Seville Collection Red/Ivory Medallion Kashan Rug from iFurn.com
Folks, the era of wall-to-wall carpet is over.
Some of you may remember when that specification was actually a selling point on houses and apartments. This, I believe, stems from the awful flooring that was available to our grandmothers and great-grandmothers in the Victorian and Edwardian eras and the Depression. Unsanded boards. Canvas. Oilcloth. Linoleum. Matting. This is what these women lived with and what they remember their female relatives talking about. The rise of area rugs, specifically oriental or faux-oriental rugs was born of the need to cover unsightly floors.
Yet these rugs came with their own problems.
One of the issues these urban-dwelling folks had to deal with was rampant pollution. Soot, gas (from the gas-lamp era), and an appalling composition of dirt sifting down every day made the middle-class housewife’s relationship with her rugs perhaps an ambivalent one.
- Dr. Tom’s Vacuums: A History of the Vacuum Cleaner
Ever beat a rug?
You have to horse a massive, stiff, unwieldy carpet up over a line or rail and then spend a very long time delivering a Serena Williams forehand to both sides, coughing and squinting against the dust that your labors raise.
So when post World-War II technology came about that made wall-to-wall carpet available, it was seen as a mark of success–no more beating rugs–no more cold floors. The selling point was convenience married with luxury.
And now wall-to-wall carpet is ubiquitous. You can’t get away from it. If you’re a renter, you know that most of the time it comes in plain, inoffensive, bland oatmeal. Sometimes you might be surprised by something left over from a careless or eccentric housing contractor, who perhaps thought that bright blue shag would be a good idea.
Wealthy homeowners and serious DIYers are opting for hardwood floors–no more wall-to-wall carpet. And while hardwood floors do look fabulous, we’re back to some of the same issues as we were a hundred years ago.
- It’s cold in the mornings
- Wear and tear
- Monotony
What’s a home decorator to do? Take a page out of the Edwardian decorator’s book and go with area rugs.
But wait! you say. You just got done telling me about what a pain these rugs were!
Right–rugs from the 19th century were a pain.
Tate Multicolor Grid Rug at iFurn.com
Today, area rugs are:
- Affordable
- Diverse in sizes and designs
- Adaptable
- Portable
- Easier to clean
And if you love the idea of area rugs, but still have wall-to-wall carpeting, don’t think twice. With the right color choice, an area rug can accent a carpeted room just as well as a room floored in oak or maple.
Don’t think you’re limited just to the intricate designs of traditional rugs, either. Today’s designs are more eclectic than ever, to meet any decorator’s needs. Southwestern? Easy. Edgy geometrics? You got it. Madcap retro with velvet bullfighters on the wall? Say the word!
Area rugs act as punctuation. They can frame entryways, define living spaces, and direct attention toward or away significant pieces. With today’s technology making hardwood floors more available and wall-to-wall carpet less of a necessity, this darling of your grandmother’s and great-grandmother’s day is going to claim its own piece of the 21st century!
If you’re interested in these or other area rugs, please visit us at iFurn.com.
If you’re interested in Victorian decor and decorating, have a look at
Authentic Victorian Floors from Suite101.com
and
Victorian Interiors and More at Blogspot.com
Emerald Mocha Scroll with Flowers Rug from iFurn.com
