Indoor Style: Outdoor Rugged

Courtney M. Paschal -- Casual Living, 7/1/2007 12:00:00 AM

This season's indoor-outdoor rug introductions bring a breath of fresh air — and inspired designs — to the industry. What started out as plain doormats years ago has expanded to a new category. Today's outdoor-friendly rugs boast the same design and color inspiration found inside the home — from fun leopard prints to more subtle, neutral florals. You'll have to take a second look to believe these are made for the patio.

Organically inspired, the Nuance Collection by 828 International features a variation of leaves in earthen colors, hand-hooked of 100% polyacrylic with a polypropylene backing.	Asay Corporation's PatioPlus line of indoor/outdoor rugs includes Mini Palm, a 100% polypropylene rug featuring a flutter of pale orange palm trees against a neutral background.

From The HammockSource's Sawgrass Mills Collection, the Beaches rug is crafted of DuraCord fabric, hand-hooked and available in a variety of designs, from floral patterns to bordered designs.

Part of the Sunbraid Collection, the Pale Banana rug by Colonial Mills features a mid-stripe in a flat braid construction, also reversible and water-resistant.	In a combination of polypropylene and jute, the Bistro Villa Collection by Foreign Accents includes a bordered outdoor rug with a contemporary block design in a contrasting neutral color.

Seasons by Nourison includes round area rugs with a flatwoven construction featuring a dense texture with sheen in a neutral, springtime color palette.

Developed specifically to coordinate with a line of Lane fabrics for Lloyd/Flanders' newest casual furniture collections, the leopard print bordered rug from Capel's Frescati Collection adds a touch of fun and exotic nature to the outdoors.	The new Outdoor+Indoor Collection by The Rug Market includes Mustique, a contemporary, artsy floral pattern constructed of nylon fibers to withstand abrasive wear.

Patiomats features two designs in one with reversible patio rugs that are lightweight, UV stabilized and made of woven polypropylene.

Part of Shaw Living's Terrace Collection, the Garden District needlebond design in sage features a feminine and classic layered scroll pattern.	The Paisley Scroll rug, part of the Recife Collection from Couristan, is highlighted by a crisp combination of white and blue, power-loomed of 100% polypropylene.

Home Comfort's Jellybean designs include the Leafy Vines rug in an elegant pattern of vines and berries in sage green.

Contemporary solids have been added to Homespice Décor's Out-Durable Collection, including slate, perfect for a more urban outdoor area.