Decorating
Decorating: 11 Mexican-inspired Style Tips to Spice Up Your Home
Stir up your decorating style and look to Mexico to reinvent your home with vivid colours, geometric patterns and artisanal crafts
With 2015 being declared the ‘Year of Mexico in the UK’ – what better excuse to take a look at the many influences that make up the country’s design ethos, and discover ways to incorporate elements into your interiors scheme?
Mexican style encompasses a wide variety of influences and elements, and differs widely from region to region and era to era. Inspired by a combination of Spanish missionary style, indigenous art, Aztec and Mayan heritage and international design, Mexican design is characterised by a vivacious spirit, effortless charm and warm yet intricate patterns. In part three of this design series, explore ideas for adding a dash of vibrant Mexican style to your own space.
Read parts I and II in this Mexican design series: Channel the style of Mexico’s Frida Kahlo I 9 Stylish Mexican Interiors and the Trends They Reveal
Mexican style encompasses a wide variety of influences and elements, and differs widely from region to region and era to era. Inspired by a combination of Spanish missionary style, indigenous art, Aztec and Mayan heritage and international design, Mexican design is characterised by a vivacious spirit, effortless charm and warm yet intricate patterns. In part three of this design series, explore ideas for adding a dash of vibrant Mexican style to your own space.
Read parts I and II in this Mexican design series: Channel the style of Mexico’s Frida Kahlo I 9 Stylish Mexican Interiors and the Trends They Reveal
Warm to the theme
Alternatively, warm colours are also closely associated with Mexican design. Rich and expressive siennas, taupes, terracottas or oranges lend a warm touch, while brown and yellow-based tones evoke sandy beaches, lonely deserts and drawn-out sunsets and make an interesting change to more neutral earthy shades.
Learn how to be brave with colour
Alternatively, warm colours are also closely associated with Mexican design. Rich and expressive siennas, taupes, terracottas or oranges lend a warm touch, while brown and yellow-based tones evoke sandy beaches, lonely deserts and drawn-out sunsets and make an interesting change to more neutral earthy shades.
Learn how to be brave with colour
Use patterned fabric to add accents
Choosing cushions or one statement piece of furniture in an indigenous-inspired prints is a great way to set an accent without overwhelming a room with patterns.
These indigenous designs tend to feature plenty of geometric designs and vivid colours, so cushions, throws or even the odd piece of furniture in a patterned print can be enough to give your home plenty of contrasting textures and capture the essence of the look.
Choosing cushions or one statement piece of furniture in an indigenous-inspired prints is a great way to set an accent without overwhelming a room with patterns.
These indigenous designs tend to feature plenty of geometric designs and vivid colours, so cushions, throws or even the odd piece of furniture in a patterned print can be enough to give your home plenty of contrasting textures and capture the essence of the look.
Have fun with tiles
Tiles are incredibly versatile, and can be used for kitchen splashbacks, decorative frames or feature walls. Mexico is famous for its patterned tiles, and they will add instant colour and pattern to your interiors. Go for a Spanish colonial style with Talavera tiles, or use mismatched patterned encaustic tiles, as is the case with this eclectic bathroom. Teaming them with a plain white surround stops the pattern from dominating the space, and is also cost-effective.
Tiles are incredibly versatile, and can be used for kitchen splashbacks, decorative frames or feature walls. Mexico is famous for its patterned tiles, and they will add instant colour and pattern to your interiors. Go for a Spanish colonial style with Talavera tiles, or use mismatched patterned encaustic tiles, as is the case with this eclectic bathroom. Teaming them with a plain white surround stops the pattern from dominating the space, and is also cost-effective.
Be creative with decorative ceramic details
Why stop at tiles? In this bathroom, the owners have chosen a Talavera-inspired design for their basin.
Talavera ceramics are made in historic Puebla and its surroundings, and utilise the high-quality clay available in those areas. The tiles and pottery usually depict geometric patterns and plants and animals common to the area.
Why stop at tiles? In this bathroom, the owners have chosen a Talavera-inspired design for their basin.
Talavera ceramics are made in historic Puebla and its surroundings, and utilise the high-quality clay available in those areas. The tiles and pottery usually depict geometric patterns and plants and animals common to the area.
Add warmth with terracotta
Terracotta is another one of those elements that immediately comes to mind when thinking of Mexican design. Terracotta tiles’ warm yet neutral colour works particularly well in kitchens, since the shade matches with almost any other colour and they are hardy enough to withstand everyday use. Terracotta splashbacks, wall plaques or pottery items are another way to add terracotta accents without committing to a whole floor or wall of tiles.
Terracotta is another one of those elements that immediately comes to mind when thinking of Mexican design. Terracotta tiles’ warm yet neutral colour works particularly well in kitchens, since the shade matches with almost any other colour and they are hardy enough to withstand everyday use. Terracotta splashbacks, wall plaques or pottery items are another way to add terracotta accents without committing to a whole floor or wall of tiles.
Channel the style of stucco walls
Many traditional Mexican homes feature stucco walls as a subtle decorative addition to a building’s exterior. Stucco texture – an uneven, rustic finish – can be imitated by applying drywall mud or Venetian plaster – or fake it with a trompe l’oeil painting technique. Use it outside for a Spanish-colonial touch, or inside to recreate the feeling of a spacious and tropical retreat.
Many traditional Mexican homes feature stucco walls as a subtle decorative addition to a building’s exterior. Stucco texture – an uneven, rustic finish – can be imitated by applying drywall mud or Venetian plaster – or fake it with a trompe l’oeil painting technique. Use it outside for a Spanish-colonial touch, or inside to recreate the feeling of a spacious and tropical retreat.
Incorporate wooden furniture
Mexican-inspired furniture usually has a rustic character and incorporates natural materials such as reclaimed wood and fibres.
A chunky wooden trunk or coffee table with metal details adds a warm, down-to-earth atmosphere to your living room, and pairs brilliantly with more colour-intensive pieces such as the cobalt-blue sofa in this room.
Mexican-inspired furniture usually has a rustic character and incorporates natural materials such as reclaimed wood and fibres.
A chunky wooden trunk or coffee table with metal details adds a warm, down-to-earth atmosphere to your living room, and pairs brilliantly with more colour-intensive pieces such as the cobalt-blue sofa in this room.
Show off your pots and plates
Bold and colourful, Mexican pottery usually features vivid motifs and designs, and is ideally suited for keeping out on display. Arrange platters, cups and serving dishes on open shelves in your kitchen or dining room, or install floating shelves to showcase key items.
Discover 12 different ways to put your ceramics on display
Bold and colourful, Mexican pottery usually features vivid motifs and designs, and is ideally suited for keeping out on display. Arrange platters, cups and serving dishes on open shelves in your kitchen or dining room, or install floating shelves to showcase key items.
Discover 12 different ways to put your ceramics on display
Make room for plants
Freestanding pots, such as this Talavera pot, are another ideal way for displaying colourful and intricate ceramics while also filling your home with house plants, another key element of Mexican style.
Freestanding pots, such as this Talavera pot, are another ideal way for displaying colourful and intricate ceramics while also filling your home with house plants, another key element of Mexican style.
Give your patio a Mexican update
Regardless of what kind of outside space you’re working with, any garden, balcony or patio can be given a Mexican-inspired update with plenty of terracotta and Talavera-style pots, large leafy plants, wrought-iron furniture and tiled tables or walls. A patio with terracotta floor tiles, stucco walls and rich sienna, cobalt or saffron colours will feel almost as good as a trip to Mexico itself. Almost…
Regardless of what kind of outside space you’re working with, any garden, balcony or patio can be given a Mexican-inspired update with plenty of terracotta and Talavera-style pots, large leafy plants, wrought-iron furniture and tiled tables or walls. A patio with terracotta floor tiles, stucco walls and rich sienna, cobalt or saffron colours will feel almost as good as a trip to Mexico itself. Almost…
Hang loads of art
Naturally, Mexican art encompasses many styles and techniques. Folkloric and indigenous art is just as closely tied to the country’s heritage as Cubism and Impressionism. The owners of this Mexican-inspired interior use just such a mix of styles and inspirations to their advantage to create an eclectic collection of designs, styles, textures and colours.
Create a visually compelling wall display by grouping together various paintings and artworks of different sizes and styles, and incorporate metalwork, tiled plaques and prints.
Naturally, Mexican art encompasses many styles and techniques. Folkloric and indigenous art is just as closely tied to the country’s heritage as Cubism and Impressionism. The owners of this Mexican-inspired interior use just such a mix of styles and inspirations to their advantage to create an eclectic collection of designs, styles, textures and colours.
Create a visually compelling wall display by grouping together various paintings and artworks of different sizes and styles, and incorporate metalwork, tiled plaques and prints.
Above all, have fun
Regardless of all else, a Mexican-inspired style should be playful, celebratory and full of life. Bright colours, pretty patterns, a love for well-crafted artefacts and a generally laid-back atmosphere are at the core of any Mexican-inspired décor. Spend as much time as possible outdoors, bring as much nature as you can inside and make sure to celebrate and play with your style.
TELL US…
What do you associate with Mexican design and style? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Regardless of all else, a Mexican-inspired style should be playful, celebratory and full of life. Bright colours, pretty patterns, a love for well-crafted artefacts and a generally laid-back atmosphere are at the core of any Mexican-inspired décor. Spend as much time as possible outdoors, bring as much nature as you can inside and make sure to celebrate and play with your style.
TELL US…
What do you associate with Mexican design and style? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Vivid colours are a must for any Mexican-inspired interior. If you’re unsure about fully committing to a colour-laden interior, make either your accessories or wall colours bright, but not both. In the picture above, a striking blue wall is matched with a more restrained colour palette for a look that references a key element of Mexican style while still remaining adaptable to other looks.
Rich cerulean, turquoise or cobalt blue create a temperate and soothing look that could be straight out of a patio in the Mexican city of Puebla.