Terry cloth is a fabric with uncut loops, or pile, deliberately standing away from its ground base. Terry cloth is usually seen in bath towels and bathrobes. Terry cloth is woven using two warp beams: the ground warp, which forms the base of the towel, and the pile warp, which creates the loops of thread that give the fabric its texture and function.

These loops effectively increase the surface area of the fabric, enhancing its absorbency, while maintaining a soft feel.

Terry cloth is traditionally made from cotton, but it can also be made from different materials such as silk, linen or other natural and artificial fibers.

Most manufacturers choose cotton because, unlike other materials that get weaker in water, cotton’s absorbent fiber gets stronger when wet. In fact, cotton can absorb 20 to 30 times its own weight in water. The loop pile acts as a sponge while withstanding squeezing, pulling, rubbing, twisting and turning.

Because of its absorbency attributes, terry cloth is commonly used for towels, bath robes, beach cover-ups, athletic warm-ups and headbands. Terry cloth can easily be dyed or printed, as well as decoratively embroidered.

One of our favorite terry cloth towels is Sferra’s Bello, woven in Belgium and offered in 31 vibrant colors. Bello towels are woven with shorter loops and greater loop density to make them more absorbent than the average towel.

These shorter loops also help avoid snags. Bello also uses a special dye process that makes it fade/chlorine resistant.

Give Dad an escape to the exotic for his office with L’Objet’s animal-themed desk accessories. Crocodiles, leopards and lizards abound on these accessories which he’ll be sure to treasure.

Round out your gift with a nature-themed print from Natural Curiosities for an unforgettable Father’s Day present.

If you’re a fan of the quirky, colorful, modern style of oomph furniture and accessories, you’re going to love this! We’ve just added several great new items from oomph. They’re fun, funky and made right here in the USA from sustainable materials. What more could you ask for?

An elegant waved top gives this headboard an extra bit of style. Upholstered in your choice of four Belgian linens and available with matching, contrasting, or navy blue piping.

The simple silhouette of the Sanibel Side Table is airy, delicate, and elegant . . . but upon closer look, discover why it’s called the Sanibel Side. A glamorous, natural, mother-of-pearl surface that is as lovely as the shell-laden beach after which it is named. Available in 16 lacquered finishes.

This best selling side table now has the convenient option of a self-closing drawer, perfect for hiding all your necessities.

A traditional Chippendale mirror with a chic twist of oomph. A bold new look for an otherwise traditional setting. Available in 16 highly lacquered colors.

These solid colored pillows are designed to coordinate with oomph’s fun and colorful furniture and patterned throw pillows. Mix and match to make a style statement all your own.

Every wonder how your oomph table is made? Here is a quick look at the oomph factory, where every table is hand assembled, sanded, and painted by hand. With a variety of colors and options to choose from, each oomph item is custom made just for you.

Oomph tables, chairs and accessories are made in the USA at their New England workshop, using sustainably harvested wood and natural Belgian linen upholstery. But green is only one of the many colors available! See our entire collection of oomph furniture.

Don’t get stuck in a rut of golf balls and neckties! We’ve curated our top picks for Father’s Day 2013. Find stylish and memorable gifts to suit any dad or grandpa on your list.

Horn bookends from Barbara Cosgrove and other desk accessories will add a special decorative touch to his office or study.

For dads who love playing bar tender, decanter tags, bottle openers, and other great bar accessories make perfect gifts.

Fathers deserve pampering too, how about a luxury shaving mirror? Fine combs and shaving products will complete the package.

For all his toys, e-book reader covers, phone covers, and tablet cases are practical yet beautiful in fine European leather.

Spark Dad’s sense of adventure with stunning books about cars, sports, fine liquor and wine.

Think outside the box and make a big impression with a gift of fine art, like a Banknotes print from Natural Curiosities.

More Father’s Day inspiration at GraciousStyle.com.

Feather details and rich blues, greens and golds abound on these peacock-inspired accessories.  Add a touch of glamour to any room…or the whole house!

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For more inspiration, follow our Trend: Peacocks board on Pinterest.

We love having stacks of clean, fluffy towels in every bathroom, so we’ve gotten really good at taking care of them.  Here are a few tips for making your bath towels will look fresher, feel softer and last longer.

1) Wash your new towels before using them. This will remove any dirt, lint and other residue, and make them more absorbent.  Before laundering, separate your towels by color (white, light colors and dark colors) to avoid colors bleeding together. Do not use brightening detergents, as they will affect the towel color. Sferra’s Bello towels have a special dye treatment that resists fading.

2) Do not wash towels with other clothing items. Rough and abrasive objects – buttons, zippers, embellishments, etc. – can pull at the pile and fray the towels. Bath rugs can also wear down towels, so always make sure to wash them separately.

3) Avoid excessive heat in washing or drying as it will damage the fibers and increase the shrinkage of the towels. Wash your towels in cold water to help the colors stay bright and help extend the life of the fibers. Remember not to overstuff the washer.

4) Do not use chlorine bleach, as it will weaken the fibers, cause the colors to fade and create a rough, harsh texture.

5) Do not use fabric softeners.  In addition to harming the fibers, many contain chemicals that coat fabric and the waxy build-up will actually repel water and make your towels less absorbent.

6) Use less detergent.  Detergent residue can make the cloth rough. Most bath linens don’t really get that dirty. After all, they are usually drying a clean body. In that case, when washing, consider using about 1/2 of the recommended amount of detergent. The towels will get clean and remain softer.

7) Remove from the washing machine immediately after washing.  Give your towels a shake when taking them out of the washer. This will help fluff the terry loops that aid absorbency.

8) Tumble dry on low heat and do not overdry.  The heat from the dryer will damage fibers.  Do not iron your towels, as this will reduce absorbency.

9) Hang towels to dry after each use. If you find stray pulled loops on towel, cut them off with a pair of scissors. This will not cause any damage to the towel and it will prevent further problems later.

10) Avoid contact with bathroom cleansers and beauty products, such as items contain bleaching agents and may cause permanent discoloration to your towel.

And finally, never dry clean your towels.

We love LeBlanc Towel Wash for laundering our towels. It’s specially formulated to care for your towels, and it comes in four fresh scents.

The editors at InStyle loved our Waylande Gregory Peacock Bowl for Mother’s Day.

This exquisite bowl is based on an Art Deco-inspired design by artist Waylande Gregory. Guaranteed to dazzle Mom!

And if peacocks aren’t Mom’s thing, maybe a rhino or a lion would do.

We’ve just put some of your favorite Vagabond House items on sale. The styles are being retired, so get them while they last! Vagabond House pewter dining accessories and decor make great gifts for dads, hostesses, or just about anyone.

For more great deals, visit our sale section.

Who doesn’t love a good dinner party? One of life’s great joys is gathering friends and family together for good food and conversation. Our friends at L’Objet share the sentiment.

Most people agree that the best dinner parties are those that bring together the most unique blend of attendees… an array of personalities that might seem very different considered individually. Some are bold and colorful, some elegant and refined, but when brought together for a special occasion, they create an amazing and unexpected vitality. – Elad Yifrach, Creator of L’Objet

We couldn’t agree more, which is why we loved this video that the team at L’Objet put together. It showcases some imaginative combinations of dinnerware for a fantastic, eclectic dinner party.

We hope you’re inspired to throw a dinner party of your own!