Attraction of unique carpets grows

Households and organisations that install carpets in their Chester, Wrexham and North Wales rooms have a wide range of patterns and colours to choose from, but some now want unique designs.

For example, the pub chain Wetherspoons has individually designed carpets in each of its over 800 pubs. These carpets are made by a well-known carpet manufacturer who weaves the carpets with designs that feature local images. It is estimated that each carpet costs £24,000.

FLAT’N, based in Cologne, Germany, takes plain wool carpets and uses digital printing to paint a design on them. It specialises in designing and producing bespoke carpets for business clients. Its print technology embeds dyes deep within the carpet pile to make the carpets durable and able to withstand a lot of wear and tear in high-footfall environments.

Bespoke carpets are expensive. A less costly alternative is to use carpet tiles in various colours and lay them in a unique pattern. In theory, it’s possible to make your own carpets, but this requires a high degree of skill and specialised machinery. A more practical do-it-yourself way to make a floor unique is to purchase a rug loom and make an original design rug that is laid it on the main carpet. Some people make attractive rugs from old cushions, clothes, sheets or other used fabrics.

You don’t need a bespoke carpet to make a room look unique. The particular combination of a quality carpet, decor colour, furniture, objects on shelves and art on the walls makes any room feel individual.

Bio-based carpets sales forecast to grow significantly

A report by Coherent Market Insights titled “Bio-based Carpet Market” forecasts that sales of bio-based carpets will grow during the next five years.

Carpets come in two main types, synthetic and bio-based. Carpets made from synthetic materials include nylon and polyester. Bio-based carpets are made from natural fibres such as jute, wool and seagrass, and the report predicts bio-based carpets will have a compound annual growth rate of 5.45% during the period 2021 to 2026.

The sales growth is due to many consumers wanting more natural and sustainable materials in their homes. The recent COP26 climate change talks in Glasgow focused people on making more environmentally friendly choices when buying goods for their homes.

Wool carpets in Chester and North Wales properties are popular with people who want floor coverings made from environmentally friendly natural fibres without compromising on the look, durability and luxurious feel of wool. There are many pure wool carpets available that don’t use chemicals and additives during the manufacturing process. This makes them suitable for allergy sufferers with chemical sensitivities. Some wool carpets are coloured using dyes, but there are non-dyed wool carpets available.

Seagrass and jute carpets, for example, are available undyed. These bio-based carpets are eco-friendly and suitable for allergy sufferers.

Wool carpets are not suitable for high-moisture areas, such as kitchens and bathrooms, where they could be infected by mildew and mould. They are suitable for living rooms, stairs, hallways and bedrooms.

There are some environmentally friendly synthetic carpets. For example, ECONYL fibre is made from a mixture of regenerated nylon and recycled waste materials.

Artist turns carpets into works of art

South Florida artist Florencia Clement de Grandprey is turning carpets into art by painting pictures on them.

De Grandprey takes large rugs and carpets and spends around a month creating a work of art. She also makes 3D paintings featuring paint, fabric samples and mixed media. Her carpet paintings were inspired by a desire to paint on a much larger scale, but using easily transportable media. Carpets and rugs were her solution, as they can be rolled up for transportation. She incorporates the patterns of the carpets as part of her art.

Though de Grandprey likes depicting faces, she is not available for commissions to paint family portraits on carpets. She has created a series of carpet paintings that she calls “Guardians of Sacred Space”, which features faces of people of different ethnicities. She told WSVN 7News that:

“I always try to represent different ethnicities, nationalities, just different looks, because I feel that everyone needs to be represented.”

The artist’s carpet paintings are inspired by a desire to empower people by reminding them of their inner warrior. The carpets are not for walking on, but are instead to be hung on the wall like other works of art.

If households are tired of either plain or patterned carpets in their Chester and North Wales homes, it’s unlikely that there are local artists willing to change them by turning them into works of art. An easier solution is to choose a new carpet from the wide range of patterns and colours available from a local carpet retailer.

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.