Wednesday, September 27, 2017

A Guide to Selecting the Perfect Rug


Learn how to pick the right rug for your space with Annie Selke's rug breed guide. A detailed look at all the rug constructions, from cotton rugs to indoor/outdoor rugs, wool rugs and more. Annie Selke makes selecting a rug easy! We offer Free Design Assistance and a Rug Sample Program.


Flat Weave Cotton

Features & Benefits: Durable construction; soft underfoot; lightweight, low profile, and often reversible.  Pet Friendly and Child Friendly.

Where to use: High- and low-traffic spaces; well-used family areas like hallways, bedrooms, and stairs. 

How it's made: Cotton yarns make up the warp and weft of these hand-woven, basic-loom-weave rugs. Stripes and pattern run the length or width of the rug. 

Care: 
  • Regular vacuuming and the occasional gentle shake will keep these rugs looking their best. 
  • As woven rugs settle, a stray piece of yarn may pop up. This is perfectly normal. Do not cut the yarn; simply tuck and pull it back through the underside of the rug. 
  • Small rugs may be hand washed gently in cold water; professional cleaning is recommended for larger area rugs. 
  • Do not machine wash, bleach or tumble dry.
Woven Jacquard Cotton

Features & Benefits:  Soft underfoot; low profile and lightweight, reversible. Pet Friendly and Child Friendly.

Where to Use: Great for low- to medium-traffic areas such as guest rooms, hallways, and home offices. 

How it's made: Cotton yarns make up the warp and weft of these hand-woven rugs, which are made on a jacquard loom, with the weft skipping specific warps to create a reversible pattern. 

Care:
  • Regular vacuuming and the occasional gentle shake will keep these rugs looking their best. 
  • As woven rugs settle, a stray piece of yarn may pop up. This is perfectly normal. Do not cut the yarn; simply tuck and pull it back through the underside of the rug. 
  • Small rugs may be hand washed gently in cold water; professional cleaning is recommended for larger area rugs. 
  • Do not machine wash, bleach or tumble dry.

Large Hook Cotton

Features & Benefits: Cushy, springy feel; high profile, with an eye-catching looped construction. Pet Friendly & Child Friendly.

Where to Use: Their cushy and comfortable feel underfoot makes these rugs perfect for both living rooms and bedrooms. 

How It's Made:  Woven from recycled jersey fabric with large hooks. Cotton canvas back, attached with latex. 

Care:  
  • Regular vacuuming and the occasional gentle shake will keep these rugs looking their best. 
  • As woven rugs settle, a stray piece of yarn may pop up. This is perfectly normal. Any loose loops can be trimmed flush with the rug pile without causing any damage. 
  • For bigger messes, we recommend professional cleaning only.

Cotton/Viscose Woven Blend 

Features & Benefits: Viscose-blend rugs offer the same lush feel underfoot as silk.

Where to Use:  The delicate fibers of viscose-blend rugs are best suited for low-traffic, gently used rooms only such as the office, master bedroom, or living room. Not suitable for homes with children and pets. 

How It's Made:  A multi-step, intricate hands-on process, hand-loom knotted yarns are spun and dyed and hand-woven, then sheared by hand, giving a distressed look. 

Care:  
  • Regular vacuuming and the occasional gentle shake will keep these rugs looking their best. 
  • Avoid exposure to moisture of any kind, as this may cause permanent staining.
  • Using water of any kind on these rugs may cause damage. 
  • For bigger messes, we recommend professional cleaning only.

Cotton Hand Knotted

Features & Benefits: Plush feel; durable construction. Pet Friendly & Child Friendly.

Where to Use: This rug is an ideal backdrop for your master bedroom, family room, or dining room. 

How It's Made:  Cotton and wool are first knotted and then sheared by hand, which creates a plush feel, unique mottled appearance, and excellent durability.

Care:
  • Regular vacuuming and the occasional gentle shake will keep these rugs looking their best. 
  • Some shedding may occur with all hand-knotted rugs. Use a low setting when vacuuming to minimize shedding If shedding still occurs, professional cleaning can help remove loose fibers. 
  • For bigger messes, we recommend professional cleaning only. 
Cotton Chenille 

Features & Benefits: Soft and plush; low profile, reversible. Pet Friendly & Child Friendly.

Where to Use: Low- to medium-traffic areas, such as guest rooms, hallways, and home offices. 

How It's Made: A combination of cotton and cotton chenille gives these woven rugs their plush look and feel. The dye is hand pressed onto piles of yarn in a striped pattern, and the dyed yarn is then spun onto cones for weaving, where it makes up the warp of these basic-loom- weave rugs. The dyed portions of the yarn are staggered on the warp to create the pattern. 

Care: 
  • Regular vacuuming and the occasional gentle shake will keep these rugs looking their best. 
  • As woven rugs settle, a stray piece of yarn may pop up. This is perfectly normal. Do not cut the yarn; simply tuck and pull it back through the underside of the rug.
  •  For bigger messes, we recommend professional cleaning only.


Flat Weave Polypropylene

Features & Benefits: Ultra-durable construction, water-resistant, and UV-treated for fade resistance; low profile, lightweight, and reversible; washable, scrubbable, and bleachable. Child Friendly and Pet Friendly.

Where to Use:  A rug for all seasons! Terrific for high-traffic areas; kids' rooms; staircases; muddy messes such as sunrooms, decks, and porches; and any floor that gets wet - like the bathroom, the kitchen, or the basement. 

How It's Made:  Extruded poly yarns make up the warp and weft of these hand-woven rugs, with the weft skipping specific warps to create the pattern. 

Care: 
  • Regular vacuuming and the occasional gentle shake will keep these rugs looking their best. 
  • Vacuum, brush lightly with fresh or soapy water, or spray with a hose. 
  • Do not machine wash or machine dry.

Woven Rope Polypropylene

Features & BenefitsUltra-durable construction, water-resistant, and UV-treated for fade resistance; high profile, reversible; washable, scrubbable, and bleachable. Pet Friendly & Child Friendly/

Where to Use:  A rug for all seasons! Terrific for high-traffic areas; kids' rooms; muddy messes such as sunrooms, decks, and porches; and any floor that gets wet - like the bathroom, the kitchen, or the basement. 

How It's Made: Extruded poly yarns are braided into a rope, and the rope is hand constructed into these high-profile rugs. 

Care:  
  • Due to the nature of the woven yarns, these rugs may appear uneven when first received. Stretch the edges gently to even out the shape.
  • Regular vacuuming and the occasional gentle shake will keep these rugs looking their best. 
  • Vacuum, brush lightly with fresh or soapy water, or spray with a hose. 
  • Do not machine wash or machine dry.


Flat weave PET

Features & Benefits:  Eco-friendly polyester fiber made from recycled plastic bottles; durable construction, UV-treated for fade resistance; soft, wool-like texture; lightweight, low profile, reversible; washable, scrubbable. Pet Friendly & Child Friendly. 

Where to Use:  Just right for high-traffic areas and the porch or patio. 

How It's Made: Recycled polyester (PET) yarns make up the warp and weft of these hand-woven rugs, with the weft skipping specific warps to create the pattern. 

Care:  
  • Regular vacuuming and the occasional gentle shake will keep these rugs looking their best. 
  • Vacuum, brush lightly with fresh or soapy water, or spray with a hose. 
  • Scrub lightly as excess scrubbing can cause fuzzing/pilling. 
  • PET rugs can hold in moisture if not dried after complete saturation. If your PET rug is outdoors and becomes fully saturated after rain, please hang to help dry. 
  • Do not machine wash or dry.
Braided PET

Features & Benefits:  Eco-friendly polyester fiber made from recycled plastic bottles; durable and eye-catching braided construction, UV-treated for fade resistance; soft, wool-like texture; thick profile, reversible; washable, scrubbable. Pet Friendly & Child Friendly.

Where to Use: Ideal for adding organic texture to all your favorite spaces, both indoors and out, and for areas with heavy foot and paw traffic. HOW IT'S MADE: Recycled polyester (PET) yarns are machine-braided and sewed, making for a tight and extremely durable construction. 

Care: 
  • Regular vacuuming and the occasional gentle shake will keep these rugs looking their best. 
  • Vacuum, brush lightly with fresh or soapy water, or spray with a hose. 
  • Scrub lightly as excess scrubbing can cause fuzzing/pilling.
  • PET rugs can hold in moisture if not dried after complete saturation. If your PET rug is outdoors and becomes fully saturated after rain, please hang to help dry. 
  • Do not machine wash or dry.

Flat Weave Sisal

Features & Benefits: Ultra-durable, long-lasting blend of natural sisal, jute, and polypropylene; low profile; rustic charm and beautiful texture. 

Where to Use: A friendly foundation for any room - and they look great layered with other rugs! Perfect for adding a rustic touch to high-traffic indoor areas such as the covered sun porch, family room, or dining room. Not recommended for children's rooms. 

How It's Made:  Yarns of sisal - a plant-derived fiber, dyed with vegetable-based pigments - make up the warp and weft of these woven rugs, which are made on a jacquard loom. The pattern runs the length of the rug. 

Care: 
  • Recommended for indoor and enclosed, covered-porch use only. 
  • Regular vacuuming and rotation will keep these rugs looking their best. 
  • When vacuuming, always use the standard head; never use the rotating brush. 
  • Remove dry spots by scraping carefully from the outer edges toward the middle of the spot. Do not rub wet spots; simply blot with paper towels, and clean with a damp cloth and mild detergent.
  • Professional cleaning recommended as needed. 
  • Flammable; do not place near a source of ignition.


Flat Weave Jute 

Features & Benefits:  Eco-friendly, sustainable, natural materials; tightly woven, ultra-durable construction; lightweight, low profile, reversible; sophisticated, natural earthen charm. 

Where to Use: Great in high-traffic indoor areas and on covered porches. Placement of these rugs are important, as our Jute rugs are dyed with vegetable based dyes that can fade if exposed to frequent sunlight. 

How It's Made: Yarns of natural jute - a vegetable fiber, dyed with vegetable-based pigments - make up the warp and weft of these hand-woven, basic-loom-weave rugs. The stripe or pattern runs the width of the rug. Natural color variations can occur. 

Care:
  • Recommended for indoor and enclosed, covered-porch use only. 
  • Regular vacuuming, rotation, and the occasional gentle shake will keep these rugs looking their best. 
  • When vacuuming, always use the standard head; never use the rotating brush. 
  • Remove dry spots by scraping carefully from the outer edges toward the middle of the spot. 
  • Do not rub wet spots; simply blot with paper towels, and clean with a damp cloth and mild detergent. 
  • For bigger messes, we recommend professional cleaning only.  
  • Flammable; do not place near a source of ignition.

Jute Soumak 

Features & Benefits: Eco-friendly, sustainable, natural materials; tightly woven, ultra-durable construction; thick profile with raised, textured pattern; sophisticated, natural earthen charm; richly textured, rustic look and feel. Pet Friendly & Child Friendly.

Where to Use: For indoor use only; best in high-traffic areas like the main hallway, living room, or family room. 

How It's Made: These rugs are crafted through a complicated technique that involves the artisan skillfully braiding larger loops of the weft yarn around an additional warp to create a more textured surface. 

Care:  
  • Recommended for indoor and enclosed, covered-porch use only. 
  • Regular vacuuming, rotation, and the occasional gentle shake will keep these rugs looking their best. 
  • When vacuuming, always use the standard head; never use the rotating brush. 
  • Remove dry spots by scraping carefully from the outer edges toward the middle of the spot.
  • Do not rub wet spots; simply blot with paper towels, and clean with a damp cloth and mild detergent. 
  • For bigger messes, we recommend professional cleaning only. 
  • High traffic may cause a loop to occasionally pop up. Do not pull or trim the loop with scissors; simply tuck it back into the weave. 
  • Flammable; do not place near a source of ignition.
Jute Ticking

Features & Benefits: Eco-friendly, sustainable, natural materials; tightly woven, ultra-durable construction; medium profile, reversible; sophisticated, natural earthen charm; richly textured, rustic look and feel accentuated with classic ticking stripes. Pet Friendly & Child Friendly.

Where to Use: Great for high-traffic areas indoors and on covered porches. Placement of these rugs are important, as our Jute rugs are dyed with vegetable based dyes that can fade if exposed to frequent sunlight. 

How It's Made:  Yarns of natural jute - a vegetable fiber, dyed with vegetable-based pigments - make up the warp and weft of these hand-woven, basic-loom-weave rugs. A twisted braiding technique creates the ticking stripes, which run the width of the rug. Natural color variations can occur. 

Care: 
  • Recommended for indoor and enclosed, covered-porch use only. 
  • Regular vacuuming, rotation, and the occasional gentle shake will keep these rugs looking their best. 
  • When vacuuming, always use the standard head; never use the rotating brush. 
  • Remove dry spots by scraping carefully from the outer edges toward the middle of the spot. 
  • Do not rub wet spots; simply blot with paper towels, and clean with a damp cloth and mild detergent. 
  • For bigger messes, we recommend professional cleaning only. 
  • Flammable; do not place near a source of ignition.
Woven Jute

Features & Benefits: Eco-friendly, sustainable, natural materials; tightly woven, ultra-durable braided construction; thick profile, reversible; sophisticated, natural earthen charm; richly textured, rustic look and feel. Pet Friendly & Child Friendly.

Where to Use: Ideal for high-traffic areas like the living room, dining room, or covered porch. Placement of these rugs are important, as our Jute rugs are dyed with vegetable based dyes that can fade if exposed to frequent sunlight. 

How It's Made: Made of thick, super-strong natural jute yarns. Each row of these hand-crafted rugs is specially woven around a metal rod to achieve a chunky, looped effect. Natural color variations can occur. 

Care:
  • Recommended for indoor and enclosed, covered-porch use only. 
  • Regular vacuuming, rotation, and the occasional gentle shake will keep these rugs looking their best. 
  • When vacuuming, always use the standard head; never use the rotating brush. 
  • Remove dry spots by scraping carefully from the outer edges toward the middle of the spot. • Do not rub wet spots; simply blot with paper towels, and clean with a damp cloth and mild detergent. 
  • For bigger messes, we recommend professional cleaning only.
  • High traffic may cause a loop to occasionally pop up. Do not pull or trim the loop with scissors; simply tuck it back into the weave. 
  • Flammable; do not place near a source of ignition.

Woven Wool

Features & Benefits:  Durable construction; lightweight, low profile, often reversible; rougher hand and natural earthen charm. 

Where to Use:  Suitable for dining rooms, living rooms and master bedrooms. 

How It's Made: Woven on vertical looms by passing weft yarns back and forth through the warp, just like our cotton woven and polypropylene flat weave rugs.

Care:
  • Regular vacuuming and the occasional gentle shake will keep these rugs looking their best. 
  • For bigger messes, we recommend professional cleaning only.
Micro-Hooked Wool

Features & Benefits: Durable construction; low maintenance; low profile; soft underfoot; eye-catching designs; stylish and sophisticated; timeless appeal. WHERE TO USE: Perfect for high-traffic areas like the living room, kids' rooms, staircases, and the hallway. 

How It's Made: Three to four plies of smaller wool yarn are used in each hook and hand-guided through a canvas tracing pattern with a hooking gun. The small, tight hooks create a low-profile rug. Cotton canvas back, attached with latex. With this technique, the artisans are able to get very detailed with designs. 

Care: 
  • Regular vacuuming, a gentle shake, and occasional grooming will keep these rugs looking their best. 
  • As hooked rugs settle, a stray loop of yarn may pop up. This is perfectly normal. Do not pull the loop; simply trim it with scissors. 
  • For bigger messes, we recommend professional cleaning only.