Wilton rugs

I asked Des about Wilton rugs:

The word “Wilton” refers to the type of weaving method used to produce the rugs displayed on our website. “Wilton” is one of the oldest machine-made weaving crafts and is renowned for the ability to produce carpets and rugs in the finest worsted yarns and also in the highest yarn density.

This means that the “Wilton” weaving method can produce a very high quality pencil point design definition which will not only look better, but will also maintain those good looks because the yarn density will wear better.

All of the rugs offered on our website are produced by the “Wilton” weaving method which is a mark of quality.

Mouse Rugs and bits & bobs

Some Sunday rug witterings…

Something I noticed quite a while ago was mouse mats in the style of a rug; finally I bought one a few months ago on eBay – after getting fed up of my mouse slipping and missing on the desk top or having to mess about with it all the time.

The plan had also been to buy one for each of my clients for Christmas, however the one I have is not really up to gift standard – the base is a bit scrappy. But as a mouse mat, it’s wonderful – the best I’ve used. While not of a tufted design (which I was expecting for some reason) it is in fact a woven, almost silky ribbon type of construction. And certainly something that Des would like – must order one for him!

Without the foam base it would be a treat for any doll’s house, although my daughter makes do quite happily with a few of the rug samples kindly given to us by Des, and with some brightly coloured card.

I think the shaggy rugs would be a bit much and drown the inabitants! Though a sample from a rejected shaggy rug range (it is just not in the same league as the one Des did decide to sell) is welcome underfoot at my desk.  Which reminds me to photograph some of our new shaggy rugs for the website too!

If you want to try a mouse rug yourself, visit some of the websites from this search

Rug thickness information

We have had a number of recent requests from customers regarding the thickness of our rugs although we do already provide quality specification details on our rugs Information page. We provide details such as the pile density, the tuft points per square metre and also the weight of our individual rug qualities.

What we had not provided however is the thickness of the rugs which to most customers means the overall height of the rug from the back to the top of the pile. Our customers have pointed out that this information is important as it clearly conveys the expectation of sitting comfort for the rug.

One lady explained that her young child would be sitting and playing on the rug and she wanted to be sure that the rug offered comfort and support.

Another customer said that the overall rug height was very important as she needed to know that there was sufficient clearance when she opened the door into the room to avoid contact with the rug.

These are very practical and understandable reasons to provide this information and therefore we have listed the overall rug heights as follows:

• Palace – 15mm or 3/5ths”
• Kazakhstan – 13.5mm or 5/9ths”
• Regency- 14.5mm or 4/7ths”
• Horizon – 14mm or 4/7ths”
• Shaggy – 50mm or 2.0″ (it is wonderfully deep and thick)
• Royal Wilton – 16mm or 5/8ths”
• Exellan Modern – 16mm or 5/8ths”
• Exellan Traditional – 16mm or 5/8ths”
• Simply Black – 14mm or 4/7ths”
• Mayfair – 17mm or 7/10ths”

Shaggy rugs – new

The first of the new rugs for 2008 have now been added to the website.

Two new colours in the shaggy rugs range – a sumpuous grey and a gorgeous black.

As well as these, now you can buy round shaggy rugs in the ivory, red, chocolate, natural mix, and the new black and grey!

Woven rugs

I asked Des about the difference between some of the types of rugs:

“There are two distinct types of woven rugs, but both may exhibit similar design styles which customers may loosely refer to as Oriental or Persian designs. These designs are commonly known as – Kazak, Herati, Agra, Sarouk, Bidjar, Gulturk, Belouch, Hamadan, Tehran, Shiraz, Kashan, Afghan and indeed many more.

The original woven products were, and still are hand-made products and some of these can be extremely expensive depending on the weave concentration, the design complication and also the finished size of the rug. I would strongly advise all customers who are considering a purchase of a hand-made rug to inspect the product before purchase. The reason that I say this is because many such rugs may have weaving faults which are not obvious on an online image. If the retailer does not have a returns policy that is sympathetic then a customer could be stuck with an expensive problem. The argument from some retailers of such rugs, that weaving faults are an enhancing feature, is absolute nonsense. A wise buyer of hand-made rugs will always inspect first, and I have seen many rugs rejected by such buyers – I have seen a whole stack of perhaps thirty pieces deliver only four or five good rugs. The Internet is a great way to get rid of problem hand-made rugs to an unsuspecting consumer. The hand-made rug industry is also known to involve children in the production process although some will never admit this.

Machine Made woven rugs, which are the only type that we sell, can be made to exacting specification consistency. When made in this manner there is in fact little room for error and the end product is reliable and regular. In fact, you get what you see and what you pay for, time after time. These rugs are woven on modern, sophisticated computer-controlled weaving machines that dictate reliable finish and product control. This method can reproduce any of the original designs formerly associated with the hand-made industry.”

Rugs – what to do with a rug you no longer want…

When you’ve bought your lovely new rugs, what then for your old one?  There are a surprising number of options:

1. If your rug is in good condition, you could offer it to your local, reputable charity shop, or on your local Freecycle – it may suit someone else, and certainly with the latter they’re likely to collect.
2. For rugs in not-so-good condition – perhaps a local animal shelter, kennels or cattery could make use of it.
3. How about cutting a piece for foot mats in your car or to line the boot?
4. Campers and caravanners – would the rug be useful for you – cut to suit your tent/caravan?
5. Rugs can be useful in the garden – as a mulch to suppress weeds, between rows of plants too, and on top of a compost heap a rug can help to maintain balanced moisture levels. If you cannot use your old rug in this way, perhaps your local allotment group could.
6. Use your old rug in the loft as additional heat insulation, and in this way it will continue to provide warmth and comfort in your home.
7. If you are building a garden pond area, then an old rug is absolutely ideal as an underlay for your pond liner and may prevent sharp objects from piercing the liner.

Taking a rug or carpet to your local recycling centre is not likely to be welcomed; being made of a variety of fibres makes it difficult to separate for recycling.

Hopefully the above offers you some options for your old rug, once your new rugs have been delivered.

Rugs and cats…

Chatting with a customer recently, Des discussed the following issue for cat owners with rugs.

Fringed rugs – irresistable to a cat; be aware that if you buy a fringed rug, your cat is going to be very pleased with you for providing this length of toy for them to play with.

Also having a loop-piled rug is not a good idea. It can be absolutely heartbreaking to buy a beautiful new rug and to find that it has been severely damaged by your cat within just a few days of purchase.

All cats will sharpen or stretch their claws, and all healthy cats will find a fringe an irresistible target.

This advice would also apply to furniture and to other textile materials in the home such as curtains and cushions.

So we suggest cat owners you avoid fringes and loop-pile rugs