Bamboo in the home is versatile and beautiful

Dear Dan: Bamboo is the new darling of the building and design industry. Although it has been used for many years in the Orient, it is only now beginning to come into it's own in our country. One of the reasons for its appeal is that it is actually a grass, and therefore grows quickly and is a very renewable resource, making it an environmentally responsible choice. Aside from its political correctness, however, is the fact that is a beautiful and versatile material, capable of being the floor under your feet, the dishes on your table, the lounge chair on your patio and the entire gazebo in your backyard!

It is easy to introduce a touch of bamboo into your living space. Large poles of what we call Jungle Bamboo (usually about 4" in width) are available usually in 8' lengths. If you happen to have one of the huge pottery pots that are so popular now, a great and very simple way to add a bamboo accent is to simply pop five of these jungle giants into the pot and call it done. This same size of bamboo (and other widths) are also usually available split in half lengthwise, and the "splits" can be used on walls (we used them in a dining room to cover the joined areas of a bamboo wallpaper). You could also use these as a chair railing or crown molding accent in a room.

Whether you're looking for handmade paper, furniture, fabric or accessories, you will find it at loose ends. If it is unusual, organic and fabulous, then loose ends is the place. Showroom hours are 8 am to 5 pm weekdays and the first Saturday of each month 10 am - 3pm at 2065 Madrona Ave. SE, Salem, or visit us online at www.looseends.com Questions? Give us a call at (503) 390-2348.

Matchstick bamboo shades have always been popular, but they are fairly common. If you wanted to add a bambooaccent at your windows you could create a bamboo "valance" by drilling opposite holes on either side and both ends of a number of bamboo poles (width determined by the size of the window) and using a natural fiber such as abaca twine, hemp rope, coco fiber rope, etc. make knots at the holes to space the poles apart. Depending on the number of poles you add you could make this as long or as short as needed.

If a touch of the Orient is appropriate, a very quick and attractive technique is to place two bamboo poles into a potted plant, then add a top cross piece a few inches down from the pole tops. Lash this top piece into place, first with wire, then with a heavy layering of raffia, seagrass or bamboo stripping.

Need something more traditional? How about hanging a favorite tapestry onto two bamboo poles by rolling either end around a pole, anchoring them on the backside, then allowing the bamboo to extend far enough beyond the textile to add it's unique character to the piece.

Sandi Reinke is an author, frequent television guest and lead designer for loose ends (www.loosends.com), a Salem-based interior décor, garden, and casual lifestyle company. To ask Reinke a decorating question, e-mail info@looseends.com or mail her at the showroom address, 2065 Madrona Ave. SE, Salem, OR 97302. Phone: 503-390-2348.

Another (and certainly the easiest way) to add a bamboo accent to any room is to simply purchase any of the huge variety of items that are available made from bamboo. Bamboo pieces range from the very elegant spiral bamboo bowls and trays to the rustic "vases" made from varying lengths of raw bamboo lashed together into multiple containers. Maybe one piece of bamboo furniture would be just the thing to add that exotic touch. Not all furniture made from bamboo is necessarily tropical in appearance. And the versatility of uses that is the hallmark of bamboo seems to carry over into its ability to blend into almost any décor with a natural grace.

However you choose to use bamboo we suspect that you may think you only want "a little accent" right now, but bamboo is an acquired taste, and seems to be similar to potato chips - nobody is satisfied with just one.