Styling revolution pts carpet center stage Carpet and rugs have stepped to center stage as the focal point for in- terior design. Today’s distinctive textures and patterns are pushing carpet and rugs to the forefront as an integral focus of an overall design scheme rather than as a neutral backdrop for other fur- nishings. “Today's shopper is looking for freshness and innovation,” said Pam O'Toole, carpet fashion coordinator for Shaw Industries. “The perception of carpet is changing as more styling options with unique textures, pat- terns and colors are available. There are literally thousands of different ‘looks’ on the market today.” Carpet with texture or soft patterns offers more fashion appeal and dis- tinctive styling. Layered color and texture mark a major shift in develop- ing unique products for the future. Texture and pattern are most popular in style because they minimize soil and vacuum marks. “When combined with chenille and velvet fabrics, styles like nubby loops and tonal patterns bring softness and comfort to the home,” said O'Toole. Distinctive applied and woven pat- terns are gaining a wider audience. Soft layered patterns in designs of leaves, trellises and flowers are im- portant because they are organic shapes that coordinate easily with other interior patterns. Today's weav- ing technology allows woven patterns to be rendered economically. Multicolored loops, cut/loop sur- faces and Berber-flecked styles fea- ture strong colors borrowed from commercial palettes that become flecks or accent tufts. Traditional sax- onies and textured saxonies offer the broadest selection of colors for con- sumers who prefer to make a “wall- to-wall color statement.” Neutral carpet doesn’t have to be “middle of the road.” While some con- sumers are choosing more “daring” carpet and rugs with floral, plaid, even houndstooth patterns, neutral carpet, especially Berber, is still a popular decorative floor covering choice. However, unlike the more simple, subdued Berbers of the early ‘O0s, traditionally neutral carpet is stepping out with more pizzazz. The carpet styles of today have evolved to be in keeping with con- summers’ interest in neutral design while addressing their growing love for texture and pattern. These mod- ern textures are allowing for height variation and sculptured effects once only associated with plush or velvet carpet. Does Your Bathroom Need Remodeling? Call About Our We Have 4 Bathroom Packages Available Starting At $1966.50 Kitchens By Kennedy Office & Showroom RR1 Box 249 Memorial Highway (Rt. 415) Out By Harvey’s Lake Dallas, PA 18612 (800) 776-9991 For those not comfortable choosing a bold, colorful floor pattern, today’s Berbers can provide visual interest underfoot with more extreme differ- ences in pile cut and thicker, deeper loop textures. Geometric squares fea- tured at multiple levels, diamond shapes and even waves create sur- faces that are pleasing to the eye and softer than ever. And color does not have to be so subtle to still be neutral. Many carpet manufacturers are producing Berbers and sisal look-alikes with the added flair of color sprinkled against a neu- tral background to add more dimen- sion and help mask spots and spills. Carpet even is being flecked with many different colors to create a tweed-like appearance that is practi- cal yet stylish. These flecks of color are not only being found in tan, beige and cream backgrounds, but also in “new neutrals” such as soft greens, pale yellows and shades of blue. Soft, liveable, comfortable, texture - the decorating focus for today Americans, at last, are not primari- ly thinking about resale value in their homes when they decorate. We are yearning for simplicity and casual- ness and want to make our homes softer and more livable and to express our own individuality in color and texture. This yearning will translate into both neutral colors for a calming effect, and into strong accents of red, blue, and purple. It will also translate into heavier textures for casual looks to counterbalance smooth textures on other surfaces. Because carpet is a foundation of decorating, it is an important consid- eration in the overall scheme of color and texture. Carpet can be one of the easiest ways to personalize an envi- ronment, and yet, it can still be flexi- ble and versatile, allowing a gentle blending with fabrics and other sur- faces. Its color can be a neutral foun- dation or a vibrant focal point. Neu- tral beige can have a yellow or pink tint and blend with many fabrics. A more vibrant color, such as the blues or greens of water and the environ- ment, can tie together many different decorating styles and be an exciting personal statement. Currently, neutrals may appear as a peach or other softened ethnic skin tones, such as browned orange. “In- terest in colors of various skin tones is evidence of increased acceptance of cultural blending resulting from glob See CARPET, pg 14 ’ )
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