It just needed rawhide lamp shades. Sometimes you just can't see it...you know what I mean? A friend who just bought a beautiful log home had a problem because he said we wasn't much of a designer and didn't know what to do next. Have you ever experienced that? I sure have. Sometimes when we are involved in a project we are so close to it that we can't see the obvious. It's times like these when we need a fresh perspective.

A friend or family member might be able to look at our circumstances objectively and see the solution right away. Well that was the case with my friend. He had just purchased this beautiful home in the mountains. It was fabulous with large wood beams and a stone fireplace. The kind of place that anyone would love to decorate but it was just sort of plain. Even though it had large antler chandeliers it was just sort of dull and lifeless.

Immediately it was apparent that he needed rawhide lamp shades on the chandeliers to add warmth, color and a nice glow. All of a sudden the room came to life. The formerly bare antlers were bathed in rich golden light and the room took on an inviting feel.

For a cabin or log home, there is probably no better accessory than antler lamps with rawhide lamp shades. It doesn't matter if you love the southwest styles or the heavy dark masculine western look, rawhide shades on antler chandeliers and lamps will bring in the rustic lighting you need. The beautiful shapes and textures of antlers and the hand stitching on the stretched rawhide lamp shades will deliver the look and feel you are after.

You don't have to travel far in Montana or Wyoming to find beautiful ranches and to realize that antler lighting is magical and that there just isn't any substitute for leather lamp shades. If you have a log home or even if you just want to bring the rustic mountain lodge look into you family room or den start with rustic lamps and shades and you will be amazed at the affect it has.

There is a balance that is created by using rawhide lamp shades throughout your room. It's hard to explain but when you see it you can actually feel it. The warm glow from rawhide lampshades on chandeliers and floor and table lamps, or a small desk lamp just tie the room together and bring a sense of unity and also harmony with nature. Because the elements of real deer antlers or moose antlers along with the handcrafted character of rawhide lamp shades the room is drawn together.

You will undoubtedly like the look of rawhide shades on antler wall sconces and small candelabra type lamps. You can also use ideas from the rich north woods style to accent your lighting. Try a pair of snow shoe sconces with rawhide shades.

The light tone of the wooden frame and the leather lacing of the shoe along with the leather binding compliment the hand lacing on the lamp shade and its warm glow make a perfect harmony. Weather you prefer to compliment your antler lamps and chandeliers with southwestern light rawhide shades or western style dark rawhide lampshades, both are perfect choices for rustic decorating.

Like my friend, if you are unsure of where to start in your special rustic space, you can begin with whitetail deer antler lamps. They are some of the most beautiful while also being some of the least expensive. Antler chandeliers are also made for whitetail antlers. In larger spaces antler chandeliers may have several tiers of huge elk antlers or moose antlers. Remember, it doesn't matter if you space is large or small. You can use antler lighting with rawhide lamp shades or add them to your own rustic lamps to bring in the feel of the old west, and mountain cabin or a southwest adobe ranch.