Southwest Rawhide Lamp Shades Make An Incredible Statement



Posted: Wednesday, September 22, 2010

by Craig Chambers - Mission Del Rey
Mission Del Rey

Now that you have decided that the southwest look is the one you wish to cultivate for your home, it is time to think about lighting. Whatever form of lighting you choose, can be topped off with a southwest rawhide lamp shade. You have already chosen most of your furniture and accents, but the lighting fixtures you choose should also carry through the southwest theme. To make sure that your lamps and other fixtures look authentic as well as attractive, choose a rawhide lamp shade. Nothing will complete the southwest look of any room as well as one of these lamp shades.

It is important to pay attention to the design details when deciding on the decor for your southwest themed home. No one is finished with their decorating once they have chosen the furniture and rugs. Anything you choose to accentuate your southwest decor should match in theme and this also includes the lighting. In any lighting fixture, one of the most important design elements is the lamp shade. Nothing will go better with a rustic lamp than a rawhide lamp shade. A combination of artistry and rusticity, a rawhide shade will give any room what might be considered the finishing touch.

Southwest rawhide shades are handmade, one at a time, by skilled and dedicated artisans. Making sure that the rustic look of the ranch will be carried through to every detail, these rawhide shades are laced with leather. Rawhide shades are available for a wide range of lamp types. These shades come in all sizes in order to fit floor lamps, table lamps, sconces and chandeliers. A wide range of colors are available, many echoing the vibrant shades of the southwest. Natural rawhide will bring to mind the sand stretching from mesa to butte. Purchased to fit any southwest lamp you may have, custom made rawhide shades come in all sizes.

Even creating the southwest rawhide lampshade is an organic experience. A skilled artisan must prepare the hide properly. After the hide has been cleaned, it is bleached to make sure that the natural beauty of the hide will show through when used on a lamp. The rustic character of the ranch will not be lost due to the unique hand stitching.

Rawhide shades must be treated with respect as they are a natural product. Simply by using caution, your rawhide shade will last many years. Any natural product can be affected by heat and cold, and your shade is no different. The heat from the light bulb in the lamp and even air-conditioning can cause some deterioration in the shade. You can be assured that it will last for years by taking a certain amount of care of your rawhide shade. Your shade will create a warm western glow over your home. Your rawhide shades will last longer than they would otherwise by conditioning them with oil. Most people find that by using neat's foot oil, their shade is conditioned and protected. Instead of an incandescent bulb, you may want to use one of the newer, cooler fluorescent light bulbs in your lamp.

Author, Craig Chambers, offers more about Southwest Rawhide Lamp Shades on his website. You should also get his monthly newsletter, online discounts and download his popular free ebook from http://www.missiondelrey.com
Craig Chambers is the director of Mission Del Rey offering rustic lamps, rawhide lamp shades and southwest and western home decorating accessories from the Tarahumara Indians. info@missiondelrey.com

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