I was lucky enough to escape last weekend's blistering heat at a lakeside cabin in Vermont that had floors covered in colorful braided rugs — a summer house staple. But the appeal of these heavy duty floor coverings doesn't need to stop in the country, their nostalgic simplicity could easily brighten an urban space as well.
Traditionally braided rugs were handmade, and the commercially manufactured versions available today are still often produced at small, family owned companies throughout the East Coast. The braids are made from yarn or cloth and stitched into an oval. Braided rugs are easily found online at sites like justbraidedrugs.com and the red rug shown in the third image above is from Maine-based, L.L. Bean.
Images: 1, Domino; 2, Thorndike Mills; 3, L.L. Bean
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these remind me of my childhood. My mom had about 4 in the house, all in different sizes.
I never would have thought to mix a braided rug with those furnishings in the first room - I always thought of them as country/lodge style...
...but the color makes it work really well here, doesn't it?
I've never seen any that big before. The only braided mats I've ever seen are bathmat sized ones, no doubt handmade by some relative of their owners. I'd love to know how to make them myself. Wouldn't the bright colours be perfect in a kids room?
we have a ton that my grandma hand made during her life. they will always remind me of her and of home.
I still have a braided rug that I use from my husband's mother in shades of red. Braided rugs have changed and now come with more beautiful colors and styles than ever. Take a look at this red cross-sewn braided rug in this modern kitchen. http://bit.ly/7An53Z
The Designer Insider
I thought they were more "country" than I like, but that main photo is gorgeous.
Never would have thought to add a braided rug to that scene but it works really, really well.
I usually loathe these, but that one in the first pic really does go well with the decor! Who knew?
I'm going to go out on a limb here, but I think that first picture is great... except for the rug. Bleh.
These remind me of my childhood, too! Never was a fan, but I have to say that it does work well in that photo. Who knew, indeed!
also reminded of childhood.
I decided recently to try and find a large one similar to some my grandmother has and all the ones I found were so thin! hers are at least an inch thick after 40 years of wear, the LL Bean ones are about 1/4 or 1/8th new!
it does concern me that beating is the only way I know of cleaning them though.
Yeah, no. I'm still a hater. We had these in every room in the house growing up. They just remind me of cheap faux 'country' decor.
Fantastic and powerful rugs. I like it. But how can I purchase rugs?
rugs uk