INTERIORS : Naturally Underfoot : Plant fibers such as sea grass, agave and coconut woven into floor coverings are finding great favor because of their toughness and versatility.
If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, floor coverings woven from sea grass, agave, coconut and other plants should feel pretty smug these days. Long before synthetic ever came to be associated with floor coverings, these natural fibers were underfoot in homes--often humble ones--around the world.
Today, the look of the fibers has proven so versatile in modern homes that it is being duplicated by manufacturers in conventional carpet materials such as wool. Those who opt for the real thing are finding it’s readily available.
Prices range from dirt-cheap grass mats (about $4 a square yard) found at Cost Plus and Pier One Imports to high-end sisal-look-alike wool carpets by Karastan (about $70 a square yard) that mimic their poorer relatives.
The natural fiber coverings come primarily from three sources: sisal, coir and reed. Each has its own particular look and characteristics.
Sisal (pronounced sigh-sul ) is made from the Mexican agave, renowned for the strength of its leaf fibers. These fibers are harvested as an annual crop and then machine-loomed into distinctive broadlooms. The advantage to sisal is its durability and the way dirt flows through it; the disadvantage is its ability to hold stains, which set permanently unless cleaned right away.
Coir is the tough, coarse fiber from the husk of the fruit of the coconut palm. After immersing the fibers in saltwater for months, they become pliable enough for spinning into yarn by hand. Later, the yarn is machine-loomed into heavy textured and durable broadlooms. Like sisal, coir is durable but also holds stains. In areas where no eating occurs, like an office or a living room, this generally isn’t a problem.
Both sisal and coir can crumble and shed fiber and dust, but the more expensive varieties that are latex- or vinyl-backed stop dirt falling through to the floor and impede shedding. This is particularly important when the covering is used wall to wall. Cut into long strips, these are good choices for stairs and hallways since they’re strong and don’t show traffic patterns.
Reed is made from the tall perennial grasses of saltwater marshes. This “sea grass,” strong and long-lasting, is harvested at the end of the growing season, then machine-loomed into a natural material. Sea grass has the same advantages of coir and sisal, but it also repels stains with its natural saline coating, making it probably the most practical of the three.
Since all these products are made from natural vegetable fibers, there are weaving irregularities, knots, stubs and slight color variations within the covering that give it character and texture.
“These fibers have been used for hundreds of years,” said David Atwood of DWD Interior Design in Design Center South in Laguna Niguel. “They were originally used by the poor people. For example, in Egypt and Turkey people would use mats made of natural fibers to sit on when they journeyed into the desert. It was not considered a high-end item. Since it’s come to the West, manufacturers have been experimenting more and more--adding colors, mixing fibers and increasing sizes.”
Most sisal comes from Mexico, but it’s now also being brought in from the Philippines, Atwood said. The sisal is generally manufactured in natural or bleached colors, but about six years ago it was discovered that sisal could take dyes, so the manufacturers started experimenting with different colors and patterns. “The advantage to these darker colors is that they don’t show stains as easily,” Atwood said.
Sisal, coir and reed area rugs with vinyl backing can be glued to a cement floor, or laid loose and then stuck down along the edges using double-sided tape, although this process may cause some slight bumping. Carpet pads aren’t usually needed, although some people prefer them.
Some coverings combine wool with sisal to make for a softer feel. “A lot of people like the look of sisal but they don’t like to walk on it with their bare feet because it doesn’t feel good to them. The wool and sisal blend makes it much softer and it can be used wall to wall. You do need an expert installer to do it properly though. Not just anyone is capable of the job since the carpeting is very heavy,” Atwood said.
Among the nylon look-alike options is the Softer-Than-Sisal line by Unique Carpets, priced at about $28 a yard. It has about twice the density of an average carpet, which makes it very long-lasting, and, if it is paired with a dense pad, it can create wall-to-wall carpeting that is virtually indestructible, Atwood said. Since it is made of nylon, it comes in just about any color and is easy to clean.
Because each type of material used in creating these carpets has advantages and drawbacks, the type chosen should reflect the expected pattern of use.
A sisal look-alike in wool was chosen by Sue White of White Design in Corona del Mar for two area rugs in a small condominium. “My clients wanted the look of sisal, but they didn’t like the feel of it under their feet. Since the rug was to be in the living room, they chose a neutral-colored wool carpeting with a cotton twill edge banding around it. I had the corners mitered so that the ribbon did not form a bump by one strip laying over the other.”
White feels that wool is more resilient than nylon and doesn’t have the shine. “Sometimes they try to de-luster nylon, but wool has that property naturally. Wool is also inherently fire resistant.”
The area rugs in this house work well with the contemporary furniture and the white oak floors, making the living room-dining room area both sleek and comfortable.
These floor coverings are being used with all styles of decor, from the most casual to the very formal.
For beach houses, natural fiber area rugs and runners allow sand and dirt to fall right through, so sweeping up is easy. With the addition of wicker or cane furniture, a casual look is achieved. For a house full of ethnic art and artifacts, the sea grass carpeting works well under native kilim and Oriental rugs. In a more formal villa, sisal used over stone floors both deadens sound and makes for an intriguing mix of styles. In contemporary houses, natural fibers contrast well with brightly colored abstract paintings and sculptures.
When shopping for these carpets, it’s worthwhile to look around, advises Atwood. “Right now the market is very competitive and most dealers will match prices to get your business. Usually there is an added charge of freight and sometimes the latex backing is also extra.”
Few things take as much wear and tear as floor coverings and the growing popularity of these natural and quasi-natural fibers is testament to their durability, textural interest, color options and--last but not least--ability to fit into any size budget.
Coir and Sisal Care
Here are some recommendations from manufacturers and carpet experts on caring for sisal and coir rugs:
* Visible and loose dirt should be picked up with vacuum cleaner. This is easily done because dirt will not cling to the hard, non-static fibers. Regular cleaning is necessary because loose particles of dirt reduce the life span of the floor covering with their scouring effect.
* Spilled water should be dabbed immediately with a cloth and then dried with a hair dryer. Quick action helps prevent water marks, which can form when dissolved dirt particles are drawn to the surface as the carpet dries.
* Fresh stains should be cleaned promptly by scraping up solids and blotting liquids. To cut grease, dab with a cloth dampened with white vinegar. Another option is to use a small amount of seltzer water to help lift and diffuse the stain. Dry with a fresh cloth or hair dryer.
* K2R spot remover, available in many hardware and grocery stores, is suggested by manufacturers.