Barefoot on a Saturday morning, coffee in hand, you notice the ribbed, slightly nubbly surface under your toes. That is the first thing about the Lara in brown: a jute rug with stripes in earthy brown tones, woven flat on a handloom in India.

What is the brown Lara actually made of?

The brown Lara is woven from 80% jute and 20% cotton, and the back is jute and cotton too. Jute comes from the stalks of a plant grown mostly in India and Bangladesh, and the fibre is known as the golden fibre. Handwoven means it is made by hand on a loom, so the surface feels firmer and a little rougher than wool.

Which rooms suit the striped brown Lara?

Its flat weave and calm stripes make it an easy fit for living room schemes, and because it lies close to the floor, dining chairs are easier to move on it. In a kitchen it earns its place in front of the worktop, as long as you keep it away from wet corners. It is also fine over underfloor heating. In a lounge, let at least the front feet of the sofa and armchairs rest on it so the seating area reads as one group. Under a coffee table, the brown Lara makes a calm living room rug with the natural-fibre feel of jaloom's Jute Rugs. Mark the seating area with masking tape before finding the right fit for the brown Lara.

How do I keep the brown Lara clean?

Vacuum the brown Lara on a low setting with the brush switched off, as set out in our care guide. Jute soaks up moisture, so no steam and no wet cleaning. On smooth floors a non-slip pad slightly smaller than the rug stops it creeping. If coffee lands on the brown stripes, press kitchen roll onto the spot straight away so no ring forms.