3 Beautiful Throw Blankets for Southwest Decor



Posted: Sunday, August 02, 2009

by Craig Chambers - Mission Del Rey
Mission Del Rey

For the Native American and Mexican civilization, throw blankets have long been a part of existence. In addition to using the blankets for warmth, they were also used to sit on and hung as a way of decorating a space. Today, you too can use genuine blankets for your Southwest decor, which means tossing one on the back of a couch or even using a smaller size as wall artwork. Because the southwest colors and patterns are so varied, they work exceptional well in any style home, adding to the versatility.

The elements associated with Southwest decor are based on a rich western and Native American culture. In fact, it is common to find many handcrafted items in the form of mirrors, pottery, pillows, paintings, throw rugs, and woven blankets. To include a bit of color, throw blankets are the ideal addition and they offer warmth on cool evenings. These rustic blankets are very stylish and available in a lot of options so you can get the look you want.

Since Native American blankets are usually a basic element of southwest decor, we need mention some of the patterns that you might choose. Keep in mind, each Tribe uses special colors and designs making them easy to identify. For instance, Navajo blankets were originally designed with strips when made in the 18th century but today, designs are more complex. One reason is that as the settlers traveled into the southwest, different designs were added. As a result, these Native American blankets now feature more geometric and diamond shaped elements.

1. Chief Blanket - Although initially created as a blanket, many people now use the chief blanket as a rug for southwest decor. This popular Navajo creation is wide and long, using wide horizontal stripes with smaller strips on the inside. The wide end and center stripes are commonly designed with bright red and deep brown although some of the more modern designs incorporate various shades of blue.

2. Serape Blanket - This Navajo blanket was first created in the early 19th century. In most cases, the serape blanket is narrower than a chief blanket and much longer. A typical design consists of zigzags, strips, and diamonds, or a combination of the three. With red, yellow, blue, beige, and black colors, this blanket is perfect for your southwest decor.

3. Eye Dazzler Blanket - This style blanket was designed in the mid-19th century during a time when Navajo Native Americans were exposed to Mexicans. These blankets are made with toothed zigzags and large superimposed diamonds that run the full length of the blanket. One of the unique aspects of the eye dazzler is during this time new colored dyes had been developed so for someone that likes southwest decor with more vitality, this blanket has a brighter, bolder look.

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Get "The Rustic Southwest Decorating Guide" a popular free download with room by room tips and ideas to help you get the look you want. You can also get discount coupons and special offers on southwest decor from Mission Del Rey. http://www.missiondelrey.com
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