Exotic natural fibers -- such as abaca, banana leaf, sea grass and water hyacinth -- are making inroads on territory long dominated by sisal -- and while they're at it, getting up off the floor.
This new generation of ecologically correct natural fibers, conjuring images of summer porches and island idylls, is being woven into stools, tables, sectional sofas, lamps, floor cushions and throw pillows.
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Sisal, which has become a design given as basic as black, retains its devoted fans, including Washington designer Frank Babb Randolph: "I still love it and sell lots of it."
But these less familiar fibers, many indigenous to Southeast Asia, have competing good qualities: They are handsome, durable, smooth to the touch and made from plants that grow quickly and replenish easily: Water hyacinth is an aquatic weed. Abaca, a ropey fiber from the banana tree family, is said to be twice as strong as sisal and three times stronger than cotton. Sea grass, the perennial grass of saltwater marshes, is stain-resistant and features a slight natural sheen. Leaves from the fast-growing banana tree are easy to work with and hold dye well. And like the more ubiquitous sisal, all adapt beautifully to almost any surrounding.
The tactile quality of these natural fibers appeals to Randolph, who mentioned a chair he'd admired recently that was made of water hyacinth. "The arms were graceful and elegant, and it also looked comfortable."
Kimberly Aylward, spokeswoman for Garnet Hill, the catalogue and Web site known for its natural-fiber bedding and clothing, says natural fibers speak to our environmental and practical instincts, and now they're taking shape aesthetically.
"Fibers like sea grass are not for doormats anymore," she says. Among the company's new offerings: Pandana Cube, a lightweight movable seat with a covering made of hand-woven banana leaves. The one-over-one weave (remember making pot holders?) is simple, the shape is functional, the lines sophisticated enough to mingle with any decor.
Veena Singh, owner of Sansar in Bethesda, is known for featuring traditional American crafts, with an emphasis on wood. Lately, however, she has been selling a collection of abaca stools and small tables made in the Philippines. "They're smart-looking designs that use traditional material in a contemporary way," says Singh, who chose them because they complement the items in the rest of her gallery with subtle color and texture.
Mette Baklund, a spokeswoman for the Denmark-based global modern furniture chain Bo Concept, says she finds it relaxing to surround herself with natural materials and colors. These materials "are a beautiful contrast to modern interiors," while at the same time they help soften the edges. "Fibers create interesting surfaces; they sort of have a life of their own."
Lynn Skynear, owner of the eponymous Adams Morgan store, remembers when home furnishings items from Southeast Asia meant floor mats whose primary use was for sleeping.
Now she's seeing striking architectural designs in pillows and lighting made of tight, hand-woven and soft-feeling sea grass. "Unlike some other woven products such as bamboo and wicker that are hard, sea grass has this soft, bendable quality."
She says these new pieces are also easy to mix with antiques as well as modern interiors because of a pared-down, clean look. They're sleeker than the heavy, lacquered pieces that we were used to seeing come out of this environment. Says Skynear, "It's as if East has met West."
1. Refined and pale-colored bath accessories, such as trays ($45), wastebaskets ($75) and tissue boxes ($50) woven of banana fiber from the northern Philippines, are part of the Palm Collection from Waterworks, the stylish bath fixtures and accessories company with a store in Georgetown. The more rustic-looking Abaca line has a looser weave, rougher finish and darker color. Baskets (the large one shown here is $44), hampers and waste bins sell from $10 to $98. 3314 M St. NW, 202-333-7180. 800-998-2284 to order a catalogue or locate a store, or see www.waterworks.com.
2. Choice and personal style in design are the bywords at Bo Concept, which has stores in Georgetown and McLean that offer numerous possibilities for natural fabrics, colors and styles in its collection of furniture and accessories. Handsome large and small bowls in sea grass come in burnt orange and hot pink and sell for $49 for a set of three. Small sea grass baskets start at $6.25. 3342 M St. NW; 202-333-5656. And at Tysons Galleria, 703-556-4444. www.boconcept.com.
3, 5. At Skynear, tightly woven pillows made of sea grass are edged with black cotton to create a modern, sophisticated look. The small throw pillow is $50; the floor cushion is $89. The 52-inch-high tube floor lamp with a wenge base and sea grass shade goes for $199. 2122 18th St. NW. 202-797-7160. www.skynear.com.
4. The elements of the five-piece sea grass sectional sofa from Pottery Barn can be combined to make love seats or chaise lounges or stand alone. The material is hand woven over a frame of strong tropical hardwood called gmelina. The neutral color of sea grass allows the furniture to be the foundation of the room, ready to welcome colorful accessories. Zip-off covers for cushions are made of cotton twill ($2,079 for all five pieces; extra corner and armless pieces priced separately). 888-779-5176 or www.potterybarn.com.
6. Pier 1 Import's Bahama stool, made of water hyacinth over a rattan core with rattan feet, sets a tropical mood. Use as an ottoman in a living room, a stool at the foot of a bed or a side table near a favorite chair. At 19 inches tall and 18 inches wide, a cluster could serve as a coffee table ($75). It will be available in June from all Pier 1 stores. 4455 Connecticut Ave. NW. 202-537-5053 or 800-245-4595. www.pier1.com.
7. Garnet Hill's Pandana cube is available in orange, yellow or green woven banana leaves. Hidden inside is a lightweight metal frame covered in foam. $135. 800-870-3513,www.garnethill.com.
8. At Sansar, small cocktail tables and stools, made from abaca leaves, come from a Seattle-based importer of contemporary furniture, Asiatix. The import company's manager, Jerry Ines, says abaca is so strong, "you could build a house out of it." The Round Deco side table and the Bucca stool, which is shown here, are available in brown, beige, gray or natural, for $340 each. 4805 Bethesda Ave., Bethesda, 301-652-8676.
