Eco-friendly Arizona!

I just returned from a short stint in Scottsdale, Arizona and everywhere I travel I like to check out what is happening in design and decor trends. I wasn't sure what to expect in the southern US state but I was really impressed!

The style of homes is what anyone would expect to see in that part of the world - Spanish influenced bungalows with clay roofs and white stucco walls but it was the interior and landscaping elements that I really enjoyed viewing.

Since Arizona is in a desert region, they really keep that in mind when it comes to their decor. The landscaping (for the most part, golf courses being the exception - and there are many in Scottsdale) consisted of sand and stone "front lawns", with restrictions on water use and working with the existing climate this is eco-friendly, functional and stylish. Arizona is a state that has strict laws on preserving their cacti and other regional vegetation, which is so beautiful. Any other plants wouldn't work with the landscape which makes this place so special.

The interiors are no different. I saw a lot of eco-friendly materials used in many ways. Driftwood for example was not just used for firewoood but to create art (the twisted branches resemble many pieces of sculpture one might find in a gallery) and also used in furniture. Driftwood tables and chairs have a truly organic look and feel. Bamboo was also widely seen and not just in vases and flooring but all in fabrics. Bamboo makes incredibly soft textiles for towels and bed linens. Pima cotton (which is the softest of all cottons) is locally grown and also used a lot in Arizona. Other materials that are both true to nature and stylish - slate tiles on floors and walls, ledge stone (around fireplaces and as wall treatments), cow hide (area rugs, sofa chairs and decor pillows), leather and feathers. Now I know this is sounds like a southwest restaurant but these elements were mixed with a lot of modern touches such as minimalist styled furniture, clean lines in cabinets and other fixtures and some stainless steel to add some sparkle.

You hear so much about waste and consumerism in the US so it was surprising for me to see a state that is so very focused on making environmentally responsible choices and keeping it local (which we don't see too often in decor).

If you like southwest style but think it can too much or over the top. Take a look at the above photo from the Firesky resort in Scottsdale. It is an excellent example of the unique blend of eco-friendly, modern and the local flavour you find in Arizona and could introduce in your home too.