We’re wrapping up an extensive home renovation project for a client on Cape Cod, and we’re selecting area rugs. The house is situated in sandy soil and white pines, looking out over breezy Cape Cod Bay. The perfect floor covering solution for a casual, beachy setting is sisal or other natural fibers, and we’re using several variations on that theme. Sisal area rugs lend a casual look, conceal sand, and are actually easy to vacuum to clean up, despite plenty of texture.
For main living areas and hallways, my client and I selected true sisal rugs. Sisal is a strong, light colored fiber typically made from the Agave Sisalana plant, which is cultivated in many places around the globe and can be dyed in many colors or left in a natural state. For the Cape Cod project, we’ve selected mellow hues with slight beige/gray tints to play off the overall color scheme that includes gray slate floor tile, soft gray and beige walls, and “greige” linen look upholstery fabrics.
Variations on natural fiber rugs include jute, wool/sisal blends and seagrass. For bedrooms, we’ve selected very soft and flat jute, which will be a little gentler underfoot and will provide a beautiful, striated pattern. For the media room, which features a fireplace and will provide a year round spot to hang out and feel cozy, we selected a 100% wool area rug with a chunky texture that complements the neighboring natural sisal textures, in a soft gray/brown color with a contrasting twill border.
The effect will be casual, tailored and natural – perfect for a beach side setting.
Soft beige sisal area rug with coordinating border
Jute area rugs in great colors
Soft wool textured rug with twill border