What could tequila and a sisal floor rug possibly have in common? I know. There are so many great punch lines that could follow, but there’s actually a legitimate answer. They both have the same origin: the Agave plant.
Sisal is a natural fiber cultivated from the Agave plant, the same plant used to create tequila. But unlike tequila, sisal’s benefits are long-term! Sisal is highly durable and strong, and has been used in the making of twine and rope since the beginning of civilization. And the use of sisal rugs can be traced back as far as ancient Egypt.
This rich history comes with good reason. Sisal is naturally stain resistant, fire-retardant and doesn’t build up static electricity like synthetic materials. The fiber also does not compress or show wear patterns like modern wall-to-wall carpeting. And sisal is much stronger than most other natural fibers found in rugs, such as flax, jute and hemp. Can you tell I’m a fan?
Here are some fabulous finds in sisal to add to your home.

Kerman Sisal Area Rug. Priced from $115.00; www.naturalhomerugs.com.
Continue reading »
The Sunflower. With its maple and black cabinetry and warm yellow walls, this kitchen has “sunflower” written all over it. Black pots are even suspended in the middle of the yellow room, invoking the center of the flower. And is there any flower more fitting to inspire a warm and inviting space?



If you’re like me, you may think the tradition of “spring cleaning” started with some overzealous June Cleaver type. But spring cleaning has actually been around for millenniums and for good reason. There are many religious customs associated with spring cleaning, but it also clearly originated out of necessity.
Ikat started the recent trend and quickly spread everywhere, from fashion to interiors. It is one of the oldest forms of textile decoration and is a weaving style common to many world cultures. The word ikat (pronounced ee-KAHT) comes from the Malay-Indonesian word mengikat which means to tie or bind.

