| ensive southwest bedding is the way to go when | | | | actually made by machines, and produced by large |
| it comes to decorating a rustic style home, cabin | | | | weaving companies for the sole purpose of |
| or lodge. A few years ago, I was searching for an | | | | supplying the Indians with needed blankets. These |
| inexpensive way to redecorate one of the guest | | | | southwestern blankets were then sold to the |
| rooms in my home and give it a touch of the old | | | | frontier trading posts where the Native Indians |
| west. I found some southwestern blankets at a | | | | would buy and trade them and use them to wrap |
| discount linen store and decided to add them as | | | | themselves in instead of a modern coat or jacket. |
| part of the western decor. I liked the country | | | | Another thing you will find interesting as you |
| western style they created in the room so much | | | | study the history of trade blankets to use as |
| that I decided to put them in all the bedrooms of | | | | southwest, is that as women became more |
| my home to give them that great, rustic flare | | | | interested in interior design in the early 1900's, |
| you see in designer home magazines. | | | | rustic decorating and western designs rose in |
| Since I used these blankets and throws everyday | | | | popularity. These "Indian blankets" as they came |
| as bedspreads, shawls, or as lap blankets, I | | | | to be called, were sought after by people across |
| became interested in the history of southwestern | | | | the nation who wanted them for southwest |
| blankets and started researching their origin. The | | | | bedding and as decorative couch or chair covers |
| more I studied, the more intriguing the story | | | | to accent Native American home decor. The |
| became. I never realized that although very | | | | Indian trade blankets were great for covering |
| popular today among home decorators and in | | | | exposed legs when in a wagon, sleigh or buggy, |
| modern style homes, southwest bedding for use | | | | and in the new horseless carriages. Later on, they |
| in rustic home decor actually grew in the early | | | | became popular as blankets and throws for |
| 1900's, when trade blankets were put on the | | | | camping, sporting events and a new pass time |
| market. | | | | called motoring. |
| Most people I talk to, believe that the blankets | | | | Now days, you can easily buy southwest bedding |
| and throws they commonly use for southwest | | | | online and in stores that sell western and |
| bedding were originally made by Native Indians. I | | | | American Indian home decor. Whether used as a |
| also believed that, until I started digging deeper | | | | rustic bedspread, blanket or bed throw, |
| into the beginnings of these southwest blankets | | | | southwest bedding will add great charm to your |
| and found that, although American Indians were | | | | home and environment. If you are looking for |
| the prime inspiration behind the designs and | | | | authenticity and traditional American Indian values |
| production of trade blankets, they were not | | | | and are searching for a wonderful way to create |
| made by them. | | | | southwestern style in your rustic home decor, |
| In fact, as you research the intriguing history of | | | | then you will no doubt enjoy owning and |
| western blankets, you will learn that they were | | | | decorating with southwest bedding. |