In the modern design of the premises, more and more preference is given to natural materials. Particles of nature bring warmth and comfort to the interior. The most common decor item in eco and ethnic styles today is the mat. This is a woven plant fiber mat.
A bit of history
Carpets woven from reed and lotus stalks were discovered during excavations of ancient Egyptian tombs. They carpeted floors in the houses of Ancient Rome and Greece.
In Asian countries, wicker flooring was also used. In Japan, woven carpets, or tatami, cover the floors in our time. The mat is a borrowed word, in Russian it was fixed in such a transcription due to the distorted French pronunciation of the word “China” - China. Such wicker goods came to Russia from China in the 19th century along with other colonial goods and became very popular accessories. The fashion for mats spread again in the middle of the 20th century along with the popularization of environmental natural materials and the fashion for exotic accessories and styles.
Varieties of Mats
Classic mats are woven from the stems of various plants: from rice straws, sisal, bamboo, jute and many others. A variety of materials allows you to create mats with embossed weaving. The most durable are rugs woven from sisal (leaves of American agave). Modern manufacturers add woolen thread to plant fibers, so a very strong and elastic mat is obtained. This is a great option for flooring in a children's room. Rugs of rice straw are the thinnest, softest and at the same time strong. Rice mats can be used not only for the floor, but also for wall decoration, as tableware.
Configuration and color scheme
The shapes of wicker rugs are diverse. The traditional floor mat has always been rectangular.
Over time, the masters began to weave round, oval, polygonal rugs. Plant fibers can be dyed in various colors (natural dyes were originally used), which makes it possible to create various patterns and ornaments on mats. Original floor coverings turn out. Any plant has an individual color of leaves and stems, so the mats woven from the fibers of different plants will differ in shades of flowers. There are models depicting landscapes,
portraits, genre scenes.
Floor mat - a great alternative to ordinary carpets
For lovers of the original design of the premises, woven carpets on the floor will be a real find. Mats are very convenient to use, easy to clean, their cost is much lower than conventional carpets. As a floor covering, mats will fit any interior style: in the classic or modernist directions, they will play the role of an accent. In ethnic, rural and natural (environmental) - make up a harmonious style unity. Wicker floor mats in the nurseries - the best solution for the design of these rooms. Since natural materials are environmentally friendly, mats from them maintain the temperature balance in the room, do not emit toxic substances. It is very good for your health to walk barefoot on wicker rugs, especially with embossed weaving. So a natural massage of acupuncture points on the foot is carried out.
Decoration of the walls with mats
To create a highlight in the interior, to emphasize the individuality of the owners will help such an accessory as a mat. The photos, which show various compositions from wicker rugs, amaze with their eccentricity. Beautiful wicker panels on the wall - an original decoration for the interior. Using mats with embossed or colored patterns, you can create an accent wall in the living room, dining room or bedroom. Landscape or other sketches will make a real picturesque canvas out of an ordinary wicker rug. It will look great in a beautiful baguette frame. Thin monophonic mats of neutral colors can design all the walls in the room instead of the usual wallpaper.
Mats as serving accessories
A mat is also a way to decorate a dining table.
Decorative wicker cutlery stands are very relevant today. When laying the table, this element is given considerable attention. Mats designed for
table decoration, usually make up a set of different in shape or size copies. Such accessories create a cozy and warm atmosphere at the table. Sushi fashion has made
bamboo mats incredibly popular. In addition, wicker rattan mat-dishes for dishes are very convenient to use.
It should be noted that the mat is not only a way to diversify life and the interior, but also a safe and useful material.