Design & Colours

An area rug can most definitely have a substantial impact on a room… or not … What I mean by that is; you can use a rug to make a strong statement and create a stir subsequently transforming a space from a state of ordinary to extraordinary.

Having said that, not every room is in need of a high impact element. Some rooms and some individuals require a peaceful and easy addition to quiet the busyness and evoke a feeling of calmness, which can be accomplished by adding a rug with a simple unified texture and solid colour.

Taking a rug home can give those individuals who have difficulty deciding a better idea once they’ve had something tangible to work with. I recommend that a consumer borrow a variety of designs and colours from light to dark busy and quiet. This can be a very effective method of determining what will work for you. Trying a few styles can help to zero in on the best option for your unique space.

Last but not least, using the help of a designer can speed up the process, not to mention save a marriage!!! (Kidding)

Rug Size and Proportions

The most common question is; I have a room with such size and dimensions… What size of rug should I buy?

The answer does not depend so much on the size of the room but on the arrangement and configurations of the furnishings. If your room is 20’x24’ but your furniture grouping has an opening of 5’x9’ between the sofa, loveseat and chair, etc. then, I recommend in most cases a 5’x8’ or a 6’x9’. This way the design value of the rug is fully appreciated without hiding a large amount under the furniture. This is more cost effective, easier to vacuum and easier to rotate the rug for more even wear.

Taking a couple of rugs home with you will not only help with colour choice, but, also to determine the most appropriate size.

Contrary to popular belief, all rugs do not come in all dimensions. Each collection comes with it’s own size categories.

Quality

a)  The content
b)  The workmanship

a)  First and foremost the best content is wool

Facts and Benefits of Wool

• Green alternative to synthetics
• Renewable, reusable, and biodegradable
• Non-toxic
• Inflammable
• Resists soil and dust for easy vacuuming
• Absorbs water vapor from air
• Can absorb 30% of its own weight without feeling wet to touch
• Resists static electricity
• Purifies air by neutralizing and binding to toxic gases irreversibly
• Warm when it’s cold and cools when it’s hot
• Insulator for heat and sound
• Resilient and will bounce back to original shape after compression
• Maintains original beauty longer than synthetics
• Stain resistant
• Won’t support bacterial growth
• Unsuitable environment for mold mildew or dust mites
• Reduces energy bills by regulating room temperature
• Hypo-allergic
• Comparatively stronger than steel
• Durable and resists tearing
• Can bend back on itself 20,000 times before breaking. (Cotton 3200 bends, silk 1800 bends and rayon 75 bends.)

Silk Polyester and Cotton

• Silk is combined with wool or can be woven as pure silk alone. Silk is a very fine fiber and imparts a rich and luxurious look, though not known for it’s durability and does not have the versatility of wool.
  
• Polyester is commonly used and known for its durability and practicality not necessarily for beauty. As good as polyester is, it still doesn’t compare to wool.
  
• Cotton is a natural product, which produces good quality textiles and rugs, however not known for durability or repelling soil. It’s almost too fragile for a floor covering.
  
• The last word on wool; not all wools are alike. Tibetan and New Zealand the highest quality.
  

Workmanship or Construction

1)  Machine made, or woven
The variables in this segment are all in the weight and density, the heavier the better.

2)  Hand tufted
Fibers and tufts are shot through the backing of a rug by a gun shooting method aided by the hand. When all the tufts are in place an adhesive is applied to anchor the tufts to the lining, which covers the work and finishes the underside of the rug.

3)  Hand Knotted
Hand Knotted is the highest of the three qualities. It means that every tuft is knotted by hand. Of course there is more than one way of knotting some are more concentrated… the more the better.

How to care for your rug

Wool is naturally strong, lustrous and resilient fiber. The natural oils of the fiber contain lanolin, which adds strength and sheen and has natural repellent properties. New Zealand and Tibetan have the most luster and resilience. This is because the wool comes from sheep that live in higher altitudes. The colder the climate, the better the wool. All of these qualities contribute to your wool rug being a worthy investment that will last for years to come with proper care.

Things to know:

• Shedding, mild odors and crinkling are normal when you first receive your rug.
• Should be fine with a few weeks lying flat and regular vacuuming.
• Shoes crush down carpet fibers so be sure to take them off.
• Rotate every couple of months to prevent fading in concentrated spots.

Spills and drying:

Neutral spills water based:
Lightly blot spill repeatedly with a damp cloth always using a clean spot on the cloth. Blot from outside to the middle. Avoid over wetting. Air dry thoroughly.

Greasy spills:
Remove any solid pieces. Use solvent to lightly blot the spot repeatedly. Rinse with water but avoid over wetting. When using a solvent be sure it’s fully rinsed because any remaining solvent could soil the rug faster. Air dry fully.

Dry spills:
Remove large pieces and vacuum thoroughly.

Air drying:
Use anything ( a clean brick or stack of magazines) to prop up the wet part so it can dry well. Lack of proper drying could lead to mold or mildew.

Vacuuming:
A good quality vacuum is important to properly clean your rug and prevent dust mites, moths and carpet beetles. One with a HEPA filter is recommended.

Vacuum rug once a week only using suction. The beater bar can remove fine fibers from your wool rug making it wear faster.

One to two times per month vacuum the back of the rug using the beater bar. This vibrates the soil and dust to the surface of the pile. Flip to right side and vacuum as usual.

Underlay:
Rugs wear from the bottom up so an underlay is recommended to prevent your rug from slipping and wearing out the bottom. Underlay also trap dirt and dust as it falls through the rug so it can be vacuumed away.

Professional Cleaning:
Professional cleaning every three to five years will remove build up of dirt and grim.

Protective spray:
Not recommended because it dulls the colour of the rug and soon wears off. Wool is a natural repellent of soil and dust.

Pricing:

1. Olifen machine made
2. Polyester machine made
3. Cotton machine made
4. Wool Tufted
5. Wool hand knotted
6. Wool/Silk hand knotted

2353 Douglas Street, Victoria BC V8T 4L6 CANADA | T 250 381.5590 | F 250 381.5591 | Toll Free: 1 866 381.5598 alexandriadesign@telus.net