It’s finally starting to feel like summer, and we’ve begun to feel the water’s pull- it must be time to go boating! Whenever we think about spending time on the water, we inevitably start to think about rope and sailing knots. The patterns and shapes made with this simple material are endlessly inspiring. But you don’t need to relegate rope to a “nautical pursuits only” status. Think about bringing it inside, too.
The texture and color of woven rope is a natural fit for many interiors. Used as an accent, it can add depth and interest in many applications- as an accessory, woven mat, or even as an architectural element. It’s roughness is a nice counterpoint to more refined furnishings and finishes. Here are a few of our favorite examples of rope’s decorative uses.
Thom Felicia’s lake house from Domino
The newly renovated Commodore Hotel in Astoria, Oregon
Lanterns strung up with rope in a project from the portfolio of Erin Martin
A rope banister by Thom Felicia for House Beautiful
(this type of installation will usually not pass code, so if you’re considering if for new construction or a remodel, you will have to be creative about when it gets installed)
A diminutive rope mirror as seen in Lonny Magazine
Rope doorstop available at Haus Interior
These rope pulls from Anthropologie would be great on a dresser
A rope doormat from Stonk Knots
A book in our library that we return to frequently- The Book of Sailing Knots