burlap for wimps

Main Entry: bur·lap
Pronunciation: \ˈbər-ˌlap\
Function: noun

1. A scratchy, hairy, fuzzy, unwieldy material that is tres chic and the biggest trend since I don't know what. A nightmare to sit on, lean against, or otherwise touch. Darling and the lust of all people home-obsessed, despite it's {many} flaws.

I know you've been obsessed with burlap too. I've read your blogs. I've salivated over your burlap pillows, runners, and window treatments. I have spent hours on etsy searching "burlap pillow" and found many, many cuties I'd be happy to call my own.

But you know what? I can't stand the way burlap feels! I can't stand the hairs it leaves on my black shirts! I can't stand the unraveling! I can't stand the itch I get when I lean against it! I have even tried washing it. That helps a little.

So what's a burlap-obsessed home-obsessed accessory-obsessed girl gonna do?

I'll admit I was at Joann's last night at 8:30 buying burlap. I'll admit I had it in mind for a certain project that was a reinvention of this. But it did not work. Sadly, I admitted defeat. Until. Until my Mom came over. "Just use it somewhere else" said she. "But where?" sid I. And then we schemed and came up with this.

I present you with burlap for wimps. My attempt to somehow incorporate burlap in my home without resting my hiney or back on it.

Fig. 1 Somewhat dated Tuscan-ish fauxpiary from Ross, circa 2005. Not bad, but in need of some love.


Fig. 2 A strip of burlap a little longer and a little wider than the pot it's going on, and jute twine {Big Lots, $1.25}


Fig. 3 Wrap & tie girls. Wrap & tie.


Fig 4. See? It's kind of cute, right?


Fig 5. Even more fauxpiary shrug love:


Fig. 6 What else can we do with burlap? How about staple it to the back of a vintage window for a little texture?

It helps when the window is mounted above a cute new basket with a faux burlap liner. Then it all coordinates. See?

And that's it. Just wrap it around something and get your burlap love on. Any other ideas where I can use the remainding 1/3 of a yard of scratchy perfection?