Sophie Aschauer at home with some of the rope she has collected for her mats.

These beautiful and fun mats by SerpentSea recently appeared on my radar. Their nautical design and bright color combinations are great for summer, and would work perfectly indoors or outdoors -– I was instantly drawn to them. Each mat is made of recycled marine rope and is woven by hand into one of four unique knotted designs. The four different knots, named for four famously cruel 17^th century pirates (Bonnie, Drake, Morgan, and Killigrew), are traditional, centuries-old sailors’ knots that have long been used to serve practical purposes.

Aschauer incorporates both nautical and mountaineering rope for bold designs in striking colors.

Sophie Aschauer, an artist’s assistant and style inspiration here in New York, has transformed these utilitarian knots into stunning nautical décor with SerpentSea, which she started after a sailing trip to Nantucket. Each mat uses up to 150 feet of repurposed nautical rope, and takes about four hours to weave by hand. The eco-friendly incorporation of used rope lends a whimsical air to the mats and really connects them to the ocean, while bold colors and a unique design makes them feel fresh and modern.

Because these mats are made from reclaimed sailors’ rope, they sometimes show signs of wear, making for a rustic but refined look for indoors or out.

 Check out the SerpentSea website for more information; mats from $ 249.

Home Design with Kevin Sharkey

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