A Unique Time in the History and Economy of Wool Area Rugs

We are living in an era where Oil Prices are driving the condition of our Economy. Overall, this seems to have a negative impact on the prices of every home decor item that we purchase. Flooring prices have nearly doubled in the past two years ("talk about sticker shock"). However, upon examination we find that there are some positive attributes that can only exist at this moment in History and in this present Economy.

    Area Rugs have had a special place in the history of mankind, and the economy of Home Decor. The Medo-Persian Empire is given much credit for ancient trade in area rugs. We have physical evidence of intricate hand-made area rugs from the 1st century BC. Although we perceive that rugs, in the form of fleeces and hand-made rugs of all types of fibers would have been produced and traded before this empire came to power, it was largely their influence that made it a commodity that was traded throughout the known world at that time in history. It would be hard to imagine any caravan traveling from one city to another that would not have been laden with "exotic" area rugs for their high-end clients. That's right, most area rugs in that era would only be affordable to the affluent members of society. In fact, area rugs would not become affordable to the average household until the 19th century AD. That is when machine production, and less expensive fibers would become used in the manufacturing processes of area rugs, eventually making them a more affordable home decor product.

    The economy of area rugs grew by leaps and bounds as machine-made processes reached a point where an imitation of hand-made rugs were affordable by the average middle-income family. In the beginning, these machine-made rugs were using cotton, wool, and even silk fibers. Area rugs became affordable as well as being a well built home decor product. In my estimation, things soon took a turn for the worse with the advent of petroleum based man-made fibers. When nylon fiber (a petroleum based fiber) was first introduced in the manufacture of area rugs, things could not have seemed better. I am trying to keep this short so I will not discuss other man-made fibers that were being experimented with and used. Nylon fiber had shown that it was a great economical replacement for wool, it was also a strong fiber that resisted soil and stains well. Crude oil was plentiful and cheap, so nylon became the "It" fiber for a generation of post-war, economically secure nation of consumers.  It soon became the industry standard for area rugs and wall-to-wall carpet.

    Fast forward a generation or two and oil is beginning to become expensive. This is where the story becomes sad for me. Rug manufacturers begin to use less expensive polypropylene, olefin and polyester fibers. In the beginning these less expensive and inferior fiber rugs were sold as a disposable commodity. The fuzzy bathroom rug and the "welcome" mat in your foyer were never meant to last long or clean well. You simply used them for a season and then tossed them in the garbage where they would begin their journey to the land-fill. Although I still consider these types of rugs to be disposable, the rug industry has managed to convince a generation of consumers that these fibers can be a good alternative to the now more expensive nylon, "after all, they are both man-made fibers" aren't they? Contrary to modern marketing, these fibers will always be considered sub-standard, as far as I am concerned. I was truly appalled when the Big, Brand Name Rug Makers were trying to convince me of the positive attributes of polypropylene and that they could be sold as a high-end home decor product as long as a pretty pattern of colors were printed on them. I see these rugs in the chain-stores and all over the Internet, marketed and sold as if they were a good quality product and part of that is due to our economy. As nylon fiber rugs become more expensive, they will simply pass off a polypropylene rug, as if it were a decent product.

    This is where the good news begins. A very unique circumstance of our economy is the fact that petroleum based, man-made fibers are becoming more and more expensive, while wool fiber has become abundant and economical. This means that you can buy wool fiber area rugs for the same price as nylon, and oftentimes less. Even hand-made wool rugs are competing with machine made nylon rugs. This is a unique time in history. I have extolled the virtues of wool area rugs for many years. Wool area rugs are simply a superior product for your money, and now they are more affordable than ever. Now is the best time to buy a fine wool area rug for your home decor. Conditions are perfect for finding a quality rug at a discounted price, and you can be assured that all the rugs we feature on our web site will be a great value and they will stand the test of time.

Charles Beason,

www.RugRunnerBiz.com  - Fine Wool Area Rugs and Home Decor Items

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Why do my Rug Runners Curl, Wrinkle and Travel?

www.RugRunnerBiz.com - Fine Wool Area Rugs and Home Decor Items - Tip of the day

Using the wrong type of Rug Runner is the main reason for problems with rug runners in Home Decor use.

    Most rug runners that are sold by the foot were actually designed for stairways. They are usually a flat-weave construction and were designed to be tacked or stapled in place. Many people try to use these type of rug runners on the main wear areas in foyers and hallways. This seems like a good idea, especially if you have a good wall-to-wall carpet that you are trying to protect, or an ugly floor you are trying to cover.

    The problems that arise from using a flat-weave over carpet are due to the fact that they were not designed for this purpose. They do not have enough weight, and do not have a sturdy backing, therefore they are not able to lay flat (especially on top of carpet). When you choose a runner, and you desire it to take most of the abuse from foot traffic in your home, you need to choose a runner that is NOT a flat-weave. A standard cut-pile area rug runner is the best choice for this type of application. Choose a runner that has a standard heat-set backing, and most importantly, choose a runner that has substance. When I say substance I mean that the rug runner should have enough weight to allow gravity to keep it in it's intended position. A twelve to fourteen mm. height has density that is usually enough for such a purpose. A better quality rug runner will not wrinkle or curl the way that a flat-weave does, however, most rugs or runners will tend to crawl (or travel) in the direction of the carpet nap. If your rug runner has substance and proper backing, it will not move around much. A few inches per week under normal traffic (not nearly as much as a flat-weave runner).

    Edge Curling can also occur as a result of improper vacuuming. See our web site for tips on preventing edge curl. For best results, do not use the beater bar on the edges of any rug whether surged or bound. Using a vacuum with a beater bar is the number one cause of most rug edge curling.

    It is my opinion that Wool is the best kind of fiber for a rug or runner for indoor use and there are a multitude of color and pattern choices that will fit your home decor. They offer much better performance than a synthetic fiber flat-weave rug runner. Shopping for a good quality rug runner on the Internet will usually afford you the best quality rug runner for your money by cutting out the high mark-up of most retail stores. I have selected some of the better deals I have found online on my web site and have added some runners to my selections.

Article by Charles Beason,

www.RugRunnerBiz.com  --- Fine Area Rugs and Home Decor Items.

This article is copyright (C) Charles Beason. It may be reprinted in its entirety as long as the by-line and hyperlink  remains intact.

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Area Rugs and Home Decor - Color, Art and Function

Area Rugs are a multi-function tool in your home decor tool-kit.

When referring to Interior design and home decor, the versatility of an Area Rug is often overlooked. These mini-masterpieces serve as artwork, have the ability to shape color, and add needed function in any home.

    Color seems to be the most confounding element for most homeowners to master effectively. Color is not nearly as complex as it seems. The complexity seems to stem from the sheer magnitude of differing color, tones, hues and shades. We all know what our favorite colors are, yet when we try to pin that color down as a useable element of design, we are confronted by hundreds of choices in tone and hue. Most of us need a standard from which to work. This is where an area rug can have a principle role in helping us sort through the inexhaustible choices we face. If we would first choose an area rug with the colors we favor, the task of choosing color for other decor items seems to fall in place. The use of an area rug as a color reference will ground your space and limit your choices, which will make the task a lot less confusing. Your colors are already decided by the colors most prominent in your area rug.

    The next function of area rugs are to add beauty and depth to a room by the utility of art. Patterns and perceptions in rug design are vast and often intriguing to the eye. As a painting adds drama an scope to a wall, an area rug is a work of art for your floor. Area rugs come in any and all varieties of patterns and designs to accommodate any style of decor imaginable.  Therefore, no matter what style you are trying to achieve, from traditional to contemporary and everything in between, you will be able to find an area rug to artfully engage all who visit your space. I can only consider all the times that I did not even notice a well placed rug, until I had set in that room for a season. As your eye begins to draw downward from other treasured elements of decor, you finally notice the art that lies at your feet. Many of your guests will discover themselves drawn into the intricate beauty of a well placed piece of floor-art.

    The final element is that which is fundamental to the existence of area rugs. They are utilitarian in design. They were originally conceived to provide a function. The first rugs in existence were likely simple in their utility. To provide a comfortable space to sleep, or to protect ones feet from the bare soil. Today we have a vast arena of uses for area rugs. From those that supply a place to wipe our feet off, to those that protect our original flooring investment. You can postpone refinishing or replacing an expensive flooring investment with the strategic placement of area rugs and mats. Your purposes could be as simple as providing a soft and clean space for your baby to crawl, or as complex as those we see highlighted in any decent interior design magazine or catalog. There are styles of rugs that will match each needed function in your home. From the ordinary to the sublime.

    As you contemplate the design of any space in your home, give due diligence to the use of area rugs. Look beyond the simple utility, and see the unique benefit that only an area rug can provide. An artfully crafted Wool Area Rug will add the needed elements of color, art and function.

Charles Beason,

www.RugRunnerBiz.com

I am a Flooring Consultant in the High Desert of Southern California.
Please Visit my web site at http://www.rugrunnerbiz.com
This blog is copyright (c) 2008 by Charles Beason, any post to this blog may be reprinted in it's entirety as long as this byline and copyright statement is included.

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Using Clear Plastic Runners to Protect your Carpet

    I continually have clients asking me about buying clear plastic runners to put on top of their carpet to protect it from traffic, soil and spills. So I thought I would write a few lines about it. Using plastic runners in your high traffic areas sounds like a logical way to protect your carpet investment... but more often then not, they can cause more damage than they prevent.

    On my web site and in my blogs, I have spoken to the problems that can be presented when you use area rugs with a solid latex or rubber backing. I have also written an article about the damage that can occur to carpet and pad from the use of solid plastic, vinyl or rubber office chair mats. However, I neglected to mention that the same problems can occur with the use of plastic runners on carpet (or rugs) when your home is built on a concrete slab foundation.  If you will reference my article 'Avoiding Rug Damage in the Home Office' you will be able to understand the type of problems that can occur when you cover any flooring product with a solid plastic, vinyl or rubber, whether it is a mat, runner or rug. Since most of the information can be found in the article link above, I will keep this post short. Here is a short summary:

    If your house has a concrete slab foundation (and sometimes wood sub-floors can be affected)

* Any Flooring product, or any product designed to protect your flooring needs to be able to "Breathe" (allow moisture and gases that are in your sub-flooring (concrete or wood) to pass through harmlessly and dissipate).

* Never use Plastic Runners. They will damage your flooring. If you feel that you must use plastic runners, you will cut your chances of damage by fifty percent if you use a runner that is ventilated. (See Vent-A-Mat at www.TheMatStore.com) These runners have small holes every inch or so to allow water vapor and gases to pass through and more safely dissipate into the air, which means less chance for damage to your flooring. Ventilated plastic runners will decrease chances of damage, but they are not a perfect solution.

* The best product for protecting your flooring investment is rug runners. But be sure to buy the type that "breathe". A Rug Runner is simply a long, narrow rug. It can have a woven backing or a standard heat-set (action type) backing. As long as you choose one WITHOUT a SOLID Layer of PLASTIC, VINYL OR RUBBER on the back, it will never cause damage to your expensive Carpet (or other floorings). Long, narrow Area Rugs work great as runners. Any area rug that is longer than it is wide can be used, and wool is the best type of fiber, but nylon will also do nicely. Or you can buy runners by the lineal foot (running foot). But be aware that most runners that are sold this way are designed to be fastened to stairways and steps, these will tend to wrinkle and bunch if used over wall-to-wall carpet.

Charles Beason

www.RugRunnerBiz.com

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Warping the Fabric of time and Space with Home Decor

Fine Wool Fiber Area Rugs for your Home Decor at about the same price as Synthetic Fiber Rugs (Amazing!)

The Home Decor Time Warp

Is your home decor trapped in the past? Do you seem to be stuck with remnants of eighties, seventies or even nineteen-sixties home decor? Here are some home decor tips that may help keep the fabric of time and space intact for you, and help you move from trendy to timeless in your interior design.
One of the great benefits of my profession is that I get to visit all of my clients homes. Each client is as different as their home decor, so I get to see, first hand, what works and what doesn't. Trendy, transitional or just tired and tattered, my clients share their flooring needs with me and we choose the type, style and color that will best suit their decor needs. As I traverse from one home to another, I have noted a phenomenon of science fiction proportions. Upon entry into each home, I seem to be time-warped to another decade. Another plane in the time-space continuum. I enter one home to find that I should have worn my platform shoes, because I am suddenly stuck in the seventies and it's time to boogie. Upon entry to another home and I feel I need a pair of six-shooters strapped to my hips. Visit another home and I feel as though I should have grown a mullet to fit in with this eighties household. Another, and it's back to the future. Of course, this is normal because most people who have called for me want to update their home decor. My experience tells me that most homeowners update their decor to current trends, and then get stuck there for ten to twenty years or more. Then there are those homes that always seem to look stylish and exquisite no matter what the current trend is. These are people who follow basic and timeless home decor techniques that never go out of style. Trendy is fun for a few years, but timeless decor can last a lifetime. Let us see if we can pin down some of those techniques that will make a lasting impression in interior design and decor.
The first element I will discuss is paint color choices. As an example; I have noticed that many people are painting all the walls in a room or rooms a red color. There's nothing wrong with red, but the colors most people are choosing are trendy colors of red. These colors will most likely be unfashionable in a few short years. I understand the look they are trying to achieve, but the color choice is simply not one that will stand the test of time. Bright or pastel colors are almost always a trend. Do you remember the salmon pink from the sixties and seventies Or how about the peach and mint green colors of the eighties southwestern rage. If you want to be trendy with red, I suggest using the same color group, but let's tone that down to a color that is somewhere around a muted hue of cinnamon or burgundy color. Now we have a color that doesn't jump out at you as you enter the room because it is a more subtle shade that gives warmth and presence to the walls without overwhelming the entire room. Color choice is a very personal element, but if you want to use bright yellow in your home decor, save it for accent items that you can change out easily when you tire of them or when they are no longer in style (nobody wants to enter a room where they feel like they have just penetrated the center of the sun). Use tones or hues of color that accomplish your goal without going "over the top". If you love the color purple, you can use it. Just use a very subtle hue that blends into the background.
The next element would be window coverings. We have already discussed color so I won't go into it here. What we do need to consider is how popular your window treatment is now, and how it will look in three to five years. The generation preceding the present thought that mini-blinds were the best window treatment. Now we see that they have mostly fallen out of favor, with the exception of using them as if they were shades set behind another type of window covering such as draperies, or with valances and trimmed with other fabric coverings. Most roman style shades will stand the test of time. I see a lot of plantation shutters being used, and they are much better for long-term use (depending on the look you are shooting for in your decor). Fabrics (or draperies) are another home decor element that can be trendy or timeless, depending on the textures and patterns in fabric coverings. If you stick with what has always worked throughout the decades, you can be trendy and still expect long term usage. Stick with subtle fabric patterns. The use of a trendy patterns like brightly colored circles (polka-dots) may look good this year, but what about next year. You can use any pattern your heart desires as long as it is subdued and does not scream out "look at me"! Also, watch out for trendy fabrics such as those with a metallic sheen because texture is also a very important factor in home decor. For Example: Velvet is timeless, as is lace.
I suppose we should say a word or two on Texture. I am happy to see many people using stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops in their kitchens. These are textures that have a lasting effect on home decor. Although I'm afraid that most people don't realize the extra upkeep on granite or any real stone. These materials must be sealed well and periodically re-sealed to protect them. Real stone and some through body porcelain tiles are porous and require a sealer to protect them from spills that could leach into these textures. Glass is also a timeless texture for home decor. Brass and chrome seem to fade in and out of favor, but overall is generally safe. Watch out for exotic textures that are more on the trendy side.
As for flooring, the biggest mistakes people make are in the area of color and pattern. If people walk into your home and notice your flooring before they pay attention to your decor, you have probably made a bad color choice. You don't have to always choose safe earth tones for flooring, but you do need to make certain that your color selection blends into the background and not the forefront of your interior design. There are also different textures in flooring. Choose a texture that will last. During the time period when southwestern decor was all the rage, many people chose patterned Berber carpet for their floors. When trends changed, many people were having a hard time decorating around a floor that they no longer cared for because it was not stylish. Plush carpets are always safer for home decor and do not tend to go in and out of style. Hard-surface floorings should always have a natural look. Because hard-surface lasts a long time and is a greater investment, be careful about color and composition. You may have to live with a bad floor choice for many years. One terrific tool for flooring is the Area Rug. They are extremely versatile and if you stay to classic patterns, they will serve you for a long time. I always suggest the use of wool area rugs for their durability and stain resistance, and most oriental or middle eastern patterns always make a good appearance, without dependence on current styles and trends. Area rugs can be used to define space and for color accent or background color utilizing larger rugs. They are a good, timeless tool for home decor.
I am not saying that you can't be trendy or up to date with your interior design. I am not saying you have to get stuck with traditional. Simply use more subtle colors, textures and patterns to establish the background for your decor, and use accent pieces and furnishings that can be easily and economically swapped out when they are no longer the rage. If you stick with what has always worked in the past, you preserve your home decor for the future. It can be fun for me to zip around in time and space, but it's no fun for you as a homeowner or tenant, if your decor is stuck in the past. Don't let your home decor get trapped in a time warp.





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Those of you who know me know the affinity I have for the Time Space Continuum. This fascination stems from my knowledge that God is Omni-present. That means that He is everywhere and with us all; all at the same time. It is also my belief that God is everywhere in the past, present and future at this very moment. Which would explain why He knows what we will do before we do it. I look forward to a day when we shall all be loosed from the bonds of time and space as we know it now. I think that time travel is just one of the benefits we receive as a Child of God. God's word explains (in the book of Revelation) that someday an angel will proclaim that there will be "time, No Longer"; Rev. 10:6. Prophecies are also a glimpse of the future that God has allowed us to share. In many ways, we as God's children are already free from the constraints of time and space... But that is a discussion for a later time...




Portions of this blog are part of an article I wrote for www.ezinearticles.com




Charles Beason
chazbeason@rugrunnerbiz.com



Technorati Tags: Home Decor,Interior design,time and space continuum,time warp,flooring,area rugs and Home Decor,area rugs

Home Decor Tips for the Renter (or Leaser)

    Just because you rent or lease, does not mean that you do not care about your decor. However when you rent or lease an apartment or home, you are often faced with a few home decor challenges. Let's discuss those challenges and how they can be overcome.

    Home Decor always starts with some basic design rules that we need to follow in order to achieve the best results. I think most people would agree with me about the backdrop (or background) elements for home design.

1. Paint Color(s)

2. Window Treatments

3. Flooring

4. Furniture

These four elements set the base, or backdrop for your decor needs. Before we get into choosing color schemes, textures, patterns, etc... we must address these four elements of design, and this is where the renter is at a disadvantage to a home owner.

    Most landlords already supply two or three of these elements. Paint color(s), Flooring, and often it is the landlord that chooses your Window Coverings. Let us first address paint. Most landlords supply the paint color and they take a dim view of renters using any paint color other than that which they have supplied. Most landlords paint their rentals in off-white colors. This may not be your favorite color and many renters would certainly like to choose their own paint colors, but most renters would also like to get their security deposit back when they move out, so most often you are stuck with the choice that has already been made for you. This does not have to be a horrible thing, as off-white will usually work with most any home decor. Some landlords will let you paint in other colors as long as you re-paint it back to off-white before you move out. Perhaps they will allow you to paint one accent wall which can help greatly. Check with your landlord before you decide to change the paint. If they say no, it is not the end of the world. You simply have to pick your design colors from other sources than the paint.

    Most landlords also supply the Window Treatments. Most rentals that I see have been supplied with shades or blinds that are neutral colors. Here also, most landlords do not want you to remove or replace what they have supplied. Although, most landlords will not mind if you use curtains or draperies to add to the existing window treatments, so here is an area worth asking about. Always check with your landlord before you start attaching window coverings to their property. Some landlords will not allow you to nail or screw anything into the walls. Most that I know do not mind, as long as you fill the holes in when the window treatments are removed. Now you can use texture, pattern and color for your windows to compliment your home decor style.

    The next consideration will be your furnishings. Most renters already have their furniture, or at least some furniture. Many time the furniture you have may be hand-me-downs. If you do not have your furniture yet and you are on a budget, consider shopping at thrift stores or yard sales. You can usually find some great bargains and if the furniture is not the right color or does not have the right texture, you can always use paint or stain to change the color, and slip-covers can be found for sofas, chairs, etc.. and this will still allow you a good amount of latitude for your home decor.

    That leaves us with the Flooring. This is often the most aggravating part, because the flooring is almost always supplied by the landlord, and most landlords don't care how it will tie in with your home decor needs. No matter how ugly the color is, or how old and worn the flooring is, you are pretty much stuck with it. I have had many clients who have tried to get their landlord to change the flooring, and almost always, they will not even consider it. Even when the tenant offers to pay for part of the cost. This can be frustrating, but changing the flooring is not your only solution, so don't give up just yet. This is where area rugs can be a wonderful option. Area Rugs come in all shapes, sizes, and colors and although I usually suggest that a person find their rug first before choosing other decor items, you can easily work the other way around and choose a style and color that matches your decor. Use an area rug to cover that old dirty carpet or add warmth and color over any type of hard-surface flooring. It is best to invest a little bit more for a good quality rug (many wool fiber rugs can be found for the same price or slightly more than the cheap ones you find at the chain-stores). The great thing about a good quality rug is that you can take it with you when you move, and a wool fiber rug can last a lifetime with proper care. Also, most patterns will never go out of style, if you choose a more classic or traditional pattern.

    Just because you don't own the home you are living in does not mean you have to give up on style and decor. There are a world of possibilities, even for those who rent or lease, to make your apartment a real home. Check out our web site for an area rug to cover an ugly worn out floor, or just to add the right colors to balance your design needs.

Charles Beason

www.rugrunnerbiz.com

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