Favorite Things Friday

1. Uttermost Alita // 2. Bernhardt adjustable side table with mirrored top // 3. IMAX garden stool // 4. Surya Ikat pillows in Moss & Magenta // 5. Rizzy Home Kempton in Gray // 6. Kaho Antique Silver Decorative Jugs s/3 // 7. Caracole Glass Slipper Dining Chair


Combine industrial chic with a touch of glamour to your office space with these Favorite Friday sophisticated finds. Add some comfort and pops of color with Surya Ikat pillows in bright colors like this Magenta and be cozy under foot with this plush shag by Rizzy Home. I love the option to add vintage-inspired finds with modern decor like this replica decorative jugs combined with the ever popular garden stools. Shed some light on your workspace in style with this metal lamp by Uttermost.  Forego a traditional desk chair and add some glamour with the Glass Slipper chair by Caracole. The luxurious fabric and rounded back will make working from home a breeze. This small adjustable table by Bernhardt will add some light with its mirrored top, as well as give you a functional place to rest your coffee and light reading in an inner-office reading nook. 

Which 'favorite thing' can't you live without? 

By: Samantha Palacio

Shag is Back, Baby!

Wild Weave Collection by Orian

Back in the 1960s and 70s, shag rugs were all the rage. The soft, thick pile seduced the nation’s homeowners in their search for increased comfort and affordability. Unfortunately, what they found was that these carpets did not maintain their look and feel for very long. Continual traffic compressed the pile, and vacuuming alone didn’t restore the lush thickness.

If you’re old enough to remember those early shag rugs, you might remember inventions like the rug rake, which was supposed to restore the thick nap. It did, temporarily, but who wants to have to rake a rug? Nobody, as it turned out, and so shag quietly fell out of favor. In 2012 it made a big come back and in 2013 we saw sheepskins, and lush shags flooding Pinterest. 

Yes, shag is back — and in a big way. Made by companies such as Orian in Anderson, South Carolina, and Kas, headquartered in Somerset, New Jersey, shag rugs now are more durable and colorful than any of the rugs that filled hip homes in the 60's. Modern production has allowed rug makers to add patterns and designs in their shag rugs never seen in the early years of the long-piled pieces. So whether you’re going for a retro look in your home design or just want to take advantage of the extraordinary selections now available, there are a number of good reasons why a shag rug may just be the right choice for you.

The way shag feels is one of its main draws. It is a lush, deep pile. Shag rugs usually are made from soft acrylic yarn or from an acrylic/rayon blend that makes you want to curl up on top of it and while away the hours. The pile is generally about a quarter to a half-inch thick, allowing you to sink into its lovely plush fibers.

With proper care, high-quality shag rugs, like the kind you find at Rug & Home, are durable as well as beautiful. They also tend to shed less than the hand-tufted rugs favored by homeowners who want deep, plush floor coverings.

Rizzy Home, Tutti Fruiti

While shag is a forgiving floor covering (crumbs tend to disappear into its deep pile), it is now much easier to maintain; simple vacuuming is usually enough. You must make adjustments, however, as your vacuum’s beater bar is not as friendly to long fibers and could pull out the fibers from your shag rug. Most vacuums will allow you to raise the height of the beater bar, thus preserving the integrity of your rug.

So if you want a rug that’s both luxurious and stylish, treat yourself to the blissfully soft texture of a rug from the Bliss collection from Kas or use an Orian shag rug to bring color and design to an otherwise dreary room. Shag combines the joyful patterns of the 21st century with the thick pile of the 20th century. Shag is back, baby, bringing with it the fun of a furry feel under your toes.

Touchdown with Recliners

Handles are becoming obsolete in the furniture world, but now that I've gotten your attention, let's talk about some options and benefits that a recliner does have.

Comfort Design

Did you know that many recliners actually have push button releases hidden between the seat cushion and the side of the chair so that there really is no 'work' involved? Companies such as Comfort Design, have made recliners so sleek that they not only do not look like your average recliner, but you can simply sit in the chair, push back on the headrest, and you are in nap mode. 

Bernhardt

You can choose custom feet, rolled arms or straight, leather or fabric - the options are endless. Women are also finding it easier to select petite reclining chairs to fit their own comfort needs. Remember the days of getting lost in a giant Lazy-boy? 

Seven Seas

You now do not have to sacrifice floor space for comfort. Maybe you want a rolled headrest? For your more modern folk, Seven Seas designs several single cushion backrests that make these reclining chairs perfect in pairs for a sitting room. 

Contempo by Klaussner

For Dad, Klaussner does still carry that oversized, football-watching, traditional recliner. Klaussner's Contempo is the perfect place to nap through  enjoy the Super Bowl with your friends, though it's likely the wife would say that this particular style needs to remain in the mancave. Though, with so many eye-catching options and colors, can you really blame her?

For more tips on staging for the big game or styles of reclining chairs, please visit us online or at one of our three locations!

Written by: Samantha Palacio

New Year, New Sizes: Custom Century Upholstery

You might be one of the many families discovering that "standard" size furniture does not fit into their above average lives. Maybe you have a long, narrow basement space to fill or a small nook in a dining room. Builders have become very creative with home design and furnishings to fit your needs. If you can dream it in custom furnishings,  they can do it. We'd like to introduce you to one of our vendors: Century Furniture. 

Century Furniture is a North Carolina based manufacturer that specializes in custom upholstery and wood furnishings. They offer over 50 finishes to choose from as well as over 2,000 fabrics and leathers that would suit any design needs. To make the choice easier, Century has a fabric search option that allows you to search for fabrics by keywords, grade, color, etc and even email these selections to yourself or friends. You can also view every finish and nailhead option in store and online. One of the best parts about their trims is that you can add welts, fringes, and cord in Grade 1 at no extra charge. 

Frequently customers come in with specific dimensions in mind. If you need a sofa "greater than 90 inches," Century is for you. If you need a "deep" sofa for the downstairs family room, Century can manufacturer a custom width for the tall folks in your life. Loose cushions can be made tight and skirts can be taken off or added to various styles. The options are endless. Do not feel discouraged if you cannot find something that easily fits your needs on the floor. With large fabric swatches, online views of details such as trim, and expert photos of product, you can be reassured that the colors and details you are choosing for your furniture piece will be accurate. 

Century Grouping for High Point Market

For a general list of customization on casegoods & upholstery, view this listing by Century here:

[Image from Century Furniture]

Written by: Samantha Palacio

Sizing Up Sofas

We're sizing up sofas here! Large ones, smalls ones, settees, sectionals.... where do we begin?

1. Start with the dimensions of your room. Do you have those? How about some graph paper?

'Map' out a layout of your room shape to help visualize the placement of your furnishings within your room(s). We've created this sample graph paper that is free to use, print, and download for your convenience when shopping for the perfect furnishings. 


2. What pieces are staying and what are you replacing? Do you have a blank slate? Maybe grandma's piano is a staple design element that you just can't part with. Sentimental items should always be considered when thinking design. If it has personal value and feels like a must within the space, then study its details to know what style is appropriate for you.

3. Choosing the scale of your sofa can be tricky. Here is where you need to, again, consider and list what other furniture you are going to need to put in that space.  Do you need an oversized sectional to fill a large space? Do you need a sofa and loveseat or could a custom sofa (90"+) save you some space and offer ample seating? Also remember that ottomans are an inexpensive alternative to a coffee table and can double as seating as well.

Settees work well in an entry space but can work in a small sitting room area or even a dressing room like the one pictured below. If you're in a tight apartment setting, it may be a great alternative to a traditional sofa. They also have traditionally higher legs that if you're in need of creative space-saving solutions, can accommodate pretty baskets. 

For more advice on how to choose the perfect sofa, view this article written by Houzz Editorial Staff writer, Vanessa Brunner. While you're there, please follow us on Houzz for views from our showroom, spotlights from our Designers, and latest product images. 

Written by: Samantha Palacio

How to Choose a Bedroom Rug

A bedroom area rug serves many purposes. It gives your bare feet a warm place to land when you get out of bed on a cold winter morning. It reduces noise in the bedroom, especially if your alternative is a hardwood floor (which while beautiful, can amplify sound). A bedroom rug can also accent your bed covering and window treatments.

Placement

As with most interior design precepts, there are no hard and fast rules to choosing a bedroom rug — what you like should be the most important factor in your decorating decisions. There are, however, a few guidelines to consider when shopping for a new bedroom area rug.

First, decide where you’re going to place the rug. If you have an exceptionally large bedroom, you can choose to lay smaller rugs in different areas. For example, place one rug in the corner under your sitting area and a larger, complementary rug angled across the bottom of the bed. If you prefer symmetry, place one large rug under the bed so that it peeks out equally on all sides. For a small bedroom, you’ll be best served with a rug under the bed solution because small area rugs chop up the space and make the room appear even smaller.

Size

The size of your bed usually determines the size of rug you need. In a traditional bedroom

Surya Rug, photo from atticmag.com

with a nightstand on each side of the bed, place the rug just in front of the side tables. A king-size bed is 76 X 80 inches, which means a 9 X 12-foot rug will provide adequate coverage on all sides. An 8 X 11-foot rug, meanwhile, is sufficient for a queen-size (60 X 80-inch) bed. Both of these choices leave plenty of soft surface area to walk on all the way around the bed.

Another option for your queen-size bed is to place a 6 X 9-foot rug horizontally under the bed, giving you enough rug to land on when you leave the bed, but little at the foot of the bed, which is ideal if you have a chest or blanket holder sitting there. Alternatively, you can always place matching runners along the sides of your bed with a complementary or matching 4 X 6-foot rug at the foot of the bed (although you can get away with a 5 X 8-footer if you have enough room).

Style

Surya Fallon

It’s always easier to match your bed covers and curtains to the rug than it is to find the perfect rug to go with your other décor. However, remember that your taste should trump any convention, especially in your bedroom. Given that overriding advice, here are some specific guidelines:

• Stick with hand-knotted Oriental rugs to complement a traditional room with cherry furniture, high bedposts, or antiques.
• If you have more of a minimalist style, use the floor to splash color in the room or continue with the overall style and use a rug with muted tones that match your color scheme.
• Floral patterns on your linens may be more difficult to complement, but if you stick with traditional rugs, you should be able to pull out the primary colors in the room with your floor covering.

Whatever color, style, or fabric you choose for your bedroom, make sure you absolutely love it. It may be the last thing you see before putting out the light every night and the first thing you see when you climb out of bed every morning.

Pile: What's That?

If you're an avid rug shopper, you may be familiar with different styles of rugs. If not, you may be surprised to learn that there are many different types: hand woven, hand knotted, machine made, hand tufted, flat woven, etc. A common rug term that is thrown around in the business is pile. Pile refers to the height of the fibers in the rug and is most commonly used as short pile, long pile, or shag. 

Surya Aztec

Short pile is typically of a machine made or hand knotted rug. The fibers are "short" and not plush. These typically have longer lifespans or are more durable to frequent vacuuming and high-traffic areas.  They are functional for warmth, some can be used in indoor/outdoor spaces, and the machine made categories are the least expensive of rugs types.

Long pile rugs or shags should be used in less-trafficked areas of the home such as a bedroom. These rugs especially need to be vacuumed with care and cleaned with a good dry cleaning solution to prevent soiling. They are perfect for areas where you want to create a cozy setting and are commonly the preferred choice for playrooms as well. Typically, hand-tufted rugs are an inch in pile height but offer the longevity of a wool rug being fire-resistant, energy efficient, and moisture balancing. 


We recommend that when vacuuming, you should raise the beater bar of your vacuum to extend the life of the rug and preserve the fibers no matter what the height of the pile is. There are several things to consider when choosing a rug, but the two most important things to consider when thinking about pile are: where is the rug going and are you looking for comfort?  The rest falls into place with that in mind. If you have questions about selecting the perfect rug or further questions regarding pile, please comment below or send a submission to the "contact us" form to the right.

Written by: Samantha Palacio

Atlanta Rug Market 2014

Karastan

The Vendors have unveiled their most stunning new creations to the world of home decor. Our owners, Rakesh, Dolly, and Aanchal have provided this sneak peek from the Atlanta Rug Market. 

There's been a lot of talk about Pantone's spring colors. In 2013, we saw bursts of Emerald everywhere and it made its way into the 2014 line up as well. 

Jute or Sisal always make a solid decision if you are working in a space with a lot of existing color and pattern. We loved the high-low effect introduced in these KAS rugs.

KAS reached ahead of the curve with these reversible rugs. 

Two for the price of one?! Yes, please!

Grey is here to stay, folks!
Not only has it been brought into 2014 with the Pantone spring colors, but we are still seeing it paired with cheerful yellow - or Freesia as Pantone has coined this awe inspiring hue. 

We can't get enough of bright and cheerful rugs by Loloi!

Speaking of Pantone, Rug & Home owner and CEO, Rakesh Agarwal, fit right in
with Radiant Orchid! 

Shag is back in style and here to stay a while. North Carolina manufacturer, Karastan, unveiled these lush, contemporary beauties that we are excited to be introducing in February 2014!

How can you not fall in love with this adorable Owl Rug by American Rug Craftsman?

Blues and teals are also making their way into more traditional style rugs this year. We are so excited to be bringing you a wider variety of styles, colors, and patterns to choose from!

Visit us online and in stores this February to see more of the new 2014 rug collections
at Rug & Home!

Singing the Praises of Solid Wood Furniture

As is the case with handmade rugs, the quality of solid wood furniture far surpasses its counterparts—pieces made with plywood and pressed wood. (There are situations where plywood and pressed wood may be appropriate, however, just as there are times a machine-made rug could be the right choice for you.) With proper care, these pieces can also last a lifetime and stay away from the landfill. And, many solid wood pieces are crafted with wood from reclaimed sources, further making them a sustainable option for those working to tread lightly on the planet.

Care

Caring for solid wood pieces is a lot simpler than it sounds. In fact, the only tools really needed are a clean rag and elbow grease. When your piece gets dusty or dirty, just wipe it lightly—with the grain of the wood—using a clean cotton cloth. You can use furniture polish, just be sure to do so sparingly. Should your furniture piece get a minor scratch, try buffing it with a small amount of polish. For larger scratches and dents, contact a professional; they should be able to easily repair your piece. Keep in mind that if a blemish isn’t deep enough to reach beyond the finish, it likely won’t cause long-term problems. In other words, you can leave it to add a bit of character! Today, many solid wood pieces come with a “weathered” look straight from the manufacturer that creates the illusion of an older, well-loved item. Also keep in mind that because wood is a natural fiber, it can be negatively affected by the elements. As with handmade rugs, you’ll want to avoid exposure to direct sunlight and extreme humidity. 

Sustainability

Have you gone green? Many solid wood furniture pieces have as well, as they’re now made of reclaimed wood; thus are a great option if you want to be kind to the environment without giving up durability and style. At Rug & Home, we carry a wide variety of reclaimed wood furniture, much of which is from Theodore Alexander’s Castle Bromwich collection (pictured). Each piece in this collection is handcrafted with reclaimed antique hard wood from architectural savage. The designs are inspired by Castle Bromwich Hall, a 16th century Elizabethan Manor house. Theodore Alexander himself owns Castle Bromwich, and he’s currently working to restore it to its original splendor. Stop in any one of our locations to browse items from the collection!

Fabric vs. Leather

Avery Settee by Sam Moore

The 1990's called, and they want their sofa back, honey! Once you've established that you need new living room furniture, you may be pondering which is better: fabric or leather. We're here to help you make that decision. 

Are you shopping for color? If you've answered, yes, chances are you want fabric. While some companies such as Comfort Design offer custom leather choices and hues, the options are still limited. If you're looking for unrestricted territory, geometric patterns, and bold hues, you want fabric. Fabric is not only less expensive (in most cases) than leather, it comes in a variety of grades. If you can dream it, you can do it with upholstery. Most of the time. Sam Moore is a division of Hooker Furniture with classic and modern styles of upholstery carried by Rug & Home. You can purchase upholstery in many different staple pieces around the home: accent chairs, sofas, settees, dining chairs, ottomans, benches, etc. Because these are customize-able you can add patterns to transition them through different areas of your home while still maintaining function. Some people prefer to have the accessories make the statement, while others prefer for their furniture to create the look of the home. What's your style? 

Fabric Is:

• Usually less expensive
• Available in a wide range of colors and patterns
• Never sticky
• Amenable to re-upholstering
• Soft and cozy for sleeping and lying around

Fabric Isn’t:

• Easy to clean
• Spill or dirt resistant
• Non-absorbent
• Durable
• Odor resistant

Leather Is:

• Durable
• Easy to clean and non-absorbent
• Doesn’t hold dust or hair (good for people with allergies)
• A natural material
• Often associated with wealth
• Better with age
• Easy to repair

Leather Isn’t:

• Cheap
• Available in a wide range of colors and patterns
• Always comfortable because it absorbs heat
• Soft and cozy for sleeping or lying around

Leather is known to be a favorite of families because it's "easy to clean." While this is true in

Fairview Recliner by Comfort Design

most cases, keep in mind that leather has to be conditioned periodically and still there are several grains of leather. Leather has become more versatile with custom colors like seen in this Fairview recliner by Comfort Design. Manufacturers have also gotten very crafty at making what once was a bulky leather favorite, look so sleek that your wife will happily place it in her living room instead of annexing it to man-land. Leather traditionally maintains its shape longer than upholstered furniture. Some leathers also age with beauty. Most of you know that leather temperature changes with body heat so it can be hot or cold to the touch depending on where you place it in the home. It is also usually more costly than fabric pieces, but some say it's worth the investment. Really, there is no right or wrong answer to which option you choose. Every home has different needs and with so many vendors to cater to those needs, there is something out there for everyone!

Written by: Samantha Palacio

Feng Shui for your Floors

Rizzy Home Dimensions

To fill our world with happiness and fulfillment, we strive to get ahead, find love, laugh and stay healthy. Part of that satisfaction comes from making our homes comfortable. It’s true: the colors and patterns in your home can affect your world. You can create an environment to help you be happy and fulfilled in your home by incorporating a little feng shui into your decorating plan.

Feng shui (pronounced fung schway) is the ancient Chinese technique of arranging your surroundings to bring you into harmony with the natural order of things. Feng shui operates on design principles. By adding certain colors to a room or rearranging your furniture, you can bring prosperity, peace, fame, wisdom, creativity, and well-being into your life.

There are five basic elements in nature that compose the feng shui practice: fire, metal, water, wood, and earth. Each carries complementary shapes and colors to bring desired effects. Incorporate those colors and shapes accordingly, and you can immediately begin to feel the changes in your life. By following a few simple beliefs of the practice, you can create peace in places you currently find distress.

Adding a new rug, for example, can help you achieve your desired results. The contemporary rug collections from manufacturers like Kas and Oriental Weavers provide a wide range of color palettes to choose from.

Rizzy Home Jupiter

Look for a rug that uses bright red, orange, or purple in triangular shapes to tap into the elements of fire and bring more passion and emotion into your relationships. A white rug or one that incorporates metallic gray in circular patterns grabs the properties of metal to give you strength and stronger feelings of independence.

A black rug with curvy lines in blue is an ideal way to provide inspiration in your office. If you want to grow your business, consider a green or teal rug with square patterns on it. Use earth tones for stability and grounding. The rug that will most settle your senses and help you face reality is yellow or brown and also relies on square patterns. Many hand-knotted Orientals rely on browns and yellows and produce some of the most comforting styles in the feng shui tradition.

In addition to color and shapes, consider placement when you bring your new rug home. After a feng shui

Rizzy Home Tango in Lime

expert analyzes your space, the result is a bagua, or placement map, that explains each section of your space. For example, according to the general principles of a bagua, laying a rug in the center of your room adds to your well-being and balance.

A new rug as a centerpiece is ideal when you’re in need of healing or are preparing for a daunting athletic event, especially when you gravitate toward the warm yellow and brown earth tones. Attract new love into your life by placing a red rug in the room furthest from your front door on the right side of your house. Increase your cash flow by placing a resplendent purple rug in the opposite end of your house.

Enjoy added benefits when you decorate your home or office with an eye toward feng shui designs and techniques. A new rug might be all it takes to fill your world with happiness and fulfillment.

For more on bringing Feng Shui into your home, visit our friends at HGTV and view this article on how to “Create a Feng Shui Home.”