1. Burlap hanging lamp 2. Twisted Vine Floor Lamp ($1,275 at Neiman Marcus) 3. Donna Karan Spring Jacket 2010 (Photo by Karl Prouse/Catwalking/Getty Images) 4. Nightwood Pegasus Chair 5. Paris Pillow $35 6. Clinton St. room interior by Workstead (photo courtesy of Robert Highsmith of Workstead) 7. Nightwood Estate Couch  8.Burlap Dining Chair ($1,500 at Hudson Goods) 9. Auvenier Bag ($85 at Etsy) 10. Burlap Boots ($50 at Etsy)

The Look: Rustic interiors emphasizing both subdued color and natural, unrefined surfaces continue to gain popularity. Burlap, a textured beige fabric made of jute, hemp or other woven fibers blends perfectly into the mix, especially when combined with leather, wood, metal or even vibrant prints. No longer just found in the form of itchy bags we used as kids in awkward potato sack races, burlap is being taken seriously by designers and home owners looking for a rough-hewn alternative to traditional fabrics. Added bonus: When left untreated, burlap is not only naturally organic but also inexpensive.

Seen In: Home decor giants like Restoration Hardware and Pottery Barn offer a variety of burlap items, from simple tablecloths to ornate chairs or other large furniture pieces upholstered with the down-home fabric—a clever way to make even the fussiest piece look a little more laid back. Crafters make frequent use of burlap, incorporating it into storage bags, jewelry, table runners, ottoman covers, pillows and curtains. (D.I.Y. tip: Burlap thrown in the dryer for just a few minutes becomes much softer and easier to work with. Edges can be hemmed but look charming when left raw and frayed.) Burlap's porous texture holds ink well, so it’s easy to personalize with printed monograms or other designs. Many designers and crafters also look for burlap that has been used, in the traditional manner, to house and transport coffee, beans or other items in danger of condensation. Here, the fabric comes pre-printed with images or text and can look as chic as the unmarked version on home decor items or as gift wrap or other forms of packaging. Even fashion designers are taking note: A tailored, frayed-edge burlap jacket made an appearance on Donna Karan’s Spring 2010 runway, and we can’t help but think we’ll see many more burlap fashion and accessories items in future seasons. As for eBay, the site boasts over 2,100 results for burlap, from bowls and tumblers covered with burlap and lacquered to designer shoes with burlap accents.

Loved By: Green advocates, in particular, find burlap irresistible. At Nightwood, a Brooklyn-based home decor collaborative that works with repurposed materials, Myriah Scruggs gathers, deconstructs and reconstructs wood and furniture pieces while partner Nadia Yaron works with textiles that are organic, vintage or sustainable. Yaron says, “One of the reasons I started recovering old chairs is that I fell in love with the layers of fabric underneath, most often muslin and burlap. I wanted to re-create that old look and feel by using burlap as a finishing piece. It’s virtually unprocessed in its natural state and made of sustainable fibers.” She prefers hemp burlap because of its “beautiful grayish taupe color.” Similarly, Karl Miller, owner of Hudson Goods, a vintage- and industrial-inspired home décor and furniture company, sells burlap items including pillows, lamps and chairs. Miller praises burlap saying, “I like using burlap because of its natural texture and the ability to repurpose ordinary household items into something unexpected. I believe in going green. Wherever possible, I use reclaimed or recycled wood, glass, etc. Tobey Woodall sells burlap pieces on etsy.com and praises the versatility of it saying, “I love burlap not only for it’s wonderfully organic quality, but because it’s perfect in any décor, from Modern to French Country. From an artistic standpoint, burlap is a fabulous canvas; it provides a natural, textural background, while remaining an integral part of the piece itself.”

1. New Miu MIu Burlap Sandals (buy it now $495)

2. Louis XVI Burlap Sofa (buy it now $2,695)

3. New Burlap Teddy Bear (buy it now $9)

4. Isaac Mizrahi Burlap Dress (buy it now $800)

5. New Burlap Archery Target (buy it now $13.95)

6. New Burlap and wood Dining Chairs (buy it now $390)

7. New Burlap Custom Pillow (buy it now $75)

8. Burlap and leather Handbag (buy it now $48)

9. New Linen and Burlap Chaise Lounge (buy it now $ 2,450) 

10. Colonial Silhouette Burlap Paintings (buy it now $9.99)  
 

11. Burlap Bowl (buy it now $9.99)

A freelance editor who recently relocated to Austin from New York, Chris Frey previously served as the Fashion Market Director at Cookie and the Accessories Director at Lucky.