Old West/New West

The movie block buster “True Grit” reminds me of a simpler time when life was not complicated with Facebook, Twitter, Linked-in and Blogs, iPhones, apps and 24 hour news stations. Life then was very tough but there’s something appealing about the period's raw simplicity. This simplicity can be found in western vernacular, but looks even better when combined with classic interiors or with clean modern styling.

Recycled wood: Trends overlap. The “Western Look” meets eco-repurposing with the use of recycled woods. I have seen a number of interiors using recycled industrial wood palettes or old barn wood for a textural effect.

Here West Elm has used the wood palettes to hang various pieces of artwork.

In House Beautiful's February 2011 issue designer Cheryl Tague has done an excellent job of creating a country modern feel with wood walls.

Cow hides: Natural textures prevail. Hides show up in rugs, as shaped natural hides or as rugs, pieced in squares or in strips.

Furniture is especially interesting as mid-century Eames chairs are covered in cow hide = modern western or western modern.

This Sling Chair by Le Corbusier form Design Within Reach is classic with a twist.

Horns: Horns look new because they are used in a cleaner way or in classic interior settings. Horns are bleached, and used in wall décor, lamps and chandeliers, table bases, chairs, and as an accessories, in a bowl on a table.