What's In: Glamour & Easy Elegance
New International Style Trends In Floor Covering Are Now At Rug Rats

There is only one event that draws over 1000 exhibiters with the latest fashions in floor covering. Retailers, distributors, and installers have all proclaimed Surfaces as the world’s premier flooring tradeshow. Even architects, designers and builders flock there for inspiration. You don’t have to travel to the show to see flooring that will leave you awestruck. The latest trends, from around the world, are now at Rug Rats.

Think Rich

“Color” is the word. Of the many hues, the combination of deep blues and chocolate browns dominates many lines. This classic duo is beautiful, tailored and timeless. It can be placed anywhere and complements almost any pattern. This particular collection offers looks from small-scale geometric motifs to meandering vines. Wine is another popular color choice this season. This rich color rounds out the color trend that favors deep, muted colors.

Bigger (And Fluffier) Is Better

Shag carpets are getting bigger and fluffier. In fact, texture is being used in all flooring. Cut and loop and tone-on-tone designs add an additional flair to carpets. Flat weaves are being used as well.

Go Natural

Sisal and Jute have been in this country for over 200 years. The natural floor covering is a great background for any decor. The soft feel of wool allows us to surround ourselves with luxury. As a a renewable resource, it is also environmentally friendly. Linen is making a comeback as well. The fiber, when used with wool, makes an unbeatable combination. Now that color is being infused into these natural floor coverings, they are certain to remain in style.

Several lines at the Surfaces tradeshow incorporate color, texture and fiber trends beautifully.

Prestige Mills introduced Missoni’s new line of broadloom. Umbria (pictured to the left) is a striped pattern featuring alternating bands of color in different widths. Mikonos (pictured to the right) is inspired by one of Missoni’s most popular area rugs, that features multicolor squares.

Stanton’s Enchantment line offers velvety hand-carved wilton in seven colors. The Shalimar collection offers luxury and high style in a collection of scrolls, medallions, trellis and floral vines. Deep chocolate, green, black, red, and earth tones abound.

Louis De Poortere’s The Alpha Concept is perfect for those that seek beauty and originality for their homes. Created to break the rules of traditional floor covering, The Alpha Concept is stylish, simple and flexible. The line consists of broadloom and area rugs. A new stair runner (pictured to the right) was also introduced that is best described as “wild.”

Rug Rats Sale Special: Place any order by April 30th, 2006 and receive 10% off!

If you pay by check receive another 2%. Please mention this ad.

Need sample swatches? E-mail Rug Rats. We will send samples the same day!

Rug Rats’ Dictionary

Do you ever get confused by the difference between rugs and carpets? Be stumped no more! Rug Rats has your definitions.

Rug (rug) n. A rug is 6' x 9' or smaller piece of fabric.

Carpet (kar'pit) n. A carpet is anything larger than 6' x 9'.

Carpeting (kar'piting) n. Wall to wall flooring.

The Runners Are Coming

Be on the lookout for April’s Style Companion featuring runners. The colors, textures and warm elegance of runners give hallways and corridors a welcoming air. Whether it is in a formal or casual setting, runners perfect any look. This Couristan Chateau de Balleroy runner with Heritage Collection Stair Rods in Antique Pewter is the perfect example.

You Can Hand Paint A Sisal Rug: Find Out How Easy It Is!

You don’t have to be Picasso to paint your sisal rug. Sisal Painting is easy and fun. With a little imagination and effort, you will have flooring that you created yourself!

Supplies

Rug - You will need a finished sisal rug. It is available in pre-made sizes from stores or catalogs like Pottery Barn. You can also purchase and have it custom sized and cut from stores like Rug Rats.
Stencil - You can easily make this yourself. We use poster board and draw the pattern directly on it, or use an overhead projector (some libraries and schools have these) to copy the pattern on it. Stencils are available for ordering at companies like www.stencilease.com, which specializes in floor stencils. You can also send your pattern idea, scanned image, wallpaper, picture or anything else that you want for a pattern to www.panedexpressions.com. Let them know the size you want and any other specifications. They will send you a rendering by e-mail. The actual pattern will follow.

Instructions

If you are making your own stencil, cut it out and lay it on the sisal using pushpins to keep it in place. Now you're ready to paint!
Rug Rats uses acrylic paint available at art stores or even Wal-Mart’s craft department. These paints are slightly thick. Add a little water to it until it has the consistency of gravy.
With a regular, inexpensive paintbrush, paint your cut out areas. The sisal will drink the paint, so it may take several coats to get the color depth that you want.
Let the paint dry, or become tacky, and set.
Lift your pattern up and place it at the next section. If you are making a simple stencil, like a single flower or design that is repeated along the edge, make several repeat designs about a foot long. You will paint one foot, let it dry, then lift the pattern and paint it again, on the next section until you have completed it all around.

For pictures of hand painted sisal rugs by Rug Rats, click here.

Rug Rats
318 North Main St. Farmville, VA 23901
434-392-7068
rugrats@rugratsva.com