Anything laid on a floor in Canacona must be able to dry. Through the long monsoon, wool and jute soak up moisture from the air and begin to smell, and fitted carpet is out of the question except in a room that is air-conditioned all year. What works is a machine-made rug of nylon or polypropylene: it dries quickly, can be hung over a railing on a clear day, and is easily replaced when a season has been hard on it. For guest houses, dark patterned designs hide the sand walked in from Palolem, Patnem and Agonda. When the rooms close for the rains, wash the rugs, dry them fully and store them rolled off the floor.
- Guest rooms: a dark patterned synthetic rug beside the bed, washed and stored dry when the season ends.
- Flats and family houses in Chaudi: a polypropylene rug with a short pile beneath the sofa, aired outdoors on dry days.
- Small hotel corridors and receptions: hard-wearing low-pile runners, with a coarse mat at the entrance to catch sand and grit.
Canacona is the southernmost taluka of Goa, and its town, Chaudi, is the market and administrative centre for the beaches of Palolem, Patnem and Agonda. It lies on the highway to Karwar, beyond the Karmal ghat, with forested hills behind it.
Chaudi itself is a small town of shops, flats and family houses. Around it, the demand is from guest houses, homestays, small hotels and the homes of people who run them. Budgets are practical and the season is short, so durability matters.
Canacona gets some of the heaviest rain in Goa, and humidity stays high for months. The town is a little inland; the beaches are fully exposed to salt.
Sea-facing homes
Wool and jute hold moisture near the sea and can smell. Synthetic rugs in polypropylene or nylon dry quickly and resist mildew, and can be taken outside to air. Wall-to-wall carpet suits only air-conditioned rooms.
Holiday lets and guest houses
Choose dark, patterned, machine-made rugs for a let property. They hide sand and stains, cost little to replace, and can be washed between seasons.
Visiting Canacona
Canacona is about an hour from the showroom, south on the highway. We measure free of charge, and group Canacona, Palolem, Patnem and Agonda into one trip, so it helps to book a few days ahead.
Do you come as far as Canacona?
Yes. It is about an hour from Margao. We visit Canacona, Palolem, Patnem and Agonda together, so please book a few days ahead.
What lasts through the Canacona monsoon?
Synthetic fabrics, PVC and aluminium. Anything that absorbs water, such as cotton, jute, untreated wood or steel, suffers in the long wet season.
