A fabulous Sisal area rug, perfectly sized for the pieces in this room. Photo Credit" www.seagrass-rugs.org
So, we’ve talked about the gorgeous options you have when choosing organic floor coverings, Seagrass and Sisal, Mountain Grass and jubilant Jute. Now that you know what you want, there are a few key things you still need to know before decorating your floors in these fabulously natural dressings.
You might be wondering what types of backings are generally used when working with these natural fibers. Natural Latex is the ideal backing material for Sisal, Seagrass, and Mountain Grass, and is essential for dimensional steadiness. It also significantly aids in cleaning dirt residue and penetration through the underlay. This is of primary concern with all carpets since dirt that is filtered through has a tendency to damage floor surfaces. Latex significantly reduces such filtration by capturing dirt, which can then be vacuumed, keeping your carpets looking as fresh, crisp and clean as they did when you first bought them.
Please keep in mind when choosing that it is not uncommon for some of our rugs to not exactly match our samples. As with all natural fiber materials, color variations do occur due to weaving irregularities, and the natural colors of each fiber which is attributed to seasonal growing conditions. Such variations do however, add to each carpet’s distinct beauty and elegance.
The right rug will accomplish one of two things: it will either be large enough so that all of your seating pieces will fit comfortably on top of it, or it will be at least large enough for the front legs of each piece to fit. As a general rule, the sofa shouldn’t be completely on the rug while any accompanying chairs should be big enough so that when a seated diner pushes back the chair, the back legs don’t get caught in the process. Keeping these easy to remember rules in mind when putting your room together will add to the fluidity of the design, making your room look absolutely fabulous.
Area rugs are one of the easiest ways to delineate spaces in a large room. Two area rugs, matched in color and style but not in size, visually divide a room into two distinct seating areas. Both rugs are large enough to comfortably accommodate their respective groupings.
When dealing with Natural Fiber Flooring, no guarantee can be made with certain characteristics such as color and weave. As such, one material may come out more perfect than another. Listed below are common irregularities a customer can expect:
A few plugs—the fibers have to be tied off in the manufacturing process.
Some irregularities in the ribs are to be expected. Some might be close, some will be further apart, especially in Jute, but don’t worry your carpet will look amazing none the less.
Variation in bowing and loop size can occur.
All natural fibers tend to return to their original colors. Colors can fade over time.
Direct sunlight should be avoided to preserve the beautiful color. Natural Floor Coverings are recommended for a light to medium traffic environment, and hold up well in household and commercial conditions.
Situations where extreme humidity, heat, dampness (bathrooms, basements, and kitchens) or heavy traffic is expected, are to be avoided.
Jute rugs are normally recommended for light wear areas due to the delicate consistency of the fiber.
Spill Information for Natural Fiber Flooring can be found at the link below. Please cut/paste, or click the URL for a very cool chart to clean mishaps, check it out! http://www.coastal-style.com/spot-cleaning.html
So now that you are well informed, please remember that Natural Floor Coverings are that perfect touch for keeping that wonderful organic feel to your space. Eco-friendly design doesn’t have to be dull, it can be truly fabulous and one of a kind!
A beautiful Mountain Grass area rug that lightens up this entire room! Photo Credit: www.ecorug.com
Now go have an “It’s So Fabulous Day”!
2 comments to Fabulous Natural Floor Coverings Part Three: Keeping it Beautiful!
Mountain Grass rugs are probably the least known out of this category of natural floor coverings. The fiber is obtained from plants found in high altitude regions of the Pacific Continent, which define these rugs as one of a kind. Rigid in texture, and nice and thick, this carpet is a beautiful alternative to wood flooring as it has an uncanny wood like appearance.
One of the most popular retail products made from this substance are area rugs. These rugs are an absolute must have addition if you are trying to pull a room together and need that extra special touch. They are truly a crossroad product of organic elegance.
Cleaning these rugs are an absolute breeze, as they repel water completely, so like it’s cousin Seagrass, it is best used in high traffic, spill prone areas.
Jubilant Jute!
A Jute area rug with stenciled borders.
Jute is obtained from the stem fiber of the Corchorus plant, found in India, it resembles hemp and flax. The jute fiber is recognized for its durability, making it an ideal material for fabricating sturdy and heavy-duty yarns and fabrics, it truly brings a magnificent, chunky texture to just about every room in the house.
Known for it’s light and lustrous quality, Jute is perfect for rooms that need an extra layer of delicacy, like bedrooms or snugs. A very popular DIY way to dress these delicate rugs up is to stencil their borders (as seen in the picture on the left).
Jute’s color ranges from light tans to browns, which are identifiable in each rug, making them absolutely fabulous no matter which size rug you decide to go with.
Now that we have gone over the different types of fibers available, and their origins, next time we will be covering the way to keep these rugs looking amazing and revealing some things you may not have known when it comes to picking the right natural rug for you. Eco friendly design is not only fabulous, but in high demand these days, so we will be giving you some pointers on how to pick the best of these organic floor coverings, and what you can expect in terms of wear and tear.
Stay tuned!
Green South Carolina Designer highlights Jute Rug from www.coastal-style.com
A beautiful room with a sisal rug - Photo Credit: www.southernliving.com
If you are looking for an eco-friendly, durable solution to indoor or outdoor floor coverings, natural carpets or rugs, consisting of one hundred percent biodegradable fibers, are the way to go. Not only are they fashionably organic, but most can stand up to the heaviest of foot traffic, so their “shelf life” is highly preferable.
Seagrass up close
Today we will be discussing Seagrass and Sisal. These two categories of natural fibers are the most well known and widely used, while at the same time completely unique and utterly fabulous.
Seagrass carpet consists of grass grown in paddies in China, which are then flooded with sea water. Virtually stain resistant, this durable covering’s surface is impermeable to water because of its inherent smooth texture, making it absolutely perfect for high traffic, spill prone areas.
Known for it’s distinctive features, such as it’s grassy appearance, and hay like scent and coloring, Seagrass has a minimal nap, it doesn’t show tracking like traditional loop and pile rugs do, which makes it less apt to crushing and showing wear, and unlike most rugs, it doesn’t have a tendency to creep.
In keeping with the ever so fashionable organic trends, colors range from sage green hues to olive-like shades, and the intricate weaving patterns make each rug nearly one of a kind. This carpet truly is perfect for both high end and down to earth designs.
Sisal up close
The Sisal fiber, obtained from the Agave plant which is harvested from various regions of Kenya and Tanzania is another runner in the natural floor covering line of aesthetics.
Long, smooth, and durable, Sisal can be spun into a fine textured yarn that is useful for a wide range of applications. It certainly has a delicate look to it, but is quite durable, which makes this a great fit for just about any room in the house.
Once woven, colors can vary from light yellow to creamy white. Products having materials derived from Sisal are quite suitable for household use due to their anti-static, flame retardant, and sound absorbing characteristics.
Stay tuned as we discuss Mountain Grass and Jute floor coverings next time and all of their fabulous characteristic and applications!
A Seagrass Natural Fiber Rug gives this room an organic feel as well as adding texture. Photo Credit: http://mydesignchic.wordpress.com
5 comments to Knotting Hill Interiors LOVES Natural Floor Coverings! Part One: Seagrass and Sisal
Nothing beats the beach breeze, Maria!Thinking of it – I think it is about time you come round here to the beach for a visit! A Fabulous Design Weekend! xo -Kimberly
Are you ready for the reveal of this lovely South Carolina kitchen renovation? If you didn’t see the before, be sure to watch the video in last week’s blog. Now, it’s time to see for yourself how fabulous this kitchen turned out!
As you’ll see, the details in this renovation make a huge difference. From the new stainless appliances to the brushed nickel knobs and handles, this kitchen goes from drab to It’s So Fab! With just a few special touches this large family kitchen not only looks pretty, but function beautifully too! Take a look at this episode of It’s So Fabulous to see the difference these updates make.
As expected, our gray glazed cabinetry provides the perfect backdrop for new Verdi Peacock Granite counter tops. In addition, textured but non-intrusive wallpaper adds a dash of color, while the fabric in the window treatments plays up a modern edge that updates this kitchen. Simply add the right lighting and accessories and voila…the difference is fabulous!
When updating your kitchen, you’ll definitely want to get the help of an expert. Small mistakes easily turn into large dollar expenses. If you’re considering a kitchen remodel, I’d love to help you make it fabulous!
Now go have an “It’s So Fabulous Day”!
5 comments to South Carolina Kitchen Remodel Grand Reveal!
Thank you Maria. So good to hear from you. I hope our paths cross soon, i really want to catch up with you. Any chance you’re going to High Point this year? Keep in touch and thanks for reading! TaTa, kimberly
Cabinetry is one of the largest expenses in the kitchen. It is right up there with appliances in terms of cost. If you are considering a kitchen renovation, then you might want to consider this option. If your cabinetry is of good quality, and in good condition, like the kitchen that we feature in this video, then you could easily opt to paint the cabinets and then add a glaze as a finish.
In this homeowner’s kitchen, the existing cabinetry was originally custom built. However, the white high gloss finish was tired and left this kitchen dated. To freshen it up, the painter first added 2 coats of paint to the existing cabinetry. Then, our artisan faux finisher applied a wonderful and durable grey glaze to the cabinetry. The finished look is amazing. Join me on this episode of “It’s So Fabulous!” as we take a behind the scenes look at this South Carolina kitchen remodel.
This solution is a great choice, as this is a very busy household and the glaze has a built in sealer that makes the cabinetry more durable. The glazed look is soft and complements the muted colors in the overall design scheme. Mocha glaze has been the rage in the past. However, I have been enjoying this gray glaze lately. It teams so nicely with all the blues, aquas and grey tones that are so popular right now.
So, if you are looking to update your kitchen but don’t want to have all new cabinetry made for your space, consider painting and glazing your cabinetry for a quick and easy… and affordable update!
Be sure to tune in next time as I show you the kitchen renovation reveal!
Kimberly, I loved your video, and the way it was set up so professional!! Your outfit was fabulous and so was the whole thing, can’t wait to see the reveal!
xo
maria
Awe, thank you Maria. We have launched a whole new video program and I am enjoying the process!!!! And, you know me…fashion is my first love!!!!!! Glad to hear from you and as always, I am loving your blog “Colour Me Happy”!!!!! XO back! Kimberly
I love that last image, looks amazing with those pillows! Great post Kimberly!
x
Maria
Very good
and amazing photos
thank you for your effort