Rugs And Carpets

Rugs And Carpets

Southwestern Decor and Ideas for Your Home

By Giorgina Devereaux
Southwestern décor echoes serenity and simplicity. This
décor can be traditional or contemporary and is
characterized by the use of natural materials and colors
reminiscent of the desert, canyons, and expansive
Southwestern skies. Textiles that are patterned and woven, along with clay
pottery, reflect the cultures of American Indians and Mexicans.

The shades of color used in Southwestern décor make the
rooms inviting. The colors used in this type of décor can
vary from a rich cactus green, yellow, turquoise, or the
striking purple colors seen in a sunset.

One of the classic textiles used in Southwestern décor is a
hand-woven and multicolored Mexican serape. The serape is
often used as a blanket or a throw and brings texture to a
room because the patterns add interest. Other textiles used
contain stripes or a geometric pattern and are used to make
throw rugs and to upholster furniture. Although some
patterns may stand out too much on a sofa, the use of a
neutral color with patterned pillows presents a balance.

The beauty about Southwestern décor is that the materials
used are influenced by nature. The furniture is normally
made with wood, such as knotty pine, and split or distressed
logs can be utilized to provide extra seating in a room or
placed on a wall as a rustic fireplace mantle. Other
materials used for upholstery, rugs, or other accessories are leather,
suede, cotton, or wool.

Accessories such as wall sconces and lamps made of wrought
iron are typically used and enhance the home. The hanging
of colorful rugs on walls adds vividness to a room. Also,
hand painted tiles and pottery are commonly used, as well as
Gecko lizards and Kokopelli that serve as motifs on rugs,
wallpaper, and bedding.

The incorporation of plants, such as Cacti, adds life to a
room and they come in various sizes, shapes, and colors.
Nature type items make great accessories. For instance,
tall grass can be placed in a large glass vase to accentuate
a coffee table or end table.

Giorgina Devereaux is the creator of AskGiorgina.com, which features questions, answers, and ideas on home decor and furniture. For more information, please visit http://www.AskGiorgina.com

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Picnic Blanket

Picnic Blanket

Having a Blanket is a Must for Any Picnic

By Jonathan Goodman
Picnics are pleasant trips and always put you in a great mood. Just the thought of taking a much-needed break, whether it is for half a day or more can be enough to get your adrenalin levels up.

As you start packing for your day out, you will have to make a list of all the things you need. Apart from food, snacks and water, regardless of where you plan to go, you will definitely need a blanket. There are different kinds of picnic blankets available today to suit a wide choice and budget. So whether it is just the two of you or the whole family, there is a variety available. Choosing the right one is important so that you do not feel upset if they are inadequate and put a damper on your picnic.

The first thing to look for when you choose your picnic blanket is the size. One that is too large may not be necessary for just two people. Also it can be too bulky to carry around and take up space that you can use for something else, especially if you are going hiking. On the other hand, if you intend going on a picnic where you are not going to move around much, then size may not matter.

You can get blankets of different weights. The heavier types are more cumbersome to walk around with. These days there are plenty of lightweight options that are both attractive and durable. These lightweight fleece picnic blankets are very convenient when you have to carry a backpack as you can fit them into it easily without groaning under the weight.

Another thing to remember when you pick your blanket is to ensure that you select a waterproof one. This will protect you from moisture on the ground when you use it. You will not have to worry about the damp, as the plastic backing will let you sit comfortably. Many fleece picnic blankets have waterproof backing on the lower side that comes in contact with the ground.

Picnic blankets are available in designs where you can carry them as backpacks or totes. If you are going backpacking you might want your picnic blanket to be as compact as possible. The reason why you must be careful in your choice is because it plays an important role in how much you enjoy your time outdoors.

You can use picnic blankets for any season. Wet weather will not make a big difference when you use a waterproof picnic blanket. Of course, ideally it is best to have dry weather as it makes all the difference. It is a lot easier to carry a blanket instead of a picnic table on an outdoors picnic.

Picnic blankets can set the tone in their cheerful way particularly when you have a travel fleece blanket tote bag and you are ready to go no matter whether it is summer or winter. On weekends, families often decide to use their picnic blanket on their own home backyard. It can be fun to laze around on your picnic blanket, enjoying the aroma of spices from your outdoor cooking.

About The Author: Jonathan Goodman is the owner of Market Merchants an online retailer specializing in home and garden products. My passion for bbq grilling and fireplaces is the core focus of Market Merchants. I am a member of the Hearth Patio Barbeque Association (HPBA), the National BBQ group (NBBQ), and the Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS). We sell these products because we love them and are passionate about consumer living needs. So whether its furniture and decor, home improvement, kitchen and dining, or outdoor living Market Merchants brings a dedicated commitment to the customer and a passion for high quality products. Visit the Market Merchants website: http://marketmerchants.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jonathan_Goodman http://EzineArticles.com/?Having-a-Blanket-is-a-Must-for-Any-Picnic&id=1072510

Rugs and Blankets

Rugs and Blankets

Shaw Rugs: Which Style Of Rug Fits Your Style

By John Murray
Shaw Rugs have been in the carpet business so 1846 so you've got over a 100 years or experience to rely on. One look at Shaw rugs and you'll instantly recognize Shaw builds quality rugs with over 30 different lines and hundreds of styles. So which style of Shaw rugs fits your style?

1. Accent Rugs

Shaw's accent rugs are made of polypropylene and present a soft cozy texture and are available from the rich earth tone shades right through to the vibrant jewel tones. Casual fashion that covers modern, Santa Fe, Asian and every other home decor trend.

32 accent rugs to choose from but my favorites are the Château which is a deep rich chocolate brown with wonderful scroll work around the outer edges, Antiquity which truly looks like an antique rug set on a deep golden tan adorned with scrolls and florals of the Victorian area, and Percussion which is a modern contemporary pattern that has a southwestern flare to it. Of course they're all gorgeous! Choosing 3 favorites is really tough!/p>

2. Anthony Rugs

Anthony rugs features a dense carpet in traditional Persian designs made of 100% New Zealand Wool. Done in a wonderful mix of traditional antique colors complete with florals and geometrics from the Victorian era.

Of the 10 Anthony rugs to choose from my favorite is the Island Hibiscus in its wonderful mix of blues and burgundies and flowers.

3. Casual Dining Rugs

Are perfect for just what they say - a casual dining area - 16 different patterns to choose from in a bright and cheery array of colors and patterns. Greens, burgundies, blues, chintz patterns, geometric patterns. They are gorgeous!

My favorite is the summer orchid with its rich fuchsia colors and lively border. Of course you need the right room for this one to work! The Country Side in midnight blue is a beautiful rug also and it would fit in most any room!

4. FolkWorks Rugs

This is an eclectic mix of rugs that are designed from a wide array of cultural designs, textures, and textiles. Textile ideas are taken from the Museum of International Folk Art and the Museum of New Mexico. All the folkworks rugs are made from 100% New Zealand wool making them soft and luxurious! With over 20000 textile designs to choose it can be a bit overwhelming but you'll know the right one when you see it.

My favorite is the Cibola which is a red and white staggered checker. It's absolutely stunning! My second choice would have to be the La Paz which has an intricate Mexican design that's certain to get noticed.

5. Golden Age Rugs

The Golden age rugs are all created from 100% New Zealand wool and it's the newest collection to be added to the Shaw line. Innovative, creative, and truly a work of art. These styles are in the traditional styles of old world and would be the perfect choice for a formal dining room, a living room, or any other room that has a touch of the old world.

I would have to say my favorite is the Ebony Abussom rug. Earth tones mixed with a deep rich midnight blue with a beautiful design that is captivating and intriguing. This is certainly a rug worthy of your attention!

6. Mary Kate & Ashley Rugs

Of course this is the most popular brand in America for the girls. Trendy, unique, fashionable, and popular with all the young women. Trendy young women simply can't resist these bold geometric designs and flowers, set on a jazzy vibrant color base.

Only those with a trendy decor will be interest in this line, but I find them absolutely irresistible even if they might not suit my home. It's really tough picking a favorite. They are all so vibrant and captivating. I would have to choose the City Block, Hip Hippie, and the Orbital. Sorry I just couldn't narrow it down to one. This fabulous line makes you want to rush out and change your decor just so you can have one of these irresistible rugs!

I've only touched on the a few of the Shaw rug lines available but a quick search online and you'll find samples of over 30 rug lines and hundreds of patterns, textures, and styles to choose from. Are you having trouble deciding which style of Shaw Rugs fits your style? I didn't say it would be easy. With so many beautiful quality rugs to choose from it can be difficult to choose!

John Murray makes it easy to go through the carpet buying process and provides tips to keep your carpet lasting long. To learn more and receive your free mini-course visit the [http://www.carpets-guide.com ]carpet rugs website.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Murray http://EzineArticles.com/?Shaw-Rugs:-Which-Style-Of-Rug-Fits-Your-Style&id=113421

Quilt Rack

Quilt Rack

Creative Ways to Decorate Your Walls

By Kathy Burns-Millyard
Moving into a new house can sometimes cause a quandry. You can stand and stare at large... blank spaces for weeks wondering just what to do with them. These blank spaces are the walls of your new house or apartment.

Most people have a hard time figuring out what to do with their walls, because their thoughts are limited to just paint and pictures. There's actually quite a bit more you can do to decorate your walls though, and here are a few of my favorite tips:

1. Create shadow boxes. These are especially nice to do as remembrances of loved ones who are no longer with us. If you want to create a shadow box for grandparents for instance, but you don't have anything handed down from them that could easily be used in this decoration, try visiting around to yard sales and flea markets. Find items that fit the timeframe of your grandparent's lives, or that remind you of them fondly. Use these items in your shadow boxes, then display them in a nice area of your home to symbolize both the love you had for them, and the legacy they left behind.

2. If you love blankets or quilts, there are some very unique ways to decorate your walls with these. Simply attach pieces of wood to your wall, drill holes in them, and put dowel rods in the holes. On these rods you can hang your quilts or blankets just like you can on a regular quilt rack, except this way they decorate your walls. Placing the items just above a sofa is a great way to keep blankets nearby when you watch movies or snuggle up next to the fire. Also, if you enjoy quilting or sewing, you may want to use a similar structure on the wall to hold bolts of fabric for your creations. The walls look lovely, and you're also organizing your home!

3. Here are just a few other ideas: You can use old windows and some curtains to make a faux window in a room without enough windows. Your can use old picture frames to "frame" an oil painting or collage or quotations. Using small vases, you can have fresh flowers hanging on your wall. You could also make part of your wall into corkboard or a set of box frames so that you can display your children's artwork.

So there you have multiple, easy, and inexpensive ways to uniquely decorate your walls!

©2005, Kathy Burns-Millyard. Kathy is a professional published freelance writer and [http://www.electronicperceptions.com/]commercial stock photographer living in Southeast New Mexico USA. Visit [http://www.electronicperceptions.com/]ElectronicPerceptions.com to see some of her latest photography, and to read more of her excellent content too.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kathy_Burns-Millyard http://EzineArticles.com/?Creative-Ways-to-Decorate-Your-Walls&id=37488

Oriental Rugs

Oriental Rugs

Oriental Rugs

By Lanny Hintz
Oriental rugs have come a long way since their early days. The
early days were a time when the rugs produced in the east were
popular in the east only. Persia, India, Turkey and Tibet were
some of the oldest manufacturers of these rugs. The main reason
due to which these were not so popular in the west was lack of
transportation in the older days.

The rug industry has carved a niche of its own. Initially, rugs
were popular only in the west but in recent days, this
popularity has spread to the east also. The manufacture of rugs
using machines has also increased. One of the most favored among
the machine manufactured rugs is the oriental rugs. Some of the
properties of oriental rugs which make them unique are:

§ Though the cost of these rugs is high, they are designed with
the finest textures and give a royal look to your home.

§ Oriental rugs are woven in different countries with different
designs. For example, the rugs from Iran or Persia are huge,
bulky, and exquisite. Oriental rugs are designed by
incorporating the culture of their own country and the
neighboring countries in the design. 828 International, AminCo,
Feizy, Kalat, Lotfy, Momeni, Nichols, Fette, Samad, Tamarian,
and Trans-Ocean are some important designs of oriental rugs.

§ These rugs when purchased from a genuine dealer are a
lifetime investment and give good value for your money.

§ Oriental rugs come in Geometric patterns or simple designs,
bright colors or light tones, with can make every room in your
house beautiful.

The important factors to be kept in mind when purchasing an
oriental rug are:

i.Since these are costly, the exact size which you require must
be measured first.

ii.The quality of rugs depends on the knots woven per square
inch. If the knots per square inch are higher, the rug is of
better quality.

iii.Look for imperfections on the rug surface.

The oriental rugs are durable and environment-friendly. These
are hand made and each strand is hand stretched to provide
greater strength and consistency. The two types of knots used in
making oriental rugs are - the symmetrical Turkish knot or the
asymmetrical Persian knot. Horizontal looms are used to weave
smaller rugs and vertical looms to weave larger ones. The time
for completion varies with the size of the rug. Since oriental
rugs are costly, all your needs must be assessed properly before
you buy one.

The oriental rugs are designed by experts who are well versed
with the tradition and culture of their region. They try to
transfer this culture into their rugs through well depicted
sceneries and designs. In the recent days, a sort of innovation
has crept into the manufacture of these rugs. Weavers have been
blending old models with new ones in the recent days. The
Persian designs are famous all over the world today also.
Recognizing this popularity, the manufacturers are finding newer
ways to incorporate these designs into the modern rug

About the Author: Lanny Hintz writes about
http://www.buyarearugonline.com,
http://www.buyarearugonline.com/Coupons/NaturalAreaRugs.com.html
and http://www.buyarearugonline.com/Coupons/Rugs%20Express.html
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Contemporary Rugs

Contemporary Rugs

Contemporary Rugs

By Lanny Hintz
Rugs help to change the look of your room and also provide
comfort to your feet. These days rugs are available at prices
affordable to all the people. When you purchase them, a few tips
are given regarding the practical considerations about how to
use rugs to your advantage. These rugs provide a good value for
your money. Using contemporary rugs in your rooms can change the
entire look and feel of the room.

The application of contemporary rugs is that they can either be
used to separate various living areas of the room or to unify
the entire room. After choosing the size and the number of rugs,
their color should be chosen the suit the surroundings of the
room. They must also be able to withstand the traffic in that
particular area of the room. The advantages of contemporary rugs
are:

a. These can be hung on the walls and also moved to the floor
later as desired.
b. These are easily portable and can be moved from one room to
another.
c. Rugs help to protect your carpets that are placed in high
traffic areas.
d. They help in sound proofing.
e. They help to add multi-colored look to your dull rooms.
f. They are available for modern as well as traditional styled
homes.
g. They lessen the need for other decorative elements in the
room.
h. These are available at highly affordable prices.

The color or size of the rugs must be chosen depending on the
requirements. Rugs can be chosen as the focal point for the room
or to separate various areas of a bigger room. The color of the
rug should be finalized after considering the colors of walls,
curtains, and furniture in the room. A contemporary rug can also
be used to preserve a hard-wood floor or carpet in an area with
high-traffic. These days many discount outlets are offering
contemporary rugs for less prices.

The contemporary rugs come in models of flowers, stripes, bold
and bright colors. They have the capacity to make your small
rooms look big and also your big rooms look small. They can be
made either of olefin, polypropylene, wool or cotton.
Contemporary rugs with cartoon designs can be used to brighten
up your children’s rooms. However, buying rugs with cartoon
designs is always a risk because the children’s minds change
very quickly. If after a while they do not like the design or
cartoon on the rug, then they will even hate the idea of having
the rug in their room.

The quality of the contemporary rug depends on the material
from which it is made. Though wool is expensive, it is highly
durable, soft and easy to clean. Synthetic fiber rugs are
cheaper, stain-resistant, water-repellant and easier to clean.
One idea would be to select the design or texture of the rug
such that it joins together with the surrounding items or
furniture. Whatever be the material, the contemporary rugs help
to add charm to your room and also provide comfort to your feet.

About the Author: Lanny Hintz writes about
http://www.buyarearugonline.com/Coupons/RugClick.html,http://www.buyarearugonline.com/Coupons/Rugman.html
and http://www.buyarearugonline.com/Coupons/Rugs%20Express.html

Source: http://www.isnare.com

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Rugs

Rugs

The History Of Rugs

By James Adams
The history of rugs is quite amazing. The weaving of rugs and
carpets dates back to at least 500 BC. Rugs are made by weaving,
at least this is how they started making rugs. Weaving is
nothing new, our ancestors have been doing it for thousands of
years. The first weaving that was done was to make baskets. They
made baskets out of anything that was pliable, leaves, grass,
twigs and whatever materials could be found at the time.

The most common material used for rugs back then was most
likely goat and sheep hair. Later on the Chinese produced wool
piles. Some of the first Chinese rugs and carpets were made out
of cotton and wool backings.

Some of the first looms were made with two branches that looked
like a fork and connected by a crosspiece. The binding threads
were then flattened with a bar usually made of wood. They later
learned to dye the threads with various natural colors from
fruit, vegetables, animals and bugs.

In 1769 a machine was invented by a Richard Arkwright. The
machine was designed to spin thread onto a bobbin. Not too many
years later a machine was designed to spin a thousand threads at
a time. Eventually it progressed to where we are at today.

An archaeologist in the 1950's found a rug that dated back to
500 BC or before. It was found in a frozen state in Siberia. It
was a knotted rug of Turkish descent. This just goes to show you
that rugs are by no means something new. Our ancestors have been
using them since the beginning of time.

Before people ever started weaving hunters would use the animal
hides they got off of their prey to make clothing, rugs, maps
and other various things. Today rugs are mass produced by
machines and most people have forgotten the history behind rugs.
When buying your next rug, remember the history of rugs!

About the Author: Learn more about the history of rugs at
http://www.oldandsold.com/articles15/rugs-1.shtml

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Kids Bedding

Kids Bedding

Help To Add A Sparkle To Your Kids Room With Kids Bedding

by Lee Dobbins -
As a parent, it can be a hard task to choose the right bedding for your kids. However, choosing the right kids’ bedding is a great idea to improve the décor of the house as well as keeping your kids happy.

There is such a massive range of kids bedding available to choose from, so there will always be a style to suit your child’s needs and tastes. Whether you want to choose a superhero theme or if you have a little girl who only wants an angel theme, there is bedding out there to suit your kid’s needs, you just have to shop around.

When it comes to choosing kids’ bedding you may want to get just a blanket or a comforter or it might be that you are after a full set. If so, you might want to get matching quilts with pillow cases, as well as bed sheets. The more fun and colorful the bedding is, the better it will be for your kids. They will feel comfortable and at ease with their new bedding and, therefore, they will benefit from better sleep.

What Should You Look For When Buying Kids’ Bedding?
When it comes to finding the right bedding for your kids, you are really spoiled for choice. However, with this, you are faced with a couple of problems and the first one is generally what design of bedding you should actually choose. Also, you need to consider the quality of the bedding in order to ensure that it lasts for quite a long time, as well as feeling and looking good too. It is best to look at quite a lot of different types of the bedding and then you can see which is the best suited to your kids room, as well as which bedding is of a higher standard.

If you have a certain color scheme in the bedroom, you may want to get bedding that helps to keep the overall look. If you go for vibrant colors, make sure that it looks good with the rest of the room. Otherwise it may not look as good as you may have first thought.

How to Keep the Kids Happy While Keeping the Balance Right
Sometimes, kids see something and they want it even though you think it looks horrible. They have no sense of what looks good and what doesn’t, which means it is up to you to even things out.

This is true with bedding and your children may want something that is bold but you are worried that it will not suit the overall look of the room. The best thing to do is to try to strike a balance and find a middle ground. Look at the color scheme of the room and then try to find a color that you think will go well in that room. You might not want to get exactly what your kid may want, but you may find something that they will still like and will make them feel comfortable at night.

Overall, you need to take on board the quality, the color and your kid’s likes and dislikes. That can be quite a challenge!

Lee Dobbins writes for Perfect Home Decor where you can get more decorating tips and learn more about choosing kids bedding.
Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com