Rawhide country lampshades became popular after the great depression when women started decorating their homes and became interested in interior design. This was true with not only kitchens, but living rooms and later family rooms and dens also. What is now called southwest decor and western style, as well as ranch style, advanced over time as the design styles sprung from the necessary use of everyday items. The same occurred with country style homes. As the wealthier class started to have second homes called country homes, the working class started to use the same styles in their decorating also.

As antique style lighting gave way to the first rustic lamps, it was rawhide that was chosen as material for making lamp shades. Since then, it has been chosen as a great way to add southwestern style to home lighting and for lighting fixtures. If you truly love the unique, old-fashioned style of a bygone area, the natural looking style of rawhide will definitely be part of what you want to incorporate into your country kitchen and rustic design style. There are also other elements that will help you achieve the country design you see in designer homes.

For a country kitchen, consider decorating with wood. Primitive wood with rough edges and uneven surfaces is desirable when trying to create country style. If you have a large room, dark colored woods can be used whereas light colored tones are better for smaller areas. Rawhide country lamp shades look beautiful when used with wooden accessories and work well in any area where a floor lamp or desk lamp would be placed. One great thing about rawhide shades is that they come in light or dark as well as various colors to fit your particular color scheme.

As you consider adding rawhide country lamp shades in your kitchen, along with other rustic decor and accessories, it may not be necessary to purchase new lamps. Southwestern style lamps are preferable but it is the leather lampshades that create the unique look. It is possible to use lamps you already own by just changing the shade to create the same rustic design. Whether you choose to keep the lamps you already have or decide buy new ones, you will be excited at the change that occurs in your home.

There is no better way to incorporate beautiful southwestern style in your decor than by using rustic lamp shades. Add a few country style accessories like Native rugs and tapestries along with the shades, and you will design a unique style that will have your visitors talking about your beautiful decorating style long after they leave. It is easy to find quality, decorative lamp shades in various colors and sizes in stores that sell southwest and rustic style decor, or purchase them online. Create a unique southwestern look in your home, by adding the unique rustic beauty of rawhide country lamp shades.