Burlap: not quite as soft as cotton.

What’s with Burlap?

This week I want to address burlap as the other trend that seems to be lingering in the decorating industry.

Now, depending on what part of the country you live in, using burlap for interior decorating may not be something you’re seeing, but at least in the south, burlap is everywhere. It’s on sofas, arm chairs, dining room chairs, lampshades, and pillows, to name a few. In fact, I’ve seen so much burlap that at times I couldn’t figure out if I was in a furniture store or in the potato section at the grocery store.

1tonbag.com writes the following: “Burlap Bags are known for their strength and durability. They are made from natural jute fabric, and are biodegradable. Burlap Bags are commonly used for Feed, Grain, Nuts, Coffee, Agriculture and Crops such as potatoes and onions, and are also used for the storage of spare parts. They are useful in construction for storage or debris, around the machine shop, or for work in the backyard.”

Does this description entice you to go out and purchase burlap for your next decorating project? Sure, if you’re a horse or a farmer.

Okay, I get it. I get that burlap is a trend, and I might be open to tossing a burlap covered pillow stamped with some fancy French phrase or fleur-de-lis on my couch. But you won’t see me cuddling up to it. I don’t mind a good skin exfoliation a few times a week, but when I want to watch TV, I’d prefer to lay my head or cheeks on something soft versus a loofah-like pillow.

What amazes me more is the cost of some of these burlap trendy items. In this tough economy I find it hard to believe that people are willing to pay the same, if not more, for a burlap covered club chair than they would for a chenille, linen, or twill covered chair. If they knew how inexpensive burlap is (I’ve seen it at fabric stores for $3-$5 a yard), I bet they’d re-think their French-inspired purchase.

So, I ask myself, have things gotten so bad in this country that we have to cover our furniture in something that is intended for carrying horse feed? Okay, for all of the “green” folks, I agree the biodegradable feature does make it interesting, but how many couches or chairs do you really see in a land fill? I thought most out-of-date and used furniture was given to college kids so that they could either puke on it or burn it during a blow out party on campus. (Yes, I have witnessed such events many times during my undergraduate years at B.G.S.U.)

But, I have to ask, for anyone who has invested in a butt-chafing burlap sofa, are ya happy with your purchase? How’s that working out for you? Maybe it’s working out for you in the winter months since you’re legs and arms are covered in sweatpants and turtlenecks, but drop me a note in the summer when you’re wearing shorts, a tank top, and few sweat beads, and I bet you’ll give me a different answer.

As always, follow the trends, or don’t follow the trends. It’s your decision. Just “scratch” (get it? burlap-itchy-scratch) your chin and think through the pros and cons of that choice both long and short term.