Western /Pioneer Style Decorating

One of the less frequently written about styles is2. Platters, plates, casserole dishes (flat things) can
western or prairie decor. If this style is for you,be hung from ribbon loops off of cup hooks.
you may be able to relate to the following3. Horseshoes (if you have those) can be made
question asked of me. And check out my answerinto a wreath by tying them together with
to see if there's anything you'd like to add to yourbandanas.
decor!4. Bandanas can be used for lots of decorating,
Q: My husband and I live on a ranch inincluding stitching them together to make curtains,
Southeastern Wyoming in a 100 yr old plus housevalances, table runners, placemats, etc.
that was a outlying house for cooking and housing5. Worn out boots of all kinds can be great decor.
for the Swan Land and Cattle Company ranchHang them on the wall with their toes pointed out
that encompassed acres from the Coloradoand use these has hooks - maybe in eth
Wyoming border to beyond Wheatland. Since itsbathroom for towels, or by the door for coats.
purpose was more utilitarian, the house is basicallyPlant them with dirt and plants from your yard -
a rectangle, long rooms with windows, oldincluding small trees. These make great Christmas
stovepipe holes covered over, few electricaltrees.
outlets, not many redeeming features!6. What "clear glass" stuff do you already own
That being said, my husband and I love it because(candlesticks, bowls, plates, - whatever). These
of the history, but I would like to "fancify" ithave more decorating uses than I can list here. If
somewhat. I love the Cottage style, but becauseyou tell me what you have, I'll give you some
we are ranchers, would like to do more in theideas.
way of Western style as in when the pioneersNow about "natural" stuff:
first came to this area. There is virtually no1. Stones are an awesome decorating tool. They
money for doing anything and in order to get tocan be used to fill bowls, as flower frogs, to
flea markets and such I have to travel betweenmake stone sculptures for your table - put a
1-3 hours away. Can you get your creative juicesphoto between two stones to hold it up. 2.
flowing and help me out?Branches are also great decorating tools. I used a
I am wanting to change from white interiors tobunch of them to make a chandelier in my house
deep jewel tones, such as purples, golds, rusts. I- hanging crystals from them.
have two other friends who are wanting to do3. You can remove thin bark from limbs and
the same style era. We are even jokinglycover your window frames (if you have enough
considering doing a book as there is nothing outbark) or your switchplates (if you don't).
there that really addresses this era unless you4. Nuts, cones, seeds - all that natural stuff can
consider the "Cattle Baron" look in a few books.be used as decor - plus some of them (like
Michelleseeds) can be mixed in paint to give it texture.
A: Using what you already have, plus "stuff" from5. You can always frame grasses, pressed
nature would work with this style and budget.flowers, or moss. Or you can use those same
Starting with what you have:materials to trim out picture frames and mirrors.
1. Pitchers, pots and pans, measuring cups -6. Nests of all kinds - bird nests, wasp nests, bee
anything with looping handles can be hung fromhives - even critter nests attached to limbs, can
cuphooks on your walls as art (plus a great placebe used as accents. So can bird houses, if you
to store them). I have some pictures ofhave those.
copperware I've hung to give you an idea: