All grain sack is not created equal. There's linen and burlap, vintage and vintage-made-yesterday. There are elegant stripes and loud farm-friendly graphics. And, of course, there's overuse and the perfect touch.

Personally, I love the stuff. But my love is not unconditional. I prefer a grain sack accent (it's French, by the way) to a country-cute, French-cottage-theme room. I like to see it in unexpected places, with unexpected companions: a modern chair, perhaps, or a Craftsman home. Yes, the white-on-white cottage look is lovely, but too much of a good thing is, well, you know.

Here are 14 different ways to use grain sack judiciously to add a wee French accent. It's the difference between throwing on an elegant scarf and dressing up like Marie Antoinette.