Describe something that you use to decorate your home

One thing I use to decorate my home is a large woven wall hanging, which hangs above the sofa in our living room. It's a traditional piece of textile, about a metre and a half wide, with a red background and geometric patterns in white, black and orange.

My mother got it from her grandmother as a wedding present, and it was made by hand in a village in the south of the country. When we moved to our current flat five years ago, my parents decided to hang it on the wall instead of keeping it in a cupboard, and since then it has become the centre of the room. The colours have faded slightly, which gives it a soft, warm look, and if you stand close, you can see how tiny the stitches are. My mother says that it took a woman several months to make.

I like it for various reasons. First, it makes the room look warm and welcoming, especially in winter, when the walls would otherwise look a bit bare. Visitors always notice it and ask about its history, which starts interesting conversations. Second, it connects our modern flat with our heritage. I am proud of our traditions, and having a piece of them in my home reminds me where my family comes from. Third, it has a lovely personal touch that you cannot get from a poster bought in a shop. Each time I look at it, I think of the long hours of patient work behind it. Although I'm sure that I will want to decorate my own home differently one day, I would definitely like to take something similar with me.