Collecting: Southwestern Art and Decor

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A couple of years ago, when I was decorating my vacation rental home, My Ok-La-Home, I knew the look I was going for. I wanted the cabin to look like Ralph Lauren had lived there for about twenty years. A sophisticated, yet laid back Southwestern feel was my goal.  I wanted lots of layers and textures.

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The view from the second floor to the living room. Please disregard my boxes by the front door!

To achieve this look, I wanted to have original pieces of art. I began my search for beautiful pieces on a very tight budget by looking on eBay for finds. I hit a gold mine. I found some of the most amazing pieces for just a few dollars.

The stairwell leads into the game room upstairs.
The stairwell leads into the game room upstairs.

To catalog my collection, I created a book called Art & Artifacts, which features a photo of each piece and what history I know of the art or artist. Of course, I had to have a bit of fun with it, so if I had nothing to tell, I made it up (although I always came clean).

The detail on the body of a lamp synchronize with the colors in the cabin.
The details on the body of a lamp synchronize with the colors in the cabin.

Native American sand art, Indian head carvings, paintings by listed artists, arrow heads, ghost paintings, Western art, Southwestern art, Native American art, folk art all became my passion. I found great pieces in second hand stores in my area as well as the Dallas area. Taxidermy was my friend.

This is one of my favorite rugs in the house. The colors are amazing.
This is one of my favorite rugs in the house. The colors are amazing.

I embraced kilem pillows and dhurri rugs. Plaids, Pendleton blankets, and ikat fabrics all mixed well with the art. Log furniture, antique furniture, and rustic furniture live happily along side one another. Oklahoma maps, commemorative plates, and other Oklahoma artifacts highlight the location of the cabin.  I even have a primitive bench in a bedroom that goes perfectly!

This wool pillow and its coordinating mate look great on a chalk white couch in the game room.
This wool pillow and its coordinating mate look great on a chalk white couch in the game room.

So here is a peek into the small collection I have amassed. I hope you like it as much as I have grown to like it. I am currently collecting for my second vacation rental…the Get Out of Dodge Lodge. I thought about taking another design route, but I really love the look I created at My Ok-La-Home. Please don’t bid against me on eBay!

This is a Native American ghost painting by Johnny Yazzie. The teepee truly looks transparent thus showing the people inside.
This is a Native American ghost painting by Johnny Yazzie.

 

I really love the Native American pottery. This one is a wedding vase.
I really love the Native American pottery. This one is a wedding vase.

 

teepee
I love the teepees in the painting. The colors of the sky are beautiful.

 

Sand art seems like it would take a lot of skill for the detail and exact lines.
Sand art seems like it would take a lot of skill for the detail and exact lines.

 

More sand art - I love it!
More sand art – I love it!

 

Another great piece of pottery.
Another great piece of pottery.

 

I enjoy decorating with plates. This is a vintage Oklahoma souvenir plate.
I enjoy decorating with plates. This is a vintage Oklahoma souvenir plate.

 

This is a modern pillow with a vintage looking embroidered map of Oklahoma.
This is a modern pillow with a vintage looking embroidered map of Oklahoma.

 

This folk art looking painting by Mohler is really engaging. So peaceful!
This folk art looking painting by Mohler is really engaging. So peaceful!

 

This is a rather large vase. The colors and details are fabulous!
This is a rather large vase. The colors and details are fabulous!

 

A cowboy and his horse painting.
A painting of a cowboy and his horse.

 

Framed objects break up wall hangings and provide extra dimension to your decorations. These are lovely Native American arrowheads from Oklahoma.
Framed objects break up wall hangings and provide extra dimension to your decorations. These are lovely Native American arrowheads from Oklahoma.

 

A great painting of a Native American fishing in a canoe. Could that be Mountain Fork River?
A great painting of a Native American fishing in a canoe. Could that be Mountain Fork River?

 

Vintage textiles are my absolute favorite thing in the world. Adding them as wall hangings, with or without a frame, softens up a space and a break from traditional wall hangings.
Vintage textiles are my absolute favorite thing in the world. Adding them as wall hangings, with or without a frame, softens up a space and offers a break from traditional wall hangings.

 

You can't have Southwest decor without horses.
You can’t have Southwest decor without horses.

 

Nor can you have southwestern decor without longhorns!
Nor can you have Southwestern decor without longhorns!

 

vintage is such a part ofmy decorating style. This lovely stained glass added color in the bath, but is still humidity friendly!
Vintage items are such a big part of my decorating style. This lovely stained glass added color in the bath, but is still humidity friendly!

 

That is a taste of my Southwestern decor.  For more views of the cabin and decorations, visit rentmyoklahome.com.

This vignette features the vintage plate from above. I love the way the sunlight brightens the Oklahoma cookbooks and bowl of apples.
This vignette features the vintage plate from above. I love the way the sunlight brightens the Oklahoma cookbooks and bowl of apples.

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