Oriental Rugs: Getting Them Repaired

Oriental rugs, Persian rugs and other natural-fiber area rugs are popular for decorating floors and even walls around the world. By the way, the definition of an oriental rug is: any area rug which is 100% natural fiber and 100% hand-made. Because of foot traffic and environmental circumstances, these rugs invariably become worn on surfaces, edges, and corners. Fringes, the foundation "warp" yarns that true oriental rugs have hanging out of the two ends, become frayed and wear down to the nubs.

Can you repair them yourself? If you are good with needle and thread, it's possible to do some minor repairs in some cases, such as repairing "over-casting," the wrapping around the edge cords. You will need to find the right color of thread made out of the same materials, usually wool.

However, in most cases, a qualified oriental and area rug cleaning facility is your best choice for having these rugs repaired. Minor to moderate repairs can include corner repair, edge over-casting, fringe stop-knot installation to prevent unraveling, and repair of small holes.

In more severe cases of damaged fibers or missing areas of material, a company who offers re-weaving may be necessary, and the repair could be quite time-consuming and costly. A common problem is pet damage, such as dogs taking a bite out of the edge. That particular problem is quite costly to have repaired, because there is nothing left, the entire section has to be totally re-knotted by the artisan, weaving in the correct pattern.

How can these rugs last longer without needing these costly repairs as frequently? Repair can be prevented by purchasing a custom-cut, cushioned pad made specifically for oriental or other natural-fiber rugs. Your professional rug cleaning facility is your best bet for purchasing this product. Also, beware of clothes moths. They lay eggs and the hatched larvae eat holes in the back and front surfaces of the rugs.

To prevent moth infestation or minor moth "munching," there are a few tips: first, don't put your rug under your sofa, moths love shade and hate light. They will lay their eggs in the shade. If you have a coffee table on your rug, move the table and vacuum at least once a week. Also, don't store your rugs in garage or storage facility if you can help it. Moths often get into the rug, whether or not it has been wrapped, and lay eggs, causing infestation. At my company, we have seen rugs opened up after a few months of storage, and to the owner's horror the thing is filled with these maggots and the rug is pretty much destroyed. One more tip to prevent moth damage: have your rugs cleaned at least every two years by a qualified local company who truly specializes in cleaning natural fiber rugs. For oriental rugs, the full water immersion method is far superior because it washes out imbedded insect eggs.

Kids’ Area Rugs - Add Color And Fun

Kids’ area rugs add color and fun to kids’ rooms. Colorful area rugs make your kid’s room lively, and a great place to lounge in or just to play. Kids’ area rugs are available in a broad selection of colors, sizes, designs and shapes to suit the interior décor of your kid’s room.

Various Themed Area Rugs to Add Fun

Bright and funky area rugs are a great addition to any child’s room. With a varied choice of colors and themes, area rugs are wonderfully appealing. Designs such as flowers, dots, and stars are perfect for decorating your little girl’s room. Fairies and princess themed rugs are most popular among girls. Area rugs featuring animals, outer space, dinosaurs, and sports themes would add fun to your little boy’s room.

A vast selection of interactive play and educational area rugs are available for kids. Interactive and educational themed area rugs enhance children’s interest in learning and keep them entertained as well. Kids love to play on educational area rugs that are available in a variety of themes such as numbers, alphabets, maps, animals, puzzles, states and more.

Choose the Right area rugs for Your Kids

Kids in the home are always engaged in different activities on the floor. Therefore it is important that you select good quality rugs for decorating your little one’s room. Area rugs made with different materials such as wool, cotton, nylon and other synthetic materials are available to choose from.

Kids’ area rugs are widely used in classrooms, playrooms, daycare centers, activity centers, libraries and in many other places. You can find the area rugs you are looking for at leading rug stores. Watch out for special offers, when you can secure these products at affordable rates.

Bath Rugs Are An Intregral Part Of The Bathroom

The term bathroom given to a certain room in the house or any establishment for that matter, does not come without its set of expectations and responsibilities. It denotes being able to really feel at ease while going about crucial hygienic pursuits such as answering to the call of nature and showering or bathing. Think about how calming and relaxing it is to be able to quietly unwind in the bathroom after a prolonged day's work. When such space is not able to project the level of consolation preferred, a sensation of incompleteness ensues that tends to disrupt other pursuits you have within the day.

Thanks to human ingenuity in the field of home decorating and interior designing, individuals now have various selections to pick from in decorating their bathroom. Amongst the most wanted accessories of the bathroom are bath rugs. Not only do these serve to break the monotony of your floor area, but it also has a useful goal of guarding one from unintentional slips or falls when moving about a moist floor, which is very widespread.

It can be fun to shop for floor coverings as you get to know different makes, styles, forms, designs, and colors?from the most conservative to the most eccentric, from the most elegant to the homiest. If one does not know what distinct kind to get for their bathroom space, they can always look at home improvement periodicals and tv shows for inspiration. A good aspect about consulting such resources is being able to get other ideas for decorating your space. Another option is to visit various local or online stores and ask what kind of bath rug will be suited for you.

If you are not the inventive type then it would be good to invest in bath rugs sets. This will give you bath rugs that are comparable in patterns and makes, but of various colors and sometimes style. Not only will this allow you to conserve time in selecting alternating rugs to use when cleaning one, but it can also be simpler on the spending budget. This is because bath rug sets are comparatively cheaper to obtain as compared to acquiring per piece. Rugs sets are also beneficial if you have more than one bathroom in your house. With practice and the correct resources, you can later on mix and match rugs in one area as your first try at interior decoration.

Decorating With Rugs

Rugs are both decorative and practical. You should aim to get the best of both worlds when using rugs in your house. Rugs can also be used to separate and distinguish areas in a room. This is useful for efficient use of space. You can follow some of the suggestions below in order to achieve those aims.

Because rugs can have an effect on the overall look of a room selecting rugs you don't like cannot have happy consequences. In other words use only rugs that you feel comfortable about.

When selecting rugs for decorating, the size of the rug should depend on the effect you are aiming for. For instance rugs are useful as focusing agents, accenting a table, a sofa, or a bed, placed on top of them. Rugs themselves can be used as focal points without any furniture on them. This kind of highlighting can be done in almost any room in your house. In order to find the exact size required you should measure the floor in the area you wish to place the rug and then imagine the effect of placing it there with the help of floor markings. This method will give you a good is idea about the proportions of the rug that will be required and you will be able to judge whether effect you are aiming for can be successfully brought out.

Decision as to whether to use a large rug or several smaller ones will depend on similar considerations. A larger rug will unite the items placed on it into a unit, while smaller rugs can be used to break the room into several sections. Colors and patterns of the rugs should also be taken into account in this regard. Using rugs with similar colors and patterns will make them blend in with the room, while contrasting colors will help divide the room. For instance by using two a fairly large rugs with different patterns and colors you can divide the room into two.

Placing rugs on their own without any furniture also adds color to that room and that space. You can make the room look larger or smaller according to your wish by choosing complementing or contrasting colors for the rugs in comparison to the room's color scheme. Range of rug patterns on offer can be huge. Since their contrasting or completing effects can be infinite, before buying you should always check the effect by placing different rugs against each other and against room's general décor. Generally lighter colors and patterns create a more spacious feeling, while heavier and darker colors create a warm coziness.

By using differently shaped rugs and rugs with fringes, you can give your rooms a certain decorative fair and make them less formal.

Similarly rugs can be used for defining space in a room. By placing two chairs, a sofa, and a small table, on a rug you can demarcate a sitting area easily. If the rug is not large enough place only the front legs of the chairs on the rug, however to get the best decorative effect you should place the furniture completely on the rug. In order to save space you should avoid empty rug space behind the furniture.

In the dining room, rug should be large enough to cover the feet of the chairs when they are being used by a person sitting at the table. Before buying you should get accurate measurements to ensure this. Keep the other furniture in the dining room off the rug to get a nice effect.

In the bedrooms you do not need a large rug under the bed to highlight it. Most of it will be covered up by the bed in any case. Use smaller rugs and place them around the bed.

Rugs placed on the hallways and at the entrance will create the tone for the rest of your house décor. They should also make the guests feel welcome to the house. So you must choose those rugs with care.

For places with high foot traffic choose darker colors with heavier patterns in order to disguise the effect of usage. When placing the rugs ensure that high foot traffic areas should be covered by the middle part of the rug. Placing corners of the rug in such places can be dangerous.

You must leave enough space for door clearance if the space between door and floor is not enough for the rug. Using thinner rugs will save space in such situations. You should take the precaution of using rug pads. Rug pads protect the rugs from wear due to the friction between the rug and the floor or carpeting below, and increase their durability. They also stabilize the rug by providing a slip free foundation to the rug. Hardwood floors should not be covered completely by the rug. At least several inches of hardwood should be exposed to the air around the room if you want to use a large room covering rug on such a floor. Other factors that need to be considered include wiring and vents on the floor.

Rugs of various sizes, patterns, and colors, can be obtained to fulfill these decorative and practical functions as required. However larger the rug, the range of buying options available, whether it be colors, styles and materials, or patterns, decreases. You have the greatest range of options with the smaller rugs.

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Rugs That Make A Style Statement

When you decorate your house, you have to pay attention to every nook and corner. You cannot afford to overlook any particular area thinking it to be unimportant and insignificant. It is wrong to presume that people do not pay attention to each and every aspect of a house. Most people devote a lot of time in decorating the walls and roofs but do not give adequate attention to the floor. This is where they go wrong. The floor demands as much attention as the rest of the house.

One of the easiest ways to beautify or embellish your floor is to put a beautiful carpet on it. You should be aware of the fact that a striking carpet on the floor can make as much style statement as a decoration or painting on the wall. Talking about carpets, Yayla tribal rugs can be an appropriate choice to up the style quotient of your house. They can give your house the much needed makeover.

The quality that differentiates Yayla tribal rugs from the rest is that it provides a unique mix of tradition and modernity. This is one feature that is truly one of its kinds. In spite of updating the carpets according to modern tastes and preferences, they still manage to retain the flavor of tradition so that the rugs become a meeting point of different techniques and patterns.

In spite of embracing modernity, they have not ignored the importance of tradition. They make use of traditional materials such as hand spun and hand carded wool as well as vegetable dyes. They also make a difference to the environment in a positive way since the dyes used by them are 100% natural and directly sourced from plants. Therefore, if you want your carpet to smack of class and elegance, Yayla tribal rugs are what you should go for.

Tag : rugs,outdoor rugs,cheap rugs,floor rugs,area rugs

5 Steps to Area Rug Bliss - No More Wrinkles, Buckles and Bunching Ever Again

To ensure that your Area Rug experience is one of absolute joy and bliss, consider these 5 tips.

1. Buy a Decent Area Rug

Area Rugs are often bought as an impulse item. When you need a rug to accent your décor or to cover an ugly spot, don't give in to the temptation of buying a chain store special, based on color and price only. An area rug should be a well thought décor item, not a cheap after-thought. You don't have to break the bank. Most good quality wool fiber rugs are available in style and qualities that will fit most any budget. Fine quality wool fiber area rugs can be purchased Online and shipped right to your front door for about the same price as those chain store pretenders.

2. Buy a New Zealand Wool Fiber Area Rug

Wool Fiber that has been shorn from New Zealand sheep is the best fiber for an area rug. Why a New Zealand sheep? Because they have been bred to produce "carpet quality" wool fiber. An area rug of New Zealand wool fiber will be soft on the feet and extremely durable. Most stains are not a problem; simply blot gently with clear warm water for best results.

3. Make sure it is at least 12mm to 14mm pile density

An area rugs density will play an important role in its life and performance. A flimsy cotton or olefin (polypropylene) rug or a runner without a secondary backing is nothing but trouble. A rug without sufficient density will wrinkle, warp, buckle and bunch. Not to mention the battle for possession that takes place when you try to vacuum it. The vacuum almost always wins this battle as you try using your feet to keep it under submission and out of the suction tube. I don't know anyone who enjoys constantly adjusting and straightening their rugs. If you buy a rug with sufficient pile density (or weight) it will remain where you place it and behave when you vacuum. I prefer rugs of at least 12mm. Especially if they are to be placed over wall-to-wall carpet. Buy a dense rug and let gravity keep it in position and under control.

4. Cotton or Jute Backing is preferred

Although cotton or jute backing is preferred, many rugs are manufactured with a secondary backing. I prefer rugs that are woven without the secondary backing. Because you can tell if it's a good quality rug when you can detect the pattern of the rug while looking at it from the back. Whether a rug is machine-made or hand-knotted it has to be woven into something. Cotton or jute is preferred, but polypropylene mesh is fine when used in the backing of a rug (but never the face fiber). However; some rugs need that secondary backing to add density and weight. Also consider how the are rug is bonded. Single backed area rugs only need a small amount of latex to keep them bonded while secondary backing rugs need more latex to secure the backing material. If the rug maker uses synthetic latex for bonding, your nose will be happy. It will only have a new rug smell for a short period of time. If your rug maker uses a lot of real latex to secure a secondary backing, it will most likely stink of burnt rubber for years to come. Especially when the weather gets hot. Most noses and eyes are sensitive to real latex in larger doses. If you have chemical sensitivities, stick to single backed area rugs that don't use heavy applications of synthetic latex.

5. Don't place Heavy Furniture on your Area Rugs

Area rugs are often intended to define and delineate space. If your rug is too big for the area you are decorating you will be tempted to tuck the edges of the rug under your heavier pieces of furniture. When heavy furnishings are placed on an area rug they can often cause bunching and wrinkling where the furniture legs are indenting their selves into your rug. This can cause the most beautiful and expensive rugs to look cheesy and warped. Indents, wrinkles and warping of rugs from heavy furnishings can also become more permanent. To avoid costly rug repairs down the road, keep four to six inches of distance from heavy furniture. (Coffee tables are fine; sofas, hutches and entertainment systems are a definite no-no). Although not often. Some rug applications may result in the need for a dense and firm rug pad (or cushion). I always suggest the use of all-felt or synthetic all-felt rug pads.

Avoiding the hassles of wrinkles, buckles and bunching in your area rug is as easy as pie when you consider applying these 5 tips. Your new area rug can be a joy or a nightmare. Always buy good quality (not museum quality) New Zealand wool fiber area rugs with a single woven and bonded cotton or jute backing, and never place it under any heavy furniture. Follow these rules and your new area rug will be a joy for many years to come. Visit our web site for more about area rugs, home decor items and information.

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A Rug in the Dining Room?

It's easy to assume that any area where food is consumed should have utilitarian, easy-to-clean flooring. However, an area rug in a dining room is one of the best ways to improve the look of an eating area. Whether the flooring is hardwood or wall to wall carpet, topping the existing floor with an area rug creates a warm and inviting space, in which eating is a pleasure.

Speaking practically, if a dining room has hardwood floors, a rug under the seating area will help protect the wood from the constant movement of dining chairs. Even with felt pads on the chair legs, the finish will become scuffed and eventually break down from the wear. If a dining room has wall to wall carpet, an area rug can help protect that investment from stains and wear as well; it's a great deal easier to replace a rug than to re-finish a hardwood floor or rip up wall-to-wall carpeting.

From an aesthetic view, an area rug is a wonderful way to anchor the seating area. If the dining room furniture is the centerpiece of the room, an area rug can act as a frame that pulls the eye in towards those pieces. Choosing a neutral rug with a border will help feature the dining furniture to best advantage. On the other hand, while a bold pattern can distract from the furnishings themselves, oftentimes, an eye-catching pattern can help give a sense of vitality to the room overall and become an excellent foundation for stunning decorating options.

Regardless of the style and features of the rug, it is essential to measure carefully - this is particularly true in the dining room. It is very important that the rug is large enough to allow each chair to be pulled fully from the table. If a dining area is meant to be a comfortable and welcoming place to gather and eat, the last thing a host or hostess wants is for guests to worry about snagging their chair on the rug! In most cases, a rug should extend at least 18 inches on all sides of the table; so, add three feet to the length and width of a dining room table to find the minimum dimensions of a dining room rug. If the dining table is round, add at least three feet to the diameter of the table.

After determining the minimum area rug size, home decorators may want to consider the maximum preferable size for their space. If a room is blessed with hardwood floors, choosing a smaller rug will allow more of the wood floor to shine. However, if the dining area has wall to wall carpeting, an area rug can be extended almost to the walls, depending on personal preference and the condition of the carpeting. Due to these particular considerations, custom-sized area rugs can be a convenient option when decorating a dining room. It is important that home decorators get what they want in the size they want!

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Area Rug Buyers Guide

When you begin decorating your home there are some important factors to consider. Your floors will usually be the foundation for your design. An authentic hand made area rug can visually integrate or harmonize diverse elements in any decor or can reenergize a room.

Below are various factors to consider for purchasing & decorating with an oriental rug:

1. Size of the Rug - Area to be covered

Size up the room and the area you want to cover.

The most common area rug sizes are 4-by-6 and 6-by-9 feet. They work well under a coffee table.

An 8-by-10-foot area rug or larger can cover an entire room.

Smaller area and scatter rugs can be ideal for adorning smaller spaces--a hearth! , a bedside, the area in front of a kitchen sink--with a splash of colo r and warmth.

2. In the Home

Living Room

In a living room the area rug would most likely be placed in front of the sofa and under the coffee table

To place a room-sized area rug on a hardwood floor, choose an area rug which allows eight inches (twenty centimeters) of wood to be exposed around the rug's perimeter.

Measure the open space up to the sofa and chairs making sure that the individual seated will have both feet on the area rug.

More than one area rug is acceptable.

Dining Room

There should be room to pull the chairs out from the table with the back legs of the chairs remaining on the area rug.

Stairs

Look for Busy & Dark patterns

Dark wool rugs are great for this

Hallways & Entrances

Dense Patterns

Wool pile (Most durable) with cotton foundation (strong and does not loose shape) is ideal.

Very light colors are not suggested

Bedroom

Do not recommend a room size Persian/Oriental area rug for the bedroom. Most of the pattern will be hidden under the bed in the dark making the rug prone to moth damage.

Instead, use multiple area rugs. A rug at the foot of the bed and two on each side Or use several scatter rugs to fill areas around the bed as needed. It will actually cost less and compliment your furnishings better.

3. FURNISHINGS

Begin with the end in mind. Visualize the finished look of the room. Do you prefer the sparse, uncluttered look or you have a room rich with colors and textures?

Remember that a rug is th! e largest splash of color in any room. Select your rug first, and then the upholstery to blend with the rug. Furniture should enhance the rug design or colors found in the rug

Next comes window treatment and walls; neutral shades are recommended.

Elements of a rug design can be further incorporated into the overall design scheme. For example, if the rug is floral, add framed prints or flowers in similar colors.

Conversely, should your focal point be furniture, choose a rug to pick up the colors used in your furnishing patterns. Patterns can be mixed if they are coordinated by color.

Don't get discouraged if you are having problems finding an area rug to blend in with your decor. We suggest you surf NatureRugs.com for the vast variety of Rugs that will suit your situation. For some reason, Jaipur & Agra Rug designs and colors tend to work with many fabrics.

4. Using Multiple Area Rugs

Should you use one rug or two?

• One rug is the general rule as it coordinates the room together and helps select fabrics for furniture, curtains, etc.
• In a very large room, more than one rug can be used to separate the room. The designs of the rugs should be different enough to create spatial separation, but similar in color and quality to maintain the integrity of the room space.

Two or more rugs should complement each other

• One needs to be dominant in size
• They should be similar in at least design/color/size
• Smaller rugs should not look like clones

5. Color

If redecorating an already furnished room, choose a rug to pick up the colors used in your furnishing patterns

Paint or paper the walls in colors found in the rug when color coordinating.

Look for a rug that is commonality with the existing color of the walls.

A rug with a bold, overall design can be the focal point of a room with a chair and sofa in solid or subdued patterns.

Light colored rugs make a room look more spacious, and deeper colors lend coziness to a room.

6. Durability

For floor rugs wool is usually a preferred choice as it resists daily wear better than synthetics. Wool has many wonderful qualities- deep, rich color tones, high durability and relative ease of care. For more information you can read article Advantages of Wool over Synthetic Fibers.

Silk rugs are better used for walls, throws etc. Living rooms are ideal to showcase silk rugs.

Chromium dyes are strong and deliver consistency and durability of color.

Vegetable dyes give the rug a patina of color, a casual look that is very attractive.

7. Shape

Let your decorating style determine your rug shape.

Don't be limited to the idea of getting a rectangular rug.

A circular or octagonal-shaped floor covering can add flair and elegance.

8. What is the dealer return policy?

You should at least have one week risk free trial period to experience the rug. You can test the wool texture, dye quality (take a moistened paper towel and run it along the edges & center, the dye should not bleed out) & see if it fits into your home décor.

Other considerations:

Medallion design area rugs should be centered in the room & directly under the chandelier

Don't select a busy area rug if the room's color scheme and patterns are busy as well.

Keep your family safe by making su! re that rug corners do not extend into high traffic areas.

Watch out for the fringe. If the rug you like has fringe, make sure it's sewn on well, and very carefully use the vacuum cleaner.

Look at the back of a rug, as this will usually tell if it is machine or handmade. If the fibers are stiff and run straight up and down, it's a machine rug.

When buying oriental rugs, avoid going-out-of-business sales and auctions where sellers aren't likely to be around later if your rug has a problem

In all rooms try to avoid having the corner of the rug end up in the middle of the doors or archway openings.

For smaller rooms, a small pattern is more appropriate. It gives the appearance of a larger room.

If you're looking for absolute perfection, don't buy a handmade area rug. Expensive hand-made rugs are not squared off as properly as imitation machine-made reproductions. Also read Article Hand Knotted vs! . Machine Made Rugs.

Don't underestimate the value of an underlay. Not only will it absorb the impact of feet and noise, it will reduce wear and tear on the rug and make vacuuming easier.

It is recommended to rotate rugs end for end on a yearly basis to equalize wear.

Oriental rugs fade, as does upholstery. Avoid direct sunlight.

Another recommendation is to have rugs cleaned professionally periodically by a reputable cleaner

To meet Federal Trade Commission requirements Persian/ Oriental rug dealers label each rug with its country of origin and the distributor's business name. Labels having the words Indo-, Sino- or Pak-, for instance, would indicate that a rug came from India, China or Pakistan respectively.

Rugs are called 'tribal" if they are woven by nomadic groups.

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Bedroom Decorating - Matching Your Rugs and Bedspreads

Matching your area rug to your themed pieces giving you the home décor blues? Take charge and go solo to find the real you and the real room you’ve been searching for.

The vast array of home decorating products available to us today not only causes the issue of choosing which design, theme, fabric and brand are right for your home but also causes a lengthy list of other problems, including whether or not you can find all of the matching pieces to a set.

What do you do when your perfectly situated set was only missing one pillow and you were certain you’d find it at another store location only to find that particular pillow has been discontinued and now you have no pillows matching your perfectly themed room?

Any normal home decorator would curl up into a ball, sulk for days and then gloomily pack their expensive items into boxes to be stored in a dark corner and forgotten for the next ten years and hopefully forever, following up with an even gloomier trip to the department store to buy yet another expensive set, thus renewing the cycle of gloom and misery.

But not you. Armed with the right information, you’ll start a quest for “near match” that will not only bring your room together but will also create a sense of eclecticism that only you’ll be able to put your finger on.

The first thing you need to know about perfectly themed sets is that they are never perfect and of course, that stores will never order as many oriental area rugs as they do bed spreads and sheet sets. Why? Because unlike you, the general population is far less likely to purchase an entire matched set—not even over the same six months—than they are to purchase one piece of that matched set. Not to mention the fact that area rugs—whether they are wool area rugs or cotton area rugs, red area rugs or grey area rugs—are a huge investment for most people.

You’re likely up against a store setting where there are five bedspreads and sheet sets for every one area rug in the same theme.

What can you do to get around that problem? Well, you could always call every store in town from the originating location, making certain they have and are willing to hold your items so you can dash across town to retrieve them. Or, you can break away from the need to stick to a pre-packaged, branded theme.

The truth is that the best rooms don’t have to come straight from one designer’s workshop. You know what’s best for your home. All you have to do is keep a strict record of each of your purchases—never destroy, lose or get rid of your receipts—pick up samples where possible, bring a sample of your area rugs to choose pieces that will blend and balance your room and be ready to let some pieces go.

Remember, the journey to matching your area rugs and other themed products is only as long and as hard as the pavement you pound to get the pieces.

Tag : rugs,bedroom rugs,bathroom rugs,area rugs

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How to select an Oriental Rug

Traditional wisdom says that interior home decorating should begin with an Oriental rug. There are plenty of choices in colors and materials from which to choose a rug and a rug well chosen and well cared for will probably last much longer than anything else in the room. In the olden days, Persian rugs or kilims from Iran were supposed to be the best rugs available but today you find that other eastern countries like India, Nepal, Pakistan, Nepal, Tibet, China and Turkey have been making rugs which have matched and even surpassed the quality of those from Persia.

Before you go out shopping for an Oriental rug, it would be wise to spend some time thinking about the size and color that you would prefer. You may even carry some photos of your room to help you decide. There are plenty of colors and designs to choose from. Next, you have to decide on the how much you are willing to spend on your purchase. The price of an Oriental rug is dependent on the following factors :
- Country from which it comes
- Age
- Condition
- Quality
- Design demand

Counting the knots in an Oriental rug is not the only or most important thing to do. A geometrically designed rug might have fewer than 100 knots in a square inch but a floral pattern extremely detailed might have more than 300 even. Although the regularity and tightness of the rug are of utmost importance, the quality of the wool ascertains the resistance and longevity of the rug. And don't forget to take into account the quality and color fastness of the dyes being used.

Besides, the price of an Oriental rug could also be decided by the prevailing design and color fads. About 50 years ago, orange, brown and green were considered the hot colors; but that is not the case today. The condition of the rugs and age affect the value of second hand rugs. Age will increase the value of the rugs provided they have been well maintained but if not, wear and tear and stains will reduce the value.

The best of rugs are always made from natural fibers with wool, silk and cotton being the most common and silk the most sought after as well as expensive. Wool is the most popular material used to make a Persian rugs or kilims because of its intrinsic properties - wool is long lasting, flexible, is easily dyed and can be woven or spun with ease. Besides, wool is readily available in areas where kilims or Persian rugs are made since you find a lot of nomads tending sheep there.

A fascinating thing about the Persian rugs or kilims is that you can deduce from which tribe the rug came from based solely on the type of wool and dye used. Some wool from sheep is sought after even more than the rest as it gives a certain luster to the Persian rugs or kilims.

Warps are commonly made of cotton as its high strength helps maintain the shape. Besides it maintains its natural white color over time. Another reason is that cotton can be spun into the finest of threads. Hair of camels, goats and horses is often sued to make Persian rugs or kilims to produce unique effects. Camel hair might be used to give a woolen rug additional strength while horse hair might give eye-catching tassels. Wool when mixed with goat hair produces a silky sheen. Silk has always been considered a material of luxury so silk rugs are rare although they might still be produced. They are often included in the dowry of a bride along with other Oriental rugs and treasured as part of the family wealth.

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Moroccan Rugs - How To Cheer Up Your Home Decor

Adding a touch of ethnicity to your home’s interiors by using furniture, furnishings, and rugs is a sure way to brighten the atmosphere! Over the past few years, decorating homes in ethnic styles has become extremely popular. Sensing the demand for original tribal art from various places around the world, even big stores such as Target have been known to launch complete furnishing lines that reflect a particular culture or region such as Indian or Japanese home furnishing lines.

One of the most popular emerging styles is Moroccan, especially in the rugs and carpet industry. Hand-woven Moroccan rugs are a fantastic way to invite warmth and create a bright and charming atmosphere in your home.

Moroccan rugs have been infusing the magic of color and art to the homes of millions over the world. Moroccan rugs and art have been widely connected to the west and examples of this can be seen in Bauhaus movement or in the works of American designers like Billy Baldwin during the 1960’s and 1970’s.

The simple geometric patterns of Moroccan rugs have been used for long to lend a stylish, urbane and sophisticated look to most of the modern furnishings. The famous pile carpets from the Middle Atlas Mountain region of Morocco are proudly displayed in renowned historic houses such as Frank Lloyd Wright's iconic Fallingwater and Charles and Ray Eames spectacular Pacific Palisades house in California.

And with the late 1990’s, Moroccan rugs revival was imminent as designers and public showed a renewed interest for elements of the 1960’s and 70’s era both in terms of style and color. Bright and warm hues of oranges and saffron yellows reflecting in Moroccan rugs geometrical patterns were scene stealers. Moreover, these rugs are made from spun wool and had an authentic indigenous character making them ‘one-of-a-kind’ with a quality that was hard to find in their synthetic factory made modern cousins.

Moroccan rugs were and are still being made by the Berbers, who are an indigenous tribe of North African region living in Morocco. These weavers use hand-dyed wool to weave the rugs and each rug is unique in its design, use of colors, and patterns. The designs of Moroccan rugs are often similar to those found in the weaving of Native Americans.

Another type of Moroccan rugs are ‘kilims’ or ‘hanbels’ though these are lightweight, flat in weave and motifs are made with variations of red, blue, green, yellow, mauve and white. The price of Moroccan rugs and kilims are usably determined by the size, quality of the design and the colors used.

Why Buy Moroccan Rugs?

A holistic mix of modern and ethnic styling and design, Moroccan rugs lend a distinctly stylish look to your home decor. Warm and bright, they can simply liven up any space and make it look trendy, colorful and luxurious. Romance is an integral part of Moroccan culture and your Moroccan furnishings can bring some of that feeling in your room or home.

Rectilinear Moroccan carpets and rugs are visually striking and rich, and vivid with interesting motifs, making them a perfect flooring accessory for your living room or bedroom. Made from organic, hand woven wool, Moroccan rugs can be hung on walls hanging or used as a throw.

Let’s look at some of the things you should know before you set out to purchase Moroccan rugs for your home:

Rugs Authenticity –Always shop around. Extremely low priced rugs may mean that the products are not authentic. All Moroccan rugs are made from wool and have very bright colors. Also, good quality rugs should have 120 knots/square inch of weave; turn the carpet over to look at the knots. Handmade carpet will feature variations in the knots as compared to factory made carpets. Ask the shopkeeper if you can burn a small bit of the fringe to check the authenticity of the material – silk and wool being natural fibers will smolder when burnt.

Rugs Design—Bold patterns, visually enticing motifs and sparkling colors, Moroccan rugs are eye-catching to say the least. If your room already has a lot of visual movement and your furnishings are heavily designed then opt for a less conspicuous pattern.

Rugs Formality—Casual and comfortable appeal of the Moroccan carpets is a reflection of the tribal heritage of the indigenous people. You may not be able to achieve an authentically layered look as the Moroccan rugs are made in larger sizes to fulfill modern living room requirements.

Keep these things in mind when buying Moroccan rugs and enliven your home decor today!

Tag : rugs,moroccan rugs,bath rugs,braided rugs,home decor

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Quality Area Rugs Transform a Room

Area rugs hold a lot of fascination for consumers, collectors, and interior decorators. Rugs are no longer limited to the traditional designs we were accustomed to in our childhood days. Currently, area rugs are being designed by new leading designers, architects, and famous fashion designers. Interior design firms have also jumped on board to lend their talent and vision to the creation of attractive carpets. People are beginning to complain that wall-to-wall carpeting is dull and insipid and mostly seen in neutral colors. With wall-to-wall carpeting, the rooms continue to look empty. It is believed that a carefully selected area rug will add value to all the artwork, furniture, and all other articles in the room without highlighting vacant space. There cannot be two opinions that area rugs can transform floor space instantly. By using an area rug you can define an area, create false walls, and define hallways. By using different color area rugs you can divide a large room into separate spaces.

There are three general types of area rug available in the market.

Hand-knotted rugs the quality and price of these rugs are determined by the quality of the wool used; the number of knots per square inch; and the wash. Machine made – this type of area rugs is as the name specifies – made by machine and not hand-made. Hand-tufted – this kind of rug consists of yarn forced into a grid followed by an application of latex or fabric backing. Present day area rugs are typically designed in modern styles, although there is an abundance of patterns to select from. Regardless of your budget, you are sure to find contemporary rugs to fit in with your area rug decorating ideas. Area rugs are fairly easy to maintain and there are many styles, textures, materials and sizes to choose from.

There are three different styles of rugs – Casual Floral, Color and Modern. Casual Floral are said to provide the ambience for a comfortable, relaxed traditional setting. Color rugs are of a bold patterned type that can add spice to your space. Modern rugs are of a trendy style and now widely sold. Persian rugs continue to be rated as the best rugs on earth. The matchless superiority of the Persian rugs are due to their strikingly rich vivid colors, enchanting designs, high knot count resulting in a tighter weave and high quality of materials like wool, silk and dyes.

If it is your intention to transform your room quickly and without spending much, consider using an area rug. An area rug is a brilliant way to instantly warm the room up too. Before buying an area rug, decide what you will use the rug for and how you propose blending the area rug with the existing décor of the room.

You can place a small rug on a tabletop or other elevated area for a unique touch. Framing and hanging area rugs on walls well add a touch of class to your interior. Of course, you can use area rug on the floor in places such as in front of a fireplace or in a small passageway thereby adding a touch of warmth and coziness to the ambience. If you accustomed to changing your room decor often, then choose synthetic rugs — polypropylene or nylon rugs which water proof and UV-resistant. If you are environment-conscious, opt for plant-based fibers such as sisal, jute, and bamboo that are not only biodegradable but made from renewable resources.

Tag : rugs,floor rugs,rugs decor,area rugs

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Cow Skin Rugs: Right For Homes With Children?

Cow skin rugs can make great accessories to childrens’ rooms or for baby’s room. Young children, girls and boys, can enjoy, and be perfectly safe with, cow skin rugs. The rugs can be purchased in a wide variety of colours, shapes, and prints. They can complement a kids’ room very well by adding a touch of the unusual, a visualisation of the “west” or “cowboys.”

Many children enjoy playing the part of a cowboy or cowgirl, and if they are really into the “role,” they will truly enjoy have something of that theme that stays with them in their rooms. Cow skin rugs can be natural in colour, which can temper a Wild West-themed room if it’s already “busy,” or the rugs can be patterned, designed, and coloured to provide a bold look and give the room just the right tone of intensity.

Cow skin rugs can be laid on the floor or hung on the walls. Either way, they will make a great accent to any room that needs a little flair. Cow skin rugs, if they have been professionally tanned using methods that are safe, will be soft, supple, and should last a lifetime. They should never show any signs of cracking or shedding. If the cow skin rug has been properly treated, it will not produce any odours and should be safe. The tanning procedure using chromium is considered by many to be the best treatment method.

Children will love the diversity in colours and shapes. Babies will love the visual appeal of the patterns and designs on the floor or wall. Cow skin rugs are safe for your little ones to play on. Kids and pets alike will find cow skin rugs soft and the feel unlike any other texture they have known. It has been said that they represent a “tactile” experience.

Babies and young children learn by experiencing, touching, seeing, and smelling. Versions of baby books make great gifts for young children that have pieces of different types of fabric for little ones to touch, feel, and experience. The same can be true of a genuine cow skin rug. There also seems to be something comforting about cow skin rugs for both babies and pets.

Cow skin rugs are friendly and safe for the entire family and provide a much more utilitarian purview to decorating a room. Also making them the ideal rug for children is the fact that they are very easy to clean and care for. No special chemicals are needed to clean the rug, just mild soap, water, and a sponge.

These rugs do not collect or hold dust particles, helping to make them hypo-allergenic, which is always a good premise to be working on when children and pets are going to be involved in the use of the rug. Their backing generally provides for a non-slip surface, which is also great when kids are around. You won’t have to worry so much about them slipping and falling on loose rugs.

Cow skin rugs made great additions throughout the entire house and for the entire family. Take a look at some selections today and imagine in your mind all the possibilities for use in your home.

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Using Southwestern Rugs For Unique Rustic Home Decor

Southwestern rugs are an easy way to enhance that unique western, rustic or Native American feel in your home decor. Because of their growing popularity, more and more home decorators are choosing to buy southwestern accent rugs online. Used as western rugs and also southwest area rugs in the different rooms in your home or when decorating a log cabin with a rustic or western theme, southwestern rugs give your home warmth and a definite authentic southwestern country look. When purchasing American Indian style rugs, you will find a large selection of southwestern rugs to choose from and will definitely want to include a few of the most popular and sought-after rugs in your home decor. These rugs have a long history that has changed over time and can truly be appreciated as great works of art.

Among the most popular southwestern and western rugs are handmade area rugs, spirit rugs, Mexican Guadalupe rugs, Oaxaca Mexico rugs including Zapotec Indian rugs, Mohair and Navajo rugs. Each of these different rugs uses a combination of a variety of colors and characters, symbolizing spirituality or depictions of historical events. A good example of this is brought to life in the Southwestern Spirit rug which combines a wide variety of colors and designs. The spiritual characters weaved into these rugs are created in a variety of patterns and forms that express the spirituality of the people.

Not only are southwestern rugs admired for their great beauty, but the skill and hard work involved in making Native rugs and runners is also greatly appreciated. The makers of hand woven wool rugs must be very skilled and begin the rug making process by kneeling in front of a vertical wooden-framed loom. The designs are then put into place by using a shuttle to weave a variety of colored yarn together, making large-scale geometric characters and designs. In the beginning, Navajo rugs as well as those of some other Southwest Indian tribes were weaved of hand-spun cotton thread. However, once the wool of domestic sheep was introduced to the region by the Spanish settlers, the people mainly used wool to create their colorful rugs and other traditional weaving.

Today, many of the modern southwestern rugs are woven in areas where Spanish and Native American histories have melded together to create colorful designs. Southwest rugs, with their warm earth tone colors and unique southwestern designs make them a great choice for rustic home decorating. If you are searching for a great southwest rug, you will most likely purchase from American companies or directly from Native American weavers. Buying rugs from Navajo or other American Indian tribes not only allows you the satisfaction of knowing that you have a southwestern rug that is made by Native Americans but also helps to support the Native American heritage of rug weaving, and the people who themselves sell their rugs, blankets, and Native American art.

The rug you choose will certainly depend on what you like and what kind of decorating you have in mind. You will find that southwest rugs are the perfect southwestern accent when combined with rustic or western home decor. Whether you are changing your home decor or decorating an entire house using a southwestern theme, you will find many designs and colors available to choose from. Among these options you will find everything from Zapotec rugs with no two alike, to southwest table runners and southwestern tapestries. Designers love hand woven rugs because of the variety of colors and textures. Whatever your decorating style and whatever your decorating needs, you will no doubt enjoy the warmth and color created by decorating with southwestern rugs.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/interior-design-articles/using-southwestern-rugs-for-unique-rustic-home-decor-345557.html

How to select an Oriental Rug

Traditional wisdom says that interior home decorating should begin with an Oriental rug. There are plenty of choices in colors and materials from which to choose a rug and a rug well chosen and well cared for will probably last much longer than anything else in the room. In the olden days, Persian rugs or kilims from Iran were supposed to be the best rugs available but today you find that other eastern countries like India, Nepal, Pakistan, Nepal, Tibet, China and Turkey have been making rugs which have matched and even surpassed the quality of those from Persia.

Before you go out shopping for an Oriental rug, it would be wise to spend some time thinking about the size and color that you would prefer. You may even carry some photos of your room to help you decide. There are plenty of colors and designs to choose from. Next, you have to decide on the how much you are willing to spend on your purchase. The price of an Oriental rug is dependent on the following factors :
- Country from which it comes
- Age
- Condition
- Quality
- Design demand

Counting the knots in an Oriental rug is not the only or most important thing to do. A geometrically designed rug might have fewer than 100 knots in a square inch but a floral pattern extremely detailed might have more than 300 even. Although the regularity and tightness of the rug are of utmost importance, the quality of the wool ascertains the resistance and longevity of the rug. And don't forget to take into account the quality and color fastness of the dyes being used.

Besides, the price of an Oriental rug could also be decided by the prevailing design and color fads. About 50 years ago, orange, brown and green were considered the hot colors; but that is not the case today. The condition of the rugs and age affect the value of second hand rugs. Age will increase the value of the rugs provided they have been well maintained but if not, wear and tear and stains will reduce the value.

The best of rugs are always made from natural fibers with wool, silk and cotton being the most common and silk the most sought after as well as expensive. Wool is the most popular material used to make a Persian rugs or kilims because of its intrinsic properties - wool is long lasting, flexible, is easily dyed and can be woven or spun with ease. Besides, wool is readily available in areas where kilims or Persian rugs are made since you find a lot of nomads tending sheep there.

A fascinating thing about the Persian rugs or kilims is that you can deduce from which tribe the rug came from based solely on the type of wool and dye used. Some wool from sheep is sought after even more than the rest as it gives a certain luster to the Persian rugs or kilims.

Warps are commonly made of cotton as its high strength helps maintain the shape. Besides it maintains its natural white color over time. Another reason is that cotton can be spun into the finest of threads. Hair of camels, goats and horses is often sued to make Persian rugs or kilims to produce unique effects. Camel hair might be used to give a woolen rug additional strength while horse hair might give eye-catching tassels. Wool when mixed with goat hair produces a silky sheen. Silk has always been considered a material of luxury so silk rugs are rare although they might still be produced. They are often included in the dowry of a bride along with other Oriental rugs and treasured as part of the family wealth.

About The Author:
Visit us for a wide range of Oriental rugs including the Persian rugs or kilims; you're sure to find something to suit your home.

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Discount Rugs Decent and Legal and Modern Rugs Make a Perfect Decorating Choice

Especially if you’re shopping a Discount rugs decent and legal online and buying sight unseen, be certain that you get a guarantee on your purchase. Know the return policy in case the rug isn’t quite what you were led to believe.

There are a number of local and national chains that specialize in buying surplus inventory, job lots, and inventory from insurance claims from companies that have had fires, floods or gone bankrupt. In the Northeastern United States, one of the most well-known, Building 19, often carries inventories of Oriental carpets at deep discounts. If you check around, you’ll find a discount or surplus store near you where you can find many styles and colors of rugs and carpets for your home.

Placing a kitchen area rug on the floor instantaneously warms up a room. It gives the room a more inviting feel. The kitchen is a common place for Discount rugs decent and legal. There is a variety of wool rugs designed specially for the kitchen. The most common choice for kitchen placement is the braided area rug as it has a conventional look and requires very low maintenance.

Discount rugs decent and legal can be found in a number of places, from outlet carpet stores and large chain stores to online vendors and donation centers. People generally prefer to purchase a discount rug in a general style and color before going in for a high-end product later on.

If you are stuck with ideas when it comes to decorating your home, consider Discount rugs decent and legal like oriental rugs to give you that eclectic and interesting look. The feel that affordable oriental rugs give you is wonderful and will even work for a minimalistic, modern home. It will either contrast or blend in with your décor and you can choose from a wide variety of colors and patterns as well as sizes and shapes.

Discount rugs decent and legal online are offered to any country in the world, so no matter where you live you can get top of the range affordable oriental rugs and other high quality shag rugs, round rugs, and contemporary area rugs. You will have everything you need online and most stores will also offer a satisfaction guarantee to give you some security when you are buying online.

Decorating your home is fun and you can find plenty of ideas from magazines and just by taking note of other people’s homes and looking at movies. Many interesting and different ideas like using oriental rugs as wall hangings can come from just looking at other people’s homes, and gaining inspiration from the most unlikely of places, like at a restaurant.

Modern rugs should be chosen to match the finish and décor of the room they will be placed in. Rugs that are lighter in color make a room appear larger than it is. Besides being decorative, rugs are also functional. They are more comfortable to walk on rather than a bare floor and they also protect the floor.

Modern rugs come in three yarn categories including propylene rugs, nylon rugs and wool rugs. Propylene rugs cost the least of the three and are neither flame retardant nor as soft as the nylon or wool rugs. However, with technological improvements, they can now be treated with special chemicals that render them soft and flame retardant.

Today, we have the option of decorating our place with the most wonderful of the rugs, cut out specifically to add new dimensions to the place. There are varieties of rugs available, which offer us the option of stylizing our home. They may be contemporary, modern, and oriental.

The world is coming close, and so the modern rugs are a new phenomenon. Their designers have to be up-to-date with the latest technology and trends. They also have to be sure of creating something novel or new. Modern rugs provide you with a place which you would want to flaunt. Moreover, they are available in variety of styles, shapes, and sizes. Therefore, you are more likely to find the right rugs for your place. You should first make sure whether you want wall hangings, dinner table, or floor rugs etcetera. You also need to know where you would want to place the rugs.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/discount-rugs-decent-and-legal-and-modern-rugs-make-a-perfect-decorating-choice-720430.html

Area Rugs and Flooring -- Two Newly Green Giants

Over the years, a debate has taken place in the flooring
industry over the impact its products have on the
environment. In 2003, a group of industry researches and
technical specialists met at the University of North Carolina
to examine the science with regard to the positive or
negative attributes of materials found in products like
carpeting, area rugs and linoleum.

The panel looked at hundreds of studies in relation to how
carpet and non-carpet materials contribute to environmental
quality and whether there's a significant concern with toxic
substances and allergens alleged to have commonly been
found.

The intention of the researchers was to try and settle years
of anecdotal evidence and set an industry standard to help
buyers and sellers of flooring products. A good portion of the
information reviewed came from the Environmental
Protection Agency, the National Health Science Libraries,
and other previously published industry experts.

A review of all of the literature led to one major conclusion:
materials found in flooring "play a significant role to the
quality of life indoors." It contributes to healthy design
factors, safety, aesthetics, climate control, ergonomics and
physical comfort. When maintained properly, carpeting and
area rugs are not at all risks to public health.

While the group's conclusion was great news for the
industry and the public, it's still necessary to examine
flooring's impact on the whole environment, including the
part played by rugs and flooring made from natural
materials.

Decorating Like Darwin: By Natural Selection

With so many types of area rugs available today, it's hard
enough to make a style selection, let alone having to take
health and environmental concerns into account. Keeping
rugs clean and in good condition will go a long way in
alleviating any concerns. Area rugs do have material
differences, though. Here's a quick look at natural fiber rugs
and other natural flooring:

WOOL RUGS

Water, water everywhere, so keep it away from wool. Water
is one of the biggest enemies of wool rugs. Wool, popular in

href="http://www.a1-discount-area-rugs.com/Oriental-Rugs.html">Oriental rugs, has a high moisture regain and is
susceptible to microorganism attack. That may sound like
the bad plot to a Hollywood horror film or an episode of Fear
Factor. Nevertheless, keep something that requires water,
like potted plants, off of wool rugs.

Water aside, wool's long, coarse fibers have the ability to
maintain indoor air quality and, unlike synthetic fibers, can
absorb indoor contaminants. Since discarded carpet
accounts for a tremendous amount of waste – 4.7 billion
pounds in 2002 according to the EPA – any rug that lasts
longer, like a hand-knotted wool rug, is going to get the seal
of approval from the Green Party.

JUTE RUGS

Once used primarily as carpet backing, Jute has made it to
the big time. As a full-fledged member of the area rug and
carpet family, Jute, which ranges from light tans to browns,
is one of the finest and softest of natural floor covering
materials.

Composed mainly of plant materials, Jute is a rainy season
crop that grows best in warm, humid climates like parts of
China and India. While it may grow in rainy weather, the Jute
rug won't stand up to areas with high moisture levels. Unlike
wool, jute is resistant to microorganisms, but the material
will in fact deteriorate rapidly when exposed to moisture.

BAMBOO RUGS

Gilligan's Island no longer corners the market on bamboo
flooring. You don't need to live in a hut to use this material.

Bamboo, which is also a trend in cutting boards and
hardwood floors, has become a popular option for area
rugs. And its environmental friendliness is obvious. No
trees to cut down, no waste. Bamboo is technically a grass,
and moreover a highly renewable resource. Maturing in less
than six years, bamboo is harvested over and over from the
same plants. Its strength combined with a natural beauty
can add a contemporary touch to any living space.

SEAGRASS RUGS

Seagrass is not something you may have thought was
illegal. You can't grow it in your backyard, but it does look
great in the house. Created from tropical grass mainly
imported from China, Seagrass, which only comes in a
natural organic green color, is smooth to the touch and
extremely durable and stain resistant.

SISAL RUGS

Sisal is another natural fiber that has recently gained
popularity among designers. The material is derived from a
cactus plant, grown in semi-arid regions liked Brazil and
Africa.

Sisal is stronger and more durable than other natural fibers,
making its staying power ultra-environment friendly. Water is
not Sisal's friend, either. The rug should never be used in
the bathroom or other moist areas of the house.

CORK FLOORING

Now you may be thinking how a rug is made from cork?
Well, it's not. Cork has been slipped in to this discussion
simply because it can be considered a cousin in the natural
fiber family. Used as durable hardwood-type flooring, the
cork tree is the only one whose bark can regenerate itself
after harvest without damaging the tree or the environment.
The tree is never killed or cut down and can produce bark for
centuries. Furthermore, almost all of its harvested materials
are put to use.

Cork is known for its sound environmental policy, and when
feet hit the floor, it's known for its durability. Cork may seem
elastic when compared to wood, but its "natural memory
ability" and resistance to liquid penetration can make it an
attractive alternative.

LINOLEUM FLOORING

This is no joke. Linoleum is back. So break out the disco
ball and platform shoes. Vinyl nearly sent linoleum to the
flooring scrap yard, but just like bell-bottoms, linoleum is
making a comeback. It's contemporary and gets the green
seal. While vinyl is synthetic and petroleum-based, linoleum
is made entirely of natural materials, linseed oil being the
main ingredient.

The resurgence of natural and retro products is behind
linoleum's rebirth. As a natural product, linoleum can be
recycled and is hypoallergenic, which benefits those who
suffer from allergies or asthma. Linoleum also contains
antibacterial properties that help stop the growth of
microorganisms.

About the author:

Based in Los Angeles, Ron Neal is a free-lance writer, editor and owner of Writemind Media. With more than 20 years of experience, including six at the Los Angeles Times, Mr. Neal has produced and edited hundreds of articles on a variety of subjects, including flooring, home improvement and area rugs of all kinds, including braided and sisal rugs.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ron_Neal

Home Decorating - People Love Rugs that Appeal to The Senses

Using rugs here and there is a decorative way to add charm and personality to your home. Rugs help you create the look and feel you want for each room. But, it goes beyond that. Rugs are more than just floor coverings - they can also appeal to our senses.

The most obvious sense that rugs impact is sight. Rugs can create visual interest with eye-catching designs or bold colors. A rug can also be it's own focal point or it can help draw attention to something nearby. It might be a piece of furniture or a feature of the room that is highlighted because of the rug's placement.

Touch, or feel, is another major sense that many rugs appeal to. Anyone who has ever been barefoot on a cold bare floor and then stepped onto a rug has felt instant relief. I was raised in an area of the United States that has cold winters. No matter how much warmth the furnace pumped out, the bare floors were cold in our old house. New slippers were a welcome gift.

Certain types of rugs, such as shag, Flokati, and sheepskin rugs, have a remarkable feel thanks to the longer-than-usual material. When I say shag rugs, I am talking about the newer versions, not the out-dated ones from the 1970s. If you want to have a rug with cloud-like fluffiness, there's nothing better than a Flokati rug or a sheepskin rug. These rugs are just right when you want to lay on the floor in front of the TV, curl up in front of the fireplace, or just wiggle your toes in the thick, lush fibers.

In addition to the physical senses of sight and touch, many rugs can also appeal to our emotions. Rugs often convey a feeling of hospitality to guests by making a room feel warm and inviting. Many types of rugs will often generate some pleasant reactions:

* Some braided rugs give people a cozy, down-home feeling.

* A richly detailed, ornate rug might make one feel more regal.

* Whimsical themes or cartoon characters can induce smiling.

* A wildlife scene may remind someone of a favorite camping trip.

* Floral or animal designs might appeal to one's love of nature.

Rugs allow you to express yourself and show off your decorating style with the designs and colors you choose. And, to a lesser extent, your decorating expertise is revealed in the placement of your rugs. A rug can divide a room or it can bring the different elements of a room together. A rug can highlight a sitting area or help identify the traffic pattern from one room to another.

Many of us decorate the rooms of our homes based on what we have and where it fits. With the right rugs, we have the opportunity to create any mood or look we want in our rooms. Best of all, there are plenty of rugs to pick from to meet almost any budget.

AnnaRae Mills is wild about rugs! She has a goldmine of tips and information to share with you. Decorating ideas, shopping tips, and much more. Find out how to pick the right rugs for your home. See pics of all rug types at http://www.Area-Rug-Tips.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=AnnaRae_Mills

Use Southwestern Rugs For Unique Western Home Decorating

Southwestern rugs are an excellent way to create that popular western, rustic or Native American feel in your home decorating. Because of their afordability, more and more home decorators are choosing to buy southwestern accent rugs online. Used as western rugs and also southwest area rugs on the floors in your home or when decorating a log cabin with a rustic or western theme, southwestern rugs give your home warmth and a true authentic southwestern country look. When purchasing American Indian style rugs, you will find many of southwestern rugs to choose from and will no doubt want to add a few of the most popular and sought-after rugs in your home decor. These rugs have an extensive history that has grown over time and can truly be appreciated as great works of art.

Some of the most popular southwestern and western rugs are handmade area rugs, spirit rugs, Mexican Guadalupe rugs, Oaxaca Mexico rugs including Zapotec Indian rugs, Mohair and Navajo rugs. Each of these different rugs mixes a variety of colors and characters, symbolizing spirituality or depictions of historical events. An excellent example of this is brought to life in the Southwestern Spirit rug which contains a variation of colors and designs. The spiritual characters weaved into these rugs are created in a variety of patterns and forms that express the spirituality of the people.

Not only are southwestern rugs known for their incredible beauty, but the skill and hard work involved in making Native rugs and runners is also greatly appreciated. The makers of hand woven wool rugs must be very skilled and begin the rug making process by kneeling in front of a vertical wooden-framed loom. The designs are then put into place by using a shuttle to weave a variety of colored yarn together, making large-scale geometric characters and designs. In the beginning, Navajo rugs as well as those of some other Southwest Indian tribes were weaved of hand-spun cotton thread. However, once the wool of domestic sheep was introduced to the region by the Spanish settlers, the people primarily used wool to make their colorful rugs and other traditional weaving.

Today, many of the modern southwestern rugs are made in areas where Spanish and Native American histories have melded together to create unique designs. Southwest rugs, with their natural earth tone colors and one-of-a-kind southwestern designs make them the standard for rustic home decorating. If you are looking for a great southwest rug, you will likely purchase from American companies or directly from Native American weavers. Buying rugs from Navajo or other American Indian tribes not only gives you the satisfaction of owning a southwestern rug that is made by Native Americans but also helps to support the Native American heritage of rug making, and the people who themselves sell their rugs, blankets, and Native American art.

The rug you purchase will certainly depend on what your tastes are and what kind of decorating you have in mind. You will find that southwest rugs are an excellent southwestern accent when combined with rustic or western home decor. Whether you are changing your home decor or decorating an entire house using a southwestern theme, you will come across many designs and colors available to choose from. Among these options you will find everything from Zapotec rugs with no two alike, to southwest table runners and western tapestries. Home decorators love hand woven rugs because of the rich colors and textures. Whatever your decorating style and whatever your home decor needs, you will no doubt enjoy the warmth and color brought to life in your home by decorating with southwestern rugs.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/interior-design-articles/use-southwestern-rugs-for-unique-western-home-decorating-341077.html

Natural Rugs For Today’s Home

With the fear of VOPs, toxins that are emitted from synthetics, and other pollutants in our homes grows, people are turning away from the traditional manufactured home products and turning to natural.

The Feng Shui has also given birth to more natural materials in the home. With the introduction of silk and grass wallpapers, bamboo and rattan window treatments, concrete and stone counter-tops, reclaimed and natural fiber insulation's, the next natural extension was to use natural products in carpets.

Homeowners are becoming concerned with the solvents, rubbers, and synthetics used in wall to wall carpets. In fact, many carpets are deemed ‘unsafe’ for use in day care centers and primary classrooms. Many homeowners are removing wall to wall carpets from their homes and replacing them with rugs.

Rugs do not need a rubber backing and they lack the glues and solvents found in carpets. They can be lifted and cleaned, removing more allergens, mold, and mildew spores than can be removed from wall to wall carpets. It is also easier to find rugs that have not been treated with chemical stain retardants or UV blocks.

Rugs are also made from an assortment of natural fibers from wool, silk, flax, seagrass, mountain grass, reeds, and cotton.

Grass rugs are perfect for today’s Feng Shui designs. Their natural weave adds texture to the room without overpowering it.

Beautifully crafted Grass Rugs are made entirely from only 100% natural fibers, the highest quality natural materials. They offer natural beauty combined with an inherent strength and stain resistance. This means that seagrass can be used in high traffic areas and in family homes.

Seagrass is obtained from a tall plant with grass-like stems found in wet lands. It emits a grassy, hay-like scent that is far more relaxing than any man-made sent. However, it dissipates with time. Colors range from sage green hues to olive, perfect for the current home decorating themes. Grass has a non-porous surface with a naturally smooth texture and sheen quality.

Wool rugs, like Persian and Indian rugs, have been used for hundreds of years. Wool rugs come in fantastic colors and dynamic patterns. Wool rugs are versatile. They can be used as throws, wall hangings, couch covers, window treatments, and floor coverings.

Another ancient rug fabric is flax and linen. Both these plants can be spun into thread and woven into carpets and rugs in the same way that wool and other throw rugs are made. In fact, except for the texture and more natural tones, linen rugs are often mistaken for wool rugs.

One of the most coveted items in today’s home decorating world is the silk Oriental rug. However, the odds that the Oriental rug you are considering buying is ‘real silk’ is very slim – even if it is a costly rug. It is more likely to be fake silk or mercerized cotton.

Thousands of homeowners are duped out of $5 000, $10 000, and more every year for silk rugs that have no silk content in them at all. Only a real expert can make a 100% accurate assessment.

Natural fiber rugs are a pride to own, and a comfort to live with.

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