Dear Joe,
The wood floors in my place are a mess. I wanted to buy what I thought were sisal area rugs for the living and dining areas. When I went to several stores, there were rugs labeled as different materials.
I thought they were all sisal, but now I'm confused. Any help in selecting would be appreciated. — Floored
Dear Floored,
Natural fiber rugs are a great choice for almost any decor. They provide a wonderful backdrop for just about anything from Louis XVI to Stickley to minimalist contemporary. Noted interior designers have used these natural materials for many years for both area rugs and wall-to-wall installations.
Natural floor coverings come in several materials. Being familiar with the categories, their properties and appearance will help in your decision. There are basically five fibers that are used for these floor coverings: coir, jute, rush, seagrass, and sisal.
Coir comes from coconut husks. It is spun, woven and then backed with latex. It's very coarse quality makes a strongly textured flooring material that comes in many different weaves ( for example, basketweave and herringbone ) . Coir is often used for doormats because it is so durable.
The second fiber is jute, derived form the jute plant. This is one of the softest of the natural materials. It comes in many different colors. Naturally a light brown, it can be bleached to a light cream, or dyed different colors. It is a good choice for a bedroom, but not for heavy traffic areas.
Rush has actually been used since the Middle Ages. The wide leaves are braided then sewn together to create floor coverings. It is more expensive than the other matting, and should only be used in areas of light wear. It cannot be allowed to completely dry out or it will crack. Therefore, it needs to either be on a naturally damp surface, or maintained by sprinkling with water. This would not be a wise choice for a Chicago dwelling.
Seagrass is a material that is frequently used in area rugs. Very affordable, it is made of a grass that is grown much like rice in a paddy field. The fiber is woven into simple designs, then backed with latex. It has a brown to beige color with a definite green tinge. Seagrass cannot be dyed, but sometimes other color strands are woven into the rugs. This fiber is very strong, resists most stains, and dirt is easily brushed away.
Sisal fiber comes from the leaves of a spiky bush, much like the yucca plant. It can be spun into yarns of different weights, then woven into a variety of patterns that are strong or subtle. Because the yarn can be dyed, the final floor covering can be solid color or multicolored. This material is soft, very durable and suitable for most any interior. It is also usually more expensive.
Dear Joe.
Since your ad says you specialize in drapery treatments, I probably already know your answer to this one. My livingroom is mixed bag of mostly traditional furniture. I have wood blinds on the windows. Are the blinds by themselves too stark, or do I need draperies to finish the room? — Blind Man's Bluff
Dear Blind Man,
I have no idea whether or not you need draperies. Without seeing the room, I cannot make an evaluation or suggestion.
Adding draperies depends on many factors. Yes, the style of decor can call for certain window treatments, but there are a lot of other things to consider. Sometimes draperies are needed for privacy or to block sunlight. At other times they may be useful in absorbing noise in or outside.
Then again, there are times when treating a window with a simple blind is best. I recently advised a client that he should use only blinds on two very small windows that were flanking his bed. At other times, simplicity can call for a minimal treatment.
I take many different things into consideration before advising people on what to do with their windows. These include the decor and architectural elements, along with the design preferences, budget and living habits of the client. My answer to you is a question: Does the room look too stark to you without drapery treatments?
Please email your questions to jos.riceinteriors@att.net . In the subject box, fill in 'WCT Design'. Joseph Rice is an interior designer who offers full decorating services. With 22 years of experience, he specializes in 'hard to treat' windows. You can reach him at Joseph Rice Interiors, Inc. ( 773 ) 271-2361; jos.riceinteriors@att.net .