This post is dedicated to my friend Lisa who wants to know why everything in Arizona is beige! Well she’s right…there’s a lot of beige here, and yes, as she also pointed out, the mountains do look like they’re from Mars…until you reach the higher altitudes of the state, like around Flagstaff.
Sooo…the answer! There’s a couple of reasons, but mainly due to the high temperatures we have in the summer. When it tops 115 degrees (46 C for you folks across the pond) it’s like the difference of wearing white versus black…lighter colors reflect light whereas black (darker) absorbs it. Yes, beige may be boring, but it sure beats the impact of the heat. After almost 30 years of living in Arizona, the good news is the palette has expanded to include some beautiful desert greens and other earthy tones besides beige. (Such as the colors taos and gingerbread here at my home.) The other reason is that many building codes require colors to be natural earth tones to blend with the desert, as well as home owner associations trying to keep people from painting some crazy wild color that screams look at me!
So what do all of us color lovers do with all that beige? We utilize the two growing seasons we have to plant flowers to bring color all year long. (Just like the cottage home of my friends pictured here.) Also, no one says you can’t paint accent colors within the confines of your walled backyard. Trust me, I love color as you can see from this glimpse of my backyard!
So Lisa that’s the answer to a great question! Later…there’s a hammock calling my name!
That hammock sure does look inviting:)
I see your prayer flags are up, too, and that sure adds to the color, Robin. Where there’s a will, there’s a way!
Just BEAUTIFUL!!! Makes me wish I was in that hammock, with a glass of yellow tail, and a good read… XoXo MORE!!!
I like your back yard, so pretty!
Your backyard?!!! Lets swap houses!
I recognized your backyard at once HA…
What a great place to be. Love the angle.
Very peaceful! Love that backyard.
Thank you, Robin! I got such a kick out of you dedicating your post to me, I was smiling from ear-to-ear!
I’m glad to know that other earthy times are becoming more popular in the structures.
Your yard is bursting with beautiful, vibrant colors and looks so peaceful. I love the palm trees, flowers, a lilac bush (perhaps?) and that wonderful hammock! Love the red fence and flags, too. Now I’m going to have to research prayer flags. I always learn something from you.
Thanks so much for sharing your beautiful slice of heaven in the desert.
XOXO
I woulnd’t mind to see Arizona in all it’s fifty shades of beige glory! I loved the desert in Egypt, beige in combination with light never gets boring.