Winter Escape: Daring Color Palettes Inspired by These 3 Travel Hotspots

Living in the American West affords variety in climate, geography, and culture. Want to surf at the beach? Travel from high desert to alpine forested mountains in a single day? Done. At no time is this variety more pronounced than during the winter months, with some choosing to vacation in mild Las Vegas, or sunny Palm Springs, or Joshua Tree National Park. Yet, some others thirst for mountain ridges and powdery ski slopes, bristling cold temperatures and the culture of Santa Fe, Aspen, or Vail. The accessibility to cities with world-class cuisine, architecture, and arts calls to many as do the best hotels in each town. Whether or not you’re able to make a winter holiday trip out to your favorite western destination this winter holiday, you can always take a design note from some of their coolest and most notable landmarks.

PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA

An easy drive for most southern Californians seeking some winter sun is Palm Springs. The famed Saguaro Hotel in Palm Springs is not shy when it comes to color. In fact, in doing a recent colorful renewal, the hotel partnered with Dunn-Edwards and chose to highlight hues inspired by local desert wildflowers and plants, choosing 14 representative Dunn-Edwards paint colors.

Additionally, rooms feature pops of color like bright yellow mustard headboards, watercolor printed chairs and chartreuse curtains. The overall effect of the color scheme is one that radiates vibrancy, fun, and happiness.

SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO

Santa Fe is home to sights like the original Meow Wolf experience, the Bandelier National Monument, and the Georgia O’Keefe Museum, which in and of itself offers up some gorgeous color palettes, like those from O’Keefe’s piece “Ghost Ranch Landscape.”

Santa Fe Plaza, the city’s historic town square and a National Historic Landmark, is the literal centerpiece of Santa Fe, New Mexico. Built in traditional adobe style and encompassing restaurants, art galleries, the Palace of the Governors and more, Santa Fe plaza calls out to tourists and residents alike. As such, it boasts colors of traditional adobe architecture, the natural landscape, as well as the city’s vibrant art scene.

ASPEN, COLORADO

On a cold winter’s day, we can’t imagine anywhere else we’d rather be enjoying our après ski hot spiced cider than in the inviting great room in a spot like the historic Hotel Jerome in the world class winter getaway of Aspen, Colorado. A look inside the stately hotel, which dates from 1889, reveals a great room with a roaring fire that invites guests into a rich dark space layered with sumptuous tans, creams and browns, all of which are set off by a vibrant red carpet with Southwestern motifs. The palette just might evoke similar vibes in your space.

Find yourself inspired by these color palettes but want more options? Browse more winter-inspired color palettes here.