Southwestern Design Q&A
rock-solid solutions

Stonework puts a regional face on traditional and contemporary homes.
Plus, Southwestern fences, furnishings, and New Mexico’s blues.

By Marsha McEuen
Photograph by Robert Reck

This article first appeared in Spring 2009 Su Casa

Southwestern stone
Q: What style of stone would be more common in a Southwestern styled building, ledgestone, fieldstone, or neither?
—Wendy Ross, Warren, New Jersey

A: Stone is a beautiful part of New Mexico’s arid landscape, so it’s no wonder that the building material is a popular and traditional choice. “Flagstone is by far the most used stone in Southwestern building,” says John Morris, president of New Mexico Stone and author of the book Stone Designs for the Home. “The hills and mountains are full of flagstone formations in many colors. We use it most commonly for floors and walls.”

Flagstone floors may consist of irregularly shaped pieces of stone artistically fitted together by a stonemason. But according to Morris, the most popular application by far is the close stacking of small pieces of flagstone inspired by the exquisite stonework in the ancient Chaco Canyon ruins. This style is extensively used in walls, fireplaces, pillars, and more. The layers within the flagstone, the shading of colors, and the intricate fitting of the stone create a look that is quintessentially Southwestern.

New Mexican fieldstone, like flagstone, is usually a type of sandstone. It is widely found on ranches throughout the Southwest. “The pieces are in large chunks, unlike flagstone, which is cut in a quarry,” Morris explains. “They often have a very attractive patina from being exposed.” Fieldstone can also be stacked into walls but has a different appearance because of the larger pieces.

Round river rocks are also used for walls and fireplaces. “If you look at some of the historic homes along the Santa Fe River, you’ll see that they incorporate stone that came right from the riverbed,” Morris says. Today river rock comes from private lands, but people still value its rustic charm. Whether in walls, floors, or fireplaces, stone is typically used as an accent in both traditional and contemporary style homes. Cost is a factor, as fine stonework is expensive. But combined with the earthiness of adobe or stucco, its warmth reflects the welcoming spirit of the Southwest.
Advice from John Morris, New Mexico Stone

good fences
Q: I just purchased a home in Albuquerque. What are the different types of fences used outdoors in the Southwest?
—Pat Springer, Los Angeles, California

A: Many types of fences are widely used in New Mexico, but two traditional styles dominate the landscape. Which style you choose may depend on your neighborhood—whether it is traditional or mixed, urban or more rural. Historically, adobe walls surrounded many homes in the area. A thick wooden gate kept strangers and roaming wildlife out. Today, adobe walls are less common because of expense, but you’ll find an abundance of adobe look-alikes.

“You can stucco over almost anything,” says Vahl Jackson, owner of High Country Fencing & Walls in Santa Fe. These walls are usually built of stacked cinder blocks, cemented together, and anchored into the ground with rebar. Covered with stucco, the sturdy walls buffer street noise and mimic plastered adobe. As recycling has become more popular, stucco walls have been built from a variety of materials, including paint cans, tires, bottles, and beer cans.

A pleasure to see, authentic adobe walls are sometimes left with the bricks exposed, topped by stucco or flagstone. “The climate here is dry enough that the adobe doesn’t deteriorate as long as the top is covered,” Jackson explains.

Coyote fence is unique to the area and has a rustic charm. “It’s roughly three-inch-diameter wooden poles standing at random heights between metal posts or stucco pillars,” says Jeff Barrows of Barrows Fencing in
Corrales, New Mexico. Stucco and coyote fence are often combined, with coyote fence on top of a stucco wall.

You’ll also find stone fences, wrought-iron fences, classic horse fences, and numerous combinations. Farm-style fences are increasingly popular, especially in rural areas. Barrows particularly likes the look of large wire mesh between four-inch posts. “You don’t feel closed in,” he says. “The shiny mesh dulls over time and the posts turn gray, so the fence blends with the surroundings.”
Advice from Vahl Jackson, High County Fencing & Walls; and Jeff Barrows, Barrows Fencing

furnishing Southwestern style
Q: I live in a cottage-style house, but we love the Southwestern look. The leather couches we own are very dated, and I want to replace them. Any suggestions?
—Lauren Getchell, Poulsbo, Washington

A: One of the great things about Southwestern furniture is that it mixes so well with other styles. In fact, the eclectic look is something of a tradition. Beginning in 1821, when the Santa Fe Trail opened New Mexico to goods and merchants from the East Coast and Europe, it was not unusual for settlers to cart Aunt Tilly’s sideboard and maybe a few Oriental rugs clear across the country. These pieces would be blended with more rustic Spanish Colonial furniture made by local craftsmen. The arrival of railroads in 1876 brought many new styles. Victorian antiques, Craftsman style pieces, Native American rugs and pottery, and carved Spanish Colonial furniture coexisted harmoniously, creating the look we now call Southwestern style.

In light of this history, Southwestern furniture will be perfectly at home in your cottage-style house. The trick is figuring out exactly how far to go. You may want only one or two bold Southwestern pieces, plus a few accents. Bob Schultz, owner of Strictly Southwestern stores in Albuquerque and Santa Fe, which carry everything from fabric to beds, suggests you may want to take a second look at your sofas. Are their frames made of good quality, sturdy hardwood? If so, consider giving them a new life.

“You can look at all kinds of combinations of leather and fabric,” he says. “You could cover the arms and the seat with leather, and the backs could be fabric. Or do it the other way and have the seat fabric and the back leather.” For sofas, Schultz recommends choosing fabric with a large pattern that does not repeat too often. Add a few Southwestern accent pillows, and you’re done. Remember that the upholsterer can also change the shapes of the arms and backs by adding or subtracting padding. “You can do so much more with a good upholsterer than what you’ll find in the stores,” he says. “You could end up with a real showpiece.”

Another dramatic piece is a carved trastero, or cabinet. These come in many sizes, finishes, and colors. If you don’t have the space, a low credenza or table could reinforce your Southwestern theme. There are many ways to add accents without going overboard. Table lamps could have a subtle Southwestern motif. Finally, paintings and photographs that portray the culture or landscape of the Southwest can have the magical ability to make you feel the warmth of sunny Southwestern skies.
Advice from Bob Schultz, Strictly Southwestern

energy savings
Q: We are planning to build a new home and want it to be very energy efficient. What is HERS, and how is it determined?

A: HERS stands for Home Energy Rating System. A HERS score is the basic building block for several green-building certifications, including Energy Star, LEED for Homes, and Build Green New Mexico. These certifications are becoming increasingly popular, and substantial tax credits mean they offer more to homeowners than the satisfaction of helping the planet.

“A HERS score for a new home starts at 100,” explains Dalinda Bangert, a HERS rater and president of EcoTerra Enterprises in Santa Fe. “That represents the score of a standard, built-to-code home.” Improvements that reduce the home’s energy use result in points being subtracted, with each point representing roughly a one percent reduction. The lower the score, the better.

“First, I work with the design to come up with an estimated score,” Bangert explains. “I use software to evaluate things like the floor area, the roof area, the materials that will be used, the insulation, and the efficiency of the heating and cooling systems.” If the projected score is too high, Bangert can offer suggestions that will lower it.

For some certifications, the HERS rater inspects the home during construction. “For example, I check to make sure the specified kind of insulation is being used and also that it is being installed correctly,” Bangert says. When the house is finished, she will perform a blower-door test. “The door is open but sealed with special materials around a large fan. The fan sucks the air out of the house and uses special sensors to calculate the volume. From this, I can tell if there is leakage around openings such as windows and doors. It also helps me locate the leakage so the builder can seal them.”

HERS raters must be certified and typically have a background in the building industry. Bangert has worked in building supply and is a licensed contractor. With more communities pledged to meet the 2030 Challenge established by Santa Fe architect Edward Mazria of greatly reducing fossil fuel use in new buildings, HERS is a key part of the future of home building.
Advice from Dalinda Bangert, EcoTerra Enterprises

Santa Fe blues
Q: I am seeking a source for a color paint known as “Guadalupe Blue.” Commonly used in the Santa Fe area on doors and windows, the color has a spiritual meaning. Any ideas?
—Jan Kenney, Laveen, Arizona

A: Blue painted doors and windows are a folkloric tradition, and the color’s exact meaning depends upon whom you ask. Most New Mexico abuelas (grandmothers) would tell you that the color wards off evil spirits. But because this is an oral tradition, it probably has many local variants. Cordelia Snow, historic sites archaeologist with the New Mexico Historic Preservation Division, says blue doors and windows are found around the world in many cultures. “They are found throughout the area settled by the so-called Pennsylvania Dutch in the eastern United States, in Germany, and elsewhere in Europe,” she explains. Blue as well as other colored doors are also found in Morocco, an Islamic country with deep historical ties to Spain.

Blue has long been associated with the Virgin Mary, and a common explanation is that the color invokes her protection of the home. “But one account I read said the color was a fly and pest deterrent,” Snow says. Likewise, the particular shade of greenish blue may have no special meaning. It could simply be that the color was widely available. Dark blue also is common, and you’ll see many window and door frames in red, green, and even yellow. But whether the tradition is about religion, pest control, or just artistry, it is an important element in Southwestern culture and style.

The sources we spoke with were not familiar with the color name “Guadalupe Blue,” which is likely an example of local versions of the tradition. However, Big Jo True Value Hardware, a Santa Fe fixture for 75 years, has for decades mixed the blue color used on downtown historic and government buildings. It is called Azul de Taos. “For authenticity, it should be a matte finish, or possibly satin, but not shiny,” says Rick C de Baca, one of the owners. The paint can be shipped to you. Alternatively, if you have a photograph of the color you want, almost any good paint store can use a computer to match the shade.
Advice from Cordelia Snow, New Mexico Historic Preservation Division; and Rick C de Baca, Big Jo True Value Hardware

expert contact info:
Southwestern stone: John Morris, president, New Mexico Stone, Santa Fe, New Mexico, 505/820-7625, newmexicostone.net.
good fences: Vahl Jackson, owner, High Country Fencing & Walls, Santa Fe, New Mexico, 505/466-3000, highcountryfencing.com.
Jeff Barrows, owner, Barrows Fencing, Corrales, New Mexico, 505/280-9012.
furnishing Southwestern style: Bob Schultz, owner, Strictly Southwestern, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 505/292-7337; and Santa Fe, New Mexico, 505/438-7000 or 800/336-7838, strictlysouthwestern.com.
energy savings: Dalinda Bangert, president, EcoTerra Enterprises, Santa Fe, New Mexico, 505/795-5992, santafehers.com.
Santa Fe blues: Cordelia Snow, historic sites archaeologist, New Mexico Historic Preservation Division, Department of Cultural Affairs, Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Rick C de Baca, co-owner, Big Jo True Value Hardware, Santa Fe, New Mexico, 505/473-2255, truevalue.com/bigjo.