The Rugs Blog: The Official Blog of GCRugs.com

Contemporary Rug Feature : Ellery Rug

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If you are among those who would prefer modern appeal everywhere then you should try contemporary rugs to give a new modern look to your home. Ellery rug is perfect contemporary rug choice. Contemporary rugs are intriguing enough to become the center of attraction of your room.

Ellery rug brings an artistic flair to contemporary settings with color-changing arcs, ovals, and circles. Ellery rug is made of Olefin fibers which are of high strength and abrasion resistant. This rug is easily portable due to its light weight. And also it requires less maintainence as the air twisted fabrication prevents fraying and pilling. You will also have the choice of colors from the available Burgundy and Black color finish. This rug is available in five different sizes which makes it easy for you to select a perfect size of your need. Manufacturer provides warranty for material defects and workmanship.

Visit our site for a diverse collection of traditional and contemporary rugs.

Wool Rug Manufacturing - Traditional and Modern Methods

Rugs are used extensively, in homes and otherwise, to bring out style and elegance to any floor space. A striking rug could change any simple and plain room into sophisticated and graceful. There are different types of rugs available in the market. You would find wool rugs, cotton rugs, rugs made by synthetic fibre and so on. There are also traditional rugs and modern contemporary rugs.

Wool rugs have been around for centuries now. They are popular because of the innate features of the material with which they are created, that is, the wool. Wool refers to the fibre made using the follicles of animals such as sheep, goat, rabbit, llamas etc. Sheep is the most common source of wool. Wool fibre is elastic and has the ability to absorb moisture to a great extent. Its structure and properties makes it idyllic for the purpose of insulation. And the life span of wool is much longer than other fibres. Hence, it makes an excellent material for rug-making, compared to others.

Wool Rug making was a lucrative business, which flourished in Europe, and was an important industry in Italy and Greece. The fact that cotton fibre from India and silk from China which were not readily available raw materials in Europe helped tremendously the local wool-based manufacturing concerns.

Wool rugs can be manufactured either manually or by machine. Handmade Wool Rugs are comparatively more expensive, due to the extent of effort and time involved in their making. The threads used are the warp, which are long, basic threads, and weft, which cross the warp threads.

Handmade Wool Rugs are created in different methods. Hand Tufting is the most common and easy method, which uses a manual gun which shoots yarn into the basic framework of the wool rug. This framework is then backed by another layer, to give it strength, and then more hand embroidery is done to finish the piece.

Hand Loom Wool Rugs which use hand and foot-operated manual looms, are widely manufactured in Asian countries like India. Another traditional method is the Hand Knotted Method, which is done by knotting each tuft of wool into the rug warp. This is extremely time-consuming, and therefore very expensive.

Kilim Rugs are bulky wool rugs which are made by motifs interwoven through wefts and warps. These maybe produced either by handloom or power loom.

Wool Rugs are also manufactured with the help of machines. Mechanised Rug making is faster than manual methods, and much cheaper. Looms are used for production of such area rugs, the most popular being the Wilton Loom, which result in two pieces of rugs in a single run. Mechanised Rug Making is more popular in USA and Europe.

Protect those hallways! Rug Runners to the rescue!

Rug runners are used for long narrow stretches like staircases, hallways, etc. This is done both to protect what is underneath and to make it look like every detail is taken car of. You can choose from a variety of designs from traditional to modern, to complete the look. They have the power of altering the mood of the entire space.

Advantages of using a rug runner

A rug runner adds to the look of the house or a building you place it in. In addition to this, there are a number of other reasons why you should use it. A rug runner will protect your floor and carpet from wearing out from the sand that may be brought in. wood gets worn out with use. Using the runner on your woodwork, tile or marble floor will keep it looking almost new and all you will have to do is replace the rug after a few years.

A well chosen, strategically placed rug runner can spice up the place. The types of rug runners are innumerable. They all have their own different weaves. The materials used in them also vary. Some of the popular ones can be listed as.

Wool rugs
• Oriental rugs
• Persian rugs
• Contemporary rugs

The material they are made of will change the way it will feel under your bare feet. If you are planning to keep it in an area where you may want to walk around bare feet, you should choose one that will feel soft. If it is an area where people will be walking with muddy shoed on, then a rug runner which is rougher and can scrape off the mud should be used. Rug runners can be hand woven of machine made. Hand woven ones are expensive and draw more respect. If you don’t want to spend too much on the runner then a machine made one will do just fine.

If you place the rug runner on the floor, make sure it has an anti slip device underneath to prevent accidents. Modern area rugs will also give a splash of color to the otherwise boring floor. You can also place this on top of the usual wall to wall carpeting. Some even get creative with the runners and use them on top of tables. The runners are also easy to move around the house and are easy to clean. Always look around at designs a lot before you choose the runner. Buy one that will look good and blend into your space. Look into more than one shop before you make the purchase to get a good price.

How Contemporary Style Leads Into A Concise And Well Developed Interior Design Scheme

Modern living has been characterized by clean lines and smooth surfaces without obscure details. This doesn’t mean that it would look bleak, cold and sterile. Only history can remind us of the boxy furniture and eccentric decorating because these styles have certainly been abandoned for more modern furnishing. In today’s modern housing styles there is a mixture of comfortable, livable elements that create a sophisticated, fresh feel.

The key to creating this look in your home is by incorporating these five key elements which are:

• Color
• Metal Accents
• Rugs
• Wood tone
• Lighting

Color

Modern design is offset by neutral color palettes. When painting the walls make sure to choose different shades of brown, taupe, cream or pure white which should add great effect and splashes to be more vibrant.

Metal Accents

Stainless steel, nickel and chrome metals are common in modern up to date style. These metals provide sleek finishes and make tables, chairs and other furniture lend to a more luxurious environment. Metal accents provide a more urban contemporary feeling around the house.

Rugs
The use of rugs in your home decor can great increase the aura you desire in your house by simple yet demanding designs. The use of contemporary rug runners can elongate the hallways while adding style. straight lines and hard angles are very popular rugs for sale. Be sure to measure out the room you want to place the floor covering in, and imagine the look in your head before you decide on a rug. There are many things to consider when adding a rug to your house, but with the right information and an informed decision.

Wood

When it comes to wooden surfaces modern design must bring out its extreme, featuring either very dark or very light tones of furniture. When it comes to wooden designing make the most out of it by making wooden shelves, wooden pots and wooden picture frames. Living in an environment which is rich in wood can keep you very comfortable and warm. Bamboo rugs also make a great addition to your home by providing a long lasting floor covering with the style you desire. Make sure to be consistent with the wood tone so it would make the room have the sort of professional appearance.

Lighting

Lighting can be very important in modern day designing, because it is known as the key for illuminating or portraying the room’s majestic design. When choosing the light in your rooms there are many new choices that provide appealing and clean lines which can show the design of the room. Track lighting and floor lamps are key to modern designing, and utilize metals and bold colors which reinforce the other metal accessories and splashes of color which portrays the room.

By using these five elements in your home decorating you will be on the path to create a much more sophisticated and yet contemporary styled home which will have the relaxed home environment with a more modern touch. Just make sure you chose the elements and items that you love and appreciate and you will be inspired to create your own modern room.

If you are inspired by this article to gain a more contemporary styled home, I recommend you to follow the steps and decide what would be best for your house and what you will feel most comfortable in and this will be a much more decorative and inviting home.

The Wide Range of Uses for Area Rugs

Using area rugs to make your new house feel like a place you’ve been for years.

A new house somehow doesn’t give you the feel of home until you have added some bits and pieces of furniture and floor coverings that bring some amount of warmth and a sense of welcome, especially when you return to it after a stressful day at work. You need that worn-around- the edge bit to bring that sense of homeliness to take away the almost clinical atmosphere of your brand new home. What better way to do this than to invest in a few homely area rugs. With the focus on safeguarding the environment, rug makers have come up with innovative ways to meet this challenge.

Natural fibers have been used in wonderful ways that can enhance and yet allow that warm and cozy feel making as though you been there for years. What is great about natural fiber rugs is they don’t have any harmful toxins to emit into the atmosphere and is quite safe if you have young children around the house.
Hand knotted rugs have the ability to trap the dust particles and not allow it to be released into the air. Cleaning too is simple as they can easily be vacuumed off or simply dusted away.

You should also look into some contemporary rug runners. They can fill a hallway with some excitement while not drawing too much away from the slender look.

Beautiful area rugs are made from natural fibers such as jute, sea grass, sisal, mountain grass, bamboo, and the traditional wool.

Another way to use an wool area rug that is brightly patterned is to hang it on the wall as a feature. You will see how warm it feels. Maybe you already have one from your old place.

Take a look at your new floor. The naked look of the sub-floor may be covered with polished wood, granite, laminate or even marble. All this can give an appearance that’s crying out for some color. Using one or more area rugs can warm up the starkness.

Using the wrong type of material, especially those synthetic ones can trigger illnesses such as asthma that is known to last a life time. So the best alternative is to select a “green” product. Also remember to get a carpet pad. This provides extra cushioning and grip to anchor the rug to the floor with any damage to its surface. It creates a space between the floor and the rug and prevents bacteria and dirt from building up.

Once you have decided that it is the addition of area rugs that will make your new house feel like you’ve been there for years, the next step is to evaluate how much can be an affordable price to pay according to your budget to bring that ambiance into your house. Trust your creativity and have fun in converting a house into a home.

What about Bamboo? Well, let me explain…

The tensile bamboo is actually a grass. Certainly, a very ‘larger than life’ type of grass – but a grass variety, nevertheless. Used in Asian countries for practically anything and everything in the way of household needs, the bamboo is also used to turn out fabric, of which many handy items, including clothes, are now being produced.

Easy to grow and to tend, bamboo can yield a crop three years after planting, making this ideal for harvesting for the manufacture of daily needs. Other extremely useful qualities in bamboo as a crop for produce, is that it is pest-resistant as well as being self regenerative.

In order to convert bamboo into any kind of textile fabric for use it is necessary to extract the fibre from the bamboo stalk and then make it into yarn. Two procedures are generally employed to perform this phase of the transformation. One is a mechanical procedure and the other a chemical one. In a process quite like that which is used to produce rayon, the chemical cellulose in the bamboo is melted, extruded, coagulated, washed and then combined with yarn. During the utilization of regenerated cellulose to produce bamboo yarn and then textiles, frequently the cellulose loses some of its natural qualities.

The other system by which fibre can be separated from the bamboo stalk is a chemical one that calls for a complex procedure which includes the cooking of the bamboo in a chemical mixture which is certainly not, non toxic. Once the bamboo reaches the correct consistency, it is subjected to chemical treatment, dying and bleaching to achieve the final product.

Although neither of these methods may be quite what you envisaged as you donned that bamboo fabric shirt or picked a fabulously coloured bamboo rug, all the same the fabric is strong and durable and very serviceable, as a choice for purchase when you go shopping. You can eventually even use it in your compost heap – strange but true!

Now that you know about the dark and dire secret processes, you will be aware that the sales pitch that is being plugged about products made of bamboo yarn, textiles and fabric being ‘green’ may not be quite exactly accurate. Don’t let that bother you too, too much as in spite of this; the product is usually rather ‘eco-friendly’. Chemical free? – No; but organically grown? – Yes!

On the other hand, organically grown bamboo grass, turned into an organic pulp that is not treated or bleached is used to produce high quality fashion garments, towels and rugs. A careful search on the web will help you source companies and labels that do manufacture such items that do not disappoint! A concerted investigation will not let you down!

The Design and Practicality of Bamboo Rugs

Bamboo, despite being a plant, has been used in Asian countries as flooring and other household items for centuries. Bamboo is the world’s fastest growing plant, being able to grow an approximate 47 inches within the span of 24 hours. Thus it is environmentally-friendly and there is always a plentiful supply of bamboo available. Harvesting new bamboo takes around two years, and can be accomplished without killing the host plant.

Bamboo rugs are made completely of natural bamboo, and they show natural variations in their color without the addition of any dyes. Bamboo rugs can range from the size of small mats to being large enough to hold a dining table. Bamboo rugs are hand woven using thin strips of bamboo. They can be mixed with other natural materials such as jute. Cotton fibers usually act as the binding around the perimeter of the bamboo rug. The finished rug is sometimes mounted on a felt, a non-woven cloth made by matting and then compressing fibers, or given a backing made of fabric.

These special, natural rugs are very durable, and can be used for high-traffic rooms in a household. Their felt backing makes them unlikely to be slippery, and bamboo is naturally fire-repellant. Bamboo rugs are strong and have no trouble supporting heavy furniture, although it may be useful to buy some felt cushioning so as to avoid getting scratched by the rough edges of the rug.

Bamboo rugs are easy to clean and are therefore very practical. To clean the rug on a daily basis all that is required is to lift it and shake it to remove loose dirt from in between its folds. If a liquid spills on the rug, it is very easy to wipe it clean by using an un-dyed cloth to simply absorb the moisture. After wiping a bamboo rug, it is best to wait until it is completely dry before rolling it up to avoid the forming of mould or mildew. If this happens, then wiping the rug with a mixture of water and bleach mixture will remove it. Since bamboo rugs deal with spills better than other rugs, they are ideal for the kitchen and bathroom. It is advised that bamboo rugs should never be placed in direct sunlight for long periods of time, as this will cause their natural color to fade.

Bamboo rugs are unlikely to ever go out of style, much like an old classic like a hardwood floor. Their natural look makes them unique, and their presence gives most rooms a stylish and modern feel. It can add natural beauty to any setting. Seeing as bamboo comes from the rain forests, they offer natural resistance to the elements, and so one may feel that bamboo rugs are best outdoors.

Regardless of the reasons, Bamboo offers a great choice for indoor and outdoor settings. Feel free to place your bamboo rug in the kitchen or bathroom, patio or living room. The diversity only lends to its splendor. Hope that helps!

-The Professor

Picking out a rug to fit your design style, from Persian to Contemporary

What makes a house a home is the personality you give to it. Much of this personality can be determined by the accessories that adorn the home. If you are considering a new rug as an accessory to decorate your floor, there are few important things consider.

A rug must not compete for attention. It can be striking but lying low. It is not advisable to put a new rug in a high traffic area. It will only take away from the newness of it. Measure the area of space you can spare for a rug and stick to the figures when shopping for one.

If you are a pet lover or have young ones, your rug may go through a bit more wear than normal, but the style never fades away.

Having paid heed to the above considerations, you may need to evaluate your options on which type of rug to get since your choices will range from Persian Rugs to Contemporary classics, to many other styles in between. At the risk of stating the obvious - the rug must complement the rest of the décor.
Traditionally, Persia (Iran) produced the finest rugs. Therefore there is still some element of authenticity attached to a “Persian rug”. Just the sound of it creates visions of luxury.

Oriental designs consist of elaborate art work, designs and patterns. A contemporary rug would be stark, usually bright and cheerful. They will often be bold and possibly make a statement as well.. A faster life style will work better with a contemporary rug as it is made with the consideration of the needs of a modern household. It usually comes in easy care materials as well.

To tend to the rug, put a rug pad underneath the rug to keep it from sliding around and it makes vacuuming easier. It will also guard your flooring from being scratched. It will even make it nicer to walk on because of the extra padding under the rug. For peace of mind add a stain guard to protect it from all the dirt and grime that it will accumulate.

While there are many factors to consider before purchasing a rug, the final decision always comes down to one point: your own personal preference. A rug should make you feel welcomed and invited into the room, and your rug should make you feel the same way.

The Most Popular Types of Traditional Rugs

The Most Popular Types of Traditional Rugs

Rugs have been around for centuries. In fact, while Europe was undergoing the Bronze age, the Persian and Asians were perfecting the art of making rugs. Many different cultures around the world have rug making as part of their tradition and there are many types of traditional rugs available in the world today. Some of the traditional rugs include Chambord, Chiraz, Deco, Dynasty, Estate, Ghali, Laila, Kelati, Grace, Vendome, Maori and palazzo. But, the most popular types of traditional rugs are listed below:

Persian Rugs:

Persian rugs have been hailed as the most beautiful traditional rugs in the world. Persian rugs have been made for more than 2500 years and the technique of making charming, elegant and stylish area rugs has been perfected by the Persians. Persian rugs are so valuable, they are considered antiques. They are passed down as heirlooms from generation to generation. While buying them may cost a veritable fortune, their value increases with time and they are considered a very good investment.
Persian rugs are the highest quality amongst all modern and traditional area rugs. They are long lasting and sturdy. They come in beautiful geometric and floral designs and have very vibrant color. A rug considered as precious as the traditional Persian rug is sure to enhance the beauty of your home décor.

Oriental Rugs:

Although rugs from different Oriental countries are clubbed in the same category as Oriental rugs, traditional rugs from different countries are very different from each other. Area rugs, traditional and tribal come from India, Tibet, Turkey and Afghanistan amongst many others. Different types of traditional rugs have originated from these countries and are popular even today. Traditional area rugs from India are very inexpensive and are coarse and meant for rough use in high traffic areas. Tibetan traditional area rugs, on the other hand, are made from the finest wool from Himalayan sheep and undergo a very labor intensive production process. They are very richly made and cost a fortune. Traditional rugs from Afghanistan and Turkey are also expensive, but come have great quality and are long lasting. Area rugs from all these countries have very typical designs drawn from their own traditions. But, all these traditional rugs come in rich, vibrant colors and will add infinite warmth to your room.

Navajo Rugs:

Navajo rugs are traditional rugs made by the Red Indians. The Navajo traditional rugs are becoming more and more valuable as fewer people are learning the intensive skill of making these rugs. Navajo traditional rugs are considered to be an invaluable part of the American heritage. The traditional area rugs made by Navajo people are often named by their weaver and carry a spiritual significance.

So choose wisely and you will be rewarded with the style and elegance that a rug of this type can bring into your home. Visit a rug retailer and start your new room today!

Unique Area Rugs Add Style to Your Home Decor

The Diversity of Unique Area Rugs to Accommodate Your Home Decor

Area rugs are a great way to add charm and elegance to your home décor. Floors tend to lack the personal touch that you are otherwise able to provide to the rest of your house. Floors tend to look dull and monotonous, especially when they are single colored. Rugs are a great way to spice up the floor of any room in your house. They add color and vibrancy to your room and they let you add personal touch and character to the floors in your room. No matter what the theme of your room is, given the vast diversity of area rugs, you will certainly find the right kind of rug to complement your home décor.
Let’s look at some types of area rugs that are most popular at the moment.

Persian Rugs:

Persian rugs have been an everlasting classic and are never out of style. Their intricacy and richness of color make them hot favorites in living rooms and dining rooms. Made in Iran, Persian rugs have been considered the most beautiful rugs in the world.

Oriental Rugs:

Oriental rugs have been just as popular around the world as Persian rugs. Oriental rugs come from India, China and Tibet. Each country has a distinctive style of its own and they are easily distinguishable from each other. Lend an exotic air to your room by furnishing it with an Oriental rug.

Caucasian Rugs:

Caucasian Rugs are made with the Turkish or Giordes knot. They come from a part of the world that is now in Armenia. They are made with completely natural material by the tribal people in the region and have tribal designs. Have your neighbors talking about your unique and hard to find Caucasian rug.

Braided Rugs:

Also, known as rag rugs, braided rugs are made with braided yarn or even strips of cloth. Highly economical, they can add great rustic charm to any of your rooms.
While these are the most popular types of rugs, lets also look at some of the interesting rugs can be put to in your house.

Outdoor Rugs:

Whether you have a patio, a pool or a deck, you can create some very interesting seating spaces with the use of outdoor rugs. Not only will they add to your décor, they will also add to your comfort.

Kitchen Rugs:

Choose from, classic, country, contemporary, you can choose from a wide array of rugs to add a little charm to your kitchen with. Mostly placed near the sink, feel the comfort of kitchen rugs under your feet.

Bath Rugs:

Highly decorative and very utilitarian, bath rugs are very fashionable these days and will surely add a little personality to your bathroom.