The Rugs Blog: The Official Blog of GCRugs.com

Malawi Rug

If you yearn for the earthiness of Malawi that cannot be compared to any other place in the world, then you may find some consolation in the Malawi rug. It is an area rug that recreates the essence of the paradise that Malawi is with it rich tones and earthy colors.

Whether your room is decorated in a traditional style or with a modern theme, you will find that the Malawi rug blends in beautifully. It enriches any environment it is placed in and brings warmth and comfort to its surroundings. If you have a light colored room, the Malawi rug will provide a rich, dark contrast and easily become the focal point of the room. If, however, your room is full of dark shades, this rug will simply help deepen them and help create the perfect mood. Whether you use it in the living room or in the more intimate space of your bedroom, it is sure to create an alluring aura of its own.

The Malawi rug is not just a pleasure to look at, it is also sensuous to touch. It is luxurious, indulgent and extremely sexy. This is hardly surprising considering that it is made from one of the finest wool in the world- semi worsted New Zealand wool. It is hand made in India using the Tibetan weave pattern. In a way, it is a truly global rug, choosing the best material, technique and craftsmanship from around the world.

The wool of the Malawi rug is naturally soil resistant and it doesn’t get dirty quickly. On the other hand, it is also extremely easy to clean. The wool is highly resilient and durable and can easily be placed in an area with high foot traffic without the concern of immediate wear and tear. In fact, a Malawi rug will last you for years and years and will continue to look good throughout its life span.
Also, the wool is non-allergenic and you don’t have to worry about dust mites or bacteria growth in the rug. It is also bio-degradable. This means that it caused n ecological harm in its production and will cause none in its disposal as well.

Round Area Rugs

Like all other types of area rugs today, round area rugs have the ability of giving your interior design and overall décor an exceptional look. Nearly all types of round area rugs can be used anywhere in the house. Despite the fact that these rugs are not as common as their rectangular or square shaped counterparts, they few people who use them cite their uniqueness of shape and their rarity is what attracted them to round area rugs.

A round area rug has the ability to add color, shape, and life to a room with a simple interior design. Due to their flexibility, they can be fit to basically any area of your household. Trust round area rugs to grab the attention of guests to your home, as they are unique and break the monotony from your every-day area rug. You can further use round area rugs to accentuate certain key things in your room. For instance, you can place a matching round area rug under an ottoman upholstered in the same color as the rug to draw attention to that piece of furniture.

Note however that not in all areas of your home do round-shaped area rugs fit perfectly. In tightly square or rectangular shaped corners, round area rugs will not be very ideal. Note also that you can use round area rugs to accent different parts of your existing flooring. Say you have tiles, you can place tiny round area rugs in places where there are plain patterns to complement the patterns of the tiles.

With that said, round area rugs are just like other types of rugs in that they can be durable enough depending on where they are placed – whether it is a high traffic area or not. Regular cleaning and care for your round area rugs should enhance their durability.

Traditional Area Rugs

traditional-rugsTraditional area rugs are simply modern day symbolizations of time honored Asian and European designs evocative of either Persian or Oriental motifs. As such, when referring to traditional area rugs, most people will be meaning Oriental or Persians. It is equally important to understand that when referring to a traditional area Persian rug with an oriental design, one is referring to exactly that – the oriental design and not the Persian rug.

Authentic Persian rugs and oriental rugs are all individually hand woven or hand-knotted from natural fibers which are made only in the Far East and Middle East regions of the world. The area rugs are always priced in view of that. Designs of traditional area rugs can sometimes be geometric with an all-over pattern and some lineal components. Generally, the traditional geometric patterns are very one-dimensional so to speak and unlike most designs of other traditional area rug patterns, they usually have no distinguishable flow.

Other designs commonly seen in traditional area rugs are pictorial illustrating key elements from life or nature. Floral patterns are equally very common designs in traditional area rugs, utilizing a focal medallion of an allover technique. Most of the floral designs of traditional area rugs will have framed border of some sort. The traditional area rugs with floral designs will mostly be recognized as more Persian rugs than they are Orientals. Still on point, these floral designs are mostly considered as more formal than any other design of a traditional area rug, hence will be used mostly when wanting to create a formal look.

Today, it isn’t uncommon to find modern day traditional area rugs that use color pallets that showcase modern fashions. However, most of these area rugs will still simulate authentic oriental and Persian design motifs and use natural fibers that will give an antique replica appearance.

Tip Of The Week: Buying Wool Area Rugs

woolWool area rugs happen to be one of the most effective ways to add vibrant character to any room while ensuring carpeted or hardwood floors remain clean. Generally, there are very many types of area rugs today, from oriental to Persian, to contemporary, and all else in between. If you are searching for an area rug, it is always good to know the origin, the age of the rug, and the make of the rug as it will be reflected in the final cost of your area rug.

Because of their charm, durability, ease of clean, and versatility, wool area rugs are always the first choice for most people. Typically, wool passes for the best fabric for any rug, cool during the summer to help protect the floors from surface scratches and dirt and warm to walk on during those cold winter months.

A good home owner who has a knack for wool area rugs or an experienced interior decorator will tell you the power that a single piece of wool area rug can do to invigorate and improve a given room or space by tying in all elements of a large room together. If your main reason of buying an area rug is durability, beauty, and versatility, then your first choice should definitely be a wool area rug.

As mentioned, you can find wool braided rugs in the market, handmade wool rugs, or machine made wool area rugs, each bringing with it its distinctive charm and qualities. Making handmade rugs is quite time consuming as it needs a lot of work thanks to the multiplicity of skills that come into play.

It is no wonder they are the most priced wool area rugs in the market. Machine made area rugs on the other hand aren’t as durable or of superior quality as their hand-woven counterpart, no wonder they are significantly less expensive

Bamboo Rugs - Styles and Design

bamboo-rugsbeijing4-3The best bamboo rugs in the world are made purely from the highest qualityand all-natural materials – bamboo. A wholly sustainable thus eco-friendly material, bamboo is among the fastest growing plant on earth and is one of the most durable materials ever known to man. This strength and durability combines with the natural organic beauty of bamboo to create the contemporary look of these amazing rugs known as bamboo rugs.

The coolest and most comfortable underfoot you can enjoy in your home is that of bamboo rugs. As mentioned, these rugs are made from environmental-friendly material that comes in all colors, shapes, and sizes that you can imagine. Further, they serve as attractive home decors that are durable enough to last for very many years without losing the natural aesthetic appeal that attracted you the first time. In fact, many years of using these rugs ensure their natural appeal is well preserved meaning their natural appeal improves as the area rugs age.

If you are looking for the best way to feel the presence of nature in your home, you definitely have to consider bamboo rugs. Further, bamboo rugs are very versatile and easy to manage – actually, they are arguably the most versatile area rugs you could ever find. You can place the rugs in any part of your home and leave the rest to them to completely pull the room together adding accent to the existing pieces of furniture and complementing the interior décor.

The materials (read bamboo) used to make the best bamboo rugs are carefully selected from the best and sturdiest natural plants, no wonder they have the extra strength and additional long-lasting charm. Commercial bamboo rugs are dexterously kiln-dried and carefully carbonized to prevent cracking and warping due to long use. Further, the rugs are coated with multiple layers of polyurethane which helps to protect them against scratching and staining — common occurrences in a typical home environment.

Thanks to technology, today you can find a bamboo rug to suit your tastes and preferences at the click of a button. Online stores have catalogs with real-time pictures of the rugs for one to browse. Bamboo rugs are available in different shapes, colors, and sizes which you can sample and compare online before making that final purchase.

Tip Of The Week: Buying Oriental Rugs

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Oriental rugs are the most natural form of carpeting to use in a room. They are warm, beautiful and instantly light up the rom. They look best in living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, the study room and foyers; basically, they make any place come alive. When buying Oriental rugs, there are some things to bear in mind, as they will determine the kind of rug you end up buying.

Stick to natural materials. These are fabrics such as wool, silk and cotton. They are more durable and your rug will serve you for many years to come. They are also easy to clean and are safe. Synthetics wear out quickly and are known to release harmful emissions.

Check the rug’s knots per square inch - the higher the number, the better the rug. More knots signify better quality and more durability. Be sure to pay slightly more for it though!

If you want to cover an entire room, ensure that you have the measurements right to get the correct size of rug. For hallways and stairs, you can buy Oriental runners.

Check the rug for color steadfastness. Rub a damp cloth over the rug to see if the color will come of. If it does, stay away from that particular piece no matter how beautiful it looks.

To guide you in choosing colors and designs, use the ambience in the room. The rug may not necessarily be in the same color as other accessories used in the room. It should however, complement them and enhance the décor of the room. If the room is rather dull, choose an Oriental rug with rich patterns to bring it alive. If the room is too colorful, a rug with a rather subdued pattern will work. The beauty of Oriental rugs is in the patterns so place it in such a way that the patterns can be seen by everyone who walks in the room. If you want the rug to go under the table, choose one with patterns on the outer edges as this is the part of rug that will be visible.

Caring for Braided Rugs

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Braided rugs are a beautiful addition to any home. Their charm and warm makes a room come alive and many home makers have several of them scattered in the entire house, whether flat or thick ones. Braided rugs can be made from a variety of materials including wool and cotton. Given the nature of their design, they require special care to keep them looking new and prevent the yards from coming out. Additionally, a good piece of braided rug does not come cheap. For this reason alone if nothing else, you ought to take real good care of it if you don’t want to see the rug going to waste in a matter of months.

The single most important ‘don’t’ in cleaning braided rugs is using a brush. Unlike most carpets which we happily brush away to clean, never use a brush of whatever bristle strength on a braided rug. It will damage the beautiful piece of art. Most braided rugs tend to be designed for dry cleaning, which should be done occasionally. However, cleaning it at home in between visits to the professional carpet dry cleaner will keep your rug in a better condition. Some can be machine washed. Check whether yours falls in this category and put it under the gentle cycle in the machine.

A basic cleaning session should follow this simple procedure. Vacuum both sides of your braided area rug then using a carpet cleaner, spray it with water all over then suck up all the water to remove dirt. Clean it using a mild rug cleaner/dry cleaning solvent and warm water. Keep applying the warm water until all the soap is removed, then once again suck all the water and leave to dry. For stained braided rugs, dab or spray some ammonia on the rug if the colors do not run and let it sit for 10 minutes. Wipe the area with a wet sponge to remove the stain. Rinse the sponge to get rid of the stain and wipe the washed stained area clean. If the carpet has running colors, use vinegar instead of ammonia.

Attributes of Sisal Rugs

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So you have finally decided to have a brand new area rug for your home, where do you start? Luckily you don’t have to struggle to find one as the market is flooded with so many of them that it will be upon your tastes and preferences. Have you ever considered a sisal rug? Sisal rugs have these amazing attributes that you really have to consider them as your first option when searching for an area rug.

First off, sisal rugs are extremely affordable; actually the market has sisal rugs of all price ranges meaning you can get one that perfectly suits your budget as well as taste. If you want an expensive sisal rug, or one that is affordable, be sure to get one whose quality is not compromised by the cost.

The other attribute of sisal rugs is their durability. Most sisal rug manufacturers today use superior quality material to manufacture sisal rugs which guarantees durability. What this means is that even if you invest in a highly priced sisal rug, you will only change it because you feel like and not because it has worn out.

Still on point, sisal rugs are available in a variety of colors, texture and designs which makes it easy to find a rug that perfectly matches your interior décor and design. This only means that because they are durable enough, you will only be changing the sisal rugs to bring in a new design, style, color, or shape element, and not because they are outmoded.

The third attribute of sisal rugs in addition to their durability and affordability is their ability to resist stains. This is a very great attribute in a home setting where they are prone to spills and all sorts of dirt. A sisal rug is one of the few known eco-friendly rugs around, and thanks to its natural anti-static electric attributes, the rugs will repel dust.

The sisal material is one of the several sturdy and strong natural fibers use to make rugs… it is actually more superior to jute, flax, and hemp. In all certainty, sisal rugs will without a shadow of a doubt is the final player standing in the rug game thanks to its attractive price tag, durability, and timeless beauty and charm

How to Select Bamboo Rugs

The first thing that people notice when they enter your house is the area rug on the floor of the entryway. Area rugs can significantly change a droning space into a very interesting and pretty setting. Placing the durable and attractive bamboo rugs on the floor creates an atmosphere that will reflect your personal style and at the same time make a visual statement. Whether your tastes are traditional, modern, contemporary, tribal, textures, and shags, trust bamboo rugs to deliver. But just how do you go about selecting these rugs?

Color:
Color boils down to personal preference. When selecting bamboo rugs, experts advice that it would be much easier to select the rug first and then look for the wallpapers, fabrics, and paint that will complement your bamboo rugs instead of the vice versa. However, if your room is already furnished, to get the perfect bamboo rug you can go for a color that will perfectly tie all colors in your interior decor together. Wallpapers, fabrics, draperies, floor type and color, and wall color are all vital considerations.

Design:
Bamboo rugs are typically very minimalistic in their design no wonder they will complement every interior décor.

Size:
The space that you wish to get a bamboo rug to cover is more important than the actual size of the entire room. What you should do is to measure the space using a tape measure to get the accurate measurements. You should then place 4 pieces of paper where you expect the corners to be so that you can get the visual impression of the space. Do you wish to have the furniture lie partly on the rug and partly on the floor or will it be on the entire rug?

Bamboo rugs as we all know are made from the fastest growing yet toughest plant on the planet. As such, these rugs are ecologically friendly and most of them will have additional layers of coating to protect them against staining and scratching. Perhaps the best thing about these rugs is their ability to complement all kinds of flooring including marble, hardwood, carpet, and tile.

How to Make Hooked Rugs

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Hooked rugs are rugs made by creating loops of wool in a backup made of cotton or linen, resulting in a cosy rug with a very soft looped pile which is warm, dense, and ultra durable. You can make a hooked rug as a past-time by using the same tools that rug makers have been using for centuries. Alternatively, you can buy a hooked rug from craft collectives and specialty stores.

As mentioned, hooked rugs are quite durable and can be used to accentuate some part of the floor, they can be hung on the wall to provide vital insulation, and they can also be swathed over beds as bed covers. Several rug making techniques have been used to make hooked rugs such as latch hooking and flat weaving.

The process of making hooked rugs begins by stretching a backing of cotton or wool on a frame to make it tight as if you are preparing for embroidery. After which you start by pulling loops of wool through the backing using a hook that resembles a crotchet hook. You can also use wool yarns, although scraps of fabric are the most common ones. Hooked rugs have characteristically been made using scrap linen and burlap feed sacks but today’s rugs can be made using durable backings so that they can last for many years.

As you can imagine, the original point of a hooked rug was sorely utilitarian. Prudent housewives would recycle scraps in any way possible until they would be fit to make a hooked rug. Once the rug wore out, it would further be recycled to a rag collector who would then sell as rag scraps to paper mills.

There are several different types and styles of hooked rugs today. For example, primitive designs are quite plain and simple and are basically made using wide scraps of fabric. You can also get more realistic patterns and designs which are sparingly shaded to sort of breathe some life to the patterns. You can get hooked rugs in landscape shapes or elaborate geometric patterns which can be quite stunning.  You may also find hooked round area rugs. Search online for great deals!