A Lesson in Polypropylene

We’re working our way through the fibers that are most commonly used in the production of rugs. Today we’ll talk about polypropylene and the first thing we have to need to clear up is that it goes by a couple of different names. You will see either polypropylene or olefin; know that these are two different names for the exact same thing. (And for the sake of typing ease, I’ll use the term olefin)

Olefin is a man-made compound and was first polymerized by the Italian company Montecatini in 1957. It is a rugged and highly versatile polymer that is used in everything from automotive components to textiles, and for the sake of our conversation we’ll stick to textiles and more importantly rugs. (for kicks and giggles, the next time you pop a Tic-Tac into your mouth, note that the cap of the container is made from polypropylene)

Olefin seems to get a bum wrap as a carpet fiber, but there are a lot of pluses to this fiber. It is the one fiber that can be used for rugs in either indoor or outdoor construction. Please note, that the rug must be UV treated to be used outdoors. It is exceedingly color-fast and stain resistant. I’ve even seen commercial applications that have had bleach spilled on them to no obvious effect. (Now, don’t be getting any ideas that you want to try bleach, you don’t want to ruin a perfectly good rug in a middle school type experiment!)

The next best selling carpet fiber to nylon, olefin has gained much popularity with area rug manufactures because of its versatility, stain resistance, silky texture and value. We offer many collections in this great fiber, check ‘em out, I’ve listed them below.

Until again,
Your rug fanatic

Paul Johnson
Buyer for Rugs to My Door.

Some of our Best olefin Rugs

Abrams Creek from Fashion Source

Andy Warhol from Sphinx

Indoor / Outdoor Rugs

A Lesson in Nylon

Now for today’s lesson children… well okay, you’re not kids and I’m certainly not a teacher, but I hope you find this information useful. Today, I’m going to talk about nylon, because without nylon the carpet and rug industry wouldn’t be what it is today.

Before nylon the only fibers were natural fibers, made from plant materials (cotton, linen) or derived from animals (silk, wool). The very first man made fiber was rayon (or viscose) but this was still derived from natural cellulose. It wasn’t until 1931 and the chemists at duPont discovered nylon. duPont created Nylon 6,6 so called because of its molecular structure. 1938 saw the arrival of type 6 nylon, a different polymer than type 6,6 but none the less nylon. (If you’d like to know the molecular differences between type 6,6 and type 6 please go find a chemist, but suffice it to say that generally speaking 6,6 nylon is stronger and more resilient than type 6 nylon.) It wasn’t until after World War II that nylon really started being used in flooring.

One of the nicest (and worst) things about nylon was its ability to take color. This is good in the initial production of flooring and rugs (cause you want those rich vibrant colors) it is however a nuisance afterwards (who wants to add to those lovely colors with a glass of wine?) This remained a problem until the introduction of Stainmaster in 1986, with this nylon became very stain resistant and almost a truly wonder fiber (as another aside, Stainmaster nylon is a type 6,6 nylon) Stainmaster is so much a part of the industry now that many manufacturer's are making rugs from Stainmaster nylon.

Some of the great things about nylon (and why they make great rugs) Nylon is extremely durable. It is also very versatile and can be used in many ways to create many looks. Generally, nylon costs less than wool and is more stain resistant. This fiber is a good choice for rooms where you’re more likely to get spills and stains. So, with that in mind, I’ll list some of our more popular nylon rug collections, take a look.

Until again,
Your rug fanatic

Paul Johnson
Buyer for Rugs to My Door

Some of our Nylon Rug Collections
900 Series from Gulistan
Pastiche Collection from Milliken
Allure Collection from Sphinx

More Information about Nylon

A Lesson in Wool

I guess one of the more interesting parts of my job is educating people about what they’re buying. I’d rather give you the information you need to make an educated buying decision than just selling you something. With that in mind, over the next couple of days I’d like to talk about the different fibers many of our rugs are made of, giving you the information you need to make your educated purchase. (Now don’t be taking all my well researched and hard learned information and heading to someplace else to buy your rug – lol)

We’re going to start with wool. It’s one of the most popular and probably the oldest of rug fibers out there. Area rugs have been woven from wool from millennia, and for good reason, it’s probably the best fiber out there for flooring. Is it more expensive than other fibers, of course, but do you get a lot of bang for your buck? Without a doubt!

Rugs made from wool have the distinction of being made from one of the few renewable and green fibers out there. Wool area rugs are naturally flame retardant and harder to ignite than man-made fibers. If you’re worried about off gassing or your interior environment wool rugs are a grand choice, not only do they give off fewer VOC’s than man made fibers and they actually absorb pollutants in the home (such as formaldehyde, nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide).

I’ve heard more than once “but, I’m allergic to wool” – well you’re probably allergic to something, but it’s probably not wool. Wool fibers are too long to be inhaled, plus the fact that they are all natural, non-allergenic, and inhibit the growth of bacteria and dust mites (yes those dreaded dust mites) your wool rug will not be something you are allergic to.

Next, how’s it going to last? Well wool is an amazingly resilient fiber, bouncing back to its original shape for decades. A well maintained wool rug can last generations, and can easily become a family heirloom. (Ensuring that your children and grand children will have at least one tasteful piece of home furnishing)

Finally, the best quality of wool? The way that it dyes, tufts, weaves into some of the most beautiful area rugs out there. Wool takes dyes better than any other fiber, giving you deep rich colors. A wool rug’s texture and feel will amaze you, it’s soft yet sturdy. Once you’ve had wool, you’ll be hooked, so take a look at a few of our wool collections and see for yourself.

Until Again,
Your rug fanatic,

Paul Johnson
Buyer for Rugs to My Door

Some of our wool collections for your viewing pleasure:

Pointe Oaks
Avenue C
Abners Ridge
Abbey Mist

More Info About Wool

Inspiration

I was at a good friend’s wedding this weekend at Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain Georgia and like always I was looking down everywhere I went. Looking for rugs, looking at floors and being inspired. The Lodge and Spa had beautiful hooked rugs in their lobby, the Mountain Creek Inn had lovely machine made wools through-out the lounge, but what inspired me most was the flora and fauna surrounding me through-out the day.

When I look for inspiration to decorate a room or area I find myself more and more looking at nature and the wealth of ideas she has to offer.

Take a look at this rug from our Cottage Collection. The selection of greens and camels with the leaf motif running through it is indicative of the woods and the sights I saw while waiting outside the Chapel for the wedding to begin. We have all sorts of rugs with floral motifs (and leaf motifs) that bring nature into your home. Not only are there lovely florals, but the greens, browns, and blues that you see when walking through the woods make a lovely starting (or ending) point for a room.

How about the fact that I was in a small southern town? Pine Mountain Georgia is like a postcard of a beautiful small town and talk about more inspiration, there were antique shops, ice cream parlors, quilt stores, and all sorts of small town amenities. Well, how about taking an area rug like Summer Quilt from Homefires and bringing that small town country feel into a bedroom or a quiet sunroom? The options like your inspirations shouldn’t be limited to just fabrics or paints you see; with rugs you can recreate an entire feeling or atmosphere and relive an experience.

Trying to create that perfect country kitchen look? I saw braided rugs everywhere. Antique shops, the restaurants, even in the hotels. Braided rugs create that homey look that many of us are trying to create. They capture what we fondly remember as the “good ole days” and are exceedingly practical. Take a look at the rugs in our Bear Creek Collection designed by Bob Timberlake, they look exactly like the rugs I was seeing this weekend, no wonder they’re described as rugged mountain country rugs.


One last inspiration, Callaway Gardens has a butterfly house. Amazing, I have to say. If you ever get a chance to see a live butterfly exhibit do it, it can do nothing if not lift your spirits. With that in mind, how about a butterfly rug? Want to share the experience with a daughter or granddaughter? The Butterfly Rug from the Rug Market is a good place to start? Want to create your own butterfly room? Well I think you get the idea.

As you can see, inspiration can flow from any place, any where at any time. And although my eyes were on the beautiful bride this weekend, the surroundings she chose to get married in inspired not only her wedding, but me in my passion for design.



Until again,
Your rug fanatic

Paul Johnson
Buyer, Rugs to My Door

And the forecast is....

I guess one of the best things about attending a rug market is getting a sense for what the color palette in the next season or two will be. Well, I have some ideas I want to share with you.

First, Black and White… it’s EVERYWHERE! and I mean everywhere, not just in rugs. I’m seeing it in fashion, in Ikea, in ads, in accessories. It’s going to be the hot thing for the next year, and we’re working on making sure we have rugs that will compliment this trend. Here’s a link or two to some of the black and white rugs we have on the site right now. Goa, Pokhara, Kodari, and Everest.

Next, Robin’s Egg Blue and Chocolate are going to continue to be hot. I’m still seeing it in my West Elm and Pottery Barn catalogs. Pillows, throws, and accessories all are still showing up with these rich colors. Even my bedroom (and no you’re not getting pictures of my bedroom.) This is still a hot trend and I don’t see it cooling for at least several years. If you’d like to get in on this wave, I suggest looking at some of these rugs, they can give you the taste without committing you to painting the walls or buying a sofa. College Park in Cosmopolitan, Checkers and Elements. Inspirations in the Oasis pattern from Gulistan is great too. (Aren’t rugs a blast for decorating, inexpensive ways to hop on a trend)

Finally, as you're decorating your rooms keep these ideas in mind for color. This coming year colors will be more subdued and earthy. You’ll see rich chocolates still, warm camels and luscious greens, not to mention deep blues.

If you want to stay with the trends we have you covered. We’ll be spotlighting rugs through-out the season in our new Trend Is section. It’ll be on the home page in the next couple of weeks so look for it. Rugs to My Door not only wants to be your place to find great rugs for any palette, but we want to be a place that can help you keep up with what’s going on out there. Let us know what you think.

Until again,
Your rug fanatic

Paul Johnson
Buyer, Rugs to My Door

Summer Market - vol 3

Well I’ve made it to the end of the Summer Rug Market, I’m exhausted, but I hope you’ll enjoy the fruits of my labor. (Lord I sound like I just climbed Mt. Everest or something – ha-ha) I’ve got a couple more vendors to give you a glimpse of then it’s finally onto a new subject.


Let’s get things started with Surya. You’ve made this one of our most popular lines. Great designs, great colors and great prices – an all around great line. But with greatness comes the challenge of keeping it moving forward. Dang! But it they didn’t do it at this market. Fifteen brand new designs, anything from the bold patterns and colors of their new Alfresco Collection of indoor / outdoor rugs, to the new interpretations of classic oriental rug motifs (but with a twist and a decidedly new color palette) of the Sonoma Collection. I can’t wait for inventory to arrive so we can bring these wicked good rugs to you. One other thing I saw at Surya that excites me is a line of printed washable accent rugs. This is one area we haven’t delved into yet, and it looks promising. Stay tuned; more great things are coming from Surya.


Now, for a classic, Capel. This company has been in the rug business since 1917 (those of you quick with your math skills then realize this is their 90th anniversary year) Capel started with braided rugs and they haven’t stopped. This season they are introducing three new collections of braids. But they most obviously didn’t stop with braids; Capel has one of the most diverse rug lines out there. Two of the newest are the Heirlooms collection and Fresh Air. Heirlooms is part of the “Biltmore for Your Home” licensed collection. These rugs get their inspiration from the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC, and amazing place if you haven’t seen it! On a completely different note is the Fresh Air collection of indoor / outdoor rugs from Capel’s Anywhere collection. Capel, like so many others this season, is finally listening to us retailers and getting us interesting indoor / outdoor rugs. This line will have lodge, traditional and transitional patterns.

Well, that’s about it from the Summer Market. I’m back to the Rugs to My Door office and my own bed (I’m sure my dog’s will be glad to see me too) I’ve seen some amazing and beautiful area rugs this week, and can’t wait to share them with you. I’ll be sure to let you know when we’ve begun adding them to our site.

Until again,
Your rug fanatic,

Paul Johnson
Buyer for Rugs to My Door.

Summer Rug Market - vol 2

Even when you love what you’re doing you can get overwhelmed. There are so many cool new rugs, patterns, designs and vendors here that you have to take it slow and absorb it all.


One of our best contemporary rug vendors is adding to some of their already existing area rug collections. Momeni is adding patterns to their Trek, Java and Mandalay collections. Trek, if you’re unfamiliar, is a contemporary hand-tufted wool rug line. Rugs in the Java collection have more of a transitional or soft contemporary look. These rugs are made from wool and silk. And finally, even though Momeni does modern right, their traditional rugs are amazing. Mandalay, is a fine example of their traditional rugs, made in India out of pure wool this collection has some great looks. Momeni has some really great new patterns and color ways coming, so stay tuned, I’ll let you know as soon as we get them onto the site.



I’m unsure why manufactures pick the middle of the season to introduce indoor / outdoor rugs, but they do. TransOcean is one such vendor. I won’t gripe too loudly because their Spello collection of indoor / outdoor rugs is quite smashing. Utilizing looks and colors directly from designer Liora Manne, this should be quite the collection. I hope we can get stock levels up high enough to launch this rug line yet this summer.

And of course I’ve come across another new find. Dynamic Rug Company. This company has fashion forward, high style, amazing colors and great values. They’ve been around since 1994 making both handmade and machine made area rugs. They import from places such as India, China, Turkey, Romania, and Belgium, giving their rugs a very diverse look. They have over 15 collections and I hope to have them up and ready for you to view by September.

Back to exploring the seven floors of area rugs at the Atlanta Merchandise Mart; I hope to have more for you tomorrow.

Until again,
Your rug fanatic,

Paul Johnson
Buyer for Rugs to My Door

Summer Rug Market – vol 1

Well it is certainly exciting being here and looking at all the new and interesting rugs that will be coming on-line in the coming months. Just keep in mind, that although I tell you about these new area rug collections, it takes a few months for our manufacturers to get stock built up to the levels we ask for so you, our customers, are not waiting 6-9 months for your new rug.

Here are some of the highlights so far:


Homefires has come out with some great new holiday rugs. Yes, I know its July, but I have to look at these now so you can have them come December. I think of this sort of like Christmas in July. Homefires also has introduced some great Halloween themed rugs too. I’m trying to snag some pictures to show you, wish me luck!


One of our favorite braided rug companies, Colonial Mills (you might see them listed as CMI on our site) had introduced a new collection of indoor / outdoor rugs. The Sunbraid collection has some smart colors and is mildew, stain, fade and bleed resistant. Although this is a little late in the season for all us northern people, you folks in the warmer sections of this country will have a shot at this new collection. I’ll be working with our sales department to get this new rug collection up and on the site ASAP


We have found a new vendor to bring to you, Kas Oriental Rugs. Now don’t let the name fool you. They have plenty of traditional area rugs, but they also have a smashing collection of contemporary, transitional, and interesting theme rugs. I look forward to showing you this line in the coming months, but be patient, Kas has at least forty different collections of rugs. Going from hand-made to machine loomed and ranging from practically every price point possible they have a size and a style that is sure to be great in your home. I’ll be pushing the sales department to get these products up and on our site as soon as possible.

Okay back to the frenzy of looking at cool new rug collections for you. I’ll get another update to you in the next day or so.

Sincerely, your rug fanatic,
Paul Johnson
Buyer for Rugs to My Door

Putting a Face to it All

Sometimes the Internet can get a little impersonal and because of that I thought it was time to introduce myself and explain who I am and why I’m here. My name is Paul Johnson and I am the Buyer for Rugs to My Door. You don’t often see the faces of the people you do business with on the Internet, so I’m putting my picture right next to this post. Now, why do I think this is important? Well, I want you to know that at Rugs to My Door, it’s more than just a business, it’s more than just a product, it’s a passion for what we do and what we sell. I grew up in the flooring business. My grandfather was a carpet installer and founded a carpet (and other flooring products eventually) store in Western Michigan in 1955. My father grew up in this store and was also a carpet installer. He and his brothers took over the business from my grandfather in the early 70’s. My grandpa and dad, taught me a lot about this industry. About fibers, about construction, about products, but the most important lesson they taught me was about the people that are our customers and making sure we treat them like we would want to be treated. Well with lessons learned, knowledge gained, my time to strike out on my own came way too fast. So, out I went and found this little company (called Rugs to My Door) that had the same fundamental beliefs about how to do business and how to treat the customer. Not only did they have that, they had a passion for what they sold. I was sold and signed on. That’s how I got here, but let me explain my passion (or one of them)

I love color, I love texture, I love design, it’s one of the reasons I love flooring; I get to help people turn their houses into their homes. One of my favorite aspects of flooring is the area rug. Rugs give you all of those things in one amazing package. Want to change your room into a Victorian retreat, a rug can do it and do it on a budget and without changing everything else. Do you need a bit of modern flair? Look at a rug. Are things just a bit too beige? And, a rug can add that splash of color (and you don’t have to repaint to get it). So, you hopefully can begin to see, I’m here because I love what I do. The entire staff of Rugs to My Door is like that. We’re more than just a business; we’re a group of people that has a passion for making people’s houses more beautiful, more inviting, more you.

With that entire introduction, now we’re down to business. It’s the time of year when we buyers go out to our markets (think fashions shows of Paris or Milan, we see what’s coming for the next season) and pick the best and most exciting new items to present to you. I’d like your ideas, what are you looking for. What are the trends you’re seeing? I want to hear your passions and give you the products to fulfill them. I will be at the Atlanta Rug Market for the next week, so let me know.

Okay, the airline waits for nobody (well passengers that is) I will keep you posted this week on the area rug splendor I see.

Sincerely, your rug fanatic,
Paul Johnson
Buyer, Rugs to My Door

A&M Karagheusian a.k.a. Gulistan

The year, 1899. The place, New York City, and the players: Arshag & Miran Karagheusian. Brothers that open a company called (surprisingly) A&M Karagheusian Company. They begin importing and selling oriental rugs. The brothers quickly realize that not only can they import area rugs, the can produce them. So, in 1905 they import 60 Brussels and Wilton looms from Europe and open a factory in Freehold, NJ. By 1924, business is booming with their woven orientals and they launch a line called the Gulistan DeLuxe collection. The Gulistan is a translation from Persian meaning “Garden of Roses”. The Gulistan brand and the rugs it represents becomes so popular that Arshag & Miran decide to change the name from A&M Karagheusian to Gulistan.

In the 1950’s & 1960’s not only does Gulistan move away from rugs and into the production of broadloom wall-to-wall carpet, they are sold to JP Stevens and change their name to Stevens Carpet. After a series of ownership changes the name Gulistan re-emerges in the late 1990’s and then in 2004 Gulistan goes back to their roots. The Gulistan Rug & Home Collection is launched. Drawing from both their heritage and archive of woven rug design, they bring to the market a rug collection that has history and provenance. So as not to rely solely on the traditional designs of Arshag and Miran, they bring in designers such as David Hicks and Billy Baldwin to give the line flair.

One of the lines introduced by Gulistan is the Archive Collection. This line draws directly from the archive of the original A&M Karagheusian rug company for its inspiration. The main difference, however, is the introduction of Stainmaster Tactesse nylon to the weaving process. Making rugs that are both beautifully designed and made from on of the premier flooring fibers, Stainmaster, creates a rug that is stunning and family friendly.

Another Stainmaster Tactesse collection is the 900 Series. The exact opposite of the Archive Collection, this collection of rugs is designed by designers like David Hicks and Billy Baldwin to capture a pop and retro feel. Brilliant colors and striking patterns abound, giving the Gulistan Rug & Home Collection a jolt of modern and pop design.

Round Rugs

Rugs can make a fashion statement that brings a room together and makes for an inviting space to entertain. When looking for new rugs, the common question is: "What size should I get?" While this question certainly is valid, let us not forget that a range of other options exist including: "What shape should I get?" In years past, folks would default to rectangular rugs. This is no longer the case. Now days rugs come in an exciting and diverse range of sizes and shapes.

A great example of rugs that come in exciting and dynamic sizes is our Kharma Collection. For those that find traditional rugs more appealing, the Kharma Collection is just the ticket. With sizes and shapes ranging from 2x3 all the way up to 10' rounds, the Kharma Collection not only offers a delightful assortment of sizes, but also is woven of advanced synthetic fibers to ensure more time is spent entertaining and less is spent cleaning.

Linda Harlow, fashion director for Trans Ocean Rugs said of round rugs "...not only can round rugs make a room look prettier, but in many cases they can make it look much larger. When a person walks into a room with a round rug, there is usually more of the floor beneath showing, which can make the room seem more open and spacious."

Industry leading rug manufacturers have long known that rug collections offered in a varied range of shapes and sizes will sell better. With today's incredible assortment of home interior goods, make your home stand out among the crowd. Select from the stylish assortment of round rugs. Need help finding a round rug, just email customer care - info@rugstomydoor.com or call 888.541.3830

Italian Rugs

When you think Italy you generally think ceramic tile, and it is very obvious why you do. A lot of the world’s ceramic tile is produced in Italy. But what happens when you put ceramic into your home? It looks beautiful but it quite often feels cold. Not surprisingly you (and most other people) decide that a rug is in order. And the good ole Italians figured this out. Italy has become one of the centers for power (machine) loomed area rugs. Building on centuries old traditions of weaving and even more recently the fashion industry, Italy has been making rugs that work with their ceramic and porcelain tiles. Although not as well known as their Belgian or Egyptian counterparts in the machine made area rug business, Italy is growing fast as a purveyoer of machine loomed rugs. A rug made in Italy can be very traditional or very modern. It can be made from synthetic fibers (such as polypropylene) or natural fibers like eco-friendly wool.

One of Rugs to My Door’s favorite Italian rug producers is Radici. One of the largest producers of machine made rugs in Italy, The Radici Group is a textile conglomerate based near Bergamo, Italy. With annual sales in excess of 2 billion dollars this 50 year old company is considered among the leaders in the floor covering industry. Radici distributes their machine made rugs from facilities in Spartanburg, South Carolina. They offer rugs that are traditional in pattern and color and rugs that have that modern touch to them. Radici also uses both wool and polypropylene in their construction of area rugs. You will find price points that definitely will fit your budget. See why Radici is one of Rugs to My Door’s favorites.

Andy Warhol Lives

Artist and world renowed social icon Andy Warhol was known for socializing with an incredible range of individuals from dignitaries to street criminals. Many historians credit his diverse mix of acquaintances with being able to create such a wide range and fresh assortment of artwork.

Andy Warhol was born on August 6, 1928 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Andrej Warhola and Julia Warhola. His family name was shortened upon immigrating from Mikova. His crowning achievement was the creation of the genre now commonly known as pop art. However, Mr. Warhol's achievements did not just include items that gave the pop movement wings. The artisan was also known for producing records, writing books, ilustrating commercially (including such well known boxes and logos as Brillo), creating films, and creating an eye opening array of paintings.

The work of Andy Warhol was appreciated greatly in the latter years of his life, but reached a dramatic pinnacle many years after Andy Warhol's passing. The Andy Warhol Foundation allowed many home interior companies to use his artwork as inspiration for accessories. The Andy Warhol Home Collection of area rugs is one such example. This range of vivid and avant garde patterns cover a wide gamut of genres from soft tonal patterns to more boldly colored offerings in his Pop Abstracts series. The mix of patterns is approved by the Andy Warhol Foundation with the added benefit that a portion of the proceeds are used to fund art related education programs. Beyond area rugs, the Andy Warhol Foundation also allowed for other accessory groups to be created including lamps, curtains, drapes and a dazzling assortment of kitchen ware.

After graduating from the School of Fine Arts at Carnegie Institute of Technology of Pittsburgh, Andy Warhol moved to New York City to start a career as a magazine illustrator and advertisement creator. It was in this phase of his storied career that his light hearted drawings including randomly placed, funky shoe patterns were created. From this point in Mr. Warhol's career, his work evolved quickly into items that became fixtures within American homes. The famous Campbell's Soup cans, Marilyn Monroe color graphics, and the boldly colored rendering of Elizabeth Taylor are a few of his dramatic creations from the 1960's. While these items have lent in immeasurable ways to the range of art that the world population celebrates, it does not make for good area rug patterning. With this in mind and at the request of the Andy Warhol Foundation, the series of artwork including the Campbell's Soup can were omitted from the Andy Warhol selection of area rugs.

In later years, Andy Warhol's work morphed into what Mr. Warhol personally described as "mass-produced", that is to say that Andy Warhol wanted the work he created to be reproduced on a grand scale never before seen. He painted brand name products, dollar bills, cats, celebrities, even images from newspaper clippings.

Mr. Warhol's liberal stance with respect to his creations did not stop at the use of bold colors and patterns. At one point in the late 60's his work even included a photograph of police dogs attacking civil rights protestors. His personal lifestyle included being publicly homosexual. The decision for him was one of principle. Mr. Warhol worked among other gay artists that refused to publicly acknowledge their sexuality due to the fear of financial repercussions.

The incredible life of Andy Warhol took an alarming turn on June 3, 1968 when Valerie Solanas shot both Andy Warhol and his associate Mario Amaya while they were working in his "Factory Studio". The common belief is that Ms. Solanas was angry that a manuscript she has given to Mr. Warhol for his review was misplaced. The injuries that Andy Warhol sustained were so severe that at one point his heart was literally in the hands of Doctors who were massaging it to keep him alive. His injuries stayed with him for the balance of his life and dramatically limited his ability to be as mobile as he was in years past.

As the 1960's came to a close, so too did the foot loose and fancy free life that Andy Warhol once led. May people attribute his change in behavior to difficulties related to his incursion with Valerie Solanas. The Factory that he had used to create many of his most recognized works was locked down with a resulting damper on creativity that may have ushered in some of his more calm works throughout the 1970s.

The major work Mr. Warhol is known for from the 1970s is the portrait of Mao Zedong from 1973. Beyond this, Andy Warhol was often seen living it up at the hot New York night club "Studio 54". He was usually spotted lounging at a high profile table taking in all of the raucous fun.

After living a financially successful first 7 years of the 1980's, Andy Warhol passed away due to complications from a gall bladder surgery. Andy Warhol's incredible range of artwork lives on, not only in the world's finest museums but also in many homes across the United States, thanks in great part to the Andy Warhol Foundation, and their willingness to create truly awesome area rug patterns based on his finest artistic creations.

Rug Trends Continue to Evolve

Selecting a rug can be either very fun or daunting, depending on the perspective. As fashion trends continue to evolve, being able to determine where rug trends are headed can be challenging, this is where a helpful hand is key. Many consumers elect to hire a professional interior designer to bring the wide range of design ideas into a cohesive package. Using rugs as the starting point and branching into the other home categories including lamps, curtains, sofas, and even entertainment systems is a sure way to have a home interior that wows even the harshest of critics.

A sure fire way to make the rug a focal point is by selecting a secondary color in the rug to use as a trim color in the room. The style really comes together when the secondary color is earth toned such as beige or soft ivory. The fashion industry evolves not just with respect to home interiors but in other areas such as women's ready to wear.

Oftentimes home interior forecasters use current women's clothing fashions to determine where rug color trends are headed in the next 12 to 24 months. A great example of this would be the soft blues and chocolates that made their way into closets of every fashion conscious woman in the United States. Within a few months of this very real and observable trend, the soft blue and chocolate color hues were beginning to present themselves in other categories including rugs. Interior designers will aid in the selection process calling upon their storied industry experience along with other points of reference such as women's ready to wear. Using a new rug as a starting point is the ideal way to anchor the rest of the home's decor and provide a stunning canvas upon which to build the entire room around.

Rugs that are Eco-Friendly

Selecting rugs for the home can prove challenging at times. When it comes to your family's health, some important things to keep in mind include making sure that the new rug is made of wool. Rugs made of wool are many times considered eco-friendly because they are made of a renewable resource. Also, wool rugs have the ability to actually absorb up to 40% of their weight in moisture, and give that same moisture back off when necessary. While it may seem unbelievable, the reality is such a function acts as a humidity manager for your home interior.

Wool rugs are able to hold and give off so much moisture because of the need for sheep to stay either warm or cool. A natural part of their evolution included the ability to manage their temperature with the use of their coats. When considering a new rug for the home, take another look at rugs that are made of wool. It is a highly resilient fiber, and allows for years of use while being an eco-friendly alternative to other fibers that are man made such as nylon or polypropylene. Now keep in mind that while nearly all wool types are eco-friendly, not all wool types have the same quality characteristics. If looking for a top of the line wool rug, then 100% New Zealand Wool is the way to go. New Zealand Wool is environmentally sound, while also being the clearest, most resilient, and highly refined wool type in the world. Sheep farmers of New Zealand actually breed their animals based on the use of fiber. Whereas sheep farmers from areas such as Spain will sell their yarns for virtually any use, New Zealand farmers sell their yarns specifically for a certain use. The sort of yarns used for area rugs are of a longer staple length, which allow the fiber to go into and back out of the rug's backing more times. Also, the yarns are a less coarse and cleaner feel, so they accept colors more easily.

There are a lot of things to consider when looking for eco friendly rugs. One thing is certain, if the rug is made of wool, it will both last longer and be friendly to the environment for years to come.