natural rugs

Hygge your home this winter

Some refer to hygge as an “art of creating intimacy” (either with yourself, friends or in your home). While there’s no one English word to describe hygge, several can be used interchangeably to describe the idea of hygge – cosiness, charm, happiness, ‘contentness’, security, familiarity, comfort, reassurance, kinship, and simpleness.
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So how can you bring this cosiness into your home this winter? The simple act of lighting a candle while drinking your coffee in the morning, enjoying a home-cooked meal with friends, or making a ritual of brewing tea in a teapot with a china teacup, can all make a big difference to one’s spirit, and lift domestic life from drudgery to art form.
Apart from candles and crackling fireplaces, there are other ways to make your home a refuge this winter. Lighting is very important (think floor lamps and soft, indirect lighting, rather than harsh, bright light), and layering with comforting, warm textures (wool throws, velvet scatter cushions). Choose a warm colour palette for extra cosiness, and display those nostalgic vintage items – the Danes believe that household objects should be more than just things; they should have emotional value.
 


Finally, invest in natural fabrics in neutral tones, like sisal or jute rugs to create a warm, comforting atmosphere.

Via



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Choosing a natural fibre rug

Natural fibre rugs are a go-to favourite, and for good reason.  Jute, sisal, seagrass and coir rugs are easy to care for, affordable and eco-friendly. Their natural, earthy texture makes them amazingly versatile, and a perfect neutral addition to any room.
While they share many similarities, the differences between jute, sisal, seagrass and coir are what sets them apart. You may find that one is more suited to your lifestyle than the other. So if you want to know if jute rugs are soft underfoot, if you should go sisal in your high-traffic entrance hall, or if seagrass can handle spills, read on.

Jute Rugs

Jute is a natural plant stem fibre and is also used to make burlap and twine. Jute fibers are soft and smooth, and are thus the gentlest underfoot.
The rich texture and natural tonal variation of jute rugs also comes in handy for masking minor stains or spills. It’s good to note though that jute rugs are less durable than sisal or seagrass, so they’re a better match for spaces with medium traffic, like dining rooms or bedrooms. Jute rugs can also shed when new, and colour and texture can differ from rug to rug.


Sisal Rugs

Sisal fibers come from the agave plant.  Sisal is the strongest, most durable natural fibre rug, and the perfect choice for high traffic areas. Their hardy weave means they last and can stand up to pet-scratching!
Note that while sisal rugs are very durable, they can fade in direct sunlight and can become stained easily, even by water. They can also feel rough underfoot, and can be slippery (so not a great choice for stairs).
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Seagrass Rugs

Seagrass is a fast-growing marine plant. The reedy plant produces a strong, non-porous yarn that’s resistant to stains – once a water spill dries, a seagrass rug will return to its normal color.
The dense weave also makes it a very durable choice for high-traffic areas in the home. Your seagrass rug will last you years. Due to the coarse texture of seagrass, it’s not particularly soft underfoot.



Coir Rugs
Coir rugs are made from coconut husks, and because these are natural fibres, they will break down over time. To extend the life of your coir mat, avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight and try to keep it fairly dry.
Unfortunately shedding is normal for any coir mat, but over time, the shedding will diminish. Simply shake it off or vacuum the mat to remove loose fibers.


All natural fibre rugs and wall-to-wall carpets available from Rebtex.
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Perfect rug placement

We just love this handy guide from The Front Door.  When you’re shopping for a rug, it can be hard to know exactly what it’ll look like when it’s in place. The guides below have really helped us when it came to finishing rooms with Rebtex’s array of gorgeous natural rugs.
Another handy tip is to use masking tape to outline the rug area, before going shopping. When you use a measuring tape to figure out the rug size, you lose perspective of how the rug will look in your room. Masking tape is a terrific way to picture the area rug proportions.




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City Chic Decor Inspiration

Whether industrial, black and white, a simple neutral palette, or glamorous, a city home needs to be a respite from the daily grind.  We’ve gathered some of our favourite looks below.
A common theme among all of these homes is a dominant simple colour choice throughout (usually creams and beiges), natural rugs for warmth, and flashes of colour in small decor items.














 
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Via Rilane

Blue and White Rooms

It would be hard to find a more loved combination than blue and white. The classic pairing – which manages to be both sophisticated and breezy – is a staple in Greece and the palette appeared on Chinese pottery way back in the 19th century.
When the two colours are combined – blue, calm and soothing, and white, clean and simple – you get the ultimate serene, tranquil space.  The blue and white palette can be used easily as the main focus of a room, or just in accents (scatter cushions, vases and ceramics for instance). What we like best about this combination is how easily the rest of the room falls into place – natural rugs and carpets make an excellent choice, while a collection of creamy neutrals add a very ‘Hamptons’ look.
We gathered some of our favourite rooms and decor items.
Blue & white decor
blue and white decor
Image credits from top: Pinterest,  Down & Out Chic, Tinamotta, With Love From Kat, Mark D Sikes, One Kings Lane, Grip Elements, Traditional Home.


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Layering Rugs

When more is more.  Layering rugs is a smart, simple and affordable way to add interest and texture to a room.
My favourite way to layer rugs is to add colour – a small bright, patterned rug on top of a more affordable large Rebtex sisal or jute carpet is just the thing to brighten up a room (and much less of a commitment than buying a large Persian). There’s nothing prettier than a beautiful Moroccan or kilim rug over a large neutral coloured rug – the bottom rug provides beautiful texture and frames the more intricate top layer.
A cowhide rug on top of a sisal rug, or a sheepskin on top of a jute rug, or anything soft on top of a flat weave – these are also ways to add interest and texture, but in a more subtle but equally effective way.
 


 
Image credits here.