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Carpeting Information Pages
Decorating with Carpet:
•
Area Rug Facts & Tips Tips for
Purchasing and Installing New Carpet
• Area Rugs Are Increasingly Under Foot
•
Selecting Decor First: Transform the often-overwhelming process of
choosing carpet
into a preview of the room you want.
•
The Decorating Room Plan: Who, what and how? Simple questions can give you
a
detailed understanding of your
carpeting needs.
•
Carpeting and Maintenance: Easy-cleaning? Water resistance? Durability?
What
matters to you when it comes to
keeping that new look?
• Carpeting and
Atmosphere: Warm or cool, light or dark -- even quiet or
loud. The
carpet you choose sets the tone for any
room.
• Carpeting and
Sense of Space: Want to make your home feel cozier? More
spacious? We've got you covered.
•
Carpeting and Lifestyle: Rustic to formal and everything in between, we'll
help you
choose the covering that's perfect
for you.
• Carpeting and Mood: Calm it down. Live it up. Carpet really can help you
create a
mood in your home.
•
Choosing Carpet Size: If it has to do with carpet or rugs, room size
considerations
and calculation, you'll find it here.
• Choosing Carpet Color: When deciding on a carpet, consider everything from
furniture
to pets, climate to orientation.
• Choosing Pattern or Plain: Should your carpet be pain or patterned, and
which
patterns are best for you. Let us
help you decide.
• Choosing Carpet Texture: Understand the effects of carpet texture, from
uneven low-
level loop to smooth tip sheered.
• Choosing Fiber and Density: Dense carpets provide better performance, and
are more
expensive. Match your needs with
the best value.
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Area Rug Facts & Tips
When
decorating your home, think of your floors as the foundation for your design
scheme. An area rug can visually integrate or harmonize eclectic elements in
any decor or can revitalize a room. There's an endless array of rug designs
to choose from. Oriental, Persian, contemporary and Native American designs
are just a few that can be found in nearly any price range.
Tips for
Selecting a Rug for Your Home
-
Visualize the desired
total look of the room. Do you want a room that's uncluttered and monotone
or a room rich with colors or textures? If you start with a totally empty
room, choose a rug, then paint or paper the walls in colors found in the
rug.
-
Remember, the rug has
to fit the room – in more ways than one. Consider how the room is used,
how much traffic the area gets and who will view it under what light. For
high-traffic areas such as hallways and foyers, you may want a durable,
patterned rug.
-
Choose furniture that
enhances the rug design or colors found in the rug.
-
If you start with
furniture, choose a rug to pick up the colors used in your furnishing
patterns. Patterns can be mixed if they are coordinated by color. 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.
-
Size up the size of
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-11-foot 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 color and warmth.
-
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.
-
Choose a rug that will
perform well, with the right combination of density and fiber. The denser
the pile, (with closer tufts or stitches), the better your rug will wear.
-
Synthetic yarns -
nylon, polyester, acrylic, and polypropylene - and the naturals - wool and
cotton - are durable, soft, and easy to clean.
-
You’ve got to hand it
to machine-made rugs: they may look strikingly similar to the handmade
kind, but they’re usually much less expensive.
-
Watch out for fringe
elements. If the rug you like has fringe, make sure it’s sewn on well, and
very carefully use the vacuum cleaner.
-
Don’t be boxed in by
the idea of getting a rectangular rug. A circular or octagonal-shaped
floor covering can add flair.
-
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
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Buying and Installing New Carpet Tips
Since 1988, the U.S.
Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) received over 500 complaints
associated with new carpet installation. CPSC evaluated many of these
complaints. The most frequently-reported symptoms were watery eyes, runny
nose, burning sensation in the eyes, nose and throat, headaches, rashes, and
fatigue. CPSC is currently investigating the relationship between the
carpets and the reported health problems.
The complaints led CPSC
to study what chemicals come from carpet and whether those chemicals could
cause the health problems that consumers reported. CPSC collected carpet
samples directly from the production line. Laboratory work was performed to
determine the types and quantities of chemicals released from carpet
cushions used under the carpet.
The Commission does not currently have evidence that specific chemical
emissions coming from carpet are responsible for the health complaints
associated with carpet installation. There have been reports that mice
exposed to air passed over carpets showed severe health problems and, in
some cases, died. At this time the cause of these health problems and the
implication of these findings for human health are not known Studies to
determine the significance of these reports are in progress.
In the meantime, here are some practical steps to consider before purchasing
and installing new carpet:
TALK TO THE CARPET
RETAILER/INSTALLER.
-
Ask about the carpet
industry's voluntary "green label" program for new carpet. According to
the carpet Industry, the label tells consumers that this carpet type has
been tested and passed emissions criteria. The label, however, is not a
guarantee that the carpet will not cause health problems. A toll-free
phone number is available on the label for updated information on the
industry's program.
-
Ask the retailer to
unroll and air out the carpet in a well-ventilated area before
Installation.
-
Ask for low-emitting
adhesives if adhesives are needed.
-
Make sure the
installer follows industry installation guidelines Residential Carpet
Installation Standard, CRI-105)
VENTILATE AREA WITH
FRESH AIR
This will help reduce
chemicals coming from carpet installation.
-
Open doors and
windows. Increasing the amount of fresh air In the home will reduce
exposure to most chemicals released from carpet. During and after
installation, use window fans and room air conditioners to exhaust fumes
to the outdoors. If you have a ventilation system, be sure it is in proper
working order. Operate it during installation, and keep it running for 48
to 72 hours after the new carpet is installed.
Content Provided By the DOE
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What can add softness,
color and design to a room in a matter of moments? The answer is area rugs.
No installation hassles. You just position the rug wherever you want it. If
you want to make a change, you can do so quickly and easily.
Area rugs and runners
are the fastest growing segment of the soft flooring industry. They can be
understated and subtle or boldly colored with vivid design elements, such as
geometrics or florals. They can add a focal point to a room that might
otherwise look blasé with just a long expanse of vinyl tile, hardwood or
carpet on the floor.
According to John Clarey
of Shaw Industries, "Area rugs are the hottest new way to express personal
style. They're an easy and relatively inexpensive way to add color to the
floor."
Shaw's Color Palette
line of high-end area rugs offers a variety of designs in 100 colors,
ranging from pastels and true florals to natural tones.
Don Scarlata of Colonial
Mills, whose company specializes in braided rugs, noted that area rugs are a
natural complement to wood and vinyl floors, offering an added design
element as well as comfort and protection of hard-floor surfaces.
Area rugs also are a
great way to protect the high-traffic areas of carpet from soil and general
wear-and-tear. With area rugs bearing the brunt of use, they can be taken up
easily for regular cleaning. Thus, you can add additional years to your
carpet while also expressing your personal style. So, not only are areas
rugs fashionable, they are practical as well.
Courtesy of the Paint and Decorating Retailers Association
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Decorating can be scary.
It's overwhelming to see the selections in the stores. All sorts of things
look appealing, but which is right for you? Most people are in terror of
spending their money for what might turn out to be a dreadful mistake.
How can you make the
right selection? How can you spend your money wisely? How can you be a smart
shopper? Ask the right questions? Know when a salesman is trying to pull the
wool over your eyes?
Its first premise is
that you are truly the only one who knows what feels right to you .
The second premise is
that you need information, knowledge of your options, so that you
can pick the product or products that will work best for you.
The technique we will
follow is:
First, name the
realities that your decorating will have to accommodate. These consist of
who will use the room, what activities will go on in the room,
how long a time will be spent in this room, and what the room itself
is like. No matter what's going on in the stores, these are realities
you have to address.
Second, name the
adjectives that you would like to describe the room when it's finished.
Never mind at this stage how you get there from here. To find any route, you
first need to know your destination.
Third, the adjectives
you select will suggest certain uses of the decorating tools of color,
pattern, and texture. This booklet will describe how to use these tools to
achieve the look you like, particularly in reference to carpeting.
Does the room have a
view of the outdoors? That's a wonderful asset. You might make the room seem
larger by creating an INDOOR/OUTDOOR effect.
What is this room
adjacent to? Do you want it to seem connected or separated from the adjacent
space? Rooms that are seen together should be compatible in design.
What words do you want
to describe the room you design? Consider the realities of your room's use.
Pick at least one adjective in each category.
Maintenance
Atmosphere
Sense
Of Space
-
Cozy
-
Spacious
-
Indoor/Outdoor
Lifestyle
-
Country/Rustic
-
Informal
-
Semiformal
-
Formal
Fourth, all the
decisions that need to be made in selecting carpeting will be tied into the
adjectives that you want to describe your room, so that you will know what
will work for you. You will know what to ask for when shopping, and what
alternatives will still achieve the look you're after.
This website
poses the questions that need to be addressed to select the correct
carpeting. You'll know the right answers for you.
This article by Cathy Crane has a a full color
DIY Video available
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Fibers
Your rug
should not only look great, it should perform well, too. To find the best
rug within your budget, there are several factors to consider. The perfect
rug will have just the right combination of density, twist and fiber.
-
Density
refers to the closeness of the tufts or knots. The denser the pile, the
better your rug will wear.
-
Twist
refers to the winding of yarn around itself. A tighter yarn twist will
provide added durability.
The type
of fiber used in your rug also will help determine its appearance and
performance. Synthetic fibers provide brilliant colors, easy maintenance,
softness and outstanding value. Natural fibers provide soft, low luster
colors, long term performance and other aesthetic qualities
There are
six general types of fibers, each with different characteristics:
-
Nylon
- Wear and soil resistant and easily cleaned. Resilient, withstands heavy
traffic and the weight and movement of furniture. Unlimited variety of
brilliant colors.
-
Wool
- Noted for luxury and softness. Has high bulk and is available in many
colors.
-
Olefin
(Polypropylene) - b and colorfast with a soft wool-like feel. Resists wear
and stains. Affordable. Predominant machine-woven synthetic fiber. May
also be used in outdoor carpet.
-
Polyester
- Noted for its soft "hand" when used in thick, cut pile textures.
-
Acrylic
- Offers the appearance of wool at a lower cost. Sometimes is blended with
other fibers. Most often appears in bath rugs and mats.
-
Cotton
- Noted for its softness and performance. Available in many colors.
-
Blends -
There may be blends of
any of the above fibers.
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The persons using the
room.
The activities that will
go on in the room.
How often and for what
periods of time will this room be used?
What is the room itself
like?
-
Consider its size,
shape, lighting conditions.
-
What are the room's
assets and liabilities?
-
You're going to want
to make the most of its assets and underplay its liabilities.
Describe the room you
want to create:
Who will use this room?
Consider the age, size,
sex, coloring, hobbies and special interests of this person. What would make
this person comfortable? What would be easy to maintain? What will go on in
this room?
The room needs to be
designed to be conducive to the activities that will go on in it. For
example, for sleeping you might want a CALM mood, for active child's play,
you might want a STIMULATING mood. (It's supposed to be good for a child's
I.Q.)
For how long will this
room be used?
If you just pass through
the room, as you do in an entry hall or in a powder room, the room needs to
make its impact fast or it has missed its opportunity. You can use
STIMULATING/DRAMATIC effects in rooms like these. If you spend a long time
in a room, and you want it to be restful, you would choose CALM/PEACEFUL
effects. If you spend a moderate amount of time in a room, often you want it
to be RELAXING in mood.
Another decision that
emanates from the length of time spent in a room is the wear-ability of
materials. If a room will be used occasionally and treated delicately, you
can use perishable materials. If it will be used constantly, and rather
roughly, you had better choose materials that can stand up to the wear.
Spending more initially for something that will look good for longer is a
good economic decision. What is the room itself like? Do you need to
compensate for its flaws? For example, if you have a small, dark room, you
might want to make it look more SPACIOUS, as well as LIGHTER/BRIGHTER.
If the room is enormous,
you might want to make it feel more COZY. If it's long and narrow, you might
use various decorative devices to improve its seeming proportions.
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Easy to clean
Fibers:
The newest stain-repellant nylon carpet fibers are a boon here. You can even
get off red wine without a trace 24 hours after the spill!
Colors:
Dulled colors can help you hide dirt. You might select a carpet by the
entrance that is the same as the color of the earth outdoors. You might
conceal your dog's hair by choosing a carpet in a color close to his coat.
The Choice of Fiber
Patterns:
Patterns can conceal dirt and spills. For a rug under the dining table,
pattern is better than plain. Even tweeds and heathery mixtures camouflage
soil.
Waterproof - Moisture
Resistant
Fibers:
If you want a soft rug or carpet for the floor, choose one made of man-made
fiber. Nylon, polyester, and polypropylene olefin (used in indoor/outdoor
carpet) are nonabsorbent and resist moisture and mildew. Avoid wool; it
absorbs moisture.
Durable
Soft-surfaced floors can
cushion falls.
Surface Texture:
Uncut pile (the kind that forms loops) wears far longer than cut-pile
carpeting--especially when short and closely packed. Children can run their
trucks over tight low-level loop pile. High shaggy pile is warm and
friendly.
Density:
Tight construction of carpet is essential for good wear, so choose one with
dense pile for heavy-traffic areas, such as halls, stairs, and children's
bedrooms.
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Warmer
Colors:
Warm, bright, and dark colors seem warm. Warm colors are the colors of fire:
reds, red- oranges, orange-yellows. Bright and dark colors seem warm because
they come closer. What is closer is cozier. What is cozier is warmer.
Textures:
Soft textures can actually insulate. Just think of getting up in the morning
and puffing your feet on a cold bare floor as opposed to a warm soft rug.
Rugs and carpeting keep the floor from looking or feeling cold. The thicker
the carpet, the warmer the feeling.
Cooler
Colors:
Pale and cool colors are cooling. Think of the pale blues and greens of
water. Light colors feel open and airy--even the pale neutrals.
Textures:
Hard and slick textures contribute to the sensation of cool. However, if you
want a soft carpeting, choose one with a smooth even surface. The rough
natural texture of sisal makes a cool looking floor covering.
Changeable with the
Seasons
Basically you're going
to want warm colors and thick textures in the winter and cool colors and
slick textures in the summer.
Size:
Choose portable area rugs instead of wall-to-wall carpeting. You can leave
floors bare in the summer and cover them with rugs in the winter. If you
already have a neutral wall-to-wall that you don't want to pull up, you
could layer area rugs over it in the winter.
Lighter and Brighter
Colors:
Choose warm colors that have a lot of white in them. Pale colors make the
most of what light there is. They reflect it and bounce it back into the
room.
Textures:
Shiny, smooth surfaces reflect light too. If you choose carpeting, choose
one with a smooth surface, say, a Velvet Plush.
Darker or Dimmer
If the light is too
bright, you'll want to absorb some of it to make the room feel comfortable.
Colors:
Choose cool colors that have been toned down by the addition of gray. Dark
colors absorb light and keep it from reflecting back into the room.
If all that light is
also making the room feel too warm, you will want to choose color
colors--blues and greens. Generally cool colors in dulled grayed tones are a
good choice for too-bright rooms.
Textures:
Rough or uneven surfaces have the effect of softening bright light. Light
will hit an uneven surface at different angles, so the light is broken up
and not bounced back into the room. For the floor, a rug of any kind is
better than slick tile. To keep a cool feeling, rough-surfaced sisal is
useful. If you want a warm feeling, choose a deep carpet, or one with a
multi-level surface.
Quieter
Colors
: Colors don't actually change the noise conditions of a room, but they do
have a psychological effect. Dark colors feel quiet like a cave.
Textures:
Texture is the key to controlling sound. Soft textures suck up sound. You
may want carpeting to cover the floor--and walls. With a carpet, the higher
and thicker the pile, the more sound it will absorb. (Incidentally, cut pile
absorbs more than looped pile.)
Underlay:
Don't forget the carpet underlay. That too, helps absorb sound.
Noisier
Sometimes noise is a
positive. Vigorous activities, play, and parties are stimulated by some
noise. Some constant soft sound can block out or blunt sharper, more
irritating sounds.
Colors:
Light, bright colors can make you feel like whooping it up.
Textures:
Hard, slick surfaces bounce sound around, almost make it echo. If you want
the room to be noisier, take up the carpet.
Changeable with the
Seasons
Basically you're going
to want warm colors and thick textures in the winter and cool colors and
slick textures in the summer.
Size:
Choose portable area rugs instead of wall-to-wall carpeting. You can leave
floors bare in the summer and cover them with rugs in the winter. If you
already have a neutral wall-to-wall that you don't want to pull up, you
could layer area rugs over it in the winter.
Lighter and Brighter
Colors:
Choose warm colors that have a lot of white in them. Pale colors make the
most of what light there is. They reflect it and bounce it back into the
room.
Textures:
Shiny, smooth surfaces reflect light too. If you choose carpeting, choose
one with a smooth surface, say, a Velvet Plush.
Darker or Dimmer
If the light is too
bright, you'll want to absorb some of it to make the room feel comfortable.
Colors:
Choose cool colors that have been toned down by the addition of gray. Dark
colors absorb light and keep it from reflecting back into the room.
If all that light is
also making the room feel too warm, you will want to choose color
colors--blues and greens. Generally cool colors in dulled grayed tones are a
good choice for too-bright rooms.
Textures:
Rough or uneven surfaces have the effect of softening bright light. Light
will hit an uneven surface at different angles, so the light is broken up
and not bounced back into the room. For the floor, a rug of any kind is
better than slick tile. To keep a cool feeling, rough-surfaced sisal is
useful. If you want a warm feeling, choose a deep carpet, or one with a
multi-level surface.
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Cooler
Colors:
Pale and cool colors are cooling. Think of the pale blues and greens of
water. Light colors feel open and airy--even the pale neutrals.
Textures:
Hard and slick textures contribute to the sensation of cool. However, if you
want a soft carpeting, choose one with a smooth even surface. The rough
natural texture of sisal makes a cool looking floor covering.
Changeable with the
Seasons
Basically you're going
to want warm colors and thick textures in the winter and cool colors and
slick textures in the summer.
Size:
Choose portable area rugs instead of wall-to-wall carpeting. You can leave
floors bare in the summer and cover them with rugs in the winter. If you
already have a neutral wall-to-wall that you don't want to pull up, you
could layer area rugs over it in the winter.
Lighter and Brighter
Colors:
Choose warm colors that have a lot of white in them. Pale colors make the
most of what light there is. They reflect it and bounce it back into the
room.
Textures:
Shiny, smooth surfaces reflect light too. If you choose carpeting, choose
one with a smooth surface, say, a Velvet Plush.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Darker or Dimmer
If the light is too
bright, you'll want to absorb some of it to make the room feel comfortable.
Colors:
Choose cool colors that have been toned down by the addition of gray. Dark
colors absorb light and keep it from reflecting back into the room.
If all that light is
also making the room feel too warm, you will want to choose color
colors--blues and greens. Generally cool colors in dulled grayed tones are a
good choice for too-bright rooms.
Textures:
Rough or uneven surfaces have the effect of softening bright light. Light
will hit an uneven surface at different angles, so the light is broken up
and not bounced back into the room. For the floor, a rug of any kind is
better than slick tile. To keep a cool feeling, rough-surfaced sisal is
useful. If you want a warm feeling, choose a deep carpet, or one with a
multi-level surface
Quieter
Colors
: Colors don't actually change the noise conditions of a room, but they do
have a psychological effect. Dark colors feel quiet like a cave.
Textures:
Texture is the key to controlling sound. Soft textures suck up sound. You
may want carpeting to cover the floor--and walls. With a carpet, the higher
and thicker the pile, the more sound it will absorb. (Incidentally, cut pile
absorbs more than looped pile.)
Underlay:
Don't forget the carpet underlay. That too, helps absorb sound.
Noisier
Sometimes noise is a
positive. Vigorous activities, play, and parties are stimulated by some
noise. Some constant soft sound can block out or blunt sharper, more
irritating sounds.
Colors:
Light, bright colors can make you feel like whooping it up.
Textures:
Hard, slick surfaces bounce sound around, almost make it echo. If you want
the room to be noisier, take up the carpet.
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Country - Rustic
Colors:
Bright and clear. No subtle shadings here.
Patterns:
Primitive or naive. Bright flowery peasant motifs are fun too.
Textures:
Rough or bold. The rougher and more unrefined, the more rustic. The floor
covering might have a handmade look. You could use hooked or braided rugs.
Informal
Colors:
Bright with strong contrasts. Strong colors go well with the natural-looking
textures of informal furnishings.
Pattern:
The size of the design should fit proportionately with the size of the room
and its furnishings, but on the whole, small motifs seem more informal.
Textures:
Uneven or un-shiny. Texture is a great determinant of informality. Textures
in an informal room tend to be natural and unpolished. They tend to have
uneven surfaces, or look like they have uneven surfaces. In terms of
carpeting, this might mean you select a multi-level loop style, or a
pebbly-looking level loop or cut Frieze. A carpeting colored with various
shades does not look uniform. Mottled colorations or tweedy effects even on
smooth surfaces give an informal ambience.
Semi-Formal
Colors:
Colors are neither super-bright, nor super-subtle. If bright, bold colors
are informal, and pale, subtle colors are formal, then those colors in the
middle are semi-formal.
Patterns:
Most patterns are semiformal. Except for the most powerful and primitive and
the most subtle and sophisticated, the majority of patterns can be
considered semiformal.
Textures:
Textures are neither especially rough nor smooth. To achieve a semiformal
effect, textures can be modestly uneven or dimensional. They can be simply
smooth without being especially lustrous. Rug and carpet surfaces may be
smooth or carved in patterns.
Formal
Colors:
Soft, pale colors are
beautiful with fine furniture, and they won't upstage it! Another way to go,
if you want drama (as Napoleon did) is to choose rich jewel tones.
Patterns:
Patterns may be large in scale, delicately drawn, crafted by hand, or made
of luxurious materials. Most formal patterns are extravagant in some way.
Some types of designs have a classically formal feeling. This is true of
damask and brocade fabrics, Aubusson and Savonnerie rugs, most Oriental
rugs, as well as most fine-patterned porcelain.
Textures:
In a formal room, textures are basically smooth and shiny. Soft, smooth
surfaces in general create a luxurious comfort quotient. Imagine deep pile
rugs, generous upholstered pieces, fabric on the walls. These soft surfaces
also absorb sound and give a feeling of privileged privacy. Flat rich rugs
like Orientals, needlepoint, and flat furs are less warm and comforting, but
they are still extremely formal.
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Calm - Peaceful
Colors:
To create calm, avoid strong contrasts. You might choose a one-color scheme,
and just do variations of light and dark. If you do, it's wise to put the
darkest color on the floor. It follows gravity.
-
The cool colors, the
blues and greens, are calming.
-
Grayer, darker colors
are calming too. When we feel a sense of serenity at dusk, it is because
everything is washed in gray light. A touch of gray can calm down almost
any color.
Plain:
Pattern is lively; avoid it. You could get away with a subtle pattern,
however, say one with closely blended colors or maybe a textured effect.
Textures:
Soft, smooth textures suggest serenity. A carpet-covered floor is not only
soft to the touch, it absorbs sound.
Stimulating -
Dramatic - Lively
Colors:
Bright warm colors like red, orange, and yellow energize like sunshine.
Strongly contrasting colors are dramatic. Opposite colors like red and
green, blue and orange, or purple and yellow are so different they make each
other more intense.
Pattern:
Bold pattern is exciting. Patterns that have strong contrasts within the
design are attention-getters. The more pattern, the more lively the room.
Textures:
Hard and uneven textures are lively. Multilevel or carved carpets have
uneven surfaces. Because they absorb light unevenly, they have variations of
light and shadow. This variety attracts interest and causes the room to be
more stimulating.
Relaxing
Colors:
Colors may be medium-value (neither extremely light nor dark). Colors may
contrast a medium amount. You might choose brighter cool colors, or duller
warm colors.
Patterns:
Simple linear patterns are your best bet. The pattern should contain a
medium amount of contrast. A simple rule of thumb -- if the room seems too
dull or drab, add pattern, if too stimulating, remove pattern.
Textures:
Textures may be smooth or gently uneven.
Cheerful
Colors:
Light warm colors are particularly cheerful. Yellow is as cheerful as
sunshine. It adds brightness to a room without appearing to shrink its size.
Patterns:
A particularly pleasing pattern can do a lot to brighten your mood.
Sexy
Colors:
You might want to choose a scheme of warm colors. Dim light combined with
warm colors flatters the complexion and creates a friendly, relaxed
atmosphere.
Textures:
Thick, shaggy, soft, pleasant to the touch. This is the most important
factor. Thick, soft textures not only appeal to the senses, they create a
feeling of warmth, and because they absorb sound, they create a feeling of
privacy.
For the floor, you might
want a deep pile carpet or fur rugs.
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-
What size is this
room? What size do you wish it were?
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Do you want to unify
the room to make it seem more SPACIOUS, or break it up to make it seem
more COZY?
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Wall-to-wall carpeting
unifies spaces. It gives a comfortable furnished look, and it has an
amazing capacity to absorb noise. It can cover wood floors in poor
condition, and with the proper underlay, it can cover concrete floors.
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It is fairly
permanent; it might be hard to take with you when you go.
Originally, carpeting
was woven in twenty-seven-inch widths. When the looms were expanded to
accommodate carpeting of wider widths, the carpeting itself came to be known
as broadloom. Today 95 percent of the carpets sold are tufted, not woven,
but they are still known as broadloom. Most tufted carpets are available in
twelve-foot or fifteen-foot widths. If your room is wider than twelve feet,
or fifteen feet, the carpet will have to be seamed. If your room is narrower
than twelve or fifteen feet, you'll have to pay for some waste. Usually your
carpet dealer will help you figure out the yardage you need, and provide the
installation service. Proper installation is important because faulty
installation can reduce the life of the carpet. Cleaning normally has to be
done on location. To equalize wear in different areas, you can rearrange
your furniture from time to time.
How Much Carpet Will You
Need?
Since all carpet prices
are quoted per square yard, it's not too difficult to get an approximate
idea of how much a given style will cost.
You can calculate it
yourself. Let's assume your living room is 1 8' x 12', and your dining room
is 9' x 12'. When you multiply each dimension with the other, you have a
living room of 216 square feet and a dining room of 108 square feet.
Measure your room's
length and width in feet. Multiply those two numbers to get the room's total
square feet. There are 9 square feet in a square yard. So you divide by 9.
If you're carpeting odd
shaped areas, just take down all the measurements. A salesman will be glad
to calculate the yardage for you. If you'd like we have a quick calculator
on site.
Carpet tiles. Carpet is
also available in easily installed, interchangeable squares or tiles that
have an adhesive backing. Carpet tiles come precut in twelve- or
eighteen-inch squares. Carpet tiles provide a money-saving way to achieve
the effect of wall-to-wall. You can dispense with professional installation.
since you can do it yourself. You can dispense with an underlay, since the
tiles already have a high-density foam backing. Maintenance is simplified.
Worn areas can be replaced without disturbing the rest. Worn tiles may also
be rotated to less obvious areas.
Room-sized rugs have
much of the same unified, SPACIOUS effect as wall-to-wall carpeting. They
should have only about a foot of the natural floor showing around the
outside edges. The advantage of rugs over wall-to-wall is that they are
portable. You can take them with you when you move. You can rotate them to
distribute wear. You can send them out to the cleaners. You can even take
them up in the summer for a cooler look.
Room-sized rugs that are
smooth and un-patterned often look best with a mitered border. For a
particularly handsome effect, you might have several borders. The first two
might contrast with the center of the rug. The final outside border might
repeat the center color. When rugs are cut from broadloom carpeting, you can
specify any size or shape you want.
Area rugs are great in a
large room. They break up that endless prairie of the floor into islands of
interest. The room has to be big enough to break up into areas. An area rug
would be ridiculous in a tiny room.
The area rug got its
name because it is used to define a specific area of activity. Choose a rug
of a size that fits your furniture grouping. Generally, furniture must be
squarely on the rug, or entirely off. If you are placing an area rug on top
of a wall-to-wall carpet, don't make the mistake of thinking you can get
away with something smaller just because you have so much carpet. An area
rug still has to be of a size to define the area.
Scatter or Accent rugs
are small and are used in strategic places to add a spot of warmth or color.
They might be by a bed or in front of a fireplace. Although usually used on
bare floors, they may be placed over plain carpet.
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This choice depends on the role you want your floor covering to pay in your
decorative scheme.
If you want to underplay
the floor in order to emphasize your furnishings or accessories, by all
means choose a plain carpet.
If you want to add
excitement to the room on the floor, choose a pattern. Most patterned floor
coverings command attention.
What activities will go
on in this room? What will be the wear and tear? It's a good idea to have a
patterned floor covering under the dining table. A multi-colored pattern can
conceal spills. Even tweeds and heathery mixtures camouflage soil.
Patterns vary in
emphasis, depending on the size of the design, its colors, and the amount of
contrast in it.
For a sock emphasis,
you can choose a large-scale pattern, that is warm, dark or bright in color
and has bold contrasts. There shouldn't be more than one bold pattern like
this in a room.
For medium impact,
choose a medium-sized pattern in warm colors that are lightened or dulled,
or cool colors that are darkish or brightest with medium contrasts.
There are some more
helpful hints for choosing a pattern for the floor. Are your furnishings
mostly curved? Or mostly straight-lined? Do you want the floor covering to
draw even more attention by being different than the rest? Or do you want it
to harmonize by being the same? Each room should have dominance either of
curves or of straight lines, but there should be some of the other shape for
contrast.
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The surface appearance
of your carpeting will affect the formality of the room, and the lighting
conditions. The surface of the carpeting also affects its durability.
Choose a Smooth Even
Surface or an Uneven One
A carpeting with a
smooth even surface, such as a Velvet Plush, has a dressy look, fine for a
FORMAL or SEMI-FORMAL room. Even smooth flat rugs such as Orientals, or
tapestry weaves, have a formal feeling.
Smooth surfaces also
reflect light back into the room, helping to make the room LIGHTER/BRIGHTER.
The more lustrous the carpet fibers, the dressier the look. A caution here,
however. A smooth lustrous carpet often shows footprints. Some people like
this look. Others don't. If you're one of those who don't, ask for a de-lustered
fiber; then you can get the smooth look without the footprints.
A carpeting with an
uneven surface is appropriate for a RUSTIC or an INFORMAL room. Looped pile
is a bit uneven, so it tends toward tailored informality. An uneven
sculptured effect is achieved by combining piles of various heights, or by
combining looped and cut pile. Sometimes the look is achieved simply by
variations in color. A dressier uneven look is sometimes created by carving
the surface of a carpet. (This often gives further definition to the
design.)
Light hits an uneven
surface at different angles and diffuses the light--a good idea in a sunny
room. Carpets with uneven surfaces don't show footprints. Choose a Low Pile,
a High one, or Something in Between
What kind of wear will
this floor covering get?
A low, densely packed
pile is the most DURABLE and hard wearing. Uncut pile (the kind that forms
loops) wears far longer than cut-pile carpeting-- especially when short and
closely packed.
The higher the pile, the
more luxurious and sound- absorbing. However, high pile is not the right
choice for a heavy-traffic area. The fibers will be trampled and abraded,
and they are harder to clean.
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More
Specifics on Texture
In the
Uneven/informal Category
Low-Level Loop is the
most basic pile. The yarn comes up from the backing, forms a loop and then
returns to the backing. When loops are low and level, the carpeting is a
good performer in high traffic areas. As a matter of fact, this style pile
is often used in office installations, or banks or public places like that.
It wears like iron. Dirt stays on the surface and is EASY TO CLEAN.
You can also have a
luxurious informal look with a level loop Berber-style carpet. The loops
have a natural chunky look.
Multi-Level Loop
carpeting achieves a sculptured effect through the different heights of its
pile. It also takes tough wear, but is not quite as durable as the level
loop carpeting. It has the advantage of hiding dust and dirt.
Cut and Loop Pile
achieves surface interest through the variation of height and cut and looped
fibers. It is not as hard-wearing as a tight low looped pile carpet.
In the Smooth/More Formal
Category
Cut Pile carpet has a
more luxurious look. It has a velvety texture that is very lustrous and
beautiful for a formal or semiformal room. It is called Cut Pile because
initially it was made with a looped surface, and each loop was cut in the
center, leaving two tufts in place of the loop.
The density of a cut
pile carpet strongly affects its durability.
Tip:
Sheared
carpet is all of one height, but some fibers are cut while others are
looped. There is subtle surface variety. This style is adaptable in
formality.
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A very important factor
in determining the performance of a carpet is the density of the fibers. The
more tightly packed the fibers, the more they will hold each other up. If
the fibers don't hold each other up, some fall on their sides and get
abraded away by scuffling feet. Dirt gets ground into the backing, and works
like sandpaper in wearing away the fibers.
Dense carpets perform
best, but, naturally are more expensive. How dense do you need this carpet
to be? Will it get heavy traffic? If not, you may not have to buy the very
best quality. If so, it would be economic to do so. The carpet's good looks
will last longer.
Two tests for density:
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Bend the carpet backwards as if it were on the edge of a step. How much
backing can you see? Obviously, the denser the carpet, the less visible
the backing.
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Run your finger tips through the pile and see how much backing you can
feel. If it is difficult to touch the backing, you have a dense carpet (or
very short fingers.)
If you choose a cut pile
carpet, you have three choices of twist
Twisted fibers, like a
spring or a curl, are resilient. They bounce back after being crushed.
Sometimes a tighter twist can make up for a lack of density in terms of
performance.
Frieze is the most
tightly twisted style. It has a pebbly informal look and is hard-wearing and
dirt-hiding. It is good for high-traffic areas. The Frieze is the most
rugged of the cut pile styles.
Saxony has a medium
amount of twist. You can recognize this style by its appearance. You can
distinguish the ends of the fibers from one another.
Velvet Plush has almost
no twist. The fibers blend together into one smooth velvety look. This
luxurious look is not for heavy traffic. High density will increase its
durability. Plush carpets tend to show footprints unless the fibers are
de-lustered.
The Choice of Fiber
Wool is the original
carpet fiber. It is still the standard of the industry. It's beautiful, but
expensive. In fact today, it represents only about 1% of the carpet market.
I would recommend buying a wool carpet only if you intend to keep it for a
long long time. A good wool carpet will cost $40 or more per square yard.
Polyester takes dye
well, but it is not very durable. It is a good choice for a low traffic
area, however. As you might imagine, it is less expensive than some other
fibers.
Olefin/Polypropylene is
moisture resistant, and resistant to fading. It is a good choice for a damp
basement or for use as indoor/outdoor carpeting.
Nylon represents about
90% of the carpet market. But beware, all nylons are not the same. Look for
the manufacturer's trademark. New generation nylons are especially designed
to resist static, matting and crushing, and soil and stain.
Recent introduction on
the market are stain resistant carpeting that repels most common household
stains, and alleviates the concerns most people have using carpeting in
high-spill areas.
A well constructed
fourth generation nylon carpet will cost $20 or more per square yard. If you
like the look of wool--but not the price--ask for nylon in a de-lustered
finish.
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