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Carpet, Tile & Floor Covering

2009-05-01 11:45:00

Carpet trends change like fashions

Answer: Interesting question, and if I could sum it up with one word the answer would be yes. Summertime colors appear to be “retro” looks with new names. The 70s colors such as brown and teal have begun to show up with new names such as chocolate and sea foam. Even greens have gone from lime to kiwi. These colors may not yet necessarily be showing up on the showroom floor in carpet, but they are readily available in drapery, furniture and fabrics as well as accessories. These colors look wonderful when paired with the sand, tans and off-whites as well as deeper browns and gray tones. By themselves, warmer browns, those with more red tones, can make the room feel warmer, and come Fall and Winter, the warm colors should be rather welcomed. Layering for flooring and interior décor is very in, just as with high fashion clothing. Consider a rug for every season! All of a sudden your choices in carpet broaden very fast. Patterned carpet is very strong, especially for the warm weather, with popular animal prints such as Bengal tiger and cheetah looks. These are patterns that will last for the next decade and look smashing with checks and plaids as well as smaller flowering prints. These animal prints were used in the late 19th centuries in many historic houses and also bring a playful accent to modern homes or a dramatic staircase. Berber looks in both cut and loop finishes in the lighter off-white tones are easy to care for with a good quality vacuum cleaner. (It’s important to note that if you are using a vacuum with a beater bar, raise the bar so it will not be applied to your looped carpet.) Also with Berber, beautiful patterns of various size high and low loopspare available. Many of these feature vibrant or toned-down colors. To keep Summer going all year round, use the warmer colors, corals, toast, wheat as well as mango, which are light enough, reminiscent of the Summer sun but appealing year round for providing atmospheric warmth. Designers tell us this: The deeper the color the more “heat” you project in a room. One thing that runs through so many decorators’ minds is selecting a dazzling design that’s also practical. A light, airy and sweet-looking carpet in Summer may look nice when it’s first installed, but how will it handle traffic as the seasons change from sand to mud to snow and ice? When looking at the new soft fibers, ask your flooring professional for performance information. Many fiber manufacturers and carpet mills have performed “walk tests” on their fibers that offer good scientific evidence as to their expected wear-ability over time. If I could I would like to make 5 suggestions before you began with your new carpet venture. •Make your plan and budget, then have the whole house measured. Write down your favorite colors and styles so you can quickly transition to the next phase. Include window treatments. Often an afterthought, window treatments need to be part of your plan from the start –– and don’t forget, check for energy efficiency. •Pay close attention to entryways and high-traffic areas. Avoid premature wear with walk-off mats and area rugs which can be as decorative as they are practical. •Don’t skimp on carpet cushion. Properly matched cushion works to maintain your carpet’s beauty, durability, wearability, comfort and ease of cleaning as it cushions impact every step of the way. •Green minded? Look for responsible products such as high-fashion carpet made from recycled fiber and products made from wood –– a renewable resource! •Plan up front for transition strips, trim pieces and decorative elements that give your makeover a designer’s custom touch.