Being a former Interior Architect I always have my eye out for beautiful planet-positive interior products. I love the colour and texture of these braided rugs from the aptly named Braided Rug Company. Small factories have been making braided rugs in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains for the last 100 years.  The yarns are spun, dyed into a rainbow of colours, and then woven into braids. Sewn by artisans who often sign their work, the rugs are then ready to send out.

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The braided Rug Company’s standard braided rugs are made from 100% recycled plastic bottles. The company says that these types of rugs are tough, machine washable, and soft underfoot, even going so far as to say that they feel like wool. Also as they’re 100% plastic you can also use them outside and they won’t rot or mildew.

The company also offers a multi-coloured braided rugs made 100% Recycled Man-made carpet fibres, which are also machine washable.

I appreciate that more and more of us have concerns over the energy and water usage in recycling and the potential for plastic fibres to enter our waterways as a result of the process. Personally I’m undecided on how I feel about buying products made from recycled plastic now. Recycling is a great way of using up the mountains of plastic we’ve generated but I’m concerned that supporting an economy in recycled products will make us less inclined to reduce our reliance on plastic in the first place.

If you’d prefer to stay away from all plastic goods then the Braided Rug Company also offers these stunning braided jute rugs. On their website they explain that although not ‘fair trade’ accredited, they have visited and worked with the supplier of the jute, and can confidently say that their products are ethically sourced.

Jute is biodegradable, and compostable too and being one of the toughest natural fibres is extremely durable. Jute can be harvested up to three times a year and needs no pesticides to grow. Jute fibres can withstand commercial use, and can last a lifetime in the home. Being a reed it is naturally water-resistant and if spun very finely it is extremely soft underfoot.

The company has also introduced braided jute baskets and placements to its offering.

And this pale gold rug from the Willamsburg collection is 95% Wool and 5% Misc. (Would love to know that the misc is 🙂

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