Historic Chinese carpet on sale for $4.6 million

A rare Ming dynasty carpet made in the 16th century is set to be the star item in an auction in Paris this month. It has been valued at $4.6 million, but could sell for more.

The carpet was woven for the Imperial Palace located inside the Forbidden City in Beijing. It features a pair of dragons and a seed pearl at the centre. It was originally laid on an elevated platform that supported the emperor’s throne, which was known as the “Son of Heaven” and signified that the emperor was connected to both the heavens and the earth.

Measuring 20 square metres, the carpet’s original red colour has faded to golden yellow, but this has not diminished the carpet's value. Hundreds of carpets were woven in 16th century China, but only 39 have survived. Just 16 depicting Imperial dragons are in existence – nine in the Beijing Palace Museum and seven owned by private individuals.

The Head of Oriental Rugs and Carpets at auctioneer Christies, Louise Broadhurst, said:

“Standing before such a carpet one cannot help but be transported back to the impressive palace interiors of the Ming Emperors. For this carpet to have survived in such remarkable condition is in itself a rare feat and we are honoured to offer this eminent work of art for sale.”

Carpets in Chester, Wrexham and North Wales homes are very popular and can be purchased for cost considerably less than a Ming dynasty carpet.

Which wood floor is right for you?

Wood has enjoyed the status of being a favoured floor choice for hundreds of years. While the hardwood flooring industry dates back to the 1600s, engineered wood floors came much later, during the 1960s. Neither option is superior to the other, but both possess their own unique advantages. Read on as we explore the lasting charm of wooden floors and some of the reasons why people seek to install these different products in their homes and premises.

What is the difference?

Hardwood, often referred to as solid wood flooring, consists of planks of timber that are nailed into place to create a room surface. Unlike solid wood, engineered boards are manufactured quite differently. Instead of simply sawing of a slice of wood and cutting it to the desired shape to make a plank, more work goes into creating an engineered board.

Rather than a single piece of timber, engineered boards are made of many layers of wood. Cheaper wood is used to create the lower layers, while a piece of real hardwood is glued on top. Once installed, only the real wood is visible, creating a flooring that looks similar to hardwood in appearance.

A tell-tale way to spot which floor is which when installed is by the width of its boards. A real wood floor will usually have much narrower floorboards than engineered wood.

Longevity

Hardwood flooring will beat an engineered floor in terms of how long it will last. Those extoling the virtues of a real wood floor will often remind buyers that a solid wood floor has been known to last longer than the walls of the buildings they’re fitted in.

Crafted from a solid piece of wood, hardwood floors can be sanded down and refinished multiple times during service. This process can rejuvenate their appearance, restoring their original look and feel. Engineered wood cannot complete this trick as many times during its lifespan, but it can still be refinished using this method at least once or twice before replacing it is required.

Price

Engineered flooring provides homeowners seeking a real wood experience at a lower cost with an excellent alternative to timber-boarded floors. While presenting the natural warmth and regal appearance of a hardwood floor, engineered boards are available at considerably lower costs.

Conditions

Engineered and hardwood floors can cope reasonably well with heat, but too much moisture can be an issue for both. The layers of engineered wood allow it to cope better with fluctuations in temperature, while a rigid wood floor can sometimes experience difficulty under extreme heat. Water spilled on wood flooring of any kind must be absorbed quickly and dried out thoroughly. Prolonged exposure to moisture can warp wood, lessening its appearance and causing long-lasting damage.

To sum up, both hardwood and engineered board flooring have their own benefits and share some of the same weaknesses. Before buying a wood floor of any kind, always consult and expert on what type is best for your home or business.

How do you pick flooring for kitchens?

As the room where we cook, eat and clean, many kitchens see considerable use. Over time, this makes it necessary for this area of our home to need refreshing. While sometimes, new tile work or painting is all that is needed to improve them, other kitchen refurbishments require drastic measures.

Kitchen floors must cope with heavy traffic in family homes, and even smaller households will need to manage water and food spills, along with dirt trodden in. When these floors start to show signs of wear, and repair is impossible, getting a replacement may be the only option.

In the following sections, we’ll look at some crucial considerations for when you’re picking out a new floor.

Budget

Everyone has a dream kitchen in mind, but affordability is often an issue. While you might love the look of tumbled Dijon limestone, picking an option that matches your budget is important. Fortunately, flooring is available in a wide range of materials to suit different price ranges.

Vinyl provides the most economical solution for kitchen floors, while laminate and luxury vinyl tile (LVT) are more upmarket yet affordable options. These last two solutions can be a suitable second choice when you have your heart set on wood or natural stone. Both LVT and laminate can perfectly mimic the look of these organic options – for a cost that’s considerably less.

Usage

How often your kitchen is used is also a factor. Busy homes packed with kids and pets will need a robust floor that can handle plenty of footfall. High-quality vinyl-based flooring is particularly hardwearing and can stand up to serious traffic while keeping its appearance.

If you rarely use your kitchen but want a stylish finish, you could opt for wood. However, kitchens must often cope with moisture, so consider engineered boards over hardwood. The multi-layer construction of engineered planks allows it to adapt much better when exposed to liquids, buts it’s still a wise move to mop any spills immediately to avoid damage.

Keeping it clean

Food is prepared and sometimes eaten in kitchens, requiring them to have high levels of hygiene. From everyday dirt dragged in on the feet and paws of family members to cooking stains and spills, kitchen flooring needs regular maintenance. With this in mind, it’s worth selecting a floor choice that’s easy to care for.

Vinyl is among the simplest to clean surfaces, as it requires no special cleaning fluids or equipment to maintain. Water-based cleaning completed with a mop is all that is required, as this option is entirely waterproof.

Style and colour

Laminate and vinyl are flexible options that offer an extensive selection of different looks. You’ll find intricate patterns, a rainbow of colours and even different textures and tones available. Having so much choice can be especially beneficial when you’re looking to match your new floor to existing units or appliances in a fitted kitchen.

With a wide array of possibilities offered, you’re sure to find just the right flooring required to suit your needs.

Versatility of striped carpets explained

According to House Beautiful Content Editor Rachel Edwards, striped carpets are very versatile.

Edwards said that the key to using striped carpets is to use ones with hues that fit with the room decor, complementing the colours of the wallpaper, paint and furniture. She said that striped carpets provide:

“Some clever visual effects to widen or elongate a room, and adding a touch of visual interest to a space. And whilst they require a bit more consideration than a plain carpet, they can make a bigger design statement.”

Stripes can be bold and eye-catching, or more subtle and lighter. Gentle, neutral colours are best for relaxed restful spaces, and bold rainbow stripes are good for areas where busy activities take place. Stripes can be narrow or wide, or they can vary in width. In small rooms, a simple striped carpet in three or fewer colours can change the perspective of a room, creating the illusion of extra space.

Striped carpets can be combined with geometric shapes or other patterns. Instinctively, many people think that mixing stripes with patterns does not work, but many carpet designs disprove this view.

Vertical stripes direct the eye to interesting room areas. For instance, they can highlight windows with outside garden views, or focus attention on an original fireplace.

Carpets in North Wales and Chester make homes feel warm and cosy. Many people prefer plain carpets as they are uncertain about striped designs, but as Edwards has argued, striped carpets can enhance the look of any room.

Perfect picks for playroom flooring

Playrooms at home provide little ones with their own area to use their imagination and play with toys and games in comfort. However, just like all built-for-purpose rooms, they have specific requirements to meet. In terms of flooring, the solution found must offer safety, while being durable, comfortable and simple to maintain when play time involves making a mess. Read on for some flooring options that are ideal for a kid’s playroom in your home.

Carpeting

Warm and soft to sit on, many playrooms use carpet. While tricky to clean and care for, a carpeted playroom ramps comfort levels for children. Little ones often kneel or sit on floors to play, and a carpet with thick, soft pile can have a cushioning effect. This can also be useful if they take a tumble during games, offering a softer landing than other floor choices.

As mentioned, carpet is not easy to maintain when it’s in constant use. Spilled drinks, paint spatters and other mess can take its toll. However, there are some solutions. You can buy a cheaper carpet, so it won’t be so pricey to replace when it gets too worn, but there is another option worth considering.

Carpet tiles offer a soft play area for kids, but are more affordable than wall-to-wall carpeting. They are also easy to care for, with simple vacuuming keeping them in good shape. If stains or spills happen, tiles can be swapped out for other in a less conspicuous spot or replaced entirely with a fresh one.

Vinyl floors

Vinyl flooring can be found in a wide range of colours and patterns. This can be perfect when you want it to match with your existing décor. However, with such bright colours available, why not choose a bright red, blue or yellow to really make it pop? If you’re looking to create a fun environment for playtime, vinyl can be an excellent option.

Vinyl is also one of the most affordable flooring options. In a room that is going to see a lot of use and may need replacing, this can make it a product worth considering. Vinyl is also incredibly hardwearing, which means you’ll see an excellent return on your investment. It also means that the floor you’ve chosen will be able to handle significant traffic and use when your kids have their friends over.

It’s exceptionally simple to clean too, with any mess easily washed away using water-based cleaning methods and non-specialist products.

Laminate floors

Finally, among the best suited floor options for playrooms is laminate. This kind of flooring is exceedingly durable, able to withstand plenty of everyday wear and tear. This means it can cope with scuffs and scratches, along with stains and spills. With a smooth finish, laminate provides a safe surface for kids to play on, and extra rugs or beanbags can add a little more comfort.

Easy to clean, laminate can be simply wiped down when accidents occur. It’s also incredibly versatile and can mimic real wood or natural stone, giving playrooms a stylish appearance.

With plenty of perfect flooring choices available, creating a comfortable and secure play area in your house is never a problem.