Tips on using rugs from home-decorating author Mary Carol Garrity.
By MARY
CAROL GARRITY
Natural-fiber rugs look perfect in just about any room,
whether it be traditional or modern.
When I redecorated my living room
this year, I struggled with a few of the decorating decisions, like what color
palette to choose and what pieces of furniture I'd need. But picking my flooring
was a no-brainer. I knew I wanted a natural-fiber area rug.
I have fallen for
natural-fiber rugs, officially known as vegetable-fiber rugs. They look great
with just about any decorating style, from traditional to modern. Their subtle
texture and subdued color work with any color scheme. They wear like iron, so
they are family friendly. And they are so affordable you don't feel like you're
making a lifetime commitment when you purchase one.
For my living room, I
picked a large sisal that covered most of the floor. In the winter, I layered
Persian rugs on top to warm up the two distinct sitting areas. But this summer,
I rolled up the wool rugs so I could enjoy the crisp look of the sisal. I'm so
crazy about the effect I may install wall-to-wall sisal in my bedroom.
If
you're in the market for an area rug, you can't miss with vegetable-fiber rugs.
But as with any design decision, the more you know before you buy, the happier
you'll be. So I asked Jerry Williams with Design Materials, where I get my rugs,
for the scoop on fiber flooring.
First, Jerry suggests learning about the
different vegetable fibers so you can pick the one that works best in your
home.
• Sisal, my favorite, is made from the same cactus plant used to make
tequila. The pulp is spun into ropes, which are then woven into mats. With its
clean, bright appearance, sisal is a great choice for those who want a
transitional or contemporary feel.
• While sea grass rugs have a similar look
to sisal, the fibers are very different. Sea grass is a reed that grows in
marshy areas. As a result, the grass has a natural coating that allows it to
more easily repel moisture. A friend of mine swears by sea grass rugs after her
teen boys spilled a cola on one and, the morning after, the liquid was still
beaded on top of the rug and wiped up easily.
When sea grass grows in more
arid soil, it takes on a slightly darker color and is called dragon grass.
Often, dragon-grass rugs are available in a wider variety of patterns, some of
which have a more refined appearance, making them a better pick for formal
rooms.
• Coir rugs are made from coconut husks and are the roughest of the
vegetable-fiber rugs. It's best to use them for mats by your door or on a
screened porch. While these are some of the most common vegetable-fiber rugs,
you can also find rugs made of hemp, jute, bamboo and even woven paper. And if
the natural fibers are too rough for your feet, check out the wool rugs woven to
look like sisals.
You'll also need to pick how the edges of your new rug will
be finished: surged or bound in cotton tape. I'm a fan of cotton tape, but
picking the right color can be tricky. Light-colored tapes look marvelous and
are so versatile you can move them from room to room. However, they will show
dirt more readily. Dark-colored tape hides dirt, but when you pick a distinct
color, like navy or red, you limit your design options.
While vegetable-fiber
rugs are very durable, they are not indestructible, Jerry warns. Like any
natural product, they can break down under wear and weathering. So he suggests
keeping the rugs away from moisture and treating them with stain protector to
prevent spills and dirt from absorbing into the fibers. For day-to-day
maintenance, use a high-suction vacuum cleaner, but don't ever engage the beater
bars, as they can tear up the fibers.
Mary Carol Garrity is the proprietor of
three home-furnishings stores and is the author of several best-selling books on
home decorating.
vir: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/homegarden/2009620541_homestyle08.html
