ON BUYING RUGS

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6947, 28 June 1929, Page 11

ON BUYING RUGS

In getting together a new home perhaps no item is more important than the floor covering—for it becomes tho foundation, the stage upon which all other pieces play their part. By this we do not mean that the carpeting is—or should bo—the. most luxurious item on the list. . Quite to the contrary. The idea that to bo really “good” one must have Orientals is one of the most pernicious mistakes to eliminate from the new home-mak-er’s mind.

It is, however, of tho utmost importance to have colour, texture, and pattern (if any) of the carpeting in each room set the keynote for its colour scheme, make itself an integral part of tho interior, instead of something apart from it. Decorators are practically united in recommending the use of plain rugs for tho room containing patterned upholstering, draperies or wall-paper. Or, if the care of the plain rug seoms an obstacle, one may have a carpet indefinitely patterned in self tones so that when on the floor the effect is plain. Very good broadloom carpets in shades to harmonise with any colour scheme can be found at prices to suit everybody. ... These carpets wear satisfactorily and are in good taste with all types of furnishing. Then, if one desires, the Oriental touch, a small but really fine rug used before the davenport or the hearth will add both colour and interest.

Good taste dictates that in carpets, as in dress, imitations should be avoided wherever possible. It is better to have one’s home covered with good plain carpets from beginning to end than to find in it inferior Orientals, or imitation Oriental patterns in machinemade rugs. The so-called washed Oriental rug is a modern produet chemically t’eated, which the new housemaker will do well to avoid, seeking wherever possible the antique Orientals which even in tho less expensive types are in good taste and increase in value with age. Good and very inexpensive carpet for the sample home is the Seminole rug, a woven wool carpet that is reversible and washable. Rather than have a cheap rug of the velvet type, the conscientious decorator wil linvariably recommend a Seminole, or its equivalent. Scatter rugs are, as we say, “out.” The preferred floor covering being either all-over carpeting or a room-size rug.