Our first southwest lampshade was a rawhide one - but we did not bother to learn how to take care of it and just treated it like all other lamp shades by just keeping it clean and as dust free as possible.  Well, if you read about care you will see they need treated to not dry out from the heat of the light bulb and even the dryness of some climates or they will split and crack.  Ours cracked after about 5 years and we do live in a very dry climate.  For now we are going to put leather fringe trim around the top where the splits are, but soon we will need to purchase a new one.  See Rawhide Lamp Shade Care  at one of our favorite southwest stores, Mission Del Rey.com.  It is an extremely informative article and one we should all probably print and keep if we are going to decorate with this wonderful natural lamp shade.

 Rawhide lamp shades are our favorite shades for southwest decor.  Obviously every one in the home cannot be the same so we do have second and third favorites as well.  Our second is probably the metal ones which we have at another page. There is just something about the texture, shape and feel of these that cannot be surpassed in our minds.  If you have not seen one, they just exude quality and warmth.

Mission Del Rey.com has them in different colors and they are all fabulous.  We agree with them when they say the perfect accent for southwest decor is rawhide and rawhide lamp shades.   Who would not want a gorgeous green rawhide lamp shade in their home somewhere?  Choose from one on their site or order a custom one.

Cripple Creek Antler Co.com also carries rawhide shades and in addition they offer simulated rawhide shade which they say are easier to care for.  Their large real rawhide shade is 9" x 24" x 14" and is $135.   We did not see a price for their simulated ones - think you have to contact them.

This gorgeous rectangular lamp shade is available at Rocky Mountain Cabin Decor.com.  Measuring 6.25 x 8.25 inches at the top and 10 x 15 inches at the bottom it is 10.5 inches tall.  It is so very unique and would be a fun item to decorate with.  The price is $119.  This site is a great source for southwest and cabin decor items.

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