Friday, January 29, 2010

PETA May Not Approve . . .

But cowhide rugs are everywhere. I really like the look of them. I just can't decide if I'd like one in my house.

They seem to look best in light and airy interiors, which I love, but unfortunately don't have.

Maybe if I lived in California. And had cool wide plank floors like these.
 
Why am I thinking about cowhide rugs? They are for sale right now at Southeastern Salvage (a regional outlet) for $99. That's a really good deal considering Ballard Designs is offering them for $449 and West Elm on sale for $299. Of course, the fact that big catalog companies/retailers are selling them is evidence they may be overexposed. But I'm a bit trendy, so I don't care.

 
My hesitation? I'm just not sure I want a dead cow on my floor. I don't have an ethical problem with eating beef or wearing/carrying leather goods, so why should I care? I don't know. Something about walking on a cowhide just creeps me out ever so slightly.
 
But my friend Kristen has one in her entry, and I think it looks great! Another slight problem . . . I'm not sure where I'd put it. Details, details.
 
Just look how chic.  Hmm . . . this will require more thought. What do you think? Is it okay to walk all over a dead cow?

Photos: My Little Happy Place, My Favorite and My Best and My Interior Life

8 comments:

Matt said...

I think it's good that if an animal has to die, at least all of it is being put to use. I wonder which type of cow has the most "stylish" hide...

Barbara Keith Payne said...

I do love Kristen's but I do think it takes a special room with a special aesthetic to pull this off and don't you think red wine would stain it? (this is always a question that come to mind in my house...) But wow for $99 it is worth a try!

Susan said...

Maybe you could cover up the Bad Kitty spot with the cowhide? Seriously, I agree that it takes a special kind of room, your dining room perhaps? In the den under a glass top coffee table? Most stylish hide? Texas longhorn? Isn't everything bigger and better from Texas?

arrione said...

Mom and Dad have one in their den and I trip over it EVERY time on the way to the kitchen. I vote no as I will be visiting your house more very soon, and I fear for my safety.

bluehydrangea said...

That first photo is fabulous!! I had a cowhide rug, loved it but decided to have it made into a giant ottoman. It is perfect and makes me happy.

My Interior Life said...

BK, yes, stains might be an issue with this family. But, I think the bigger question would be where it would work in my house. And Arrione, I heard velcro tape on the corners works well to hold it in place. I wouldn't want you to hurt yourself when you come to visit. Sissy, I love the ottoman idea . . . hmm. Southeastern Salvage is calling my name.

Jenifer McCain said...

We have a deer hide rug (wedding gift) and a black bear skin rug (hanging on a vaulted wall). I like the cow hide rugs and would love to have one, but I think I have too many animal rugs now. THe ottoman idea sounds great. Will have to look into that.

Unknown said...

This is a great post - and a great question - is it 'OK' to have a dead cow in your home? In most cases, the cowhide is almost always off of an already-doomed-to-be-slaughtered-for-meat cow. When you look at it this way, it's so much more efficient to use all parts of the animal instead of letting something so beautiful go to waste. We also have a value collection of quality hair-on hides.