How To Use Southwest Bedding To Create Beautiful Mountain Home Accessories

There is no easier way to give your home great rustic style than through southwest bedding. A while ago, I was searching for an inexpensive way to redecorate one of the bedrooms in my home and give it a touch of the old west. I discovered some Indian blankets at a discount linen store and decided to add them as part of the western decor. I was impressed with the country western look they created in the room so much that I decided to put them in all the rooms of my home to give them that chic, southwest style you see in designer home magazines.

Because I used these throw blankets everyday as bedspreads, shawls, or as lap blankets, I started reading about the story behind southwestern blankets and started researching their origin. The more I read, the more intriguing the story was. I never knew that although very popular today among interior decorators and in modern style homes, southwest bedding for use in rustic home decor actually emerged in the early 1900's, when Indian trade blankets were put on the market.

Most people I talk to, believe that the rustic blankets they commonly use for southwest bedding were originally made by American Indians. I also believed that, until I started reading about the origin of these southwest blankets and discovered that, although American Indians were the prime inspiration behind the designs and production of trade blankets, they were not the ones who made them.

In fact, as you study the intriguing history of southwestern blankets, you will discover that they were actually made by machines, and produced by large weaving companies for the express purpose of supplying the Indians with needed blankets. These southwestern blankets were then supplied to the frontier trading posts where the Native Indians would buy and trade them and use them to wrap themselves in instead of a modern coat or jacket.

Something you will also find interesting as you research the history of trade blankets to use as western bedding, is that as women became more interested in decorating their homes in the early 1900's, rustic decor and western designs grew in popularity. These "Indian blankets" as they came to be called, were sought after by people across the nation who wanted them for southwest bedding and as decorative couch or chair covers to enhance southwest home decor. The Indian trade blankets were great for covering exposed legs when riding on a wagon, sleigh or buggy, and in the new horseless carriages. Later on, they became popular as throws for camping, sporting events and a new hobby called motoring.

Today, you can easily buy southwest bedding online and in places that sell western and Native American home decor. Whether used as a southwestern bedspread, blanket or bed throw, southwest bedding will add great charm to your home and decor. If you are impressed with authenticity and traditional American Indian values and are searching for an easy way to add southwestern style in your rustic home decor, then you will no doubt enjoy owning and decorating with southwest bedding.