Ed’s Western Decor

Although it became popular as an American icon, the cowboy tradition started in Spain.  Cattle ranching spread throughout the Iberian Peninsula in Spain under the hacienda system, and was later imported to America.  The Iberian Peninsula had a climate very similar to the Southwest; it was semi-arid with sparse grass.  Thus it required cattle to move throughout the land to forage for food.  The cowboys began as ranchers who rode horses and tended to vast herds of cattle, driving them to different locations to feed. 

This tradition carried over to the Southwest with the arrival of Spanish Conquistadors, and was later passed on to American settlers.  Cowboy images have become famous around the world, representing a certain rugged and rough quality. 

Cowboy decor and cowboy art is coming into vogue in a big way. A recent article in the San Angelo Standard Times discusses a “cowboy awareness class” being taught at Austin Community College. The class discusses the Spanish roots of the dress, weapons, art and music of the fabled-cowboy, and how it fits into American culture.

This cowboy class is just another example of the resurgence of interest in the cowboy and the southwest. Southwestern décor has long been popular in the southwest, but the pinks, turquoises and ten-gallon hats are slowly making their way out to the rest of the country.

Usually our beloved pets make messes, and we forgive them, but we have new absorbent beverage coasters featuring the photography of Paulette Braun depict a number of dog breeds at their most lovable, ready to protect your fine wooden furniture from the effects of condensation from your beverages.  (There is also one annoyed-looking cat from the artist Alan Carey.)

There are also a variety of other beverage coasters available in a number of cowboy images that will complement your home décor, as well as Asian- and Southwestern-inspired images, roosters, horses, fleur de lis, inspirational words, Texas, flowers, kimono, Native American, leaves, desert, tropical, birds, and many more!

Maybe you’re thinking, “I want some rustic wall art, but I don’t have any more wall space!”  Why not hang a piece of over-the-door metal wall décor?  This is an available wall space that is often overlooked in many households.

Pine cones, horses, a thunderstorm, Southwestern pottery…there are so many rustic motifs available for over-the-door wall art to bring the spirit of the West to your home.

We can’t go anywhere in America without coming upon a small country store, restaurant, or gift store that doesn’t display cowboy images as a part of their decor.  I believe that we all have a little cowboy or cowgirl in us.  We either live in the   country, want to live in a rural setting, or have a desire to experience a taste of freedom and openness that a western environment creates.  A vacation in the country is a good example.

Many of us have a  picture or painting of a favorite western movie star.  Some folks like a calendar with  horses running in a ranch scene.  Many cowboy images of both past and present live on in our hearts, and heroes are created for our entertainment.

Who could possibly resist a good Saturday morning Western movie with John Wayne, James Stewart, Gary Cooper, Glenn Ford, Clint Eastwood, Randolph Scott, Roy Rogers, Gene Autery, The Lone Ranger . . . and Gabby Hayes?  (to name some of my favorites)  And,  you know that every cowboy hero always had a beautiful cowgirl that he rode off with . . . into the sunset.  Now, that’s a cowboy image called Romance!  Eeeh-Haw!

One of the greatest times in the history of America were the times of the cowboys – when the west was on the verge of being discovered and civilized – and it’s often thought of in the ways that John Wayne immortalized it.  The best way to remember America’s historical days is to outfit your home in cowboy decor. 

Both stylish and classic, some cowboot hooks or a stagecoach photo frame could really add some of that old patriotic flavor to your home and recount a time when the world was much simpler.