project are the flooring, lighting, artwork, furniture, and the all-important accessories.
Flooring depends on the location and use of the room. Today the rough wood floors are popular but they do need care. Earth toned ceramic tiles, hardwood, or laminate wood may be options. Existing floors can be transformed by area rugs with Western designs. Look for vintage western lanterns or wall sconces with cowboys, cows, horses, arrows, teepees, etc. For brighter light, use rustic chandeliers, pub lamps, or swag lamps.
Western posters, prints, and original artwork from secondhand stores, auctions, country stores, and on the internet are invaluable. Posters of old cowboy movies, “wanted” posters, branding irons, animal skins, originals by western artists, and many other pieces are suitable. Furniture should be comfortable. Most simple styles will blend with the Western décor. Choose tans and browns but accent them with throws, throw pillows with a Western appliqué, etc.
Now for the treasure hunt. Accessories and knick-knacks add the personalized touch. Collect just the right pieces of old pottery, figurines, cast iron relics, whiskey bottles, horseshoes, bits, and the like. ‘Add some creative touches of your own, maybe putting an old saloon door on the kitchen. Stamp horseshoe prints onto a plain-colored comforter or throw pillows or create your own branding symbol to put on the headboard or wall. Use rope. Make a lasso or several small ones to hang in the perfect places.
As time goes on, change out your Western treasures for new ones and enjoy your home on the range. For more information about real estate in the greater metro area, including farms and horse properties, call Michael Paul of Realty Oasis at (303) 268-6052.
