Are you looking for a finishing touch for your living room that adds a flash of
color to reflect your personal taste? How about a strong design element that
you can use as the inspiration for a total room
’s remodel, or an investment in fine art that can be passed down to your heirs?
Or maybe you just need to define a large room
’s various purposes, such as conversational groupings and dining area. Whatever
your design needs may be, an area rug can get the job done with style and
panache.
And thanks to the wide variety of styles, sizes, colors, designs and price
points currently available, finding the perfect choice for your chosen living
space has never been easier. What
’s more, the only criterion you must follow in selecting an area rug is your own
personal style and preference.
“There are no set hard and fast rules about what works and what doesn’t,” says D. Christopher Davis, president and CEO of the World Floor Covering
Association.
“You have the freedom to choose anything, as long as you think it fits into your
d
écor.”
Understanding Area Rug Basics
Area rugs fall into two basic types: Antique or original rugs that are
hand-knotted or hand-tufted, which makes them highly collectible and often
pricey, and manufactured rugs that are made either in whole or part on a
computerized loom.
Styles of rugs can range from Persian and Oriental (think a heirloom quality
Persian or Oriental rug), Traditional (modern variations using similar colors
and patterns), Contemporary (perhaps a bold,
geometric design made from olefin on a computerized loom), and Natural (made
from natural fibers). Patterns, colors and textures vary widely, but all area
rugs fall into three major design groups: All-Over, which has the motif spread
throughout the rug; Medallion, which has a large centerpiece that serves as the
design
’s focal point; and One-Sided, which has the design woven in one direction. The
hardest part in selecting your new area rug may be in deciding between all of
the beautiful options available.
Rugs have been around for centuries, and can be as valuable as any other
collectible. Historically, rugs have been handmade (or, more precisely,
hand-knotted) from fine silk and wool by nomadic tribesmen and women from
countries as diverse as Iran, Turkey, Russia, Turkistan and China. Because of
their exquisite craftsmanship and timeless beauty, Persian and Oriental rugs
generally increase in value over the years and become prized family heirlooms
that are passed down from one generation to the other. However, thanks to
modern technology, computerized looms can now make rugs that appear handmade at
a fraction of the cost of traditional weaving.
“Computerized looms give you more flexibility to choose a color or style that
reflects your current mood and personality, as well as the personality of the
room,
” says Davis.
As a result, consumers can choose contemporary area rugs that are whimsical or
bold, soothing or exhilarating
—whatever fits the buyers’ mood at that precise moment. And when the moment passes and their enthusiasm
for the rug begins to fade, it can be replaced with minimum effort and expense.
“The nicest thing about an area rug is its portability,” adds Davis. “If you don’t like it, you can roll it up and change it.”
What could be easier?
An added advantage to area rugs is that they work beautifully on all flooring
surfaces. Rugs can add warmth when laid on top of wood and stone. When used
with wall-to-wall carpeting, an area rug can interject style and elegance, as
well as another layer of design. And its impact can be much more than purely
aesthetic.
“Rugs on hard surface floors absorb sound and deadens the noise,” says Davis. “An area rug will warm up the room, as well as provide comfort under foot and
allow you to define spaces within a room, such as conversations in one corner.
”
Function Meets Style in a Myriad of Colors and Textures
Mass produced doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice beauty and style, a point that is driven home by
the wide variety of contemporary rug designs available today.
Higher-end rug manufacturers, such as Merida Meridian, provide distinctively
designed woven floor coverings with a sophisticated flair that are suitable for
every lifestyle.
“Contemporary rugs can be mixed with all different eras of furniture and don’t have to be matched with contemporary furnishings,” adds Davis. “Choosing an area rug is a matter of personal style and individual taste.”
Gaining in popularity are the Naturals, which use “green” materials, such as jute, seagrass, sisal and bamboo.
“Bamboo is as fine as silk, which makes a fabric that is softer and more
absorbent than Turkish towels,
” says Davis. “Now, bamboo is being made into floor coverings.” continued pg 2
