Spotlight on Joy

Joy of all Joys! If you are expecting a child, or maybe already have a child and are just expecting a full night of sleep; either way our vibrant rugs from Joy are just the thing to put a smile on baby's face. Our friends at Joy produce a truly heartwarming array of rugs designed around the mind of a child.

From teaching baby the ABC's to just enhancing the decor of a nursery, Joy rugs are just the thing to make the home a more stimulating environment for your child. We are proud of the assortment of rugs we offer. From stylish contemporaries to tried and true traditionals, our rugs cover a wide array of fashionable genres. This said, we are really most excited when we see rugs from our Joy series sold. They really do add a touch of whimsy to any children's room and also are made of stain resistant nylon, so parent does not have to be concerned with the occasional toddling of their toddler.

Please take a few moments to wander our mix of children's rugs from Joy. I am sure you will agree that their vibrant colors and intriguing design elements set them apart as a really fun mix of rugs that can make a child feel right at home.

Until next time, I thank you again for reading. I hope you have a great weekend, and on a side note life these days can be a bith challenging. I am reminded of a quote by Calvin Coolidge:

"If you see ten troubles coming down the road, you can be sure that nine will run into the ditch before they reach you."

I try to remind myself of this when I feel fret on my mind.

Truly,

Wes

Guru of Rugs.

Spotlight on Couristan

Rugs come in a huge range of shapes and sizes. The fashion cues and general look of the goods vary depending on how the rugs are conceived. The folks at Couristan really do have their game on when it comes to designing really incredible rugs. From their fashion forward colors to their spot on designs, the area rugs that they create are truly incredible.

Also, Couristan is a generations old business. With so much experience under their belt, it is no wonder that they are able to have literally thousands of rugs in stock for a speedy delivery. Whether you are looking for a wool rug made on a wilton loom, or a handknotted rug timelessly styled by artisans who had their artform passed on from generation to generations, the Couristan line has just the right item to infuse your home with an exciting vibrancy that at times can be hard to achieve from new flooring.

Be sure to take a look at the entire Couristan line. From contemporary rugs to more traditional rugs, the cool cats at Couristan really do know how to put together an incredible assortment of rugs. Naturally, if you have any questions about the rugs they offer or would like to just chat about their products, please don't hesitate to give me a call.

Thanks to you all for reading...and HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!! :)
Guru of Rugs.
Wes.

Rectangles No More

Not every situation calls for the traditional rectangle rug. Sometimes what you really need is a round or square rug. Well two things, first off, Rugs to My Door has hundreds of patterns and styles of area rugs available in these shapes. The second and what I think is the best, is that we make it easy for you to find these types of rugs. The “Advanced Search” buttons on the left of our site allow you to search for rugs that fit the shape you need, not just look for (and at) traditional rectangles.

Now, not to limit ourselves with round rugs and square rugs (although Danielle in customer care gets requests for these shapes the most) Rugs to My Door also has options such as oval rugs and octagon rugs. Oh, get this, we even have specialty shapes like rugs that are shaped like flowers, horses, stars or even surf boards. Like I said earlier, life doesn’t always come at us in a rectangle and we have the options you need to decorate your home around you, not the shape of your rug. So, don’t be afraid to use our built in area rug search function to help you find the exact shape (and size and color and price) rug that your home requires. And remember if you need more personalized help on your search for a rug; give us a call, we’ll be glad to help you find the perfect rug.

Some of the rug collections that come in rounds AND squares include: Generations, Allure, and Everest.

The Claire Murray Rug Collection from Milliken comes in rounds, squares, ovals and octagons.

Spotlight on Milliken

The world of rugs includes many rug makers. Some are larger and some are smaller. Some have a few rugs, some have a few thousand. Some provide mediocre service to us (and by association you) while others really come out on top. So where does Milliken Rugs fit in?

Milliken Rugs is a tier A1 vendor for Rugs To My Door. This means that they make the highest quality rugs in a timely manner with very little defects. Their assortment includes thousands of exciting patterns in a range of colors unprecedented in the rug industry. The great thing about rugs made by Milliken is that they are ALL made of nylon. Since nylon rugs tend to last a very long time and require little maintenance, you can be sure that the rugs you get will not only look good when you unroll them, but for several years thereafter.

So what sort of rugs is Milliken best known for?
Their very most popular pattern is Jungle Safari Skins. Funky and fun rugs such as this pattern can really liven up a room and make it feel fresh and exciting again. Be sure to wander around and see all the rugs that Milliken has to offer. Believe it or not, the rugs Milliken presents are made to order! With this in mind, they will still land to your door within two weeks because they are made in the United States.

Give me a shout if you have any questions...thanks for reading, and have a great week!!
Kindly,
Wes
Guru of Rugs.

Spotlight on Oriental Weavers

The Oriental Weavers group began manufacturing rugs several decades ago. Upon inception, the company was one entity headquartered in Cairo, Egypt. As the business continued to expand, the United States market was particularly attractive. Therefore, in the 1990's Oriental Weavers commissioned Johnnie Graham, and industry insider to develop the structure required to improve the sale of high quality rugs across North America.

As the demand for rugs escalated dramatically through the late 1990's, Oriental Weavers group established a sister division in Dalton, GA. The Oriental Weavers of America was established to service massive market retailers such as Lowe's and Home Depot. With the invention of much more modern and efficient Wilton weaving machines, Oriental Weavers of America found itself ever increasing sales volumes.

Meanwhile, the original division of Oriental Weavers was renamed Sphinx by Oriental Weavers. This division was established to sell rugs to higher end retailers such as Rugs To My Door. With flagship collections such as Andy Warhol Home, and the world renowned Generations Rugs Series, Sphinx by Oriental Weavers established itself as the world's largest producer of area rugs.

As market trends continued to change into the new millennium, Sphinx by Oriental Weavers realized that offering strictly machine woven rugs was no longer viable. With this in mind, they established a new division that was temporarily known as Oasis by Oriental Weavers. After several years, the company was integrated fully into Sphinx by Oriental Weavers, and was looked to for the most fashionable hand crafted rugs at prices that had yet to be seen in the marketplace.

Year after year, Sphinx by Oriental Weavers received high praise and awards for their incredible value and outstanding quality. Rest assured, rugs offered by Sphinx will be both reasonably priced and durable. With a 1.5 million square foot warehouse in Dalton, GA they will also arrive to your door faster than you would ever imagine.

So when you are looking for new rugs, be sure to take a look at Sphinx by Oriental Weavers. They are the industry leader for a reason!
Thanks again for reading...have a great weekend :) Until next time...
Wes
Guru of rugs

Rug Haiku

Decorate my room
Colore my life so happy
my toes love your feel

The warm feel of wool
The beauty of a fine rug
Oh, rug you are mine

The rug of my world
Classic striking bright colors
Rug of lovliness

An heirloom of joy
Rug to cherish my life long
Traditional bliss

Accent to my room
Area rug of flavor
Red, blue, green, yellow and black

At Rugs to My Door
Your every rug dreams true
find the perfect rug

Spotlight on Fashion Source

For the next several days, I am going to discuss a certain vendor in depth. Today's focus is Fashion Source.

What is Fashion Source known for?

Their primary focus is on quality for a relatively good value. While this may seem like something that all vendors strive for, they really do a great job of it. For instance, they have a collection of rugs called Bella. The Bella Collection boasts a MILLION points of yarn in a square meter. The benefit of this is that the yarn will stay standing up under a lot of foot traffic, making your rugs look newer longer. Bella is a traditional range of rugs with updated colors that would look ideal in the most fashionable of home interiors.

Another really incredible series of rugs by Fashion Source can be found in their Avenue C Collection. Named after a heavily traveled New York road, the Avenue C Collection can stand up to a really heavy amount of foot traffic. Crafted by hand of 100% Wool, this series of area rugs is even Eco-Friendly. The range of patterns is really great, and includes things that are traditional, floral, contemporary, and casual. Be sure to take a look at them...with a 5x7.6 rug (the size that fits well under a coffee table) starting at only $299 the sophisticated look of wool can be yours for a price that is really rare in such a quality.

Be sure to check out the entire Fashion Source range of rugs. They offer items that represent a huge range of price points, styles, designs, and qualities. When you are looking for rugs that will stand up and be durable over time, the Fashion Source brand is just the ticket!

Tomorrow, be sure to look out for our next Spotlighted vendor "Oriental Weavers". They are the world's largest manufacturer of area rugs...but that is just a teaser. To learn more you will just have to check back in tomorrow ;)
Until then...
Wes
Guru of Rugs.

Why rugs of the same size vary in price so much.

Rugs come in all different shapes, sizes, fibers, and weights. This being said, if you see one rug that is (for instance) a 5x8 and another that is also a 5x8 why do their prices sometimes vary so much?

The short answer really is "you get what you pay for". When we consider adding goods to our site, we first look at the product and feel it. The manufacturer of the rugs will tell us about the quality and construction. Based on this knowledge, I will break down the rankings from BEST to GOOD

BEST RUGS
Rugs made of New Zealand wool are by far the most durable, highest quality rugs available. The most incredible fact about New Zealand wool rugs is that the sheep are actually bred to be used for a certain application. So the sheep that are sheared to make a wool suit are not the same sheep that are sheared for wool rugs. Because of the desireable climate in New Zealand and a tireless eye on the quality of the wool that is being sheared, New Zealand wool is traditionally much clearer white and has a longer staple length. The benefit of starting out with a clearer white yarn is when dying it the intended colors come through much cleaner than would have otherwise been the case. The longer staple length (staple length is how long the individual fiber is before it is spun into a spool of yarn) of New Zealand wool results in rugs that do not pill or fuzz as much as their counterparts from areas such as Spain.

There was a time when New Zealand wool rugs were dramatically more costly than their synthetic counterparts. In recent years this has changed. As costs for petroleum based fibers such as nylon and polypropylene increasing often and a surplus of New Zealand wool fibers the cost variance is not nearly as great as it used to be. I own a few rugs made of New Zealand Wool. One of them is from our Patina collection. I have had it for almost ten years and the area rug looks truly as good as the day I bought it. Sure it fuzzed and pilled for a few days after I laid it down but once that stopped I have been able to enjoy my area rug for several years.

Better Rugs
This category is a bit more involved. Some rugs are made of wool in this category (but NOT New Zealand wool, as that is a "BEST" category winner. Rugs in our Better category would also include Nylon and ultra dense heatset polypropylene. We will begin with rugs made of wool.

Rugs that are made of wool originating from areas other than New Zealand have a durability rating similar to their synthetic counterparts. The thing to keep in mind about wool rugs that are not from New Zealand is that they will pill and fuzz for a much longer period of time than their New Zealand wool siblings. This being said wool rugs that have completed their pilling and fuzzing cycle (could take up to six months) end up looking newer for a much longer period than their synthetic counterparts.

Continuing in the Better category is Nylon. Nylon rugs are styled to emulate the feeling and texture of wool at a somewhat lower price. This origin is proving to be challenging as fuel prices continue to increase, in many cases we offer nylon rugs that cost more than similar goods made of wool. Nylon is a great fiber for a house that has a whole lot of activity in it. Picture a dog, a few kids and a rainstorm outside. What fiber will stand up best to this sort of abuse? Nylon is the answer.

Rounding out the better category are rugs made of heatset ultra dense polypropylene. Why ultra dense? Because polypropylene yarns tend to want to take a nap! That is to say that if it is not a densely constructed rug, the fibers will sort of fall over or crush. This matter is solved when the rug is ultra dense in construction so that the yarns essentially have no where to go.

One of our very best selling ultra dense series of rugs is the Fashion Source Bella Collection. Bella is infused with updated colors that are delicately balanced with timeless oriental patterns and florals.

Good Rugs
This category is occupied by polypropylene also but in this case they are not ultra dense and they may not be heatset. The basic way to describe a heatset yarn is it was wrapped around a curling iron so that it crimps. This crimp when stood up on end acts like a small spring that allows the fiber to bounce back. Since this part of the process is very costly, by leaving it out the price of the polypropylene rugs comes down quite a bit. A great example of a polypropylene collection that offers a whole lot of style at an itroductory price point is our Poplar Ridge series. Poplar Ridge rugs are made of polyproylene with colors that companion with todays most fashionable interiors. Rugs in our Poplar Ridge series start at only $29! This series is ideal for a lower level, under a pool table, or in a college dorm room.

Thanks for reading again :) Keep on coming back...I will add more information about how to select rugs and how they are made. This should explain why rugs vary in price so much though.

Wes
Guru of rugs

Rugs that are eco friendly

Our business headquarters is located in Detroit, MI. Now this may make some people think that we are fond of big industry and gas guzzling vehicles. The reality is that we have seen first hand what an aggressive use of our natural resources can result in. So how does all of this relate back to rugs?

In recent years we have sought out rugs that are friendlier to our environment...here is what we learned:

Wool: Rugs made of wool are the most eco friendly type that may be found. The reason for their strong rating is that wool rugs are produced almost entirely from a renewable resource. Selecting rugs made of wool results in many positives and only one negative. The fact that they are eco friendly is a strong point. But did you also know that wool rugs are super stain resistant and keep their new look much longer than synthetics? So what is the snag? The only thing to keep in mind is that wool rugs will likely fuzz at first. The reason for this is that a wool yarn is much shorter than a synthetic. The random yarns that don't make it tightly into the twisted spool of yarn will end up coming loose as you walk on them. Don't fear however, your new wool rugs will stop doing this after about 6 months. While that may seem like a long time, it really is not, especially considering that rugs made of wool will last so much longer than their synthetic counterparts, and you are doing a lot to spare the environment by selecting a natually occurring fiber.

I will be visiting this subject quite often. We are really excited about the big mix of rugs we offer in the eco friendly category. We go to many area rug conventions looking for eco friendly products. Not just because our customers are asking for them, but also because it is the right thing to do.

If you want to know more about the eco friendly movement, check out this site...just be sure to come back and say howdy to us again :)

Signed,

Wes

Guru of Rugs

My rugs are still outdoors. Can they stay all winter?

Rugs that you purchased for indoor/outdoor use should definitely be brought indoors for the winter. If you chose to leave your rugs outside over the winter season (especially in climates where snow may fall) you will see rugs that are essentially ruined come spring.

The reason for this is that rugs are not meant to be frozen. The snow and other elements such as salt being on them for a prolonged period of time would likely result in the rugs being ruined. So what exactly should you do with your rugs now that the season is coming to an end? The first thing is to remove all furniture from them, and them sweep them off thoroughly. Once done, if the rugs are small enough to lift, pull them up and shake them out.

Now here is a great trick for storing your indoor/outdoor rugs: Once you have cleaned off your rugs, flip them over and roll them up reversed, so that the outside of your rugs are facing out. The reason for this is once spring presents itself again, when you roll the rugs out, the ends will be curling down instead of up. Naturally, one should always use caution when making their way from one sort of flooring to another, but by reverse rolling your rugs, the likelihood of "dog earring" is much lower.

Finally, be sure to store the rugs indoors if at all possible. Leaving the rugs outside for storage will make them more brittle come spring. Of course if you have any questions about this whatsoever just let me know. Thanks again for reading, and until next time keep sending me the questions you are curious about, and maybe the next entry will answer yours!

Signed,

Wes

Guru of Rugs.

What are the right rugs for my home?

Often we see people wondering what the rugs they buy should be made of. This is not as straight forward of a question to answer as one might think. It really does depend on what you are doing with your rugs.

With this in mind, I will give you a few tips.If you are buying a rug for your busy dining area or hectic living space (where kids and pets roam), then the rugs you should consider should definitely be made of polypropylene or nylon.If on the other hand, the room is formal, such as a formal dining room or formal living room, then wool is a great starting point when shopping for rugs.The real tip is, consider the traffic, and the feeling you are looking to create with the room.

The more luxurious the room is, the more likely that rugs made of wool will fit right in. On the other hand, if you are thinking about adding rugs to a higher traffic area, then the rule of thumb is to get rugs made of polypropylene or nylon.So what is right and what is wrong? The easy answer is, it just depends. Now don't forget to give us a call if you have questions. Rugs really are about a lot more than just style and design. Choosing the right fibers for the right application will go a long way to ensure the rugs you choose today will be the same rugs you love tomorrow.
Thanks again for reading :)
Have a great weekend.
Wes
Guru of rugs.

Pad your pockets

So we sometimes have people ask us why they should get pad for their rugs. Well, it is not that we are just trying to sell you something. Rug pad really does make for a more long lasting rug, and it helps to keep the rug from slipping around on the floor.

If you are unsure whether you need a rug pad or not...just think this: Do you ever remember buying carpeting for you home that is installed wall to wall that had no pad beneath it? The answer is likely no, and why? Because carpet will last longer with pad beneath.

When you are looking at rugs, be sure to ge the pads that go with them. If you prefer not to get them from us, no worries, but get them somewhere. If not, the manufacturer warranty will be voided, and the rug will simply wear out faster. That is what I call penny wise and pound foolish!

So pad your pockets and your floors, be sure to include rug pads with your purchase. Thanks again for reading.
Signed,
Wes
Guru of Rugs.

Don't fear Fido!

We often have questions about what sort of rugs are best for a home with pets. Well the short answer is don't let the pet pee on the rugs. This is not practical, and my own dogs were know to relieve themselves several times before they passed away.

I would strongly suggest Polypropylene for a home with pets. Especially if it is machine woven. That way there is very little secondary backing absorb the soiling. We do offer a Wool Clean kit that has this really cool bottle of absorbent mini sponges. The sponges come in handy for this sort of situation. So when you are wondering what sort of rugs are best for a home with pets, the quick and easy answer is Polypropylene. Just try to get up any soiling as quick as possible...the urine does have acids in it that overtime can upset the texture retention (basically means the rug will start to look worn out faster).

That is all for now...short and sweet. Thanks for reading. Have a great night.
Signed,
Wes
Guru of Rugs.

What is in a name?

I have noticed that when writing blog entries, I reference my personal experiences often. It probably makes me come off as a wine swilling socialite. I will leave that up to your interpretation, but suffice it to say this joint doesn't run itself! At any rate, while I was at a recent garden party in Detroit, an acquaintance told me he had just bought new carpets.

This made me think about what he meant. Was he telling me he had installed wall to wall carpet, or was he telling me he had bought some new area rugs? In this case he was telling me he purchased new rugs. So how does the industry tell the difference between carpet and rugs?

In short, carpet is usually related to wall to wall soft-surface goods. These products are stretched over a hard floor and tacked down over padding. Think about the strips of wood that run along the perimeter of a room that has tacks sticking out of it. This sort of application is what is traditionally known as carpet or carpeting.

So what are rugs? The industry standard for rugs is a soft surface item that varies significantly in size, but is not installed with the use of stretching and tacking down. Rugs can be of such a size that they nearly fill an entire room covering up almost the entire floor beneath. They can also be quite a bit smaller than a room, covering only a section of the floor. Carpet and rugs are common in the fact they both should have pad beneath them. The pad used for carpet is different than the pad used for rugs though, and we offer only the sort of pad that would be used under rugs.

One really great thing about rugs is that if one decided to sell their home, rugs are not considered a permanent fixture, and can therefore be taken with the seller at the time of moving. On the other hand, carpet is considered a permanent fixture and must be left behind upon sale. In many instances, the cost of installing carpet can be very close to the cost of the carpet itself.

Whats more, rugs can be moved around from room to room and cleaned either in the home or taken to a professional off site cleaner. In contrast, wall to wall carpet must be cleaned inside the home.

Finally, rugs are usually much more colorful and patterned. The benefit of this is twofold. One is that the rugs add color and style to a room and can pull together a range of different styling cues into a single cohesive feel. Carpet is usually a solid color, or has a few colors in it. The second benefit that rugs have over carpets is that rugs are able to hide spills more easily since they have so many colors in them.

So what is in a name? A whole lot. In fact, the difference between carpets and rugs is significant. Now if you call me slightly biased you would be correct. This being said, rugs really are a better choice for today's home interior. So be sure to keep that in mind as you consider your options.

Until next time...thanks for reading!

Wes

Guru of Rugs.

Some rugs are just ideal for family gatherings

Relatives were in town this weekend to pay the family a visit. We all gathered together at the folks house and had a wonderful time. Food and drink were served, and some of it was dripped onto the rugs that held the dining room table and chairs. As days yield to months, and months yield to years, the kids grow older and more rambunctious. Greg, who just started to drive reached for some salsa in one of those new tortilla chips that is the shape of a miniature bowl. Unfortunately, some of the salsa dripped onto my pants as he was reaching over me to get his grub.

Sure my pants look stained, but the bit that dribbled onto the polypropylene rug? That was wiped up in a snap. The point of this little story is to reitterate that the right rugs in the right rooms really can make a huge difference. Since the home that we had the event at is usually bustling with visitors, family, friends, and the occasional enemy; the parents asked me to find rugs for them that would be able to hold up against all that abuse. The use of rugs to help freshen up a space is not the only purpose. Rugs can also keep down energy loss between floors. They can reduce noise transfer, and rugs can even keep a hard floor from being damaged from chairs dragging across it, or a nutty kid zooming his matchbox cars over it.

Be mindful of the sort of rugs you choose for your home. As I watched Greg drip his salsa onto my pants (that are now stained) and the rug beneath my foot, I knew that the rug would be fine. If you need a bit of help finding the ideal rugs for your place, this is a great starting point. Wander around, acclimate yourself to what we have to offer. If you need to know more about rugs or certain patterns in particular, just hit us up...that is what we are here for!

Signed,

Wes

Guru of Rugs.

Days growing a bit shorter

So as I find myself looking out the window at just a bit after 8 PM, the sun is already setting. I am becoming acutely aware that summer has come to a close, and the shorter days of autumn are upon us. What exactly does this have to do with rugs?

Well, I would personally use rugs to brighten up my living space. Since the fall and winter months are sort of gloomy, rugs can make a real difference in a given space. Maybe take out the rugs that are a bit more subdued and replace them with an exciting pattern from our New Wave series.

The range of rugs in our New Wave series are truly incredible. They bring together timeless patterns with the most lively and updated colors. The combination results in rugs that simply must be felt to be fully appreciated. Perhaps the budget does not allow for handtufted wool rugs. No worries, we also offer items in a more moderate price point that also add a bit of pizzaz to the mellow fall and winter months. Take a look at the firey combinations of colors in our Abrams Creek collection. Versatile and trendy, the Abrams Creek collection really is a sure bet. Take a moment as the days grow a bit shorter to curl up on the sofa and wander our site on your notebook. Believe it or not, folks tend to wander our site for hours upon hours at a time. Please take your time wandering the incredible range of rugs. If you have any questions about the quality or styling just give me a shout. Thanks again for reading...and here's to a really great (and more colorful) autumn season!
Wes
Guru of Rugs

Rugs are offered from several sources

Rugs these days are offered from an incredible range of sources. Not so long ago the sources from which we were able to purchase rugs was relatively limited. We had established relationships with three manufacturers that supplied us with 85% of the rugs we offered. The year was only 1999. Our suppliers at that time were:

Oriental Weavers

Oriental Weavers was started in the mid 1980s as an international supplier of machine woven area rugs. Their corporate headquarters is in Cairo, Egypt. The organization has a significant degree of vertical integration which allows for both quality controls and cost reduction throughout the manufacturing and distribution process. Rugs that were initially offered by Oriental Weavers had more introductory price points such as 5x8 rugs for only $99. Oriental Weavers was the first manufacturer to use the Van DeWiele weaving machine which took the process of wilton weaving rugs and moved it into the 21st century. Prior to Van DeWiele weaving, the production of weaving rugs took a good deal more time. Essentially, a VanDeWiele machine allows for two rugs to come off of the loom at the same time, with the items being woven face to face (sort of like a sandwich) and then sliced down the center, laterally. The result is two rugs in the time it used to take to make a single rug.

Once Oriental Weavers perfected machine weaving with the Van DeWiele, they moved to another process, which is known as side weaving. Conceived by Oriental Weavers, side weaving allows for up to 36 colors to be used in any rug pattern designed. The result is an incredibly varied range of colors that makes the rugs look even more luxurious and vivid than before. With each techological advancement, the retail prices of Oriental Weavers rugs moved up, along with their quality and styling. Oriental Weavers is now known for producing rugs in the $299 and $399 price points for a 5x8. Long known as the industry leader in machine woven rugs, Oriental Weavers branched into hand tufted and hand knotted rugs in the early 2000s. Using their existing design team, they began using much of their styling talents to make rugs that offer an incredible value within their respective quality ranges. Click on the logo above, and you will see what an amazing range of goods they offer.

Shaw Living

Shaw Industries was started by Bob Shaw in the early 1980s. In the early days, Shaw was know for creating well priced wall to wall carpets. As the flooring industry evolved, and homeowners began to prefer hard floors such as wood or tile, Shaw Industries branched into hard surfaces. Naturally, they realized that rugs were a great fit to the hard woods and tiles that they offered.

Teaming up in the late 1990s with Kathy Ireland resulted in a catapult of the sale of their rugs, thanks to the savvy styling and fashion sense of the Kathy Ireland Home organization. As years went by, Shaw living acquired their own advanced weaving machines which allowed them to offer a huge range of rug patterns at competitive price points. Be sure to browse the incredible assortment of patterns offered by Shaw. I am sure you will agree that what started as a very small wall to wall carpet manufacturer in Dalton, GA blossomed into an incredible corporation that supplies a delightful range of rugs to homes across the USA.

Milliken

Milliken has long been know for manufacturing screen printed rugs. Their origin, however is much more diverse. Being from Detroit, Rugs To My Door staff is tuned into the other items that Milliken has long manufacturered including vehicle carpet and automotive headliners. As their business grew and evolved, Milliken became a major presence in the rug industry.

With collections such as Claire Murray and their hugely successful Signature Collection, Milliken rugs offer a great range of stain resistance and styling that is absolutely ideal for today's home interiors. Since Milliken rugs are made to order, they are able to offer an absolutely huge range of patterns in sizes and styles that are truly unprecedented in the rug business.

If modern styling and ease of maintenance is what you're looking for, then Milliken is the ticket.

Be sure to check back when I will discuss the other vendors that hit the rug industry in the mid 1990s. Rugs really can make a huge difference to a home's interior. Knowing where the industry started and where it is heading is a great way to know why the rugs you buy cost what they do and where style and design is poised to head in the coming years.

Wes

Guru of Rugs.

Rugs set fashion trends

With seasons come fashion changes. Womens wear designers have just launched their winter wear forecasts, and a gamut of other stylists have predicted what the up and coming fashions are in their given industry.

Well...rugs are by far no exception to this rule. Fashion forecasters have indicated the following for the coming twelve months. Keep this all in mind as you shop for new rugs.

1) Neutrals are coming back even stronger. Look for rugs that are much more subdued and subtle. This trend shift is in large part responding to the really out-there colors we saw in contemporary rugs for so many years.

2) Black and white is also becoming an important segment. Rugs that have such basic colors can be very striking, and graphically stimulating.

3) Soft and zesty, but I will try to break it down as easily as I can. Essentially, rugs that fit the soft and zesty category have peaches, pinks, creams, and lavender and a whole range of browns thrown in. This base of colors is becoming very popular in very high end rugs, and home interiors in more moderate price points will certainly see these hues on the horizon.

That is all for now in the color trends for contemporary rugs. But keep checking back. I will be discussing trends in other groupings of rugs including braided rugs, floral rugs, and traditional rugs. Have a great weekend!!

Wes
Guru of Rugs.

Rugs change with the seasons

In nearly all parts of the country, as seasons change so too do the outdoor living arrangements that go along with them. So how do rugs fit into this equation? Well the greatest thing to consider regarding your rugs are the ones that are indoor outdoor qualities. Once that part is done, you should begin considering what sort of rugs will work best in your home interior to ensure that any snow or salt that gets carried onto your rugs does as little damage to your hard floor and rugs as possible.

For the purposes of this posting though, we will consider rugs outside on a patio or maybe in a three season porch, where the time is fast approaching to roll up the rugs and place them in storage until next year.

But what should be done with your rugs before you store them to ensure they look great when the next outdoor season is upon us? The steps are quick and easy, and will ensure your rugs look absolutely excellent for several seasons, so here goes...

1) Take the rugs up off the ground and lay it over something to allow air to flow through it. I use a fence in my back yard that does NOT have spikes at the top of it. It is a flat topped wooden fence that will not bleed onto the rug or poke holes through it.

2) Leave the rugs on the fence for a few days until you are sure it has been allowed to air out and any dampness is gone.

3) Sweep an area of the ground where you will be laying the rugs temporarily.

4) Remove the rugs from the fence and place them on the ground

5) Make sure there is no water or other outdoor hazards nearby or on the rugs, then use an appropriate vacuum to clean the rugs thoroughly.

6) If the rugs are small enough, pick them up and shake out any remaining debris from them.

7) Roll them up FACE OUT (so that when you go to roll the rugs out for the next season, they will lay flat a lot faster than if you roll them up with the backing facing out).

In closing, here are a few tips once the rugs are all cleaned up:

Store the rugs indoors in a climate controlled area if you are able. If you absolutely must store them in a garage just be aware that they will be stiff and rigid when you roll them out for the next season.

Do not ever store the rugs outdoors. The harsh winter elements will render your rugs nearly destroyed by the time the warmer spring and summer months roll around.

Naturally, if you hav any questions just let us know. Thanks again for reading, and I hope your autumn and winter seasons are just excellent!

Kindly,

Wes.

Guru of Rugs

The clumsy party goer

I was the host to a dinner party the other night. Whenever I host a party, I have plenty of everything with the hope that my guests will enjoy whatever they like in any quantities they choose. This being said, I also like to think that my friends are adults and will behave in an appropriate manner.

That theory went out the window just the other day. A good friend of mine brought along with him a guy that was remarkably pleasant upon arriving but in time became a drunken fool. He became fond of gesturing wildly with his red wine glass full to the brim. The contents of the glass became less and less as the red wine found itself slattered all over my rugs. He spilled on the rugs in my dining room, the rugs in my living room. He even invited himself to tour the more private parts of my home, where he just could not resist pointing out the "fine interior design" work I had done. Naturally, he pointed this out with his wine glass. Slosh, slosh went the vino.

At any rate, I am sure you get the picture. The point of this story though is that a good party host does not get down on all fours to scrub the rugs while the guests party on. A party host should choose fibers that can withstand some spills and be tended to once the party comes to a close.

Many of the rugs I have in my home are made of polypropylene. While I really do encourage speedy attention to spills on rugs, sometimes that is just not practical. When it is not practical, having the right fiber makes all the difference. Invariably, rugs made of polypropylene will bounce back from a spill more often than other fibers. I used the Wool Clean kit to clean my rugs once the guests left, and with little exception, they all were gleaming. So please be mindful of the fibers you consider when shopping for rugs. You may be careful in your home, but heaven only knows when a clumsy party goer may throw all that caution right out the window, along with his vino!

Thanks again for reading, and give me a shout with any thoughts or comments. :)

Kind Regards,
Wes.

When shopping for rugs, what fibers are best?

Now before I get started, my Momma always told me two things:

1) If you can't say something nice, sit next to me AND
2) Don't answer a question with a question.

Well, I always follow number one, but number two I seem to always come up short on, and this is no exception.

To answer the question "When shopping for rugs, what fibers are best?" I would have to ask you what room the rugs are going in.

Kitchen or Laundry Room
I would strongly suggest polypropylene. I have taken the liberty of making a link to all of our polyproylene rugs here. The reason polypropylene is ideal for rugs in a kitchen or laundry room is that the fiber is impermeable to stains. It can be cleaned very easily with a damp terrycloth, and holds it's color even if bleach is spilled on it, which makes it ideal for a laundry room. I should tell you there is always a catch though, and in this case it is wearability. Polypropylene tends to wear in a fairly speedy manner so that the soft texture of the rugs you feel at first is not what you will feel some time afterwards. The pattern will still look as vivid and rich as when you got it, the feeling of it on your hands and feet just won't be as silky as when the rugs were new.

Master Bedroom, Guest Room, or Formal Living Room
Without a second of thinking or pondering the fiber is hands down wool. Wool is the fiber by which all others are measured. Choosing wool for the rugs in these rooms will result in an ultra soft feeling underfoot and rugs that appear nearly brand spanking new for several years to come. Wool rugs are very easy to clean, so long as you have the proper cleaning tools on hand. Particularly our Wool Clean kit. So the catch with wool is that once you receive your rugs, they will pill and fuzz for several months. The good news is that after the fuzzing is done, the feeling of the fiber will be lustrous for far longer than you had to deal with your rugs fuzzing.

Family Room, Dining Room, Foyer
Nylon is the ideal fiber for these settings. Nylon is a sort of cross between polypropylene and wool. Rugs made of nylon are typically stain resistant, a bit less costly than wool rugs, and have a resliency that is almost as good as wool. So why choose nylon for rugs in these rooms as opposed to wool? Well, because rugs in these rooms get a whole lot of traffic, and wool would really bum you out with the amount of fuzz that would be produced as a result of the heavy traffic.

Thinking of rugs for rooms that I did not list above? Please give me a call, and I will give you some tips. Thanks again for reading, and if you have questions about rugs and how they will perform please let me know. Rugs really do make a big difference in a room, and by choosing the right fiber you can be assured that they won't only look good today but for a long time into the future.
Kindly,
Wes Jenkins

Fall into soft warm rugs

As many of our blog entries reflect, rugs serve a greater part of the home's interior than just covering up the floors beneath them. They can act as an anchor for styling the rest of the room, a soft surface for baby to crawl on, a fashionable way to cover up unsitely carpeting, and the list goes on.

While many parts of our country are still experiencing record high temperatures (Detroit is no exception) it is inevitable that our autumn season is just around the corner. With Labor Day behind us, for those in many parts of the US, leaves will begin to turn vivid colors of crimson and the fall breezes will tug summer's creations from their limbs. So where in this natural progression do area rugs fit?

Well, I am a big fan of changing out my rugs depending on the season yet to come. As an example, just prior to the summer months, vivid rugs with floral patterns adorn many of my home's surfaces, whereas autumn months will find my floors covered in warm hues found amongst nature's most inspiring colors. Sometimes my rugs are a direct interpretation of autumn's creation such as this patternIn other parts of my home, I may choose rugs that are not as obviously seasonal, but rather have the hues that reflect the fall season, such as this pattern from our Fashion Source series

Rugs that represent the seasons of the year continue to grow in popularity, so whether you decide to go with rugs that clearly represent the season at hand, or use the colors of the season to indirectly represent the season, trust me that it will be a decision you enjoy living with. Naturally, if we may provide any guidance just give us a shout.

Thanks again for reading!

Kindly,

Wes.

Soft as a baby's butt

This weekend I enjoyed some time at my sister's home. Whereas I spend time in the city going to ball games and hanging out along the riverfront, my sister has chosen to call a farm-like suburb home. The rolling hills and tranquil arrangement of homes seems like the absolutely ideal place to raise young ones.

My niece has taken on a personality of her own. She is going on five years old and really knows what is going on around her. My nephew on the other hand is still crawling around. I saw him in his bedroom making his way across when he seem agitated. I picked him up and realized that the carpeting on the floor was not as soft as it should be, and I started thinking of a solution.

What fiber would be ideal for a baby's room? It would have to be very stain resistant, ultra soft and able to hold vibrant colors in the dying process. The answer I came up with was acrylic. Now one must keep in mind what part of the home rugs are being put in, and I will be the first to say that putting rugs made of acrylic in a very heavy traffic area would not be a wise move. However, using such a soft silky fiber in a child's room or nursery is a great way to go. A few things that acrylic has going for it:

1)Cotton like feeling

2)Stain resistant qualities

3)Bold colorings

There are also some drawbacks to acrylic, and it would not be fair for me to just tell you the good points. A few things to be wary about when selecting an acrylic rug are:

1)It may pill. Pilling occurs when the length of the yarn was not significant enough to make it into the yarn twist deeply enough. The yarn twist is also known as bundle encapsulation. Where certain fibers such as nylon have excellent bundle encapsuation (but are not usually as soft as acrylic) the acrylic fiber is shorter, so the rug will have balls of fuzz over the top of it for the first several months that you own it.

2)Acrylic is not a tank. The same qualities that make it ultra soft, also allow it to break down more quickly than a more traditional synthetic yarn such as 6.6 nylon.

With all this in mind, it seems that acrylic has all the good points going for it that one would look for when selecting new rugs for nurseries or children's rooms. The drawbacks with acrylic rugs are not bad, seeing as traffic in a child's room is not as significant as in a primary living area or busy hallway.

When selecting new rugs, it is always wise to consider all points, and not just the general look of the rugs you are considering. Different fibers have different positives and negatives. Be mindful of them and if you have any questions please let me know. All of us here really do enjoy rugs and like to share all of our knowledge about them with you.

Kind Regards,
Wes.

Kathy Ireland is more than a furniture brand.

Kathy Ireland has been a busy woman in recent years. She has lent her name to dozens of home accessory segments that bring a fashionable look to the home interior while withstanding the rigors of daily life.

Her slogan "finding solutions for families, especially busy moms" proves to be true in the types of materials she uses in her furnishings. Whats more, Kathy Ireland also contributes a good deal of her time to causes that she holds dear. Among them is her address to the youth group of the United Nations. She used her time at the UN to discuss how one cannot do well in the world unless they are doing good works. She encourages young people to take initiative in their everyday lives to ensure they are able to take on the challenges of our modern world when by the virtue of their age and stature they are called upon to do so.

She also allows us a glimpse into her personal space by sharing with her readers how she has transformed her house into a home. Kathy Ireland is a splendid home maker that is able to balance the tug and pull of her career and home with relative ease.

If one is finding it a challenge to style their home interior, she even gives some helpful tips that are really well laid out in her style guide. The concepts range from Aloha Styles to Russian Styling and a whole host of styling cues in between.

We even have some of her items that match up seamlessly with the furniture groupings she offers. Be sure to take a look at all the Kathy Ireland Home site has to offer, and browse some of the goods that we offer as well. I think you will be as surprised as I was by the number of items she offers and the quality and attention to detail she has paid to each one.

Thanks for reading. Be sure to click on the links above. They really are interesting and made me realize that Kathy Ireland is more than a furniture stylist or supermodel. She is a devoted mother, and dedicated contributor to causes that she holds dear. Until next time, keep thinking of fresh ways to enrich both your home and especially your life. It can bring calm and tranquility to the home, and make life outside the refuge of one's house a bit more easy to manage.

When rugs are worth more than their purchase price.

Conventionality used to be the driver for purchasing new home goods. If the washer decided not to wash anymore, then a new one was to be purchased. What if the kitchen cabinets are just coming apart and the hinges are giving out? Well then it was time to buy new. Over the past several years, this mindset has evolved so that many savvy homeowners realize replacing builder grade home items with a more upscale version is a great idea for two reasons:

1) It improves the living experience.

2) It improves the saleability of the home.

So where do rugs fit into this equation? Well, whereas many upgrades to one's home are permanent (that is to say they get sold off with the home), rugs are removable. As real estate challenges continue, setting one's home apart from another one down the street can make the difference between a "price reduced" sign and a "sold" sign.

Staging a home with freshly painted walls and the removal of clutter is just the first step. Ensuring the home has that "wow" factor goes a long way towards making the place a desireable purchase. Adding rugs to the home prior to showing will do just that, and more. Here are a few examples:

1) The carpeting in the master bedroom has seen better days. You could either replace it at great expense only to leave it there upon the sale of the home or you could purchase one of our room size rugs to cover over the traffic crushed carpeting. The obvious benefit of choosing rugs is that you can take it with you when you move.

2) The lower level of the home is dusty and dark. While plans of remodel and finishing it kept being considered, the reality is it never quite got done. That is where rugs from our Fashion Source line come in very handy. With room sized rugs starting at only $399, they can be just the key to turn a dark basement with a cold cement floor into a desireable second living space.

The great thing about all of these ideas is that the home will be a lot more pleasant to live in while it is for sale, and the rugs can go with you when the home is sold.

So see, there really are a lot of reasons to make rugs a part of your home's sprucing up and renovation. Take a look at what we have to offer, and I am sure you will agree rugs really are worth more than their purchase price.

Thanks for reading, and until next time keep thinking about versatile ways to use rugs and give us a shout if ever we can help.

Kind Regards,

Wes Jenkins.

Rugs as Fashion

When folks think of different items in their home, they usually think of them from a point of fashion and function. Sometimes, flooring is overlooked in this equation. If one thinks about other items found in the home, they are selected almost entirely thanks to the fashion they lend to the home interior. The image at right is a great example of this. The sofa in it's soft yellow tone lends a calming effect, and balances handsomely with the citrus hues found in the window treatments. What one may overlook in this attractively designed room is the subtle detail that the area rug brings to the grouping.

Not only do area rugs add a bit of style to a room, but they also help to anchor a grouping of furniture. As more modern home interiors boast very large rooms where a living space, eating space and kitchen are joined without walls between them, rugs are an ideal way to bring the eye into a certain setting, and allow it to stand out among the rest of the room.

Kitchens are also a great place to consider a fashionable new area rug. Many of the patterns in our Fashion Source line up feature a remarkably advanced fiber. The yarn is virtually impervious to stains, and will stand up against an incredible range of spills and dribbles. Believe it or not, the polypropylene fiber is even used to make such things as notebooks and storage containers because of it's color fastness and enduring quality. Be sure to take a look at our Fashion Source range of goods. They really are an ideal blend of fashion and function. Don't forget too, they really do offer impeccable quality with incredible value. Take a look, and you will see for yourself.

Thanks for reading, and as always if you have any questions or would simply like some guidance in selecting the ideal rug for your home decor just give us a call or send an email. We are truly pleased to help.

Signed,
Wes Jenkins