New Mexico has such different building traditions from Texas, my home state. Living in a huge city with sprawling subdivisions and every fourth house is the same elevation, we are attuned to brick, rock, green lawns, and landscape crews running amok around neighborhoods. Once you are in the heart of New Mexico, the home construction begins to take on its on sameness. The construction method of choice is adobe. The adobe is almost always a taupe/camel/tan color. In order to separate their homes from one another and as an homage to the south of the border aesthetic, many of the doorways have one very colorful element. The doorways can be incredibly ornate with carvings, ironwork, and statuary. However, even in the most basic home in some poorer villages, the homes still have splashes of color. I imagine they tell their visitors to look for the third adobe on the left with the aqua door topper :) These doorways always open onto a small or vast courtyard depending on the size of the home. I will post some photos of other homes and their doorways as a point of comparison. Can you imagine having a door like this in some of our neighborhoods with the "deed restrictions?" Letters would fly; neighbors would stare in dismay;threats would be made...not near as much fun as painting your door exactly like you want, is it?
Religious icons are a part of every village and many of the homes. The more colorful, the better.
An artist's private home in the village of Talpa. This was the most luxurious home in the village. Notice the "private" sign. Tourists can be very intrusive.
A home on the San Isildro Indian Pueblo. Very typical of homes found through out the Santa Fe area. This home probably had 800 square feet. You have not lived until you have seen a 10,000 square foot adobe home. Those tend to be behind secure gates, but even from a distance, it is very interesting.
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