Casual charm

As more of us seek to create healthy homes, flooring made from natural fibers is gaining popularity. As well as their sustainable features, the tactile qualities and visual appeal of fibers such as sisal bring a relaxed ambiance into the home, says Eric Scharff of Natural Elements.

"Sisal has a soft sheen and a subtle texture, and the slight shade irregularities inherent in the material add to the relaxed feel. This makes it suitable for people looking for a more casual ambiance than that associated with traditional carpets," he says. "People also like the fact that sisal is a rapidly renewable resource, and that only tiny amounts of very low-VOC latex are used in production."

Patterned sisal is a cost-effective way of introducing patterned flooring into the home, as it is less expensive than Wilton or tufted patterns in carpets. The fiber does not trap dust or build up static, and regular vacuuming will keep the flooring in good condition, says Scharff.

Natural Elements has a large collection of sisal flooring in different patterns and colors. Larger patterns and darker color choices, such as brown and heather, are popular at the moment.

As well as wall-to-wall sisal flooring, the company produces custom-made sisal rugs. Around 300 border options are available in natural materials including linen, cotton, leather and jute.

The company sources its sisal fibers from agave sislana plants grown in East Africa. The plant's spiky leaves are crushed to extract the long fibers, which are dried before being woven.

Natural Elements also produces flooring and rugs using a mix of sisal and abaca, coir, mountaingrass, sea grass and New Zealand wool.

For more information, contact Natural Elements, 430 Union Grove Road, Calhoun, GA 30701, phone (800) 834 1728, fax (706) 629 4551. Email: info@glen-eden.com. Website: www.glen-eden.com.

Story by: Trendsideas