Using Rawhide Country Lamp Shades For Rustic Home Decor

The unique look of rawhide country lamp shades for use in home decor has been popular since the end of the great depression when women first began to look at their homes in ways other than utilitarian. This was the case with not only kitchens, but living rooms and later family rooms and dens as well. What is now known as southwest decor and western style, as well as ranch style, developed naturally as the designs sprung from the necessary use of everyday items. The same was true with country style homes. As the wealthier class started to buy second homes called country homes, the working class started to use the same styles in their home decor also.

As lanterns and oil lamps gave way to the first rural style lamps, it was rawhide that was used for making lamp shades. Since then, it has been used to enhance western and southwestern style in home lighting and for lighting fixtures. If you truly enjoy the handcrafted work and style of years ago, the natural texture and color tones of rawhide will definitely be part of what you want to incorporate into your country kitchen and rustic design style. There are also other things you can do to create the country look you see in designer homes.

For a country kitchen, consider the natural look of wood. Rough natural looking wood looks best when using it to create country style. If you have a large open room, dark colored woods work well whereas light colored tones look better in smaller areas. Rawhide country lamp shades look wonderful with wooden accessories and should be used in any area where a table lamp or western style lamp would be placed. One great aspect of rawhide shades is that they come in light or dark as well as many colors to fit your personal color palette.

As you think about adding rawhide country lamp shades in your home, along with other rustic decor and accessories, it may not be necessary to buy new lamps. Southwestern style lamps are desirable but it is the leather lampshades that create the unique look. You may be able to use lamps you already have by just replacing the shade to create the same southwestern look and style. Whether you choose to keep the lamps you already have or decide buy new ones, you will be amazed at the transformation that happens in your home.

There is no easier way to include fabulous western style in your decor than by using rustic lamp shades. Include some country style accessories like Native pottery or tapestries along with the shades, and you will achieve a unique style that will have people talking about your beautiful home long after they leave. It is easy to find quality, decorative lamp shades in many colors and sizes in stores that sell western and rustic style decorating items, or buy them online. If you want to enhance western decor in your home and create authentic, rustic and southwestern look, do so by simply adding rawhide country lamp shades.

Craig Chambers is the director of Mission Del Rey and author offering free information online about using rawhide country lamp shades for beautiful mountain home decorating. For more information visit http://www.missiondelrey.com