Another home question (rugs)
-
Sharon loves rugs of all kinds and spends a lot of time looking at them. Not the fancy kind; she likes the sort you find at TJ Maxx, Home Depot, and Lowe’s. Contemporary patterns. Some of them don’t last very long or she gets tired of them which gives her a chance to start looking at them again. Some work out, some don’t. The very thin ones can be pretty but the corners don’t stay down and the colors fade quickly.
I prefer more substantial rugs in simpler patterns that don’t get tiresome. The idea of owning a “good” Persian or Moroccan rug has appeal but not so much appeal that I want to spend what they cost or deal with the upkeep.
So a few ideas for you. The first is to search FB marketplace and estate sales to find high quality rugs at pennies on the dollar. Unless they’re badly stained (wine, blood) it’s pretty easy to clean them with a rented carpet shampooer or you can take them to a cleaners. Don’t be afraid to lowball your offer - used rugs are slow movers.
A designer trick is to pick a piece of carpet from a carpet place (1000s of patterns available) and have the edges bound. Advantages are a nearly infinite selection of colors/patterns, tough construction (commercial/hotel carpets are nearly indestructible) and a totally custom deal at a good price.
-
I used to get my rugs at ABC Carpet & Home in NYC in their basement where all the deals are. If I'd had tens of thousands of dollars, I would have shopped upstairs. I bought my dinning room rug and living room rug there. 100% wool, it lasts; I still have them both. For a lighter rug, I'd look for something in natural fibers. I dislike artificial fibers in rugs, except in extremely high traffic areas, and I don't have any of those here.
My favorite type of rug is Kilim, but I don't have one right now. Used to have one (from ABC) and I honestly can't remember what happened to it. It was 8x10 so not easy to misplace. I think I ended up giving it away when I decided I wanted a knotted wool rug. But they are still my favorite.
I have a few other cheaper wool rugs. A number of my scatter rugs were made by me (Krokbragd woven or hand hooked), the others are antique hooked rugs (two of which I'm finishing--I bought them unfinished for cheap) and a hand woven rug from Oaxaca, dyed with all-natural dyes.
I consider rugs and carpets works of art, so materials, craftsmanship, and design are what I look for.
-
We have on 10x12 Tufenkian Tibetan that was $5k 30 years ago. It’s still spectacular. Served as the palate for the whole house.
Just bought a couple pretty nice wool Tibetan styles from BBH Homes online for $200 a piece for the basement. They have some really nice colors and designs. You can get nice rugs for not a lot of money these days. They probably won't last 30 years, but that's not nearly as important as it once was.
-
BTW, my car in my name gets here Thursday and I become liquid to a modest extent in my own right on the same day. I had a dream my bank account will have as much money as it's had in 40 years.
I'll be moving asap if not before the month is out (well could be) then probably no later than the first week of next month.
I've felt stressed and exhausted but I shouldn't let it affect my mood.
So today I'm doing anything I want and if I don't want to do it I'm not doing it.
-
@steve-miller That's a great idea to make finished rugs from blocks of carpet. I had no idea. Thanks so much.
I will look at FM for sure and estate sales (here they hire a crew and hold the on the decreased's lawn. I know that might sound strange but there's a high turnover rate in St. Pete and other cities for single family houses. They advertise and you can go on weekends.
-
@mik Beautiful rug! Large too.
I'm not against it. I mean choosing a rug (only one) like that. I won't lie. I'd like to do it. I probably won't but if I do it will not be as large as yours and it won't come to the 5k price point.
'But as they said in one of the later Rocky movies, "Time...it's undefeated.".-- Mik
-
@bernard The carpet I want is 100% wool with very, very low pile.
The deciding factor in my decision of place to buy ended up being the tile flooring.
Plastic is what it is but I've had enough.
I've lived here, in the Tropics, and in the NE. I want a floor that when cleaned is clean. It doesn't need plastic sealant. It's not outgassing chemicals. It's not absorbing dirt.
-
@mik Beautiful rug! Large too.
I'm not against it. I mean choosing a rug (only one) like that. I won't lie. I'd like to do it. I probably won't but if I do it will not be as large as yours and it won't come to the 5k price point.
@mik Beautiful rug! Large too.
I'm not against it. I mean choosing a rug (only one) like that. I won't lie. I'd like to do it. I probably won't but if I do it will not be as large as yours and it won't come to the 5k price point.
Doesn’t need to get anywhere near that price these days. But I do recommend wool hand tufted. Feels better on the feet. The second one I posted comes in many colors and sizes.
-
@mik Wool, hand tufted. Got it.
In terms of smaller rugs, I'll need a few.
I got lucky and washer/ dryer inside, new, included. I'll need one there. And the usual places.
It's open concept except it has a separate dining area. TBH, the sea of white tile is a little overwhelming.
-
BTW, I'm still buying a vacuum cleaner, only because I could use it and I want one. I could make due with a broom but I want a canister vacuum, the attachments, and the dusting brush.
It's going to be another indulgence because I'll probably by a Sebo, and if not, then the cylindrical one with the optional happy face mask (most of you probably know it but I know @andyd does).
-
The range has traditional electric burners. I'm sell it and getting a glass top.
The refrigerator is new. The dishwasher is new.
I'm indulging in two pieces of furniture.
A Shaker hand made (what else would it be) 60"x 30" desk. Just four simple legs like a farmhouse table. Nothing to get in your way. Huge work surface for my study.
A hand made mattress with organic materials, no flame retardants or other chemicals, and no latex of foam layer (wool instead).
2k, both.
Hello! It looks like you're interested in this conversation, but you don't have an account yet.
Getting fed up of having to scroll through the same posts each visit? When you register for an account, you'll always come back to exactly where you were before, and choose to be notified of new replies (either via email, or push notification). You'll also be able to save bookmarks and upvote posts to show your appreciation to other community members.
With your input, this post could be even better 💗
Register Login