Choose Wisely

It's important to know the key decision points for your area rug purchase.

LATEST DESIGNER TRENDS:

Color - Light-colored rugs make a room seem airy. Darker styles create an intimate feeling. Check out the Color Trends for 2009.

Pattern - If you are looking to create a focal point, opt for bold colors and ornate designs. Conversely, if a rug's purpose is to quietly compliment existing decor, a solid color or subtle pattern works best.

Durability - In a room with heavy traffic, a solid, dark rug works best to disguise wear and tear. For an heirloom rug that will survive generations, invest in a rug that is made with a sturdy construction.

Layer Up - Interior designers agree that every home has a place for an area rug. Layering in home decor is as fashionable as layering clothing. Don't hesitate to add color and warmth by adding a rug to hardwood, ceramic or even carpeting.

Trend Watch - We're seeing a definite trend toward fashion in area rugs. Textures, different types of yarn systems, different colorations, patterns, tone-on-tone prints, looped yarn, tip shears anything that has interest or fashion seems to be very accepted.

Art for Your Floor - Shaw teamed up with lifestyle designer Kathy Ireland to transform the quilts of the Gee's Bend Collection — called some of the most miraculous works of modern art America has produced — into breathtaking rugs.  A room's "fifth wall" - The floor, can showcase dramatic works of art. The Gee's Bend collection by Kathy Ireland Home is rich with African American-inspired patterns, radiant colors, and a unique sculpted look. Area rugs can change the feel of a room in an instant and look great over neutral carpet, on traditional hardwood, or adding warmth to any ceramic style. No matter what your taste, Shaw area rugs come in so many different looks and styles, it is easy to find the right look for you.

Listen To Your Heart - Don't be afraid of your favorite color. If it makes you feel good when you use it in a room, then use it on your floor, the largest area.

When is a pattern rug right? A pattern rug needs to blend with the other colors and patterns in the room. Depending on your own taste, decorating style and ability to coordinate, a pattern rug can be a real eye catcher and finish the room. A rug with a bold overall design becomes a focal point in a room with upholstery that is solid or in lightly patterned.

You don’t need to invest in hand made rugs to get a quality rug - Quality handmade rugs are a big investment. Consider your needs and your pocketbook. Machine-made rugs look strikingly similar to the handmade kind, but they’re usually much less expensive. In most cases you will tire of a machine made years before it wears out. If you think you will ever want to change your decorating colors or scheme, 360Rugs suggests you choose a machine made rug.

Color Sells - Think twice about installing basic beige rugs or carpet before you put your house on the market. Smart buyers are attracted to a designed home — a house with color, style and distinction. Color isn't just acceptable; it may mean greater dollar marks in the end.

"POMPADOR" Rose
Not quite mauve, this color direction is the "cheek's blush" transition from the pink family. "Pompador Rose" is drawn from both the English Country and Beijing's Forbidden City as inspiration. Slightly grayed, this "new mauve" has its roots in english cabbage rose chintz, 40's hollywood glamour and yet looking ahead with a modern edge.

"SEVILLE" Red
If you're dreaming of adding an element of drama and excitement to your life, then a fiery hot-house red might be just what you need. Nothing says "drama" more than a classic red roadster, a tube of red lipstick, and "oila" you have a red carpet entrance. Velvet saxonies are ideal for dramatic red carpet and work remarkably well with little or a lot of color within the same space.

"SECRET GARDEN"
Green Oftentimes we are drawn to a particular color for a particular reason. In other words, one of my favorite colors is green, any shade of green. Green is linked to so many positives in the color psychology world, environmental, sustainable, nature, down-to-earth and freshness.

"TITANIUM" Gray
Sleek and modern, gray is the signature color of metropolitan living at its best.

"LUCERNE" Blue
Inspired by the swiss lakes region as well as runway fashion, inky indigo blues, deep-water blues and pin-striped navy blue menswear are safe and familiar.  Paired with surprising color combinations can make blue either funky or serioius. Blue with gray is reliable while blue with canary yellow or lemongrass is edgy.

"SILKY" Chocolate
Once a strong trend, but now a classic, it’s time to introduce your floors to chocolate. It’s as powerful as black, but much more versatile. Chocolate is rich, silky and psychologically appetizing and it comes in numerous shades. Keep chocolate around for good, but swap out accent colors — aqua, pink, maroon, magenta, bright orange, spa blue when you’re ready for a change.