Southwestern

Where it comes from

New Mexico and Arizona, where Spanish and Pueblo building met.

Southwestern is rounded plaster forms, exposed timber vigas, saltillo tile and woven textiles in a clay palette. The remodel is largely about softening edges — square corners are what makes an adobe-inspired room read wrong.

Lighting

Warm and low, from mica, iron and ceramic shades. Shadow is part of the effect.

What breaks it

• Cool colour schemes
• Glossy finishes
• Sleek modern furniture
• Cliché cactus novelty decor

Where to spend

Corners and openings. Rounded arrises and shaped niches carry the style; the textiles are the finish.