Summer Rustic

"Summer is the annual permission slip to be lazy. To do nothing and have it count for something. To lie in the grass and count the stars. To sit on a branch and study the clouds." ~ Regina Brett

Or to lounge around the house, windows open, sheer curtains dancing in the breeze, tucked into a comfy sofa with a good book, a glass of wine, or a well-deserved nap. 

Bring a focus on the natural inside - gauzy linen, super soft wool, goose down pillows, weathered wood, rustic tiles, and jute or hemp rugs to create a space even the grumpiest or fiercely driven workaholic will be able to settle in and really relax. 

Gone are the days when "going green" meant roughing it. It's reached a new level of sophistication that is accessible to anyone wanting to create a space that is both comfortable and environmentally conscious.

Hemp Facts:

• Hemp grows without pesticides and chemicals fertilizers. It actually outruns weeds.
• Nearly every part of the hemp plant --from the stalk to the seeds--can be utilized for products such as cosmetics, textiles, and fiberboard.
• Hemp grows up to 150 times faster than trees and yields four times as much fiber per acre.
• Consumption of hemp products conserves oil and timber resources.

Hemp production and its uses have flourished over the past decade. It makes wonderfully durable rugs that bring texture and a rustic sensibility to any room. Perfect for the beach, and enclosed porch, or a little sanctuary for private "me time". The uses are endless. And you are not limited to neutral colors either!

 Caring for Your Hemp Rug:

When cleaning your hemp rug, it is best to first start with using water and a toothbrush or a scrub brush depending on the size of the area you want to clean. If the area is large, we advise taking the rug outside and hosing it down. It can be left outside to dry in the summer or hung to air dry inside. Occasionally, water is not sufficient to clean the hemp rug. In this situation, we advise using a very mild dish soap or detergent along with a toothbrush or scrub brush to clean the area. After using the mild soap, it is important to rinse the area thoroughly as any residue left on the rug may give it a powdered appearance.

Use white vinegar mixed with a mild dish soap to protect colors when cleaning. 1 cup vinegar to 1 gallon water, or stronger, is recommended. Rinse thoroughly on both sides and make sure all soap residue is gone before drying. The use of a wet-vac is ok, but hot water is strongly discouraged (lukewarm to cold water is best). Colors should be expected to fade somewhat even with these precautions. Minimum soap and maximum white vinegar (only) is the best advice against color fading. These rugs are not machine washable. Please note that naturally dyed products may fade when placed in direct sun.

Speaking of Rug Cleaning - be sure to Download and/or Share our comprehensive Rug Cleaning Guide. It's a handy reference, because there's always going to be some sort of spill. Be prepared with this handy guide. 

GET THE LOOK: Mix these durable and attractive area rug options with some super comfy furniture and you are good to go. A neutral palette is a wonderfully perfect base for the relaxed look. Layer on some pillows, a throw, a collection of little finds from your morning walk... 

Pull it all together in one place - NW Rugs & Furniture in Portland