Fall Inspiration The Palette of New Mexico
The colors and rugged landscape of Santa Fe and New Mexico are easy to recognize in the paintings of Georgia O’Keefe and the novels of Willa Cather. While paintings and novels ignited my imagination, this summer I finally got to see the beauty and inspiration behind so many great works of art. In Death Comes To The Archbishop, Willa Cather writes,
”The sun had set now, the yellow rocks were turning grey, down in the pueblo the light of the cook fires made red patches of the glassless windows, and the smell of pinon smoke came softly through the still air. The whole western sky was the color of golden ashes...”
Driving outside Santa Fe we made the pilgrimage to Ghost Ranch, the site of Georgia O’Keefe’s home and landscape inspiration. Revisiting the Georgia O’Keefe Museum in Santa Fe after a hike to Chimney Rocks, her color palette was so clear, bright and vivid. In the age of photoshop and filters, none were necessary in my pictures because the light and air was pristine.
The hike to the caves in Bandelier National State Park is another landscape to interpret the trails of our Indian and American history. At Bandelier, after ascending ladders to sacred caves, the vistas are truly mesmerizing and worth the trek.
Only accessible via shuttle from Los Alamos, Bandelier is in the high desert and occupies its own unique lush green ecosystem entirely different from New Mexico desert we imagine.
We also stopped at Coronado Historic Site and the ruins of Kuaua Pueblo where we were fortunate to climb down a ladder to access the underground ceremonial Kiva that housed amazing Pre-Columbian murals.
Red Rocks and Adobe
While vivid color is frowned on in West Coast interiors, in Santa Fe orange, rust, peach and red are neutrals that melt into the natural backdrop of red rocks and orange cliffs
Our Fall color palette at Harrington Galleries interprets the Santa Fe landscape and sunset tones as a neutral. We used monotones to accent the vibrant sofa with cream pillows and a beige art deco Chinese rug with a floral border. Nature inspired accent tables incorporate the texture of the New Mexico terrain into our set.
Set of two Branch Nesting Tables
Basket weave Coffee Table
Mission Convertible Sofa in Rustic Tang
Shopping, Jewelry, Galleries and Historic Sites
With magnificent weather and the occasional lighting storms, life is lived outdoors in Santa Fe. The historic site of the the Palace of the Governors is a site to behold and has been restored to its former glory. Across the street is the historic Santa Fe Plaza that hosts music and events on a daily basis. Visitors can peruse the native jewelry exhibited by local tribe members where turquoise is the primary color displayed in the corridor of the Palace.
Con Carino @ The New Mexico Museum of Art
As a native San Franciscan and a Mission District lover, low riders have a certain nostalgic and dangerous charm. I never thought I would find a street art exhibit in Santa Fe but it was one of the best curated show I have ever seen! I love this low rider altar.
Located in one of the most stunning historical buildings in Santa Fe, this multi-dealer antique shop houses rooms of historical south west gems, tribal art and vintage modern masterpieces. With antique tribal rugs scattered throughout, the rugs transforms an antique store in to a well curated gallery space.
La Fonda Hotel has an amazing interior, fascinating history and incredible location in downtown Santa Fe. Willa Cather stayed at La Fonda while she wrote her famous Santa Fe novel, Death Comes to the Archbishop. The history of the town is just oozing through the beams, furniture, restaurants, galleries and shops that occupy this glorious site. We loved these original twin size headboard painted to represent folk lore of their community and restored as art pieces on the hallway walls.
Santa Fe Turquoise
We have featured our Corbett City Sectional in the primary color of Santa Fe, turquoise. The shape is called convertible because the ottoman and chaise cushion are interchangeable between the left and right side. As with all our sofa styles, they are available in other sofa formations, fabrics and as a sleeper. Please contact a representative at Harrington Galleries to assist with finding the sofa to fit your needs and space.We have accented our custom sofa with a tribal inspired turquoise rug from Kaleen. A vintage modern Kalpe bench lends itself as a compact coffee table and additional seating!
Custom Corbett Convertible Sofa in Turquoise
Kaleen Solitaire Rug In Silver and Turquoise
