Creating a Area Rug   Creating a hand-woven rugs is a complicated task, requiring a variety of distinct skills and techniques. Needless to  say, the process is both labor-intensive and time-consuming. First, the raw wool must be washed, carded, and spun into yarn. The yarns are then carefully dyed. The range and subtlety of the yarn colors, and their interplay in a given design, are obviously crucial to the appeal and unique character of the finished rug. Along with the actual weaving and execution of a chosen pattern, the dyeing process is traditionally entrusted only to the most skillful craftsmen. From the dawn of rug-making until relatively recent times, the only available dyes were derived from animal and vegetal sources. While often quite vibrant initially, some of these dyes were inclined to fade over time. In many cases, this effect would enhance the harmony of the color palette and lend a soft vintage quality to the rug. Some natural dyes, however, could weaken the wool fiber and result in uneven patterns of wear and color intensity over time. Beginning in the 19th Century, chemical formulations  began to replace natural dyes in commercial usage. Chemical dyes gave the weaver a vast and infinitely varied color palette,  from the richest and deepest jewel tones to the most delicate and subtle pastels. Equally important, chemical dyes are more fade-resistant    and will not compromise the fibers of the yarn.   Once the yarns for a rug are spun and dyed, the loom is prepared for the weaving process. Historically, nomadic tribes used horizontal looms which rest on the ground or, occasionally, transportable vertical looms. Today, most quality rugs made for export are woven on large "roller beam" looms. Whatever type of loom is used, the basic principles of rug-making remain essentially the same. The vertical "warp" threads are tied between the loom's upper and lower beams, and define the rugs length. The horizontal "weft" threads are woven between the alternating warps across the rug, and define the rugs width. In a knotted rug, tiny threads are tied onto the warp, creating the pattern or design. The weft threads anchor and align the rows of knots. When the knots are later cut, they stand away from the warp/weft backing to create the velvety pile of the finished piece. (See Figure 1 above)   What Rug for What Room Beside the obvious questions of color and style to be decided by an individual’s personal taste, to determine what type of rug or what size rug is needed for a given location, you should take several factors into consideration. Of course, price will play an important role in that decision. Within your budgetary parameters, however, the type of construction and quality you choose will be a key factor in ensuring that you will be happy with your new purchase. Putting a light colored needlepoint runner in a foyer or hallway is not usually recommended. Why? Even top quality needlepoints are not made to stand up to high traffic, especially in entry areas where dirt and salt can damage the rug. Conversely, a beautiful soumak flatweave, which has a much denser construction to resist dirt and traffic, could be perfect for such an application. The needlepoint can be a wonderful addition to a bedroom room, a “barefoot” area, where the soumak with its rougher texture might be less desirable from a comfort standpoint. These are just two examples of how placement of different constructions should be taken into consideration. Another factor you will certainly want to consider is size. From small scatter rugs to palatial carpets, both the actual room size and the specific decorating scheme are critical in determining the size of the rug best suited to your needs. Dining room rugs need to be sized for the placement of the chairs and the table as well as for the absolute measurements of the room. Take into account how much of the pattern will be hidden or obscured under the table. Obviously, a center medallion design would not be the ideal choice for this purpose. Living rooms can have a wide array of layouts and elements. Sofas, chairs. occasional tables, and lighting fixtures can be arranged in a single unified configuration or in separate seating or "conversation" areas. In either case, your rugs should play a key role in focussing and enhancing the placement of your other furnishings. In effect, they should function as the ?foundation? of your design plan for any area in which they are used. The possibilities of decorating with rugs are endless, and with the Nourison family of collections, you can be assured of the very best in color, design, and quality for every room in your home.           TAKING CARE Regular rug cleaning is essential to maintain the appearance of your wool rug. Use a good vacuum, preferably upright and with an adjustable beater bar. (Be sure the beater bar is not worn .) Remember, your wool carpet will shed immediately after installation. This is quite normal and will dissipate within a short period of time. Follow the steps below for Spot Cleaning.   TYPE OF SPOT STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3 Alcoholic Beverages 1 2 - Bleach 1 3 - Blood 1 2 - Butter 4 2 - Candle Wax ** - - - Chewing Gum 5 4 - Chocolate 2 3 - Coffee 1 2 4 Colas & Soft Drinks 1 2 - Cooking Oils 4 2 - Cream 2 4 - Egg 2 - - Floor Wax 4 2 - Fruit Juice 1 2 - Furniture Polish 4 2 3 Gravy & Sauces 7 2 - Ink (Fountain Pen) 1 2 - Ink (Ball Point) 4 9 2 Ink (Felt Tip) 7 2 8 Ketchup 7 2 - Lipstick 4 2 - Mercurochrome * 2 3 6 Milk 7 4 2 Mustard 2 - - Nail Polish 8 4 - Oil and Grease 4 2 - Paint (Latex) 1 2 4 Paint (Oil) 9 4 2 Rust 4 2 10 Salad Dressing 2 4 - Shoe Polish 4 2 - Soot 4 2 3 Tar 4 - - Tea 1 2 4 Urine (Fresh) 1 2 - Urine (Old) 2 3 6 Vomit 2 - - Wine 11 1 2 Unknown Material 4 12 2         ** Absorbent paper and hot iron                  * Repeat Step 2       TYPE OF TREATMENT Cold water Detergent solution or Carpet Shampoo Solution Ammonia Solution Solvent Chill with aerosol freezing agent or ice cubes in a plastic bag.  Pick or scrape off gum. Vinegar Solution Warm water Clear nail polish remover (preferably acetone) Alcohol Rust remover Absorbent powder                            (e.g. Salt, talc or proprietary powders) Absorbent cleaner                       (Host®, Dri-Matic® or Capture®)   CLEANING AGENTS FOR SPOT REMOVAL   Detergent Solution Mix one teaspoon of clear dish washing liquid or detergent powder (containing no bleaches or strong alkalies) with a cup of warm (not hot) water. The solution must be well rinsed with clear water.   Ammonia Solution Mix one teaspoon of clear household ammonia (3% solution) with 1/2 cup of water. This solution must be neutralized with vinegar solution.   Vinegar Solution Mix 1/3 cup white vinegar with 2/3 cup of water.   Solvent Mineral Spirits or Turpentine ***   *** Should not be used on bonded carpets   Warning Some chemicals are hazardous (corrosive, flammable, toxic, etc) and should be used with great care, Strictly in                 accordance with their use and Safety Instructions.

Turkish Knot

As knotting begins, three or four lateral warp threads are left free; with the to-and-fro movement of the weft, they will form a very narrow but vital selvedge down the sides of the rug.   The Turkish knot is tied around two adjacent warp threads, each of which are encircled by the strand of wool; the ends of the woolen strand reappear between these two warp threads. The process is then repeated. A loop of wool about 2 or 3 centimeters (0.8 or 1.2 in.) in length is left between each knot until the last warp thread of the row. With the aid of two shed-sticks to separate the warp threads, two shots of weft are then passed, forwards and backwards, across the whole breadth of the area rug, including the lateral threads that bear no knots. After each shot, the weft is compressed against the row of knots with a heavy metal comb. Finally, a new row of knots is begun following the same procedure, which is repeated until completion of the knotting. Then the loops of wool are cut to form tufts which, after clipping, constitute the pile of the area rug.

Area Rug Shopping - Tips and Sources

This page is loaded with rug shopping tips to help you pick the right rug (s) for your home. The tips are grouped into categories with bold headings to make it easy for you find the ones of most interest to you.

Shop with Your Eyes - Browse Before You Buy
The best tip is to shop with your eyes first - not your wallet. You might find something even better than what you had in mind. Maybe a new design or a more suitable color. Keep yourself open to new possibilities.

When you have your choice narrowed down, then it's time to think about your budget. If you first choice costs too much, look for a similar design in a less expensive rug. A synthetic material instead of wool. Machine-made rather than hand-knotted or hand-woven. It might be hard for your friends and visitors to tell the difference, but your wallet will know.

Whether you get a area rug at one of our recommended rug shopping sources
or not, you should at least browse around. You'll see many different styles and designs in one place. It helps you narrow down what you want.

Area Rugs Open a Crowded Space
The right rug can make any room seem more spacious. Light colors, simple patterns, and loose designs (less ornate) create a sense of expansion and airy freedom, giving even the most cramped spot a fresh, open feel.

A Area Rug Makes Your Living Space Cozy
Deeper, darker colors in a rug can create a sense of warmth and coziness in a room. Rugs with dark or dense patterns also work well to provide a cozy feeling.

Use a Rug to Highlight OR Downplay the Existing Floor
In a room where you'd like to show off or highlight the existing floor, select a smaller size rug in a soft-hued solid color or perhaps a tone-on-tone pattern to enhance the flooring's character. Place the rugs where they'll draw a viewer's eye to the floor beneath.

Rugs with light tones or simple patterns can also be used with great effect.

Rugs can work like "exclamation points," drawing the eye to the floor's natural design with an enhancing splash of excitement.

On the other hand, if you want to downplay the existing floor, then select a large rug with a strong, vibrant overall pattern.

What is Your Room's Focal Point - Furniture or Area Rug?
Rugs are highly flexible design elements. They can draw attention to certain parts of a room OR they can serve as focal points on their own.

If you want the rug to be the focal point, go with a pattern that grabs people's attention. Bold or busy patterns do that easily and intrigue the viewers. These rugs work even better when the surrounding furniture and décor is a subtle color with little or no pattern, acting as a frame to the floor art.

If you want your furniture to be the focal point, consider rugs with soft colors and/or subdued patterns. One or more smaller rugs might work better than a larger sized rug. Select rugs that complement the furniture color. You don't want the rug (s) to be busier than the room décor; otherwise the two elements will compete.

Sometimes, a fireplace can be a focal point in a room. In that case, it works well to go with a rug having a more subdued all-over pattern so that the rug is not a distraction.

When two or more items are competing to be a focal point, it can upset the balance or harmony of the room. This can be avoided with good planning and/or placement.

Here's a good rule of thumb: A rug can be "busy" or other colors and patterns in the room can be "busy," but it's not good when everything in the room is that way.

Use a Area Rug to Complete that Special Theme
If you've decorated a room with a theme, a complementary rug really completes the look and feel of the room. Too often people will decorate a room with a specific theme and not pay any attention to the rug. For example, a Southwestern Style living room with a random Persian rug lacks balance. That style of rug looks out of place in such a room.

Rugs can add that finishing touch to your theme. If you're using nautical elements, consider a coordinating rug that reminds you of your favorite seascape. If you're going for a Victorian look, try a rug with a lush European floral design.

If you're trying to avoid obvious prints, you might want to consider color schemes that complement your décor. A Southwestern style room doesn't necessarily need a Navajo rug. A palette of turquoise, rose, sand, and brown will also do the trick.
 

Select any desired aspect (style, color, material, size, etc.) and narrow it down, one option at a time, until you have a rug that's just right for you!

A Rug Transforms a Room
You can use a rug to change the personality of any room, instantly. If you don't have the budget or the time to completely redecorate, but your room could use a new look, then consider a dramatic centerpiece rug that will give the room a new feel. Rugs with ornate, detailed, vibrant, or unusual patterns can really re-do a space.

An area rug can also be used instead of getting a costly carpet replacement. If your carpet is old, but still good, and has a bald spot, use a rug to transform that spot from worn to wonderful.

Use a Textured Rug to Create Depth
Adding texture can bring new life to any layout. If your room is smooth all over, as is the case with many hardwood floors, wall-to-wall carpets, or laminates, something textured can break up the "glassy" feel.

A nice textured area rug balances the room with its uneven surface. Think about using cozy shag rugs and luscious Flokati rugs. Add a touch of depth and warmth to your home environment and break up the monotony.

Use a Rug to Show Off Your Interests
We all have interests and favorite things. It might be fun to share some of those interests with others. A good area rug can do the trick by helping to break the ice and start a conversation! Greet your guests with a well-placed rug that showcases your hobby, personal interests, or beliefs and you'll get many smiles.

Enhance the game room with a rug that features the logo of your favorite sports team, or personalize your sewing room with a cute, quilted theme.

Choose a rug that matches your personal style, or that enhances the décor of the room through its color scheme.

Let Area Rugs Expand Your Child's Mind
Studies have proven that children learn better and faster when exposed to artistic stimuli. Color has a significant impact on a child's experience and it allows them to learn and grow more effectively. That's why many parenting magazines encourage the use of bright or interesting color patterns on the walls and floor.

Encourage a bright future while making their room look great with kids' rugs. Try a colorful print rug as the centerpiece of the nursery or playroom. Or, consider a "teaching" rug that exposes kids to colorful numbers, letters, shapes, and patterns—all while making the room look great.

Area Rugs for Teens
It should come as no surprise that teens are hard to please. They like things "hip" and "cool" or whatever the current buzzwords are. Ornate rugs, floral rugs, and anything that looks old-fashioned might not work for them.

Consider a contemporary rug or one with a pop-art design. Teens and young adults still enjoy many of the rugs with cartoon characters.

There are so many styles and design choices that even the pickiest teen will have plenty of rugs to choose from to personalize their space.

Make Your Hallways Bigger
Use a hall runner rug with light-colored or open-patterned design in your cramped, stuffy hallway to instantly make it seem bigger.

Bring Your Bathroom to Life
It's easy to fall into the routine of buying a 3-piece bathroom rug set, just to have something on the floor and perhaps a bit of color. However, it's not always the best route to go for a unique decorative experience.

Try using better-quality rugs in your bathroom space and witness the difference. Flat-weave braided American oval rugs look great. Textured rugs are also great. Just choose a style and color that complements your bath and you'll probably never want to use those cheap area rugs again.

Use a Area Rug to Complete Your Kitchen
The kitchen is often overlooked as the workhouse of the home, but a well-placed kitchen rug can turn it into an inviting living space.

Choose small accent rugs to keep things simple (and easy on your feet), or go all-out and dress up the floor with a big area rug. Consider matching your rug to your cabinets, or to your kitchen's overall theme.

Use a light rug to add an open, airy feel to the room, or a darker rug to make it more elegant. Contrasting colors also work well when used as accent rugs in the kitchen.

Use Area Rugs to Highlight Outdoor Focal Points
The quality of outdoor rugs make them a go-anywhere solution. If you want to draw attention to your pool, a patio table, or your favorite deck bench, consider a rug with a simple, but complementary color scheme.

Match the rug with your outdoor furniture's look and feel, but don't pick something that's too loud as it might distract the eye from admiring your layout. Solid or natural colors also work well.

If you want to feature a rug as outdoor art, you might choose a busier pattern - something with a multitude of colors and/or visual interest.
Pair that up with solid color furniture for a crowd-pleasing look.

Use a Area Rug to Carry a Color Scheme
These days, white walls are blasé. When your favorite room is done in shades of purple and silver, you'll need a rug to match.

Try using solid, complementary colors to carry a painted color scheme through the entire room. A strategically placed accent area rug that matches your wall, trim, or ceiling color can really make a design come together.

Give Solid Colors a Chance
Patterns, prints, and designs are nice—but they're not always the perfect choice. Sometimes the personality of your room already speaks volumes, and you need something simple to serve as an accent.

Solid color area rugs are a great choice for rooms that need basic enhancement. Match your paint, trim, ceiling, or furniture color. Contrast your flooring. Complement your wall art. Think of solid color rugs as an artist's palette. Choose the shade you need to add emphasis to your room or furnishings.

Remember, Area Rugs Come in All Shapes
Don't limit your decorating plans to just rectangular rugs. Give consideration to round, oval, hexagonal and octagonal rugs as well. They can add flair and elegance to your floor in ways you might not have thought of before.

Use Area Rugs to Blend Rooms
Sometimes, people living in larger homes want to decorate each room in a different theme. However, the shift between two rooms can sometimes feel awkward or clunky—especially when the themes are quite different.

To ease the "bump" between styles, try using transitional (blended-style) rugs or solid color rugs that complement BOTH rooms. Choose a common color that exists in both layouts, or a contrasting color that isn't too loud.

A subtle transitional rug print (like a collage, cascade, or hodge-podge rug) can also do the trick, if some of the design motifs from both rooms are present in the transitional rug.

Want a Rug to be a Family Heirloom?
If you want to get a rug that will last for generations, many experts say that you should look for a desired design in a rug made of wool and preferably hand-made (knotted or woven).

In addition to being resilient and durable, wool is naturally resistant to fire, water and stains. A big plus is that wool is also naturally resistant to dust mites. This is important to people with allergies, because dust mites can aggravate allergies.

Area Rug Pads
A good rug pad should be used under all rugs. It makes no difference if the rug is on wall-to-wall carpeting, or on a wood or tile floor.

Use Area Rugs in Heavy Traffic Areas
There's no doubt that rugs can add charm and style to your floor, but rugs can be very practical as well. A good rug does double-duty in areas of heavy traffic such as hallways and near stairways and entryways.

There are many choices for a durable rug that holds up well in traffic, including wool rugs, and many of the indoor-outdoor rugs. A rug with a dense weave can also be used in an area that gets trod on often.

Match the area rug to your room's color scheme or décor style and guests will see it as a design element and not as a "bullet proof vest" for the floor.