CasaSugar

Casa Beta: Home Decorators Annandale Jute Area Rug

CasaSugar — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 10:00:52 -0700

Jute/natural fiber rugs are a great versatile, nondescript choice for every room in the house when you're not trying to make a statement but rather just pull a space together. I'd been looking for one for a sitting area in my home, and found that the prices really ran the gamut. I've seen super-simple 5-x-8-foot sisal rugs for only $50, and thicker jute rugs like Pottery Barn's Flat-Braided Jute Rugs for $300. For such a faceless style, I really wouldn't spend more than $200. I like the thick cushioning of the more expensive jutes, but I've also found that some designs are too rough underfoot. So I'm definitely particular about them.

Home Decorators Collection recently sent me the 5'6-"x8'6" Annandale Jute Rug ($159, reduced $199) in Natural to review. Wondering what I think of it? Then read more.

I've found the Annandale to be a really high-quality rug. It's thick and durable, like anything you'd find at Pottery Barn and Crate & Barrel - always my comparison. But this one in particular is woven with both jute and chenille, making it softer than a 100 percent jute rug. This is definitely a plus.

I've given myself some time with the rug, and found that it stays in good form with foot traffic and vacuuming, both things that can cause many rugs to lose their luster. It also has a latex backing which keeps it from slipping and stabilizes the weave, so you don't have the added expense of a rug pad.

The rug also gives the space the casual look I was looking for, and instantly pulled the seating area together. So I would definitely recommend the rug to any of you on the hunt for that same effect.

My beef with the rug, though, is that it really doesn't resemble the product image on Home Decorators site - at all. The natural color is much, much lighter online than in person. Luckily, it seems to work in the room. But also the rug's weave looks only vaguely like the product image. Home Decorator's site does disclaim, "The digital images on our website are as accurate as possible. However, different monitors may cause colors to vary slightly." But really I think that's no excuse. Capturing candid photographs is no mystery anymore, and plenty of retailers seem to have it down.

Guess What This Sofa Is Upholstered With?

CasaSugar — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 08:00:26 -0700

This new sofa from Anthropologie is actually upholstered with a type of rug that's made of silk and cotton and common in the Middle East. Can you name it?

How-To: Keep Your Wool Rug From Shedding

CasaSugar — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 06:15:10 -0700

Wool rugs are beautiful and natural, so they're a wonderful addition to your home. But since wool comes from an animal that sheds itself, rug shedding is inevitable. But it's also not a major battle if you learn a few tricks to deal with the shedding.

First of all, you should put your rug in a low-traffic area. People treading on it causes friction, which in turn causes it to shed its fibers. So a wool rug is better placed under a dining table than as a runner in a busy hallway or in a living room where you spend most of your time. To learn some other tricks to deal with shedding, read more.

You should vacuum your wool rug regularly. At some point, your rug will cease to shed, so if you vacuum it regularly you will expedite that, and you'll be removing the fibers as they shed - essentially forcing them to shed.
Furthermore, when you vacuum, you should use your vacuum's attachments. Wool rugs are sensitive, so this will prevent you from sucking the rug itself up into the vacuum.
As I mentioned, shedding is inevitable. But you can conceal your rug's fibers by purchasing a rug similar in color to your upholstered furniture. For instance, the shedding from a white wool rug will be very obvious on your navy blue sofa.

Love It or Hate It? Overlapping Accent Rugs

CasaSugar — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 06:15:44 -0700

I think the overlapping accent rugs in this kid's room, shot by Swedish photographer Ulrika Ekblom, work because the effect is playful and relaxed, just how every youngster's room should be. I've seen overlapping rugs used in more adult settings before and I'm not universally sold on it. You?

Love It or Hate It? Diane von Furstenberg Leopard Rug

CasaSugar — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 14:00:42 -0700

Talk about animal magnetism. This Diane von Furstenberg Leopard Rug (inquire for price) is the kind of carpet that will define an entire room. Can you see laying it down in your house?

Sale Alert: Midsummer Markdowns at Jonathan Adler

CasaSugar — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 05:30:00 -0700

Everybody loves a good scandal. Especially when it's the "scandalously priced markdowns" at Jonathan Adler. The always happy-chic shop has reduced a selection of accessories including dinnerware, bathware, porcelain frames, table linens, and rugs by 20 to 50 percent. I'm loving this equestrian prepster Chain Rug ($1,000 for the six-by-nine-foot size, reduced from $1,250). But it's more likely that I'll pony up for this cheerful blue melamine Acapulco Tray ($19.60, reduced from $28), which I featured back in April. Need any gifts? There are plenty of goodies on sale.

Ask Casa: A Similar Script Rug

CasaSugar — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 08:00:00 -0700

Hi Casa,
CB2 used to have a rug called Verse (in white with black handwriting, $300-500, right). They no longer carry it and I really want it. The only rug I can find that's remotely close is the DWR Manuscrit Rug ($3,400, left), and that's way out of my price range. Can you suggest any others in the same style that are more reasonably priced?

Thanks in advance,

petuniasmia

To see my suggestion, read more.

Hi petuniasmia,

I love that rug! Good pick. Ballard Designs has a similar rug called Le Poeme ($149-579), which is an indoor/outdoor rug printed with a poem by 17th-century French writer Jean de La Fontaine. It's equally eye-catching and available in both black and chocolate.

If that doesn't work, I recommend scoping out eBay and Craigslist for the Verse rug either used or new.

Hope that helps! Cheers,

Casa

Steal of the Day: Room & Board Henley Rug

CasaSugar — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 05:30:00 -0700

It's not hard to find affordable rugs these days. Natural fiber/sisal rugs are always good quality and within reach. IKEA's Stockholm Rand Rug ($179) is sharp and classic. But no one wants the rug that everyone else from here to Sweden owns. And sisal rugs, though durable and versatile, won't bring much personality to a room, if that's what you're looking for.

So I'm psyched to see the Room & Board Olive Henley Rug ($199 for 5'x8') on sale. Hand-woven in India of 100 percent wool, it's durable and all-natural. Its olive, blue, and chocolate palette, though, is what won me over. The color scheme is subtle, masculine, and fresh. And, you know as well as I do that stripes never go out of style. What do you think?

Do You Own a Kilim?

CasaSugar — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 06:15:42 -0700

Whether used as a pouf, floor pillow, or rug, kilims, flat tapestry-woven carpets or rugs, can add some bohemian flair to an otherwise classic room. Do you decorate with one at your home?

Source: Flickr User Jeremy Burgin

Crave Worthy: Bennett Bean Rugs For Museum of Art & Design

CasaSugar — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 12:00:13 -0700

New York's Museum of Art and Design has commissioned American ceramic artist Bennett Bean to transfer the same breathtaking design and color sensibility found in his vessels to 100-knot Tibetan silk and wool. Obligingly, he has designed “9 for ‘09," a limited-edition rug series, which is available exclusively in the museum's store and online shop. The inventory online includes three 5-x-7 rugs available in several colorways, but I'm partial to Feldspar ($5,200), with its decorative design motifs and moody reds and pinks. Want something larger? Custom sizes are available - that is, if you can afford it. See other designs below.

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