Rug Blog!

The saga of gorgeous Karastan area rugs began in a North Carolina mill during the 1920’s. Marshall Field & Co. created an exciting and innovative product that really was a revolution in the industry—machine-made oriental rugs. Specifically, the first Karastan rug came off the loom at 2:02 p.m., April 8, 1928. The company’s  goal was to make high-quality rugs at affordable prices, and if you know anything about modern Karastan area rugs, you’re sure to see they’ve really lived up to that mantra. These elegant new rugs were almost impossible to distinguish from the highly expensive, imported rugs.

They were introduced by Wanamaker’s New York department store in 1928 and the brand was born. At the time, the advanced manufacturing process was referred to in trade papers as “Mystery Rugs”. To shed some light the “mystery” for the public, Karastan created a large version of its Kirman pattern for the 1933 World’ Fair in Chicago. But instead of putting it in a glass display, Karastan invited attendees to walk on it. More than 5 million people left their footprints, spills, and food stains all over the rug. They cleaned half the rug so people could truly witness it’s recovery. They then became known as “The Wonder Rugs of America”.

We've talked a lot on this blog about how karastan area rugs and carpets are an eco-friendly choice for home decorating. That's because it means a lot to us that our product is helping reduce the carbon footprint on our planet.

This week we thought we'd identify some of the natural, sustainable materials that might be found in your karastan area rugs. In addition to cotton and wool, there are some exotic plants that lend their fibers to protect the environment and your feet.

Bamboo is one of the best renewable resources, as it grows very quickly. Where an oak tree takes 120 years to grow to maturity, bamboo can be harvested in three.

Jute is a type of plant fiber grown in India, Bangladesh and China. The thread created from jute is quite strong, and it is among the cheapest of natural fibers available.

Seagrass is an entirely aquatic marine flowering plant. It grows in large meadows in areas of shallow water.

Sisal comes from a cactus plant called Agave sisalana that grows in Africa and Brazil.

Karastan area rugs are eco-friendly, hard-wearing, lost lasting, and now you know how exotic they just might be!

This is a love letter to Karastan carpet. It begins with a promise we made ourselves. When we bought our old house, our credo was that we would be present, appreciative of the past, mindful of tomorrow. We committed that every improvement we made would be responsible environmentally, even if it cost more or took us longer.

Well, it took a long time. Some parts of the process cost a lot of money. It was not always easy to appreciate, say, the previous owner's love for birds as pets, when all the scraping away of bird...eh, guano, still didn't eliminate the smell from the floorboards of what we planned to use as our nursery. By the time we were sure it was gone, the floorboards were pretty beat up, and so were we.

Then we discovered Karastan carpet. Made from a renewably sourced polymer, produced with readily available agricultural materials, not to mention beautiful--this was not the shag carpet of our childhood. Plus, we found it online at a pretty incredible discount.

Our feet are happy, too. There's a lot less crying over splinters with Karastan carpet in the house.

Green’s the buzz word of the moment, and it’s no secret that the greener, the better. If you’ve already gone green in lots of ways – you reject plastic bags, use energy efficient light bulbs, recycle your cans, use solar-powered water – consider going green with your home décor as well.

One of the most obvious ways to create a healthy and green environment is to get rid of any synthetic plants and flowers (which collect dust) and bring in real greenery, which can cleanse the air you breathe. Choose lilies, Chinese bamboo or rubber plants, which have glossy leaves that are easy to wipe clean.

Choose natural fabrics wherever possible to decorate your home. Many Karastan area rugs are made with recycled, sustainable and biodegradable materials such as corn-based polymers and carry the CRI Green Label Plus certificate. Wool carpeting is another environmentally friendly option.

For curtains, stay away from polyester and synthetic materials; choose thick organic cotton or 100% linen draperies. Wool plaids, silks and hemp also make good materials for draperies. In the bedroom, stick with cotton sheets or sheets made of bamboo – you’ll be amazed at how luxurious they feel!

When you need to clean your carpeting flooring, be kind to your health and the environment by using homemade cleaners such as vinegar or bi-carbonate of soda to remove stains, rather than toxic detergents.

Think rugs are only for libraries, sitting rooms, television rooms and bedrooms? Think again. Karastan area rugs are practical in all rooms of the house, including the kitchen.

Kitchen rugs can be rectangular, oval, circular or square-shaped and are an inexpensive way to add some color to one of the most-used spaces in your home.

Rugs are usually placed under the kitchen table or in the sink or dishwasher area to cushion your feet when you’re standing while cooking or sitting and dining. Kitchen rugs are useful in that they can prevent dent marks from appearing on cork or vinyl tile flooring if a knife or other sharp object is dropped and can soak up spills and prevent slips.

Always make sure kitchen rugs are made of a resilient and durable material since they’ll receive a lot of foot traffic; a rug made of polypropylene fibers is a good choice. Choose kitchen rugs that are machine washable so they can be easily washed if stains happen, and make sure rugs have a good rubber backing so that they stay firmly in place and don’t cause trips or falls.

Area rugs will collect dirt and dust, so make sure you vacuum them regularly or just give them a good beat and shake outside.

Want some new carpet but don’t want to make a big ecological footprint? That’s where Karastan carpet comes in.

Many Karastan carpets allow you to live green because they’re produced using eco-friendly practices and are made with recycled and sustainable materials like recycled rubber, wool and renewably sourced polymers. Karastan's woven wool carpets have renewable and biodegradable qualities and are naturally hard-wearing. Karastan carpets are CRI Green Label Plus (GLP) certified and contribute to LEED points, so they improve the comfort as well as the health of your home - and the environment.

Karastan SmartStrand carpet is made from renewably-sourced, readily-available agricultural materials such as corn-based polymers, DuPont Sorona, so it's good for the environment and good for you. Karastan SmartStrand is eco-friendly while also tough, durable, naturally stain-resistant, beautiful, and soft and comfortable underneath your feet. SmartStrand carpets are made using 30% less energy than regular carpet and less CO2 emissions occur during production.

For a fantastic range of eco-friendly Karastan carpeting flooring at warehouse prices, check out Boro Rug today.

Carpet, area rugs, vinyl or laminate? So many carpeting flooring options to choose from. Let’s take a look at the benefits of each.

Carpet is one of the most popular flooring choice and represents the “fifth wall” in the house. The possibilities are almost unlimited when it comes to colors, styles and textures. Carpets are easy to care for, provide sound insulation, and act as an insulator against heat and cold. Carpet is safe, durable, comfortable, and can even improve indoor air quality by trapping potential allergens.

Area Rugs add an element of warmth and softness to any room. Area rugs are highly versatile and can serve to unify or separate rooms. Rugs add color and vitality to spaces and may be hand-knotted or machine-made. Whether it’s an Oriental or Persian rug, a classic French check rug or a contemporary animal-print rug, area rugs are sure to lend personality to your room.

Vinyl and Laminate flooring looks great, is easy to clean and maintain, and is highly durable with scratch resistant, fade resistant, and water resistant properties. Vinyl tile flooring offers numerous design possibilities and replicates the beauty of wood, stone, ceramic, metals and other natural materials.

I have a confession to make. I’m a lazy fraud. I have hardwood floors, and I hate sweeping them. I mean, I had to do it every day to keep them looking clean. It’s terrible having to rub your feet together before you crawl into bed to get the dirt and crumbs off of them, so that you don’t drag the dirt into your bed.

So I decided to buy a karastan carpet. Karastan area rugs are perfect because they don’t allow for the visibility of dirt, and they can be vacuumed, which is much preferable to sweeping. Plus, they fill up the space of a room, making it cozier and homier.

I don’t have to work as hard to keep my apartment clean, and it looks much better with a karastan carpet, warmer, and overall more elegant. When I invite lady friends over, they are always so impressed with my interior decoration, saying “My, what a lovely dining room you have, it’s all tied together so well. “ And I say, “But of course, my dear. Did you expect me to simply have dirty wooden floors?” Embarrassed, they always reply, “Of course not, it’s just that you’ve done such a lovely job with these - are they Karastan area rugs?” Why yes, my dear, yes they are.

Persian carpeting flooring is a key part of Persian culture. These distinctive carpets and rugs are one of the most well known facets of Persian culture and art and stem from ancient times (as far back as 500 B.C.). Iranian carpets are considered to be some of the finest in the world and are a beautiful addition to any home or office.

The carpet industry in Iran engages some 5 million workers and produces carpets for international and domestic markets. One of the largest Persian carpets is the "Carpet of Wonder" in Muscat in the Sultanate of Oman; at 4343 square meters, it took four years, 600 workers and 12 million man hours of work to complete!

Persian carpets are traditionally hand-made of tightly woven wool and feature symmetrical knots ("Turkish" or "Ghiordes") or asymmetrical knots ("Persian" or "Senneh"). Carpet designs are usually symmetrical, and common motifs include Boteh, Gul, Herati, Mina-Khani, Rosette and Shah Abbasi.

Persian Karastan area rugs feature an array of intricate and colorful patterns, designs and motifs — everything from historic Islamic buildings and monuments, spirals, flowers, vases, stripes and geometrics to panel, paisley, tree and fish patterns.

If you want a huge range of choice when it comes to carpeting, look no further than Karastan area rugs. Karastan rugs come in almost every shape, style, color and pattern imaginable, so you’re bound to find something that suits your home décor.

Colors range from beige, brown, black, gray, blue and green to purple, red/rust, white/ivory and yellow/gold. Round and rectangular rugs are available, as well as runners and continuous runners. Choose from a wide range of patterns and styles, including contemporary, traditional/Persian, animal prints, casual, check/plaid/stripe, trellis and floral.

Here are some of our favorite Karastan carpet rugs:

Red French Check – Made of 100% New Zealand wool, this rug is perfect for a children’s playroom or a classic bedroom filled with wooden furniture.

Bistro – Sunny and cheery, and packed with patchwork and floral designs, the Bistro rug is perfect for a cozy sitting room crowded with books, artwork and other treasures.

Mystical Zebra – Made of premium Karalon nylon, this animal print rug captures the adventure and drama of the African savanna, and is a perfect showpiece in a minimalist home.

There are many easy ways to keep your carpeting flooring and commercial carpeting clean and in good condition. Proper care of your carpet can keep it looking new for years to come.

Firstly, each carpet is cleaned differently, depending on whether it is made of wool, acrylic, nylon, silk, polyester, Polypropylene or synthetics. Each type may require specific detergents and products, so you should always check your manufacturer’s recommendations.

If you have a stain on your carpet, never rub it, just blot it. Rubbing can wear down the fibers in the carpeting flooring. Club soda is generally effective in removing stubborn red wine stains.

Oil, grease, magic marker and ink stains can be harder to remove. Products like DeSolvit and Orange Clean can be helpful, as well as rubbing alcohol.

If you have gum stuck in your carpet, freeze the gum by covering it with ice cubes, then chip off as much gum as you can with a kitchen knife. Products like DeSolveit can remove the rest.

Finally, vacuum your carpet regularly to remove dirt and sand, which can wear away at carpet and cause it to flatten more quickly. To keep your carpet in really good condition, consider kicking off your shoes at the front door and going barefoot or wearing socks or indoor slippers.

Just like a sweater or pair of pants, the quality and feel of carpeting flooring is largely determined by its composition. If you’re looking for a new Karastan carpet, it’s important to explore all of your options before choosing your materials.

Acrylic
This affordable fiber holds up well to mildew and mold, but can wear out over time. Karastan often blends acrylic with wool to combine the benefits of each material.

Nylon
Another economical option, nylon is known for its resilience to crushing and stains, in addition to its soft texture. For this reason, Karastan carpet often features nylon components.

Polyester
This material is great for brightly colored carpeting flooring and is practically invulnerable to water-soluble stains. Karastan gets all of its polyester yarn from a modern recycling plant.

Polypropylene
Say that three times fast! This material, developed from propylene gas, is primarily durable, however it tends to flatten easily.

Smartstrand
This amazing technology uses renewable polymer to create truly sustainable carpeting flooring. What’s not to love?

Wool
You can’t talk about carpeting flooring without mentioning wool. This superstar is strong, comfortable, and easy to clean.

What if you could have all of the aesthetic appeal of ceramic tile flooring, but none of the hassle? With vinyl flooring, you can! Vinyl tile flooring is more affordable and comfortable than ceramic, and it’s easier to install. Plus, vinyl tile flooring is designed to look just like ceramic flooring, so your guests won’t even know the difference. Read on for more details on why so many homeowners are choosing vinyl tile flooring.

It’s Easy & Affordable

Unlike ceramic tile flooring, which requires expensive and time-consuming grouting, vinyl tile flooring is simple to install. Depending on the type, your vinyl flooring can be installed with full-spread trowel adhesive, built-in self-adhesive, or perimeter adhesive, all with an authentic-looking grout edge. This installation isn’t just convenient – it will lower your costs as well. And vinyl’s smooth service makes cleanup a breeze!

It’s Comfortable & Safe

When choosing carpeting flooring for your home, comfort and safety are huge factors to consider – and vinyl tile flooring excels in both of these areas. Vinyl feels warmer and softer than tile, which means you won’t mind walking or standing on it, even in bare feet. The softer surface will also cushion trips and falls, providing a safer flooring option for everyone in your family.

A lot of people think all carpeting is the same, but if you’re a business owner, you know better. There’s a big difference between a living room rug tasked to support a family of four, and carpeting flooring in a busy hotel or office lobby.

Let’s take a look at some of the qualities of top-notch commercial carpeting:

Durability: Visitors, clients, and even employees can sure do a number on commercial carpeting – what with all the tripping, running, and spilling that’s bound to occur. When shopping for carpeting flooring, look for stain-resistant fibers treated to withstand friction and dirt.

Neutrality: It’s rarely a good idea to use your commercial carpet to “make a statement” – unless your business is an art gallery, you want carpeting flooring that will appeal to everyone without distracting from the more important aspects of your business. Fortunately, wall-to-wall carpeting is available in a nearly limitless supply of colors and prints, giving you plenty of options to choose from.

Insulation: Quality commercial carpeting will save you money – and headaches – by insulating both temperature and sound. Whether you’re trying to keep your space warm or cool, or simply to cancel out the noisy floor below you, commercial carpeting flooring can help!

I have to admit, I go a little crazy over carpeting flooring. I’m not officially an interior decorator, but I might as well be. When my husband and I moved into our first home, I was excited about having the opportunity to buy rugs and carpets for every room of the house more than anything else!

I like to keep the look of our home updated and in line with the latest trends, so I change the rugs and décor from time to time. My latest obsession is decorating with Karastan area rugs because they come in such a chic range of colors and styles.

Our television room is currently exotic-looking in a Mystical Zebra animal-patterned rug – we have several potted plants in the room to add to the African feel. The rug is made of textured cut pile, so it feels so soft beneath bare feet.

We’ve fitted the dining room with a gorgeous English Manor Broadloom rug, which reflects the fashions of 18th century England. It’s deep red and blue, and made of 100% pure worsted New Zealand wool.

My favorite room is the bedroom – it's bright and sunny with a Collette Yellow rug embellished with delicate calico-style flowers. It’s just so cheery and goes so well with all our wooden furniture and cream-colored curtains.

With over 60 years of experience, Boro Rug & Carpet Warehouse is a leading provider of commercial, residential, and hospitality flooring. Whether you’re looking for an Oriental area rug for your living room or vinyl tile flooring for your hotel lobby, www.BoroRug.com offers the selection, prices, and customer service to fit your needs.

Choose versatile and durable wall-to-wall carpeting for your home or business, or soften a hallway or bedroom with a strategically placed area rug. Alternatively, you can invest in laminate or vinyl flooring to achieve the aesthetics of ceramic tiles and hardwood floors without any of the drawbacks, including expensive installation, scratching, and water damage.

But Boro Rug & Carpet Warehouse doesn’t just offer great flooring – we offer a great experience as well. We treat our customers to plentiful free parking right on the premises, in addition to a kiddie play area so your little ones will enjoy picking out new vinyl flooring as much as you do. We’ll even provide you with a talented interior decorator to help you make the best flooring choices for your home or business.

Stop by www.BoroRug.com today and start picking out your new carpeting flooring, area rugs, and laminate and vinyl tile flooring.