Decorating Rec Room with Mexican Theme?

Pam Powers

March 11, 20030 found this helpful

You don't mention what part of the country you are in, but if you're anywhere near Mexico, cross the border and get a bunch of serapes. They're usually about $10-$12 (haggle, haggle, haggle). These are great to throw over the backs of couches, ottomons and for use as table covers. Check ebay and see if anyone is selling some.

My friend did her whole house in a Mexican flavor and here are some of her ideas: check out a local Mexican restaurant that has "theme" furniture. My friend found two great chairs and a table from their cocktail lounge that had seen some wear (they're leather, so it looks good), but were still in great shape. They were getting ready to change out the furniture and sold them to her for next to nothing. Also, big paper flowers on your iron valences (you can get adjustable ones at Ikea or Target) look great, even if you have mini blinds or some other "non-theme" window covering. I would personally use a plain shade that can be lowered at night for privacy and use an iron rod draped with a bright serape/blanket. Tuck a couple of paper flowers in the ends to give it a little more punch.

My girlfriend had a plain wooden armoire for her TV, so she painted it herself in a flowered motif similar to Mexican pottery. She included her pets in the painting and it looks great! You can do a sunburst, or some other type of Mayan decor. Check out the web under "images" and see what pops up that piques your interest.

She went all out and re-textured her walls herself for a rough, stucco finish. Her husband laid pavers inside. Outside, they had a plain cement patio, so she cleaned it really well, painted it terra cotta and drew on lines in a pale mustard color so that it looks like pavers. It really does look good! You could pull up your carpet and expose the slab for the same kind of look. Or keep your carpet and lay a bunch of the serapes as throw rugs.

Strip your current coffee table down to bare wood or check the thrift stores for one that will work. You can paint a flower motif like your armoire if you like, or leave it bare. Iron standing candleholders and an iron chandelier or sconces would be great.

Start your succulent collection and use them around the room as decor. Cactus is hard to have inside, but succulents need bright indirect sun, so they're good indoors. Bright Mexican pottery (good drainage is necessary so drill holes in the bottom if they're not already there) is a great accent.

If you have a plain couch, you're set. Otherwise, make or buy a plain slipcover that you can accent with blankets and throw pillows. A wooden futon frame is great, as the rustic wood fits in well with the decor.

Have fun!

Pam