Hide Rugs... Timeless? Of course!

The other day, I finally received some Angora hides I'd ordered at the fall High Point market.  I initially intended to use them for my Christmas tree skirt.  Clearly, they did not make it in time for that. 

 
I have three of them now.  They look a little like "Cousin It" but they are sooo soft. The source I utilize to obtain my hides uses end-of-life cycle hides.  That means that they are intended for use as a food source or they are animals that have died through natural causes.   It is a responsible and eco-friendly use for these hides which would otherwise be headed for a landfill.  This company also uses a more eco-friendly tanning process and is trying to develop a reduced chromium procedure. I love these funky things but now I don't know what do to with them.  Any thoughts? I love the use of hides in decor.  They are super durable, feel awesome on your feet, and give a room great texture.  The use of hides dates back to ancient civilization when the use was a practical measure of meeting basic food, shelter, and clothing needs.  Zebra rugs were standard in the 1930's Art Deco movement (one of my favs).  However, those were the real Zebra hide.  I prefer a stenciled cow hide.  The African Market people (they sell the real Zebras at High Point) tell us that Zebra's need to be culled like deer which is why they sell them.  I don't buy it.  Am I a hypocrite?  I can handle a cow but there is something about the real zebra with the beautiful mane that I can't be okay with.  Some people feel the same about the cow though. 

Here are some of my favorite hide uses:

The doors in Miles Redd Apt.  I love this in a totally warped obsessive way.

 
 Cowhide ottomans with a zebra stencil

 
Ivory cow hide in the bedroom.

 
Cowhide pillow

Black and White cowhide rug. 

Hide chairs.

I know this isn't for everyone, but it could be.  Some of my husband's peers find this to be waayyyyy out there.  HA!  Oh well, do you like?  Do you have any creative ideas for my Angora hides?  I'll be attending Paula Grace's Timeless Tuesday party tomorrow, so make sure you join us. 
 
 
 

Comments

[Paula Grace]

You're awesome!

[Paula]

Great pictures! Gotta love those boots in the bedroom shot!

[rue]

I think it's a timeless look. I would love to put a cowhide chair in a rustic cabin to glam it up a bit. Maybe one day (sigh)

rue

[Dream Mom]

Well, I absolutely love those. I have one under my coffee table right now. I have also seen the angora ones in a beautiful white on white dining room in a magazine; they had it on an acrylic chair.

I've always wanted to use an angora one for a tablescape, as a tablecloth, casually draped at an angle over the table. Certainly it's over the top however I think it would look really cool. Other uses would be pillows in the living room (Who wouldn't want to lie on those!), under my feet in a bathroom, etc. The possibilities are endless.

As for a zebra cowhide, it might be interesting to use it as a mat for a picture frame, as a tablecloth or as the chair covering in a home office. Wouldn't that be a nice punch of color? Or maybe as the fabric on the back of a dining room chair so it could be viewed from another room. Or as trim on some silk draperies?

I love the examples in the pictures you use. My favorite would use would have to be this solid black cowhide purse I got from Nordstrom's some ten years ago. Certainly I don't use it anymore but it was probably my favorite purse of all time.

[Paula Grace]

Yes, these will always be classic. Eco-friendly, as humane as possible, and a brilliant look. I recall old black and white photos with hide rugs. They will never go out of style especially if they are done as you described. I think of it as paying tribute to an living thing that gave so much.

Thank you for joining Timeless Tuesday!

Paula Grace ~

[Dream Mom]

I forgot to mention earlier but I also used a faux angora hide in my kitchen many years ago. I had sold my house and move to a luxury rental apartment with a galley kitchen. There wasn't any wall space so there wasn't much space to do any kind of decorating or anything to stand out. I decided to paint the kitchen a strong lavendar (it had white cabinets and virtually no wall space so it was really just like the backsplash and a small wall) and added this rug. It was quite striking. The complex was located on a golf course and although they had beautiful models they often brought prospects through my apartment due to the kitchen; they told me people just loved it. Practical? No. But pretty cool nonetheless.

[Janet]

Oh my gosh. I just love the white bedroom. That seashell picture and monogramed pillow are too cute. I struggle with rugs so I will not be able to help, but I can't wait to see how you do use them.

Thanks for checking out my kitchen.

[Kristin@Bouelvard Interior Design]

DM, I thought about using them as a table runner too. I love your hide ideas. I have this inspiration shell fabric that is Hydrangea Blue, Lavendar, Ivory, and Black from Grey Watkins. I'm dying to use this color palette. It would be perfect for a beach house. Any brave takers out there? I bet that Lavendar kitchen was gorgeous.