Dear Joe,

The wood floors in my place are a mess. I wanted to buy what I thought were sisal area rugs for the living and dining areas. When I went to several stores, there were rugs labeled as different materials. I thought they were all sisal, but now I'm confused. Any help in selecting would be appreciated.

Floored

Dear Floored,

Natural fiber rugs are a great choice for almost any decor. They provide a wonderful backdrop for just about anything from Louis XVI to Stickley to minimalist contemporary decor. Noted interior designers have used these natural materials for many years for both area rugs and wall-to-wall installations.

Natural floor coverings come in several materials. Being familiar with the categories, their properties and appearance will help in your decision. There are basically five fibers that are used for these floor coverings: coir, jute, rush, seagrass and sisal.

The first material is coir. This fiber comes from coconut husks. It is spun, woven and then backed with latex. Its very coarse quality makes a strongly textured flooring material that comes in many different weaves ( for example, basketweave and herringbone ) . Coir is often used for doormats because it is so durable.

The second fiber is jute, derived form the jute plant. This is one of the softest of the natural materials. It comes in many different colors. Naturally a light brown, it can be bleached to a light cream, or dyed different colors before weaving. Because it is so soft, it is a good choice for a bedroom, but not for heavy traffic areas.

Rush has actually been used since the Middle Ages. The wide leaves are braided and then sewn together to create floor coverings. It is more expensive than the other types of matting, and should only be used is areas of light wear. It cannot be allowed to completely dry out or it will crack. Therefore, it needs to either be on a naturally damp surface or maintained by sprinkling it with water. I guess this would not be a wise choice for a Chicago dwelling.

Seagrass is a material that is frequently used in area rugs. Very affordable, it is made of a grass that is grown much like rice in a paddy field. ( No, that's not where I grew up! ) The fiber is woven into simple designs, then backed with latex. It has a brown to beige color with a definite greenish tinge. Seagrass cannot be dyed, but sometimes other color strands are woven into the rugs. This fiber is very strong, resists most stains and is easy to clean.

The last category is sisal. The fiber comes form the leaves of a spiky bush, much like the yucca plant. It can be spun into yarns of different weights, then woven into a variety of patterns that are strong or subtle. Because the yarn can be dyed, the final floor covering can be solid color or multicolored. This material is soft, very durable and suitable for most any interior. It is also usually more expensive.

The best way to narrow your choices is to look extensively at the many options. Consider how much you want to spend, the durability of each material used and the overall physical properties in terms of your decor.

Dear Joe,

Since your ad says that you specialize in drapery treatments, I probably already know your answer to this one. My living room is a mixed bag of mostly traditional furniture. I have wood blinds on the windows. Are the blinds by themselves too stark, or do I need draperies to finish the room?

Blind Man's Bluff

Dear Blind Man,

I have no idea whether or not you need draperies. Without seeing the room, I cannot make an evaluation or suggestion.

Adding draperies to a room depends on many factors. Yes, the style of decor can call for certain window treatments, but there are a lot of other things to consider. Sometimes draperies are needed for privacy or to block sunlight. At other times they may be useful in absorbing noise in or outside of a room. I have had clients call me when there were no other options for covering particularly large windows.

Then again, there are times when treating a window with a simple blind is best. I recently advised a client that he should use only blinds on two very small windows that were flanking his bed. At other times, the simplicity in architecture or decor can call for a minimal treatment.

Using a drapery treatment depends mostly on the person who is living in the room. Some people just do not like draperies. Others feel that a window is incomplete without them. I take many different things into consideration before advising people on what to do with their windows. These factors include the decor and architectural elements, along with the design preferences, budget and living habits of the client.

My answer to you is a question: Does the room look too stark to you without drapery treatments?

Please e-mail your questions to jos.riceinteriors@att.net . In the subject box, fill in 'WCT Design.'

Joseph Rice is an interior decorator who offers full decorating services. With 23 years of experience, he specializes in 'hard-to-treat' windows. You can reach him at Joseph Rice Interiors, Inc. ( 773-271-2361 ) , jos.riceinteriors@att.net . or www.josephriceinteriors.com .