I consider my design style (if I have one at all!) as fairly classic and traditional with a pinch of boho and a splash of modern thrown in for good measure. I tend to watch the trends, dream about how much I love them, but can't imagine who to fit them into my own decor (hello, spa blue and chocolate! Never figured that one out in my own house.)
With baited breath, I've been waiting for the burlap-apalooza to burn itself out, but alas, it lives on! Three or four years ago, on a trip to High Point market, we observed it everywhere, usually paired with the beachy, washed-out look. Since then, I think it's gone more mainstream, but is still typically paired with light, airy colors (which won't work in my bold-colored, purple, red, and yellow interiors).
This is one trend I could embrace wholeheartedly. I love it, for the simple color, the over the top texture, and the plain old simplicity of it. However, I'm certainly not planning to ditch my lovely silk and nailhead loveseat for it, or to pull down my gorgeous drapes to redo. So I'm searching for little ways to work it into an existing plan.
Earlier this year, I found a great printed burlap runner, of sorts. Not a typical runner, it's nicely lined and not a standard size, so I imagine it could be used as a wall hanging or in another decorative use.
I like to pair it with a crisp white tablecloth, and casual-down the formal dining room using everyday dinnerware and natural woven place mats.
Moving on to the kitchen, I wanted to insert a little burlap-feel here as well. Enter this photo (Pottery Barn, I believe) as an inspiration to add some excitement to plain-Jane chandelier shades.
Now, this chandelier is nothing like the one over our breakfast table, but the shades are the same, and I knew just where I could get some cool flat braided jute trim like those.
After doing some much-delayed additional fixes to the chandelier (extending the wiring and chain, sewing a cord cover out of basic linen, and actually hanging it centered over the table - hallelujah!), the new shades added just the right touch of rough texture.
Since runners and tableclothes are such an easy way to add a new texture to a room, I whipped up a new burlap one for this table. It's just wide enough that placemats (there they are again!) overlap it just enough.
Next up, some long pillows for the back of the bench seats. I'm contemplating using a regular bed pillow, sewn up and cut longways. The fabric might be burlap, might be light linen (like the cord cover), or perhaps a mix of both. Ahhh, I do have some of that jute trim left ....
