The standard laces on sneakers are fine—for the first few months, then they're prone to weathered looks and tricky knots. Upgrade your kicks with nautical rope, which can look pretty neat and is meant ...

Knotted rope with a distinctly nautical flair has emerged as a decorative desk accessory and doorstop in two recent home-design catalogs. Williams-Sonoma Home offers a 6-inch-diameter Rope Knot made ...