Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo — or, the fifth of May — commemorates the Mexican army’s 1862 victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War (1861-1867).  A relatively minor holiday in Mexico, in the United States Cinco de Mayo has evolved into a celebration of Mexican culture and heritage, particularly in areas with large Mexican-American populations.  Traditions include parades, mariachi music performances and street festivals in cities and towns across Mexico and the U.S.  Here are some of my favorite things Mexican:

Colorful plate of chiles

Margaritas and Sangria

Juice of 1/2 lime, 2 oz. tequila, 2 oz. triple sec, stir and pour over ice in a salt-rimmed glass with a lime twist.  Simple and refreshing!

 

The people of Mexico have given us design gifts as well.  For example, the Mata Ortiz pottery:

Mata Ortiz pot

Modern potters have revived the ancient tradition of Mata Ortiz pottery.  Artisans create these pots without the use of a potter’s wheel.  All shaping, polishing and painting of the clay is done by hand, using materials and tools that originate from supplies readily available locally.  Most of these pots are made for international sale, to provide a living and creative outlet to the descendants of the ancients who first created these beautiful vessels.

 

Zapotec Rug

Zapotec rugs are beautifully hand woven by the Zapotec Indians from the state of Oaxaca, Mexico.  They are known world-wide for their traditional craftsmanship, vibrant colors and one-of-a-kind design styles.  Sheep, looms and weaving techniques were first introduced to the native population by the Spaniards in the 1500s.  Natural dyes are traditionally used, one of the most interesting produced from an insect called the cochinea.  This insect is dried and crushed to a very fine powder, used to make a rich, scarlet-colored dye.

 

Vibrant veranda

Check out this bright Mexican-style veranda.  Its vibrant colors, verdant greenery and comfy seating are likely to put anyone into a festive mood.  I say bring out the colorful rugs and pillows, whip up some guacamole, pour a margarita, and celebrate the happy and cheerful vibes that Cinco de Mayo brings — Ole!

Things have changed considerably since then, as the pace of life has universally quickened and technology has taken over.  But somehow through all the years of design degrees, big-city lifestyles, and creative ideas turned into reality, Mother’s admonitions about things needing to be “gemuetlich” still pervade my professional as well as personal outlook.

I use the illustration from  my own background to remind you that the process of decorating a home begins long before the first piece of furniture is purchased or the first stroke of paint is applied to the wall.  The process actually begins in childhood, when we take note of our surroundings and create conscious or subconscious images of what constitutes both comfort and beauty.  If our fondest memories include curling up with a good book in an overstuffed chair, we’ll probably want to have such a chair in our home.  If we loved family dinners in a large light-filled kitchen where good food and good conversation went hand in hand, most likely we’ll want to create a similar atmosphere for our families.  I’d like to encourage you, as a first step in any redecorating project your contemplating, to reminisce and to pinpoint what it was that spelled comfort for you when you were a child.