SISAL RUGS - the natural alternative

Walk away from those funky synthetic rugs, and choose all-natural SISAL rugs instead. Sisal rugs and carpeting have become the decorator’s choice for stylish floors due to the variety of colors and textures available. Featured in neutrals from light beiges to deep browns, the long fibers can actually be dyed before weaving thus creating interesting textures and color-play. It has an affinity for dyestuffs so rugs can be created in a variety of stylish colors for home décor as well. Textures vary from fine, subtle weaves in pale neutrals to strong, bold textures utilizing contrasting fibers woven together. A perfect centerpiece to a living room, a simple accent to the bedroom, or a sleek finish to stairs as a runner, sisal rugs add that natural touch to modern décor. Sisal carpeting also comes in wall-to-wall to completely finish a room.

I was surprised to find a variety at your well known home stores such as Crate and Barrel, The Company Store, Target, Pottery Barn, and the cheapest being available at Lowe’s.

Yet my designer-hungry hunt to find more unique varieties lead me to the following:

COASTAL STYLE offers a beautiful variety from sleek and modern, (pictured above) to fun multi-colored borders to spice up a dining room or deck area, adds that special spark when entertaining guests!


http://www.coastal-style.com/boucle-sisals.html



On the luxury level, Unique Carpets Limited has the most variety in sophisticated textures and colors. They offer standard as well as custom sizes.
http://www.uniquecarpetltd.com/


Create your own sisal rug! Choose your shape, weave, binding color and size with their customized website, Sisal Rugs Direct. Rated "Best Buy" in the Wall Street Journal.
http://www.sisalrugs.com/

Right now there are great sales on a variety of sisal rugs online at:
http://www.naturalarearugs.com/
and
http://www.naturalhomerugs.com/

SISAL - naturally tough and beautiful

SISAL is a stiff fiber derived from the 'agave sisalana' cactus plant. Sisal grows in semi-arid regions such as Brazil, Africa, Tanzina, and Kenya. All natural so it is biodegradable. Annual sisal production is the second largest in the world after cotton.

This fiber naturally lends itself to rugs and carpeting due to its strength and durablitiy. Sisal rugs are naturally anti-static, do not trap dust so they are easy to care for, simply vacuum or spot clean. They possess flame retardant and sound absorbing characteristics. Although it tends to expand or contract when wet, so avoid using in areas that receive many spills, rain, or snow.

Other products made from sisal include furniture, spa products, cat scratching posts, slippers, cloths, paper, geotextiles, mattresses, rope and macrame. Recent research has found sisal to be an eco-friendly alternative used as a strengthening agent, replacing harmful asbestos and fiberglass in certain manufacturing processes.

WOOL RUGS - bare your skin on a wool rug

The fantasy of the bear-skin rug is simply too outdated and barbaric for our time! So choose a wonderfully natural wool rug instead. There are many natural aspects of wool that enhance your home aesthetically and in a healthy way, too.

Resiliency – The wool fiber itself has a construct like a miniature spring, thus able to withstand and recover from repeated foot traction or pressure from furniture.
Flame retardant – Because wool has an inherently high moisture content, it is resistant to flame and also extinguishes easily.
Stain and soil resistant – Each little wool fiber is covered by a thin membrane preventing wet and dirty stains from penetrating the surface.
Natural air purifier – Wool has a natural ability to absorb contaminants from the air, whereas a synthetic rug or carpet gives off harmful toxins.
Climate control – Wool has the ability to absorb or release moisture, called hydroscopic, keeping you comfortably warm in the winter and cool during the hot and humid summer.

A subtle yet rich choice to accent an area is the “CABLE” rug from Room and Board (photo above). This area rug features 100% undyed wool, and is inspired by the centuries-old tradition of Scandinavian hand knitting. The wonderfully thick-core yarn offers wonderful resiliency and comfort. Creates a neutral plateau of a naturally soft hue, so add your splash with colorful accessories like wool felted pillows.
http://www.roomandboard.com/rnb/

And if you choose to go “wall to wall” with your floor covering, the natural way to enhance your home is with the Biohaus pure wool line of carpeting from Natural Home Products. It is manufactured completely chemical-free. There are “no dyes, pesticides or stain protection used” so you can breathe easy, unlike synthetic carpeting that emits these harmful toxins into the air. Even the backing and adhesives are eco-friendly, utilizing natural rubber, hemp, cotton, and jute fibers. Adds a soothing element to the bedroom or a sleek understatement to the living room.

http://www.naturalhomeproducts.com/

WOOL - Pillow Talk

Ever get a crush on your cushion?

Fall in love with these lush wool creations from LoooLo.

Eco-friendly inside and out, they feature certified organic wool yarns from Switzerland, and the woolen fabrics are from organic farms in Vermont, U.S. The inserts are also composed of organic materials. Toxic-free methods are used to dye these brilliant yarns. There are no zippers or non-biodegradable closures. Alas, if one day you’ve cuddled this cushion until tattered and torn…it can return to earth’s soil from which it came by composting. But au contraire, these pillows are not for tossing, they are created with a timeless aesthetic and made with care to last, hand it down to the next eco-friendly generation.

They also feature luxurious scarves and blankets.
http://www.looolo.ca/index.html

Featured is the “Mademoiselle” cushion, stylish yet timeless…
Find it at on Design Public, featuring the freshest in new design:
http://www.designpublic.com/shop/looolo/9180

Presenting K Studio - the design duo of Shelly Klein and Mary Klein. Their backgrounds in the furniture industry combined with the passion to create in harmony with the environment has evolved into their line of eco-friendly home décor and accessories.

Choose your design, choose your color!

Pillows are made to order for that extra exclusive touch.

This wool felt option is composed of 50% recycled wools. In addition they offer organic cotton, hemp, and recycled polyester. Their line of products also includes pouches, journals, and original paintings. Manufactured with eco-conscious care in Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S. Great for customized gift-giving or to add that personal touch to your own home. Featured is the "Neighborhood" design.

Check out more of their whimsical motifs of family, fauna, and fawns on their website: http://www.kstudiohome.com/

Also available at the uber-modern "etailer" : 2modern

http://www.2modern.com/designer/K-Studio/K-Studio-Neighborhood-Pillow

Introducing Felted Style. A touch from a dragonfly or a budding branch adorn these hand-crafted wool felt pillows. The wools are sourced either from local farms, or from Turkey and is dyed naturally using traditional earth-friendly dying methods. And soon the designer will be “switching to all organic fabrics for the back-side of my wall art and pillows. In addition, I will soon offer only pillows with inserts made from organic wool.” says Karen Hewig of Felted Style.

Go, green, go!

There is an array of nature inspired motifs to choose from. Mix and match for a personalized play of pattern and color.

“Most of my sales are custom orders. I am more than happy to work with customers to create a piece that meets their needs including finding wool that is considered organic.” ~ offers Hewig.

The designer also features rugs, and original art pieces to accent walls or table-tops.

Feel free to reach her through http://www.feltedstyle.blogspot.com/

Featured above is the Hand-Felted Turkish Merino Pillow with pussy willow motif.
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=10388784

etsy is the spot for amazing hand crafted accessories and original artwork – shop, or feature your own work on etsy! http://www.etsy.com/

ORGANIC WOOL – what makes an organic sheep a happy sheep?

Why does this sheep look so content in his field of green?
He is one of the lucky sheep whose precious wool is raised organically.

And what qualifies as ORGANIC wool?
According to the Organic Trade Association, there are federal standards in order for wool to be classified as "organic".
The animals must be grazed in pastures using chemical-free pesticides. Their feed must be only produced organically as well. There can be no use of hormones, synthetic hormones, nor can the animals be tampered through genetic engineering.

The other good news about organic wool is that it is processed without any harm to the sheep themselves. Cruelty-free management of the animals is a must.

Organic wool is popping up in items for home including blankets, baby toys, mattresses, pillows, rugs, carpeting, and functional yet fun objects d’art.

"Organic wool is also garnering a lot of attention from companies that produce bedding material. Because of the low-flammability characteristics of wool, it's a very desirable material to use inside futons, mattresses and even chairs in place of materials treated with fire retardent chemicals," says Sandra Marquardt, who coordinates the OTA's Fiber Council, "Because of that, I think the furniture and bedding market is going to be a huge growth potential area."

As the demand for organic wool products grows, so too will the applications for its use.

Certain products can be made with the basis of organically raised wool, yet there can be steps in the manufacturing process that may not be so eco-friendly. There may be toxic finishes to wool to prevent shrinkage, and colorful dyes may be chemically-based. Again, the degrees of total eco-friendliness will vary from product to product. Wools can be dyed safely using vegetable and water-based dyes. And undyed wool is a statement of natural beauty itself.

As we the consumers keep on making the choice towards organic wool, those innovative home product companies out there will have to listen to our demand and rise to the challenge of more beautiful eco designs from sheep-friendly wool.

http://www.ota.com/organic/woolfactsheet.html

CLOTH – DIY PILLOWS

Another great way to add natural style to your décor is with textiles from ModGreenPod. This sister team of Lisa and Nancy Mims have created textiles that are from start to finish eco-friendly. Made from 100% organic cotton, these bold prints are crafted with non-toxic dyes, hand silk screened, and are finished with a chemical-free process. See below for the easiest step-by-step DIY pillow demo! Punctuate your sofa or bed with these punchy prints, how can you choose just one? Feel free to mix and match
http://www.modgreenpod.com/organic-cotton-fabric.html
also featured on the eshop:
NearSeaNaturals
http://www.nearseanaturals.com/browse.php?category=27

How to make an Envelope pillow
by DIY Maven

This DIY Maven has created simply the most succinct demo on a do-it-yourself pillow. Use the eco-fabulous fabrics from ModGreenPod and create your own fun!
http://www.curbly.com/DIY-Maven/posts/892-How-to-Make-an-Envelope-Pillow

http://www.curbly.com/ is THE source of up to date DIY home décor…and more

CLOTH - Rest easy on an Organic Mattress

Under that fashionable organic bedding, the core of a sound sleep is in the foundation...

the MATTRESS

As our day to day schedules become busier, the importance of a healthy sleep environment is key to a balanced life. It's an investment that pays to pay a little more for a sound mind, body, and planet.

Investing in a mattress that is toxin-free not only provides a restoring sleep, it can prolong a lifespan. Resting each night, every night of our lives on an organic mattress can prevent harmful toxins from entering our bodies that may:
-effect the nervous system
-aggravate allergies
-irritate a pre-exhisting health condition
-contain cancer-causing flame-retardant chemicals
For more research and studies on mattress toxins, visit the website: http://www.peopleforcleanbeds.org/

The company GreenSleep presents the Vimala Sleep System.
Their materials and processes are all designed to honor the earth and body. All GreenSleep frames are made from sustainable hardwood. The mattresses rubber core is 100% all natural, containing no synthetic nor toxic fillers. The rubber is harvested from rubber trees by independent farmers. The battings, fillings, and fabrics are made of the organic cotton and wool.
www.greensleep.com

EARTHSAKE out of California offers an interesting 100% natural latex mattress called the Serentity. The beauty of the all latex core is that it naturally adjusts to every body contour. The property of pure latex provides a natural climate control, keeping you cool in the summer and warm in the winter. The core's latex is from Brazilian rubber trees, and is topped off with a quilted layer of organic cotton and wool. Special features include naturally mold and mildew resistant, and chemical-free flame retardant.
http://www.earthsake.com/
(photo credit above: earthsake)

Another great company is LIFEKIND.
They offer a few styles of mattresses. One is the COMBINATION MATTRESS very similar in comfort and feel as commercially popular innerspring mattresses. Containing springs in the middle, this core is surrounded by a top and bottom layer of organic cotton padding and organic cotton canvas. The next layer is of non-toxic, 100% all natural rubber. And the "icing on the cake" is the quilted cover made of pure wool. Proudly made right here in the USA.
LIFEKIND offers mattresses for your baby crib, too. Provide a healthy start for your young ones!
www.lifekind.com

Rest, rejuvenate, and revitalize all night long...and perhaps you may even be inspired to reinvent some romance as well