Posts Tagged ‘southwestern decor’
How To Use Southwestern Rugs
Having a southwestern rug is like slipping into the ancient native American era, as images of their gods, people and traditions are patterned all over such a rug. It brings an aura of warmth and character to the room. This unique look originates from Native American weaving and makes southwestern rugs very popular for their rustic and western appeal.
Southwestern rugs have a story of their own to tell. Before they even became rugs, they were made as blankets or a piece of clothing, worn around the shoulders. Cotton was primarily used until the 1500s when the Spanish colonizers came and introduced the use of wool. Wool is a kind of fabric from sheep’s hair. From then on, southwestern rugs were weaved in this soft and lush material.
You may be familiar of the Navajo rugs. This is a very well known type of southwestern rug. Southwestern rugs are mostly named from the tribe where they were made. Others that you might encounter are the Zapotec Indian, Oaxaca Mexico, Mohair, Spirit and Mexican Guadalupe rugs.
Unbelievably, Native American rugs can take as long as one year to finish. The delicate weaving just boasts of amazing artisan skill. Most of these are hand-woven until today. Popular names are the Mexican Guadalupe rugs, Oaxaca Mexico rugs, Spirit rugs, Zapotec Indian rugs, Mohair rugs and of course, the Navajo rugs.
Selecting a floor covering depends on what you personally like and what kind of decor you have in your home. If you are inclined towards a western setting, then southwestern rugs with their rustic and ancient feel will surely complement the whole room. No two southwest table runners and tapestries will be alike. Hand woven floorings are favored by many designers because of the abundance of colors and patterns.
Similar to taking care of your other belongings, maintaining the quality of a southwestern rug should also be kept in mind. Below are some useful tips for caring for these decors:
Ensure that the rug is well put on the floor. A safeguard pad is an affordable yet incredibly handy tool for taking care of rugs and other floor coverings.
Avoid spilling anything on the rug, especially those that would cause stains and taints. If it happens, act immediately and wash off the dirt before it gets absorbed by the rug. Blotting with a paper towel or soft cloth is actually more effective than scrubbing. The latter can aggravate the stain by spreading the tarnish.
Treat your rug for bugs and carpet beetles to ensure sanitation. This is recommended particularly if you go barefoot, lie down or sit on the rug. If you have children at home, all the more that you need to make sure that even your floor covering is as clean as possible.
If you’re willing to shell out some cash for rug maintenance, buy a pad to keep the rug from slipping. It will save you the hassle of re-straightening and re-arranging (all the time if you have energetic kids). A safeguard pad will also help in preventing tears, frays and possible rips when it’s being moved around a lot.
It is not a good idea to expose your southwestern rug to moisture. See that you keep it well away from plants to protect it against mildew or rot.
You’ll never regret having a southwestern area rug in your home. It’s beautiful and one of a kind. It will surround your lovely abode with warmth and charm. You can definitely say that there is no place like home.
When decorating with rugs all the experts agree that it is essential to use quality area rugs. And as discussed here one of the most popular types is the southwestern style area rugs.