subject: Southwest Rawhide Lamp Shades - A Natural Alternative [print this page] 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.
When deciding on the decor for your southwest themed home, it is important to pay attention to the design details. 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. You can find these shades to fit floor lamps, table lamps, sconces and chandeliers. Many colors are available and echo the vibrant shades of the southwest. A natural rawhide lamp shade to cause you to think of the sand stretching from a southwestern mesa to a butte. Custom made rawhide shades can also be purchased to fit any southwest lamp you may have.
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. Hand stitching assures you that the rustic character of the ranch will not be lost.
Rawhide shades are a natural product and must be respected as such. Being careful with your rawhide shade will help it last longer. 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. However, by taking a certain amount of care of your rawhide shade, you can be assured that it will last for years. Your shade will create a warm western glow over your home. You will find that by conditioning the shades with oil, they will last longer than they would otherwise. Many people find that neat's foot oil works well for them. Instead of an incandescent bulb, you may want to use one of the newer, cooler fluorescent light bulbs in your lamp.
