tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62399396220839290422024-03-17T23:04:09.067-04:00The Carpetology BlogCB Whittemorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737846177421292411noreply@blogger.comBlogger221125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239939622083929042.post-68836951436863923752011-12-22T21:16:00.002-05:002011-12-22T21:16:56.281-05:00DOMOTEX 2012 Carpet Trends<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q_nfHePRJTY/TvPiyGitUSI/AAAAAAAAHGk/vdVjrworjlY/s1600/DOMOTEX2012_carpet_trends.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="DOMOTEX 2012 Carpet Trends" border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q_nfHePRJTY/TvPiyGitUSI/AAAAAAAAHGk/vdVjrworjlY/s320/DOMOTEX2012_carpet_trends.jpg" title="DOMOTEX 2012 Carpet Trends" width="239" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.domotex.de/home" target="_blank">DOMOTEX 2012</a> has just released an ebook with Carpet Trends for 2012. It's visual candy and wonderful inspiration for ideas on what's possible with carpet style and fashion trends.<br />
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The document refers to three trends:<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">1. <b>Fashionable</b>: Stylish and Eye-Catching Carpet</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">2. <b>Natural</b>: The New Organic Look</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">3. <b>Classic</b>: Timeless Design With a New Twist</span><br />
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You can <a href="http://files.messe.de/112/media/en/02informationenfrbesucher/2012_3/broschueren_1/DOMOTEX_2012_Carpet-Trends.pdf" target="_blank">download the DOMOTEX Carpet Trends 2012 by <b>clicking on this link</b></a>.<br />
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I'd love to hear your reactions. Which carpet trend do you find most interesting? Which might you include in your home design scheme?<br />
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<br />CB Whittemorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737846177421292411noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239939622083929042.post-91395197777866200262011-09-27T10:37:00.000-04:002011-09-27T10:37:57.391-04:00Spring/Summer 2012 Carpet Style Trends From Scarlet Opus<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://trendsblog.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/spring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="126" alt="Spring/Summer 2012 Carpet Style Trends From Scarlet Opus" title="Spring/Summer 2012 Carpet Style Trends From Scarlet Opus" src="http://trendsblog.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/spring.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
My friends at Scarlet Opus always manage to create trend stories that captivate, innovate and generate ideas to inevitably inspire endless carpet style trends. Here, I share a preview of their <b>Spring / Summer 2012 trend presentation</b>.<br />
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Interestingly, the trend themes build on the notion of "season of collaboration" based on the UN declaration that 2012 is the <a href="http://social.un.org/coopsyear/" target=new >The International Year of Co-operatives</a>:<br />
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<i><span lang="EN">“… people who unite to meet common economic,
social and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly and democratically
controlled enterprise.”</span></i><br />
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As Shelley Pond describes in her post: <i>"A vast meeting of minds is occurring, a solidarity which could reshape our world. Standing together, embracing a world community, partnership, sharing, supporting. We arrive at the Spring/Summer 2012 season looking at things from a different perspective, a new stand point of <b>positivity and determination to set things right</b>. A global reboot!</i>"<br />
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<i>"The seasons styles are <b>seductively sensorial</b>; sound waves of patterns, high pitched colours, sharp fractured shapes … we awaken to a new aesthetic. A season of change, chaos, contradictions; products that soothe us, schemes that shake us up, patterns that reassure us, colours that alarm us. A beautifully, imperfect, harmony.</i>"<br />
<br />I'm ready! Are you?<br /><br />Scarlet Opus' Spring/Summer 2012 Trends includes the following six themes:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Savoir-Faire: </b>a re-establishing of Mid-Century values in the 21st Century paving the way for common courtesy, conviviality, and sobriety to reign supreme.</div>
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</b><b>Eco-Carnival:</b> a global fusion of rhythmic patterns, bright botanicals, and tribal geometrics with a South American beat.<div class="MsoNormal">
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<b>Cultural-Nexus</b>: a celebration of the power of the collective, connectivity, and community from the Middle East and beyond.</div>
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<b>Colour-Capital:</b> a dynamic mood of hi-energy, plugged-in colour, and positive vibrations from the future cityscape.<div>
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<b>Majestic-Minimalism</b>: a look back in order to look forward, harmoniously merging historical features with pared-down Modernism.</div>
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<b>The-Abyss</b>: an exploration into the depths of the world’s Oceans; the unexplored, the unknown, the extraordinary.</div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 11pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Thank you, Shelley, Victoria, Phil and the entire team at Scarlet Opus for sharing this vision of style trends to come!</span></span><br />
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For the full experience, <b>visit the original Scarlet Opus post titled <a href="http://trendsblog.co.uk/?p=10194" target=new >Spring / Summer 2012 - Sneak Peak on the Scarlet Opus Trends Blog</a> </b>which includes more images and perspective on each trend.<br />
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CB Whittemorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737846177421292411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239939622083929042.post-8093994902152816002011-05-11T17:09:00.002-04:002011-05-14T12:15:57.087-04:00Coverings 2011 Celebrates Style & Design<div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Coverings 2011 Celebrates Tile Style & Design" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGTgUUvp60T_VYJrog9xUkefOzpW3qUUryNagJPpT4vbhobCewnbHwlibl-dmw8XJ_WVV7RKWysD-TUY2-IDrJF71c6sLynFVjLL-J2CmC5NBX82bF06C1RtpFUJjhvoaKzGW86_H5XO4B/s320/Coverings2011a.jpg" title="Coverings 2011 Celebrates Style & Design" width="240" /></div>Perhaps I should be saving most of the content from this Coverings 2011 post for <a href="http://www.bathroomblogfest.com/" target="new" title="http://www.bathroomblogfest.com/">Bathroom Blogfest</a> 2011, but that seems just too far away especially when I've been speaking with a really wonderful woman who captured style and design magic on video...<br />
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Before I go any further, though, I must warn you that this post will not focus on soft coverings or carpet underfoot. Rather, it's about tile style and design with links to some fabulous blogs. My assumption is that you'll extrapolate from the content and adapt it to carpet style and design since I am willing to bet that your home also includes hard surfaces such as tile...<br />
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<a href="http://www.coverings.com/coverings2011/public/enter.aspx" target="new" title="http://www.coverings.com/coverings2011/public/enter.aspx">Coverings 2011</a>, by the way, is the premier international trade fair and expo dedicated exclusively to showcasing the newest in ceramic tile and natural stone. It took place March 14 through 17, 2011 at the Sands Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV. [The series of short videos embedded on the Coverings home page give you a great feel for the show.]<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5QPgAChJYQC9KBBigwlVewwPmbBBtwzEOwTrkyNjq003uawmwW0CDDg1X-aBJgd6pHqJiS-xl5VilwXCQUD3u0iRuGEyDHoa8ITOM-5NaH_UNGoMJZ7gaCW4fKuTVPKHH8CmkXunGpkkw/s1600/DesignWonderland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5QPgAChJYQC9KBBigwlVewwPmbBBtwzEOwTrkyNjq003uawmwW0CDDg1X-aBJgd6pHqJiS-xl5VilwXCQUD3u0iRuGEyDHoa8ITOM-5NaH_UNGoMJZ7gaCW4fKuTVPKHH8CmkXunGpkkw/s1600/DesignWonderland.jpg"><img alt="Design Wonderland & Coverings" border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5QPgAChJYQC9KBBigwlVewwPmbBBtwzEOwTrkyNjq003uawmwW0CDDg1X-aBJgd6pHqJiS-xl5VilwXCQUD3u0iRuGEyDHoa8ITOM-5NaH_UNGoMJZ7gaCW4fKuTVPKHH8CmkXunGpkkw/s320/DesignWonderland.jpg" title="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5QPgAChJYQC9KBBigwlVewwPmbBBtwzEOwTrkyNjq003uawmwW0CDDg1X-aBJgd6pHqJiS-xl5VilwXCQUD3u0iRuGEyDHoa8ITOM-5NaH_UNGoMJZ7gaCW4fKuTVPKHH8CmkXunGpkkw/s1600/DesignWonderland.jpg
Design Wonderland and Coverings" width="320" /></a></div>As I was researching who had written about [i.e., 'covered'] Coverings and the tile style and design trends showcased there, I came across Jessica's <a href="http://www.designwonderland.net/blog/?s=coverings" target="new" title="http://www.designwonderland.net/blog/?s=coverings">Design Wonderland Coverings series</a> which is fabulous. Jessica participated in the VIP Press Tour for Coverings...<br />
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The Design Wonderland Coverings series consists of the following Coverings 2011 related posts which include fantastic photos:<br />
<ul><li><a href="http://www.designwonderland.net/blog/?p=13734" rel="bookmark" title="http://www.designwonderland.net/blog/?p=13734
Permanent Link to Coverings 2011: A Peek at Day 1">Coverings 2011: A Peek at Day 1</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://www.designwonderland.net/blog/?p=13762" rel="bookmark" title="http://www.designwonderland.net/blog/?p=13762
Permanent Link to Leaving Las Vegas">Leaving Las Vegas</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://www.designwonderland.net/blog/?p=13769" rel="bookmark" title="http://www.designwonderland.net/blog/?p=13769
Permanent Link to Weekend Wishes: My Beautiful Pixelated Fantasy">Weekend Wishes: My Beautiful Pixelated Fantasy</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://www.designwonderland.net/blog/?p=13785" rel="bookmark" title="http://www.designwonderland.net/blog/?p=13785
Permanent Link to Friday’s Fresh Geometrics">Friday’s Fresh Geometrics</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://www.designwonderland.net/blog/?p=13865" rel="bookmark" title="http://www.designwonderland.net/blog/?p=13865
Permanent Link to In the Village: Tabarka Studio">In the Village: Tabarka Studio</a> </li>
</ul>Paul Anater shares his love of fine-art mosaics in this post titled <a href="http://www.kitchenandresidentialdesign.com/2011/03/italian-manufacturer-sicis-at-coverings.html" target="new" title="http://www.kitchenandresidentialdesign.com/2011/03/italian-manufacturer-sicis-at-coverings.html">Italian manufacturer Sicis at Coverings</a>. He also explains that <a href="http://www.kitchenandresidentialdesign.com/2011/03/grespanias-coverlam-stole-show.html" target="new" title="http://www.kitchenandresidentialdesign.com/2011/03/grespanias-coverlam-stole-show.html">Grespania's Coverlam stole the show</a>. What do you think?<br />
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Here's <a href="http://www.talkcontract.com/2011/03/coverings-2011-recap.html" target="new" title="http://www.talkcontract.com/2011/03/coverings-2011-recap.html">Talk Contract's recap of Coverings 2011</a>. Aren't the photos fabulous?<br />
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<a href="http://www.tilevera.com/tile_envy/?p=6043" target="new" title="http://www.tilevera.com/tile_envy/?p=6043">Tile Envy offers Another View of Coverings 2011</a>.<br />
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Here's an video interview with <a href="http://www.vegasmorningblend.com/videos/117663923.html" target="new" title="http://www.vegasmorningblend.com/videos/117663923.html">Patti Faisan who offers a behind-the-scenes look at Tile Style & Design from Coverings.</a><br />
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And check out Zoe Voigt's delicious <a href="http://letstalktile.blogspot.com/2011/03/dynamics.html" target="new" title="http://letstalktile.blogspot.com/2011/03/dynamics.html">Tile Style Dynamics</a>.<br />
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<div>Coverings also does a wonderful job with an installation showcase of several bathroom designs that become reality over the course of the show. For 2011, three came to life over the three days of the show and I took the following photos on the last day.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4gPdIfeDsXDvWEw3jXS8XkbhNu-zG2Ne9Vpj-7dNXbfHLvNaEEWwUdsADSukIvccLkwZ-SkO_3T4oA94hzO5JKOGAG7r6Iq4YvYRbAwb63xvqcXqeYGFea_ydyYr3onQHDTbp52vYFrD5/s1600/Coverings2011_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4gPdIfeDsXDvWEw3jXS8XkbhNu-zG2Ne9Vpj-7dNXbfHLvNaEEWwUdsADSukIvccLkwZ-SkO_3T4oA94hzO5JKOGAG7r6Iq4YvYRbAwb63xvqcXqeYGFea_ydyYr3onQHDTbp52vYFrD5/s1600/Coverings2011_b.jpg"><img alt="Coverings 2011 Celebrates Tile Style & Design" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4gPdIfeDsXDvWEw3jXS8XkbhNu-zG2Ne9Vpj-7dNXbfHLvNaEEWwUdsADSukIvccLkwZ-SkO_3T4oA94hzO5JKOGAG7r6Iq4YvYRbAwb63xvqcXqeYGFea_ydyYr3onQHDTbp52vYFrD5/s320/Coverings2011_b.jpg" title="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4gPdIfeDsXDvWEw3jXS8XkbhNu-zG2Ne9Vpj-7dNXbfHLvNaEEWwUdsADSukIvccLkwZ-SkO_3T4oA94hzO5JKOGAG7r6Iq4YvYRbAwb63xvqcXqeYGFea_ydyYr3onQHDTbp52vYFrD5/s1600/Coverings2011_b.jpg
Coverings 2011 Celebrates Tile Style & Design" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Master Bath Spa designed by <a href="http://annettedenham.com/index.html" target="new">Annette Denham</a> and installed by <a href="http://lambert-tile.com/" target="new">Lambert Tile & Stone</a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg31BuTneAkRMUNr9mBVFv4CtMt0WDSwOujltFo4wkcOqvxnaaMfNHfj6SdZ3HXdC_GYZi1V5I_Pm85Jz34mMeoMBz_VGImF3WC7FlhAwMAeJAXrnCdPT_5WyWSgY2QNchdOfPQ6b-HOfI7/s1600/Coverings2011c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg31BuTneAkRMUNr9mBVFv4CtMt0WDSwOujltFo4wkcOqvxnaaMfNHfj6SdZ3HXdC_GYZi1V5I_Pm85Jz34mMeoMBz_VGImF3WC7FlhAwMAeJAXrnCdPT_5WyWSgY2QNchdOfPQ6b-HOfI7/s1600/Coverings2011c.jpg"><img alt="Coverings 2011 Celebrates Tile Style & Design" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg31BuTneAkRMUNr9mBVFv4CtMt0WDSwOujltFo4wkcOqvxnaaMfNHfj6SdZ3HXdC_GYZi1V5I_Pm85Jz34mMeoMBz_VGImF3WC7FlhAwMAeJAXrnCdPT_5WyWSgY2QNchdOfPQ6b-HOfI7/s320/Coverings2011c.jpg" title="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg31BuTneAkRMUNr9mBVFv4CtMt0WDSwOujltFo4wkcOqvxnaaMfNHfj6SdZ3HXdC_GYZi1V5I_Pm85Jz34mMeoMBz_VGImF3WC7FlhAwMAeJAXrnCdPT_5WyWSgY2QNchdOfPQ6b-HOfI7/s1600/Coverings2011c.jpg
Coverings 2011 Celebrates Tile Style & Design" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiysUXeWGZQKy62yOhjJLRoBiRTwXq5cG3Df29V7pgGGc19grPE-jxz0JYsHsv9PDCJCHUEHGhDKzR4C-D9Jl-JeD4cDGifQYyYLCNx-pe9QdRCPODytLMJ9BgdA89Mc10EQeR9n6NE-6p4/s1600/Coverings2011d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiysUXeWGZQKy62yOhjJLRoBiRTwXq5cG3Df29V7pgGGc19grPE-jxz0JYsHsv9PDCJCHUEHGhDKzR4C-D9Jl-JeD4cDGifQYyYLCNx-pe9QdRCPODytLMJ9BgdA89Mc10EQeR9n6NE-6p4/s1600/Coverings2011d.jpg"><img alt="Coverings 2011 Celebrates Tile Style & Design" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiysUXeWGZQKy62yOhjJLRoBiRTwXq5cG3Df29V7pgGGc19grPE-jxz0JYsHsv9PDCJCHUEHGhDKzR4C-D9Jl-JeD4cDGifQYyYLCNx-pe9QdRCPODytLMJ9BgdA89Mc10EQeR9n6NE-6p4/s320/Coverings2011d.jpg" title="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiysUXeWGZQKy62yOhjJLRoBiRTwXq5cG3Df29V7pgGGc19grPE-jxz0JYsHsv9PDCJCHUEHGhDKzR4C-D9Jl-JeD4cDGifQYyYLCNx-pe9QdRCPODytLMJ9BgdA89Mc10EQeR9n6NE-6p4/s1600/Coverings2011d.jpg
Coverings 2011 Celebrates Tile Style & Design" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Spa Bath designed by Ali Azhar and installed by Artcraft Granite, Marble & Tile</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6F6lZMUbjzEWf9AIEVkX66iKNvCXTM58a9gA1QQIaD0HO7PIp5XoAgoY80UbloLpYvR2WNsF0-GdZI0zbjfV7TqIZAIMGVsZrziJLU7yQKDGkjy6na8YvvC7yD2lUo6KigYH8fdMkFXs0/s1600/Coverings2011e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6F6lZMUbjzEWf9AIEVkX66iKNvCXTM58a9gA1QQIaD0HO7PIp5XoAgoY80UbloLpYvR2WNsF0-GdZI0zbjfV7TqIZAIMGVsZrziJLU7yQKDGkjy6na8YvvC7yD2lUo6KigYH8fdMkFXs0/s1600/Coverings2011e.jpg"><img alt="Coverings 2011 Celebrates Tile Style & Design" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6F6lZMUbjzEWf9AIEVkX66iKNvCXTM58a9gA1QQIaD0HO7PIp5XoAgoY80UbloLpYvR2WNsF0-GdZI0zbjfV7TqIZAIMGVsZrziJLU7yQKDGkjy6na8YvvC7yD2lUo6KigYH8fdMkFXs0/s320/Coverings2011e.jpg" title="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6F6lZMUbjzEWf9AIEVkX66iKNvCXTM58a9gA1QQIaD0HO7PIp5XoAgoY80UbloLpYvR2WNsF0-GdZI0zbjfV7TqIZAIMGVsZrziJLU7yQKDGkjy6na8YvvC7yD2lUo6KigYH8fdMkFXs0/s1600/Coverings2011e.jpg
Coverings 2011 Celebrates Tile Style & Design" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPoAtkBHWaMkRu8IldLpXJqUemh798Er-ABKjTte3ozga6dzAVgQcixeR2h_0TivAUaIdSOz4hLXKJfpHQ2DO2tCDgtWJaR2ADXfKcdsOosggVr_Lelw_KzGLYoW9n3YkMK3TbRTujj8vf/s1600/Coverings2011f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPoAtkBHWaMkRu8IldLpXJqUemh798Er-ABKjTte3ozga6dzAVgQcixeR2h_0TivAUaIdSOz4hLXKJfpHQ2DO2tCDgtWJaR2ADXfKcdsOosggVr_Lelw_KzGLYoW9n3YkMK3TbRTujj8vf/s1600/Coverings2011f.jpg"><img alt="Coverings 2011 Celebrates Tile Style & Design" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPoAtkBHWaMkRu8IldLpXJqUemh798Er-ABKjTte3ozga6dzAVgQcixeR2h_0TivAUaIdSOz4hLXKJfpHQ2DO2tCDgtWJaR2ADXfKcdsOosggVr_Lelw_KzGLYoW9n3YkMK3TbRTujj8vf/s320/Coverings2011f.jpg" title="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPoAtkBHWaMkRu8IldLpXJqUemh798Er-ABKjTte3ozga6dzAVgQcixeR2h_0TivAUaIdSOz4hLXKJfpHQ2DO2tCDgtWJaR2ADXfKcdsOosggVr_Lelw_KzGLYoW9n3YkMK3TbRTujj8vf/s1600/Coverings2011f.jpg
Coverings 2011 Celebrates Tile Style & Design" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Universal Bath designed by <a href="http://www.lcydesigns.com/" target="new">Laura Yorba </a>and installed by Welch Tile & Marble and <a href="http://coxtile.com/" target=new >Cox Tile</a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoq0UGYHEn8pdyvIxTE4b-LvwE0PeVhWziwmin2IU08p4BSvgiOashzbmOhjqkACVfX2zI1bZQjCjkjJB5AffKvV_6-WDXQw0JcCkIk_XcY-ib2mvp-8lJvR99-eOSA0AUaoOL1Ancshs0/s1600/Coverings2011g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoq0UGYHEn8pdyvIxTE4b-LvwE0PeVhWziwmin2IU08p4BSvgiOashzbmOhjqkACVfX2zI1bZQjCjkjJB5AffKvV_6-WDXQw0JcCkIk_XcY-ib2mvp-8lJvR99-eOSA0AUaoOL1Ancshs0/s1600/Coverings2011g.jpg"><img alt="Coverings 2011 Celebrates Tile Style & Design" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoq0UGYHEn8pdyvIxTE4b-LvwE0PeVhWziwmin2IU08p4BSvgiOashzbmOhjqkACVfX2zI1bZQjCjkjJB5AffKvV_6-WDXQw0JcCkIk_XcY-ib2mvp-8lJvR99-eOSA0AUaoOL1Ancshs0/s320/Coverings2011g.jpg" title="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoq0UGYHEn8pdyvIxTE4b-LvwE0PeVhWziwmin2IU08p4BSvgiOashzbmOhjqkACVfX2zI1bZQjCjkjJB5AffKvV_6-WDXQw0JcCkIk_XcY-ib2mvp-8lJvR99-eOSA0AUaoOL1Ancshs0/s1600/Coverings2011g.jpg
Coverings 2011 Celebrates Tile Style & Design" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqGlPCCkvEd4cCao-uDqAiqwTw5HqxaJZPz4nCU4Ua-Ewz8WnawQjn3UCpbtyZmXN1EOIZEkF2kxqqvtp19kvK3TRSvxQajf06LmC3uLqGSmJKVsrMb4Y6_m8N1YBEaacN-0tiKDYLfmbP/s1600/Coverings2011h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqGlPCCkvEd4cCao-uDqAiqwTw5HqxaJZPz4nCU4Ua-Ewz8WnawQjn3UCpbtyZmXN1EOIZEkF2kxqqvtp19kvK3TRSvxQajf06LmC3uLqGSmJKVsrMb4Y6_m8N1YBEaacN-0tiKDYLfmbP/s1600/Coverings2011h.jpg"><img alt="Coverings 2011 Celebrates Tile Style & Design" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqGlPCCkvEd4cCao-uDqAiqwTw5HqxaJZPz4nCU4Ua-Ewz8WnawQjn3UCpbtyZmXN1EOIZEkF2kxqqvtp19kvK3TRSvxQajf06LmC3uLqGSmJKVsrMb4Y6_m8N1YBEaacN-0tiKDYLfmbP/s320/Coverings2011h.jpg" title="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqGlPCCkvEd4cCao-uDqAiqwTw5HqxaJZPz4nCU4Ua-Ewz8WnawQjn3UCpbtyZmXN1EOIZEkF2kxqqvtp19kvK3TRSvxQajf06LmC3uLqGSmJKVsrMb4Y6_m8N1YBEaacN-0tiKDYLfmbP/s1600/Coverings2011h.jpg
Coverings 2011 Celebrates Tile Style & Design" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I also discovered from speaking with <a href="http://www.artcraftgmt.com/" target="new" title="http://www.artcraftgmt.com/">Chris Woelfel from Artcraft Granite, Marble, & Tile Co</a>. that she had created several videos posted on the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/Artcraftgmt" target="new" title="http://www.youtube.com/user/Artcraftgmt">ArtCraft Granite, Marble, Tile YouTube Channel</a> with interviews with <a href="http://www.aliazharinc.com/index.html" target="new" title="http://www.aliazharinc.com/index.html">Ali Azhar</a> from HGTV, one of the Design Showcase Bathroom designers:<br />
<ul><li><a href="http://youtu.be/JqZrQepSNic" target="new" title="http://youtu.be/JqZrQepSNic">Coverings 2011 Installation Showcase-Nightclub Spa Bath-Day 1</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://youtu.be/b7Pod2RP3UQ" target="new" title="http://youtu.be/b7Pod2RP3UQ">Coverings 2011 Installation Showcase-Nightclub Spa Bath-Day 2</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://youtu.be/V8Qxh05iyOo" target="new" title="http://youtu.be/V8Qxh05iyOo">Coverings 2011 Installation Showcase-Nightclub Spa Bath-Day 3</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://youtu.be/VF-pyP_Qe-g" target="new" title="http://youtu.be/VF-pyP_Qe-g">Coverings 2011 Installation Showcase-Nightclub Spa Bath Day 4</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://youtu.be/kGT3INqXh-0" target="new" title="http://youtu.be/kGT3INqXh-0">Coverings 2011 Installation Showcase-Rubi Tools USA</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://youtu.be/k6z5kgq9bT4" target="new" title="http://youtu.be/k6z5kgq9bT4">Coverings 2011 Installation Showcase-Tiles of Italy</a> </li>
</ul>Here, too, is the recap of Dan Welch from <a href="http://www.welchtile.com/">Welch Tile & Marble</a> of the <a href="http://www.welchtile.com/universal-bath-coverings-2011/">Coverings 2011 - Universal Bath</a> Design Installation Showcase.<br />
<br />
The latest post I came across is from Paul Friederichsen who writes about <a href="http://brandbizblog.com/?p=48" target="new" title="http://brandbizblog.com/?p=48">Coverings 2011: A Thing of Beauty</a>.<br />
<br />
So, what do you think about Coverings and its celebration of Tile Style & Design? How do you see integrating these ideas into your own design scheme? And, how will carpet fit in?<br />
<br />
--<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikRmiLKuS9MINnFWtf9kk8t38QpCdWTf8n9EaGPoRjJhoCdDyYufhKhYKflJNL1kW3Q8fAsgNC5-yt0rXOrgDz69Qk8HmiA9r4DS8FDrNxSK4n_bFyC_2DwNaytxBos_rjQfJZJKuums2_/s1600/cbw2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikRmiLKuS9MINnFWtf9kk8t38QpCdWTf8n9EaGPoRjJhoCdDyYufhKhYKflJNL1kW3Q8fAsgNC5-yt0rXOrgDz69Qk8HmiA9r4DS8FDrNxSK4n_bFyC_2DwNaytxBos_rjQfJZJKuums2_/s1600/cbw2.jpg"><img border="0" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikRmiLKuS9MINnFWtf9kk8t38QpCdWTf8n9EaGPoRjJhoCdDyYufhKhYKflJNL1kW3Q8fAsgNC5-yt0rXOrgDz69Qk8HmiA9r4DS8FDrNxSK4n_bFyC_2DwNaytxBos_rjQfJZJKuums2_/s200/cbw2.jpg" title="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikRmiLKuS9MINnFWtf9kk8t38QpCdWTf8n9EaGPoRjJhoCdDyYufhKhYKflJNL1kW3Q8fAsgNC5-yt0rXOrgDz69Qk8HmiA9r4DS8FDrNxSK4n_bFyC_2DwNaytxBos_rjQfJZJKuums2_/s1600/cbw2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>CB Whittemorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737846177421292411noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239939622083929042.post-45340963194302105482011-04-27T08:01:00.001-04:002011-04-27T08:01:01.067-04:00Custom Carpet Design Matches Restaurant Decor<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJHiBKQ-l6XMhxSAkBBBvDjwv0KnBCGjdL4PD9Ox4pl1K865ifXoiSKRUZrsoZfYkczhOHWxeZ_U9efxmRF3H4OwsEPT9A2P6kku4B9CyaKHoxYYWQ5YmzAd4szg1g3WbQ2US-VPfCmcPl/s1600/MiamiRest_CPR.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Custom Carpet Design Matches Restaurant Decor" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJHiBKQ-l6XMhxSAkBBBvDjwv0KnBCGjdL4PD9Ox4pl1K865ifXoiSKRUZrsoZfYkczhOHWxeZ_U9efxmRF3H4OwsEPT9A2P6kku4B9CyaKHoxYYWQ5YmzAd4szg1g3WbQ2US-VPfCmcPl/s320/MiamiRest_CPR.JPG" title="Custom Carpet Design Matches Restaurant Decor" width="320" /></a></div>Have you ever been stopped in your tracks because your feet came upon the perfect flooring design scheme? One that not only matched a room's decor - in this case a restaurant - but also integrated all of the surrounding design elements? If you haven't, I have one to share with you...<br />
<br />
Fellow <a href="http://www.surfaces.com/blog/" target="new">Surfaces</a> presenter and friend, <b><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/cpramey" target="new">Chris Ramey</a></b>, President of <a href="http://www.affluentinsights.com/" target="new">Affluent Insights</a> and Chairman of The <a href="http://www.floridaluxurycouncil.com/" target="new">Luxury Marketing Council Florida</a>, recently forwarded me several photos he had taken of a new restaurant in Miami that had done a particularly effective job of tying together the restaurant's visual themes with a custom carpet design. [Pretty neat when your friends are on the lookout for great carpet for you!]<br />
<br />
Here is what Chris wrote me:<br />
<br />
<i>Christine,</i><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
<i>I've attached a picture I thought your floor covering readers might enjoy because it is a custom printed carpet at the entrance for a new restaurant in Miami. Note how they carried the theme in the front window. Plus, who says custom has to be a large area?</i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i>This other picture highlights the menus using the same motif.</i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i>Warm regards,</i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i>Chris</i></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFnpFc3qilNIhcgkNHFBRGyc2FUv1ZBWuSvEa6H_Z3bNt4FLWicKNwdTzgXK1ZEN5NUtD2CDknEqfsG_IcIS-4Nqw3o7o7Mj9qDrEPjR2q4zxfeYHFR37KFauspezpA2aiW3HJdNdhXzSI/s1600/MiamiRest_CPR3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Custom Carpet Design Matches Restaurant Decor - Front Window" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFnpFc3qilNIhcgkNHFBRGyc2FUv1ZBWuSvEa6H_Z3bNt4FLWicKNwdTzgXK1ZEN5NUtD2CDknEqfsG_IcIS-4Nqw3o7o7Mj9qDrEPjR2q4zxfeYHFR37KFauspezpA2aiW3HJdNdhXzSI/s320/MiamiRest_CPR3.jpg" title="Custom Carpet Design Matches Restaurant Decor - Front Window" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the front window</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVdk8PiMyMkOzaV7HKJU0SqzozTSMp94oqsu1ean87cWjMsWk7dpLvxn10RHh3rRJFWouzNlXtkMRspXjnBiybqaQJtvB7B_xc-dKZsWAJveFAICOLxw2Qa088lQplrIwjc5WtQ9cRWeUU/s1600/MiamiRest_CPR2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Custom Carpet Design Matches Restaurant Decor - Menu" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVdk8PiMyMkOzaV7HKJU0SqzozTSMp94oqsu1ean87cWjMsWk7dpLvxn10RHh3rRJFWouzNlXtkMRspXjnBiybqaQJtvB7B_xc-dKZsWAJveFAICOLxw2Qa088lQplrIwjc5WtQ9cRWeUU/s320/MiamiRest_CPR2.jpg" title="Custom Carpet Design Matches Restaurant Decor - Menu" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The menu</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
The restaurant is very new and doesn't yet have its own website. However, it is related to <a href="http://www.tuttopasta.com/" target="new">Tutto Pasta Ristorante</a>.<br />
<br />
[I'll have to ask Chris to let us know if the bathrooms further reinforce the custom carpet design and restaurant decor. It might be a wonderful addition to the 2011 <a href="http://www.bathroomblogfest.com/" target="new">Bathroom Blogfest</a>!]<br />
<br />
Imagine creating your own custom carpet design for your personal space. Which visual elements and colors would you include? How would you accessorize the rest of the space to support your custom carpet and surrounding decor?<br />
<br />
Have you come across a perfect carpet or flooring design scheme that stopped you in your tracks? If so, take a picture and I'll share it with readers of the Carpetology Blog!<br />
<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhBZxV_MtHk7_eZUHYliUw-Iii5EK9uhbAPeesORliAPDGUZE2VpkRyDGRZbVTf3Tenv91KJ5yqgOL9ALccWGOcXekTyxyIPZBRdY0lBu7BBhjlV2Z4tn9bBwVMg_yu8wTmRYZZiPbYaBN/s1600/cbw2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhBZxV_MtHk7_eZUHYliUw-Iii5EK9uhbAPeesORliAPDGUZE2VpkRyDGRZbVTf3Tenv91KJ5yqgOL9ALccWGOcXekTyxyIPZBRdY0lBu7BBhjlV2Z4tn9bBwVMg_yu8wTmRYZZiPbYaBN/s200/cbw2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>CB Whittemorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737846177421292411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239939622083929042.post-29482851967265418932011-04-19T08:02:00.004-04:002011-04-19T08:02:00.976-04:00For Asthma, Should I Remove My Carpet?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHm5MgqUZiVms8XWvR8SQ8GJ1krY4M7bZNUFFZlFS0cbJKqSkcdVbWoem2TQO2w3PNs_Dlr3NkWA7EtvuQdrNdWB1KSfmPfQC7rVQE22tkDJmvD7CR1wWurXyG6lc-DO2v08XLuXJKMln_/s1600/Bethany_casual+headshot+2008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Bethany Richmond, CRI, on For Asthma, Should I Remove My Carpet?" border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHm5MgqUZiVms8XWvR8SQ8GJ1krY4M7bZNUFFZlFS0cbJKqSkcdVbWoem2TQO2w3PNs_Dlr3NkWA7EtvuQdrNdWB1KSfmPfQC7rVQE22tkDJmvD7CR1wWurXyG6lc-DO2v08XLuXJKMln_/s320/Bethany_casual+headshot+2008.jpg" title="Bethany Richmond, CRI, on For Asthma, Should I Remove My Carpet?" width="320" /></a></div>A question that comes up regularly has to do with <b>whether to remove carpet from your home</b> when someone in your household - say your child - has asthma or allergies, for that matter.<br />
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Recently, my friend <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/brichmond" target="new">Bethany Richmond </a>from the <a href="http://www.carpet-and-rug-institute-blog.com/" target="new">Carpet and Rug Institute Blog</a> came across the results published in 2004 of the <i><b>Inner City Asthma Study</b></i>, which proved that <b>no health benefits come from removing carpet</b>. <br />
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I asked her to share an overview with us here.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px; font-weight: bold;">My Child Has Asthma. Should I Remove My Carpet? Major medical study says no health benefits to removing carpet.</span><br />
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If you have a child with asthma, it’s likely that, at some time or another, your doctor or other healthcare provider will recommend you remove the carpet from your home. Many consumer websites recommend the same thing, based on the fact that carpet will hold more dust and allergens than hard surface floors.<br />
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Carpet manufacturers counter this, saying research shows that the fact that carpet will hold more dust is actually a good thing: dust that is trapped in carpet is not circulating in room air, where children can breathe it in. The <a href="http://carpet-rug.org/" target="new">Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI</a>), which represents U.S. carpet manufacturers, says dust in carpet stays put until it is vacuumed or extracted away. The group tests vacuum cleaners and other carpet cleaning equipment, and posts a list of the best ones on its website, <a href="http://www.carpet-rug.org/" target="new">www.carpet-rug.org</a> and more specifically in a section detailing <a href="http://carpet-rug.org/residential-customers/cleaning-and-maintenance/seal-of-approval-products/index.cfm" target="new">Seal of Approval Carpet Cleaning and Maintenance Products</a>. <br />
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<h3>So, what should you believe about carpet and asthma? </h3><br />
One major study of inner city children with asthma found that when allergen sources are removed from their homes, through improved cleaning practices and elimination of tobacco smoke, asthmatic children will do better, no matter what kind of product is on the floor. A large-scale medical research project called “<i><b>The Inner City Asthma Study</b></i>” showed that, when allergen sources such as mold, rodent, and cockroaches are removed, as well as a child’s exposure to tobacco smoke, children’s asthma greatly improves. Further, the Inner-City Asthma Study found <b>no difference in the improvement experienced by children who lived in homes with carpet versus children from homes with other types of flooring</b>. In addition, <b>no difference was found in the levels of allergens measured in carpeted homes compared to homes with hard surface floors</b>. <br />
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An article describing the study, titled, <i>“</i><a href="http://www.nejm.org/doi/pdf/10.1056/NEJMoa032097" target="new"><i>Results of a Home-Based Environmental Intervention among Urban Children with Asthma,</i>” is published on the website of The New England Journal of Medicine</a>.<br />
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The study followed 937 children from seven major U.S. cities over the course of a year. Of the participants, more than 50% of the children, aged 5-11 years, had positive skin tests to three or more allergen groups. Other common elements of the group were that they were from families whose incomes were at or close to the poverty level, as well as these factors: Cockroaches were reported in 58% of homes, wall-to-wall carpeting in the child's bedroom in 55%, a smoker in 48%, mice or rats in 40%, and furry pets in 28%. <br />
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<a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1240995/pdf/ehp0110-000939.pdf" target="new">At the outset of the study, researchers sought to remove carpet from the children’s bedrooms,</a> but factors such as rental agreements, kept them from it. Still, family members were instructed to remove the carpet from their children’s bedrooms wherever possible. <br />
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Family members were given HEPA-filter vacuum cleaners and cleaning products and educated about various allergens and how to remove them from the home. Children’s beds were encased in dust-mite-blocking covers, and professional pest exterminators were called in where needed. <br />
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The study found that children in the intervention group missed fewer days of school, slept through the night more, and made fewer trips to the emergency room. Contrary to researchers’ expectations, children with carpet in their bedrooms improved as much and did just as well as children who had hard surface floors. <br />
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The interventions also produced marked declines in the measured levels of allergens in the home. Again, in contrast to predictions, no difference in allergen reduction was found between homes with carpets and those without carpeting.<br />
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The Inner City Asthma Study was sponsored in part by the <a href="http://www.niaid.nih.gov/Pages/default.aspx" target="new">National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases</a>, the <a href="http://ehp03.niehs.nih.gov/home.action" target="new">National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences</a> and the <a href="http://www.ncrr.nih.gov/" target="new">National Center for Research Resources of the National Institutes of Health</a>. According to published disclosure statements, none of the researchers or institutions were affiliated with or sponsored by any representative of the carpet industry.<br />
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The findings of the Inner City Asthma Study refute the widely-held notion that patients with asthma and/or allergies must remove their carpet, and according to Carpet and Rug Institute President Werner Braun, the study confirms the Carpet and Rug Institute’s (CRI) assertion that <b>clean, dry carpet is a healthy flooring choice for everyone, including children and adults with asthma and allergies</b>. “<i>CRI’s position is based on a body of sponsored as well as independent research, but the Inner City study is significant in that it comes from the medical community,</i>” Braun said.<br />
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Thank you, Bethany, for sharing this information and helping answer the question whether or not to remove carpet from your home when your child or someone else in your household has asthma! If you'd like to learn more about the Inner City Asthma study, you might want to read the posts that Bethany wrote on the CRI Blog. More specifically,<br />
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<ul><li><a href="http://www.carpet-and-rug-institute-blog.com/2011/04/childhood-asthma-study-carpet-vs.html" target="new">Childhood Asthma Study: Carpet vs. Uncarpeted Homes</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.carpet-and-rug-institute-blog.com/2011/04/childhood-asthma-study-part-2-carpet-no.html" target="new">Childhood Asthma Study: Part 2 - Carpet, No Carpet? No Difference</a></li>
</ul><br />
Given Bethany's observations about the importance of vacuuming your carpet to remove allergens, here is a link to the <a href="http://carpet-rug.org/residential-customers/cleaning-and-maintenance/seal-of-approval-products/vacuums.cfm" target="new">Carpet and Rug Institute's website where they offer information about selecting vacuum cleaners and which ones are Seal of Approval certified</a>.<br />
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">You may also find these previous posts I've written helpful. Although they address allergies and carpet, the advice they offer remains relevant for asthma:</div><ul><li><a href="http://carpetology.blogspot.com/2009/03/carpet-allergens-energy-myths-debunked.html" target="new">Carpet, Allergens & Energy - Myths Debunked</a></li>
<li><a href="http://carpetology.blogspot.com/2008/09/beware-of-autumn-allergens-advice-for.html" target="new">Beware of Autumn Allergens… Advice for Carpet</a></li>
<li><a href="http://carpetology.blogspot.com/2008/02/carpet-alleviates-allergies.html" target="new">Carpet Alleviates Allergies</a></li>
</ul><div>What are your reactions to the research and to Bethany's summary?<br />
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-------</div><div>If you like what you've read, consider subscribing to the <a href="http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=TheCarpetologyBlog&loc=en_US" target="new">Carpetology Blog</a> for email updates or <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/TheCarpetologyBlog" target="new">via RSS</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhBZxV_MtHk7_eZUHYliUw-Iii5EK9uhbAPeesORliAPDGUZE2VpkRyDGRZbVTf3Tenv91KJ5yqgOL9ALccWGOcXekTyxyIPZBRdY0lBu7BBhjlV2Z4tn9bBwVMg_yu8wTmRYZZiPbYaBN/s1600/cbw2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhBZxV_MtHk7_eZUHYliUw-Iii5EK9uhbAPeesORliAPDGUZE2VpkRyDGRZbVTf3Tenv91KJ5yqgOL9ALccWGOcXekTyxyIPZBRdY0lBu7BBhjlV2Z4tn9bBwVMg_yu8wTmRYZZiPbYaBN/s200/cbw2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div><br />
</div>CB Whittemorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737846177421292411noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239939622083929042.post-82348446883323116012011-04-11T08:05:00.001-04:002011-04-11T08:05:00.662-04:00Wayfinding With Carpet: Cell+LED<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfyH_ubkiitzP24N5tBfyJKZz0CXKUuBMU2Q81MAdUy49gjY4xtab5pfX4sLh4gq32p1J7nNGlVPsKCFS2I0e5QZBcI_ziXH4pxyDglPMvAmf66XFI0_KtlwpUryUdc9hYBqR78Myd3M3m/s1600/LEDCarpet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Wayfinding With Carpet: Cell+LED" border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfyH_ubkiitzP24N5tBfyJKZz0CXKUuBMU2Q81MAdUy49gjY4xtab5pfX4sLh4gq32p1J7nNGlVPsKCFS2I0e5QZBcI_ziXH4pxyDglPMvAmf66XFI0_KtlwpUryUdc9hYBqR78Myd3M3m/s320/LEDCarpet.jpg" title="Wayfinding With Carpet: Cell+LED" width="320" /></a></div>Sadly, intense carpet innovation doesn't happen that frequently as FastCompany's FastCoDesign observes. However, in this case the carpet innovation is intensely brilliant!<br />
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Dutch company <a href="http://www.lamaconcept.nl/" target="new">Lama Concept</a> recently introduced <a href="http://www.lamaconcept.nl/collection/cell/led.html#" target="new">Cell+LED</a> which integrates lighted wayfinding into the carpet.<br />
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You can read more in FastCoDesign's article titled <a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_26812754" target="new">Dutch Company Integrates LED Wayfinding Into Its Carpets</a>. <a href="http://www.fastcodesign.com/1662978/dutch-company-integrates-led-wayfinding-into-its-carpets" target="new">LEDs tucked into Lama Concept's Cell+LED carpet create customizable lighting where people look the most -- on the ground</a>. Do check it out. The photos alone were enough to have me re-imagining the future and carpet!<br />
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The article shows examples of the product in new concept airplanes and refers to a <a href="http://www.lamaconcept.nl/projects/landrover/index.html#" target="new">concept Land Rover</a>. Cell+LED creates a dynamic corporate space, too. I'd love to see this used in medical or hospitality environments. Imagine a movie theatre or a school!<br />
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What's your reaction? How might you integrate wayfinding into your home?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlirLorOleYzOrMcFX-HSahyLpnnIE_L-WUa2mnGyfb4m-imZu8F_HMomX-yKFCekZqIMlWEmqb2hS8AQ5OzE4FYokh_6wSqQr8HlPiOsp4PFKnm5UxVSsNyiqWkqtNOJkenE_JTFVIgX2/s1600/cbw2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlirLorOleYzOrMcFX-HSahyLpnnIE_L-WUa2mnGyfb4m-imZu8F_HMomX-yKFCekZqIMlWEmqb2hS8AQ5OzE4FYokh_6wSqQr8HlPiOsp4PFKnm5UxVSsNyiqWkqtNOJkenE_JTFVIgX2/s200/cbw2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>CB Whittemorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737846177421292411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239939622083929042.post-15873340613368650532011-03-23T08:01:00.001-04:002011-03-23T08:01:00.593-04:00Tania Johnson: Nature Inspired Rug Design<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNjbEO60_JaIYDnwEqsz4Tm0R3vs8MQ3GGC1oXk6m22CVD_mZSbgGgsi3sbJ53Adz6nDH5gdhzQn05_8pmL2sQHw0EmC4PF8OCu1uwgP6j2EXxIDTN3o8mT2dKIn1sp5VlhVwLvmlu-SqE/s1600/Tania+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Tania Johnson: Nature Inspired Rug Design" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNjbEO60_JaIYDnwEqsz4Tm0R3vs8MQ3GGC1oXk6m22CVD_mZSbgGgsi3sbJ53Adz6nDH5gdhzQn05_8pmL2sQHw0EmC4PF8OCu1uwgP6j2EXxIDTN3o8mT2dKIn1sp5VlhVwLvmlu-SqE/s320/Tania+1.jpg" title="Tania Johnson: Nature Inspired Rug Design" width="233" /></a></div>Meet <b>Tania Johnson</b>, founder of <a href="http://www.taniajohnsondesign.com/" target="new">Tania Johnson Design</a>. She specializes in custom made, contemporary, hand knotted rugs, based on a rich heritage as a textile designer for such brands as Martha Stewart, Chilewich, Vera Wang, and Calvin Klein Home. In fact, as a designer for Calvin Klein Home, she created the brand’s first rug collection in 2002.<br />
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Tania's publicist, <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/pub/dania-ahmad/b/812/60b" target="new">Dania Ahmad</a>, shared with me news about Tania's latest collection which is <i>"inspired by the natural world, the way light creates shadows and reflections, the microscopic details found in nature and the infinite textures created through layering.</i>" You can imagine how intrigued I was.<br />
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As Dania explained, <i>"Johnson creates ethereal designs and translates them into intricately woven rugs. The collectable pieces feature original, cutting-edge designs, and are hand knotted by artisans in Nepal using lustrous combinations of silk, wool and pashmina."</i><br />
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Can you imagine walking up such deliciousness? I can.<br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.taniajohnsondesign.com/about/" target="new">Tania Johnson</a> is New York based albeit British born designer who graduated from <a href="http://www.rca.ac.uk/" target="new">London’s Royal College of Art</a> with a Master of Arts in woven textiles. According to Dania, Tania Johnson "<i>takes a hands-on approach to her business which is reflected in her commitment to promoting fair labor standards in the carpet industry. She works with <a href="http://www.goodweave.org/" target="new">GoodWeave</a>, a certification program which aims to eliminate child labor and to improve working conditions for adults; any carpet with the GoodWeave label means that the rug was made only by adult artisans. In addition, the certification program helps fund educational opportunities for children as well as support and resources for families and weaving communities in South Asia."</i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">My recent email exchanges with Dania focused on Tania Johnson's recent rug introductions, consisting of "<i>four stunning hand knotted rug designs ... The earthy but contemporary patterns are inspired by intricate details of nature - among them delicate plays of light, shadows and reflection. Johnson portrays these elements through meticulous color choices, very high knot counts, and combinations of silk and wool that create nuanced textures and sheens.... As with the other designs in the collection each of these rugs - </i><i><b>Reflected Trees, Textured Daisy, Branches, Drops of Light</b> - is a bespoke collector's piece that pushes the boundaries of creative and technical possibilities.</i>"</div><br />
Per the press release: “<i>As an avid world traveler and photographer I have found my rug designs to serve as the perfect canvas for capturing memories from my travels. The inspiration for the patterns often comes from the subtlest details of my own photographs - rain falling on tree branches, or a close-up of a Nepalese Buddhist shrine. The colors and materials allow me to translate these small frozen moments into usable pieces of art,” said Johnson.</i><br />
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Furthermore, "<i>as with the other designs in the collection each of these rugs - Reflected Trees, Textured Daisy, Branches, Drops of Light - is a bespoke collector’s piece that pushes the boundaries of creative and technical possibilities. The designs benefit from Johnson’s penchant for very low pile heights. This detail offers an added layer of luxury and a supple and sumptuous surface quality that is equally pleasing to the eye and to the touch. The entire Tania Johnson Design collection is ideal for a wide range of residential and hospitality settings – from a living room or foyer to a hotel lobby.</i>"<br />
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Go ahead, feast your eyes!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP3m7gf6E4IWo6em4A6mr6sjLnapmmEVOPlsXkHryYBt5wddCIddibdFQs5z0dPc_s59kREM0C0_05z7S2mkQEnl_f_xtgN4OXP_QnkxgXqhbLueaQCHyQ9TkXNVzOPTG2hGqHs3apbLym/s1600/Tania_Reflected+Trees+lo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Tania Johnson: Reflected Trees" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP3m7gf6E4IWo6em4A6mr6sjLnapmmEVOPlsXkHryYBt5wddCIddibdFQs5z0dPc_s59kREM0C0_05z7S2mkQEnl_f_xtgN4OXP_QnkxgXqhbLueaQCHyQ9TkXNVzOPTG2hGqHs3apbLym/s320/Tania_Reflected+Trees+lo.jpg" title="Tania Johnson: Reflected Trees" width="213" /></a></div><b>Reflected Trees</b> – <i>An image of trees reflected in a lake. As the sun moves across a lake, an image fleetingly appears only to be replaced moments later by a new pattern. The use of warm colors and blending of different shades with varying percentages of wool and silk in a single knot recreates the beautiful interplay of light and movement in the original photograph. Boasting a burnt orange ground, Reflected Trees is made from wool and silk. 100 knots per inch, 4mm pile.</i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9vol-92vKSFbtqiHmioVDXAn7XC_uZ7XVSX0Kt-V-bTEJc0eC57vC3o-32GkJU-fXjin7i6jpQBoj1mzuyMPeGc92MI_Wke8dwshSyjFIMxvzIPS3I5Ghx9Ut0mCaBVdc_nqwQ-EthDND/s1600/Tania_Textured+Daisy+lo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Tania Johnson: Textured Daisy" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9vol-92vKSFbtqiHmioVDXAn7XC_uZ7XVSX0Kt-V-bTEJc0eC57vC3o-32GkJU-fXjin7i6jpQBoj1mzuyMPeGc92MI_Wke8dwshSyjFIMxvzIPS3I5Ghx9Ut0mCaBVdc_nqwQ-EthDND/s320/Tania_Textured+Daisy+lo.jpg" title="Tania Johnson: Textured Daisy" width="241" /></a></div><b><br />
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<b>Textured Daisy - </b>A daisy’s shadow falls on a stony path, creating a softly blurred flower pattern on a textured ground. Subtle shades of color are finely knotted in wool to create the blurred edges while an uneven silk grid is layered on top to add movement and sheen. Textured Daisy is made from wool and silk, 200 knots per inch, 3mm pile.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_E_XsuEF4zICpMgbNBmqZmlH-UZJEuP5QYF15FB6IM1qrJn5LGC-X0z8y79E9ukx9pLXTiye5a5yoI3WIzoKjq_srDB-FHNHZxR6lN85ozLa9q1HYp_DTu1w46F4FsrcEI3al1OXVr27D/s1600/Tania_Drops+of+Light+lo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Tania Johnson: Drops of Light" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_E_XsuEF4zICpMgbNBmqZmlH-UZJEuP5QYF15FB6IM1qrJn5LGC-X0z8y79E9ukx9pLXTiye5a5yoI3WIzoKjq_srDB-FHNHZxR6lN85ozLa9q1HYp_DTu1w46F4FsrcEI3al1OXVr27D/s320/Tania_Drops+of+Light+lo.jpg" title="Tania Johnson: Drops of Light" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<b>Drops of Light </b>- Light is captured as it falls in drops. Through the use of high knot count and tonal shades, the delicate nuances of light are recreated within the lemon colored wool ground, while the drops shine in silk. Drops of Light is made from wool and silk. 200 knots per inch, 3mm pile<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhudSRG6t-UzpulzfEQ4Y675g1yMmAkInzKhTL_whUrCdGb0JPFtBmaum4nFcpFQof048T5vJhqXWniRMj1gl63XAK4kjmek1rQN6PeZfkxEizKB5PLYtkEasRjWb27fA9LluwazS5ahVMv/s1600/Tania_Branches+lo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Tania Johnson: Branches" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhudSRG6t-UzpulzfEQ4Y675g1yMmAkInzKhTL_whUrCdGb0JPFtBmaum4nFcpFQof048T5vJhqXWniRMj1gl63XAK4kjmek1rQN6PeZfkxEizKB5PLYtkEasRjWb27fA9LluwazS5ahVMv/s320/Tania_Branches+lo.jpg" title="Tania Johnson: Branches" width="241" /></a></div><b>Branches</b> - Tree branches in the rain are viewed through a gauzy mesh. Made from pure silk, the rug gradually shifts and transforms from an intricate design to a sheen of olive green tones as one moves around it. Branches is made from 100% silk. 200 knots per inch, 4mm pile.<br />
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If you'd like to order a Tania Johnson rug, you'll be interested to know that the standard sizes for Tania Johnson Design rugs are 5'x8', 6'x9', 9'x12' and 10'x14'. At the same time, everything in the line is made to order and completely customizable - which means that you will have a field day!<br />
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You can also learn more about T<a href="http://taniajohnsondesign.wordpress.com/" target="new">ania Johnson design and her inspiration via her blog</a>.<br />
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For many of you, I expect that you're looking to create a consistent or integrated feel in your home. And, if you're looking to meld the soft rug interpretations that Tania Johnson has created with hard surface concepts, I suggest you visit the <a href="http://tiletalk.blogspot.com/" target="new">Avente TileTalk Blog</a> and specifically <a href="http://tiletalk.blogspot.com/2011/03/new-leaf-imprint-tiles-for-spring.html" target="new">New Leaf Imprint Tiles for Spring</a> which - in my mind - would coordinate beautifully together.<br />
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What's your take? Do you enjoy nature inspired designs in rugs as well as tile?<br />
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Special thanks to Tania Johnson and Dania Ahmad.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu0XpcVBS3sJuz55V9c6GynGcUaT3riRoZESIf39sn3XuV8KCW_83-hCALfhgtl8SuhrCOeby15qeqpEhzWY4c72Epbu_6-xY2dmZoUBDCq8KI5aheVuGwPgdNgQGs-3gXlOc-qRbTPsHV/s1600/cbw2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu0XpcVBS3sJuz55V9c6GynGcUaT3riRoZESIf39sn3XuV8KCW_83-hCALfhgtl8SuhrCOeby15qeqpEhzWY4c72Epbu_6-xY2dmZoUBDCq8KI5aheVuGwPgdNgQGs-3gXlOc-qRbTPsHV/s200/cbw2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>CB Whittemorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737846177421292411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239939622083929042.post-90587314099588812942011-03-10T17:31:00.001-05:002011-03-10T17:58:21.653-05:00Rug Rag For Area Rug & Carpet Style Inspiration<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf9AcPyabkWa5cz3Z409PropksaBaEloXMHaDzUD-RRm4msVIA6H7qoEZ6_qgFi9QWVqNFHBeoipYEpiP_pljHcV0pbFkwFc1oNeWPrKd8UYwWeETWV5XICcDw-efmc5qGjt28M0j6U1Qm/s1600/david_dilmaghani.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="David Dilmaghani, Rug Rag" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf9AcPyabkWa5cz3Z409PropksaBaEloXMHaDzUD-RRm4msVIA6H7qoEZ6_qgFi9QWVqNFHBeoipYEpiP_pljHcV0pbFkwFc1oNeWPrKd8UYwWeETWV5XICcDw-efmc5qGjt28M0j6U1Qm/s320/david_dilmaghani.jpg" title="David Dilmaghani, Rug Rag" width="263" /></a></div><i>Area rugs and carpet represent the ultimate flooring design statement. For that reason, I share with you an interview with <b><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/daviddilmaghani" target="new">David Dilmaghani,</a></b> co-founder of <a href="http://www.rugrag.com/" target="new"><b>RugRag.com</b></a>, which specializes in traditional and decorative rugs and carpets, and an article he wrote for The Carpetology Blog about rug and carpet style inspiration.</i><br />
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<b>C.B.: Dave, tell me about Rug Rag. How did the company get started?</b><br />
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DD: My brother Matthew and I co-founded the website RugRag.com in 2007. Rug Rag is a resource for those interested in learning about Oriental rugs, antique rugs, and area rugs. As the tech man for Rug Rag, Matthew has brought many of our interactive consumer widgets to life. With my specialty in hand knotted rugs, I author the vast majority of information in our Rug archive and on-site tools, and serve as a rug consultant for our readers and their questions on a daily basis.<br />
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One of the first tools we created was the <a href="http://www.rugrag.com/AppraisalViewer.aspx?FormulaID=11" target="new">Rug Estimator Pro</a>: an interactive sampler tool to help consumers understand some determining factors which go into the assessment of new and used hand knotted carpets. Estimates rendered from this tool are actually derived from several thousand individually assessed and valued carpets from around the world, many of them from notable auctions and inventories of nationally recognized rug importers. <br />
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<b>C.B.: How did you become interested in rugs?</b><br />
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DD: My brother and I come from a long line of history in Persian rugs, so it was natural for me to learn about them at a very young age. Many memories of our younger years consist of being surrounded by carpets at our father's rug showroom in New York. However, it was not until I reached my late teens that a true appreciation for this artisan craft quickly turned into a hobby, and then passion.<br />
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<b>C.B.: So your passion for rugs, a marvelously tactile and visual product, led you to the online world. How did that happen?</b><br />
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DD: In the late 90s, I truly pursued my interests in rugs and started researching the subject. As with any research project, there's a very steep learning curve at the beginning. With rugs, the mystique of a fine rug often either intrigues an individual to know more or overwhelms them to the point of confusion. Additionally, a great deal of misinformation on rugs remains rampant online. In many instances, less reputable sellers continue to exploit first time buyer misconceptions with "sale" prices. <br />
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We saw a need for a reliable resource for rug information and launched Rug Rag. It's a destination for consumers to learn with us or, using easy-to-use tools and resources we've made available on our website, they can learn on their own. One example of this is our <a href="http://forum.rugrag.com/" target="new">Oriental rug forum</a>, which continues to be an excellent resource and unadulterated center for interacting with specialists in the field of Oriental rugs.<br />
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I spend much of my time attending rug auctions - this picture of me was taken at a recent Sotheby's auction - browsing carpets online and consulting with consumers about their carpets. <br />
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<b>C.B.: Absolutely fascinating!</b><br />
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<i>And now, here is the article that David Dilmaghani from RugRag.com shares with us about area rug and carpet style inspiration.</i><br />
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There is little question that many years ago your interior designer would say timeless designs and classic motifs of reds and blues were the bread and butter of their business. Now, the new wave of area rugs is of an entirely different breed.<br />
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Contextually, area rugs are among the easiest and most versatile decorative items within a space. By mere definition, area rugs are movable. By exploiting this inherent characteristic comes clear benefit of freedom. Without question, it is an exciting time to be a consumer in this market as the carpets now available are clearly<br />
aligned with this spirit of decorative freedom.<br />
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Centuries ago, it was not uncommon to find what we now call area rugs to be throws and cover-alls above the floor. Carefully draped atop tables and chair-backs of the elite and well-to-do, Post 18th century, area rugs (traditionally hand-knotted rugs) were introduced back onto floors. Not only was this an aesthetic movement, but also in part, to serve their intended utility. Although rugs have been made for many, many centuries with varying techniques, weaving styles and textures, specifically now what is being presented to the market are extraordinarily progressive, and perhaps exponentially more integrative area rugs. Revivals, new weaving styles, materials, motifs, and even artist statements are bringing this somewhat traditional market to an entirely new era of floor covering. With the onslaught of the internet, almost any permutation of an area rug floor covering can spread like wildfire.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdpvcUNPLGGQQazC5-wAdXUSb5hhrif-bULJ9TQXwc987t2i6Qafy-l7LQOtDRaDPHAqcmd0Jkf0COIBBrytMo7hE6YsA03hPprTdEi6i-J2eyDQOcgukpghfVJjH0XDtkmrz8233o9gQ_/s1600/RR_color-reform-carpets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="area rug style inspiration: Color Reform" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdpvcUNPLGGQQazC5-wAdXUSb5hhrif-bULJ9TQXwc987t2i6Qafy-l7LQOtDRaDPHAqcmd0Jkf0COIBBrytMo7hE6YsA03hPprTdEi6i-J2eyDQOcgukpghfVJjH0XDtkmrz8233o9gQ_/s320/RR_color-reform-carpets.jpg" title="Area Rug Style Inspiration: Color Reform" width="320" /></a></div><br />
As an ode to classic and traditional and classic designs (and a bit of shabby chic) with a twist of color come worn semi-antique Turkish carpets. Exhibiting wear pattern and strong overtones of post-production coloring, <b><a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/sf/the-color-reform-rug-collection-by-abc-carpet-105787" target="new">Color reform</a></b>, as ABC calls their line of transformed art, makes new headway by rejuvenating otherwise deemed retired carpets.<br />
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Reinventing relics with brilliant, upbeat colors for a dazzled effect is what these whimsical carpets are all about. What a statement in how simple and effective use of color can bring entirely new emphasis on decorative value. Plus, they can be green. Literally and figuratively.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh589FEwyTG3Vg8400gT6_SEosWXZKR4ODkpUu8NPO1Z3kaS9_fdBtOEaQUUmEcNoJW8cbZ01KnZeqp0rhnWbrIoBcuNK6GkD9Khf3PVjxbRBguMtbPlHgbOVBmQFwZwtKkJCb6gsXbdbJl/s1600/RR_patchwork-rug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Area Rug Style Inspiration: Patchwork Style Rug" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh589FEwyTG3Vg8400gT6_SEosWXZKR4ODkpUu8NPO1Z3kaS9_fdBtOEaQUUmEcNoJW8cbZ01KnZeqp0rhnWbrIoBcuNK6GkD9Khf3PVjxbRBguMtbPlHgbOVBmQFwZwtKkJCb6gsXbdbJl/s320/RR_patchwork-rug.jpg" title="Area Rug Style Inspiration: Patchwork Style Rug" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Old design adapted and reintroduced into the marketplace is not limited to Color Reform carpets. <b>Patchwork rugs</b>, perhaps many years ago seen as the “seersucker” of area rugs, are exploding within the marketplace – so much so they’re being woven in one piece as opposed to being sewn together. These sometimes mismatched and haphazard integration of snippet designs completely transcends traditionalism in many ways.<br />
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With few exceptions, hand knotted rugs have largely been unbranded for the past century. <a href="http://www.samad.com/" target="new">Samad</a>, a renown importer of fine hand knotted carpets, literally brings art back to the floor with a new twist.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHWhfiFyC5LJYhTNMXBNpjVdbijan6V0p3u_IfTzAj9KgClzcqAQ68vV9vD6L0Zcujos8UvZRcFXvuH7x-WI-mt3-BYC8f2bn4IzBdLITSTM07yyWYJsDaneXoMxcxrrvzQ6WrrGATpH2x/s1600/RR_rex-ray-carpet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Area Rug Style Inspiration: Rex Ray Samad Collection: title=" area="" border="0" collection="" height="320" inspiration::="" ray="" rex="" rug="" samad="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHWhfiFyC5LJYhTNMXBNpjVdbijan6V0p3u_IfTzAj9KgClzcqAQ68vV9vD6L0Zcujos8UvZRcFXvuH7x-WI-mt3-BYC8f2bn4IzBdLITSTM07yyWYJsDaneXoMxcxrrvzQ6WrrGATpH2x/s320/RR_rex-ray-carpet.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><br />
Examples such as the <a href="http://www.samad.com/decorative-rugs/contemporary-rugs/rexray.html" target="new">Rex Ray collection provides duality - the prestige of a Samad rug </a>with additional decorative appeal from the work of San Francisco based graphic designer, <a href="http://www.rexray.com/" target="new">Rex Ray</a>. Beautifully rendered and expressive designs adapted within the age-old technique of a hand knotted, piled carpet.<br />
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Traditional <a href="http://www.flokati.com/" target="new">Flokati shag</a>, not entirely dissimilar to the thick piled carpets of the 60s and 70s, seemed to have risen back into the marketplace as a high contender in the 90s and early 2000s. However, it seems many forgot how frightening these types can potentially be to keep clean, let alone vacuuming. Newer developments include a thick pelted felt pile with fat, nubby pile. This translates into an entirely different visual effect, but more so, a completely new consumer experience AND sensation while walking on these unique area rugs.<br />
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Timeless and classic motifs of yesteryear continue to have heavy momentum within the new market of area rugs. Although the new market in area rugs is constantly evolving, often incorporating bits and pieces of the old (literally). In a highly interactive world, with constant changes and developments continuing to propel the area rug market forward there is no question that rugs are the best investment of choice: Adaptable decorative items within interior design in many cases, providing a tangible experience in home decor harnessing your<br />
room, whether on the wall, table, or of course the floors. <br />
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Thank you, David, for sharing this marvelous area rug and carpet style inspiration! Rugs truly are the ultimate in design statements and these examples you've shared with us are marvelous!<br />
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I'd love to hear reactions to these area rug styles. Which is your favorite? How do you see using such design statements in your home?<br />
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You can reach David Dilmaghani on <a href="http://www.rugrag.com/" target="_blank" title="http://www.rugrag.com/">www.RugRag.com</a>, on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rug-Rag/339902108650" target="new">Facebook</a> or via email at <a href="mailto:info@rugrag.com" target="_blank" title="mailto:info@rugrag.com">info@rugrag.com</a>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvH9egzAAsDDTx0pAomoLFKQ2uYVE6lmTCCgqrtdcM-af170URD5cW6k9TQhXW21W1xrh0lcuGw8TnJYRGbybuZAuqgApItOh27rvaqV2O2cfb7M-TLNTP2sgCfDnqCcpZzlSorCVE9LKl/s1600/cbw2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvH9egzAAsDDTx0pAomoLFKQ2uYVE6lmTCCgqrtdcM-af170URD5cW6k9TQhXW21W1xrh0lcuGw8TnJYRGbybuZAuqgApItOh27rvaqV2O2cfb7M-TLNTP2sgCfDnqCcpZzlSorCVE9LKl/s200/cbw2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>CB Whittemorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737846177421292411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239939622083929042.post-869638400899215602011-02-14T07:46:00.002-05:002011-02-14T07:46:00.445-05:00Karastan Carpet Valentines<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLu5pwSJEqf7r5YSsbJeCS4fAjD2HyXwMv7lXGtKeuTHAwWcwJix6qQlUoudtEK3z-8KTYIglThlYar5mrlls0aJ39LbNVKnFHchQXci5vd-Qx5lQxYNQQMaSLgsN3fkS8gXX1jpHhZnh2/s1600/K11Woold+Valentine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Karastan Carpet Valentines - Wool'd You Be My Valentine?" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLu5pwSJEqf7r5YSsbJeCS4fAjD2HyXwMv7lXGtKeuTHAwWcwJix6qQlUoudtEK3z-8KTYIglThlYar5mrlls0aJ39LbNVKnFHchQXci5vd-Qx5lQxYNQQMaSLgsN3fkS8gXX1jpHhZnh2/s400/K11Woold+Valentine.jpg" title="Karastan Carpet Valentines - Wool'd You Be My Valentine?" width="400" /></a></div>"<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i>Wool-d You Be My Valentine?</i></span>" That's the question my friend, <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/pub/josh-schoenfelder/22/9a9/bba">Josh Schoenfelder</a>, asked in an email as he shared with me marvelous Valentines from Karastan Carpet.<br />
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Josh works for <a href="http://www.veederperman.com/landing">Veeder + Perman</a> which represents <a href="http://www.karastan.com/">Karastan Carpet & Rugs</a> [and <a href="http://www.coverings.com/coverings2011/public/enter.aspx">Coverings</a> where I offer educational seminars]. He and I have exchanged tweets and emails for over a year - about carpet, Coverings and Tweetups. One of these days I will make the trek from my office in New Jersey to his in New York City to meet him in person.<br />
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Meanwhile, Josh, in honor of Valentine's Day, shared with me these carpet-inspired <b>Karastan-A-Grams</b> that you, too, can share with those who care as much about carpet as you do. He writes:<br />
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<i>Hi Christine-</i><br />
<br />
<i>I wanted to send some Karastan-A-Grams your way.</i><br />
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<i>This year, Karastan was “feeling the love” and created the catchy and cute Valentine’s cards using the beautiful designs of Karastan rugs as the artwork. They're also part of a Facebook contest, where consumers can fill out and upload on Karastan's Facebook wall: </i><i><a href="http://www.facebook.com/KarastanCarpetsandRugs." target="_blank" title="http://www.facebook.com/KarastanCarpetsandRugs.">www.facebook.com/KarastanCarpetsandRugs.</a></i><br />
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<i>Thought this might make for a fun blog post? If not, "wool-d" you still be my Valentine? Ha!</i><br />
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<i>Best,</i><br />
<i>Josh</i><br />
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The last time I wrote a post in honor of Valentine's Day, I focused on the color red. [You might enjoy the post. It's titled <a href="http://carpetology.blogspot.com/2008/02/red-around-world.html">Red Around the World</a>.] As much as I enjoyed learning about the different meanings of the color red, I love the idea of Valentines based on carpet and rug artwork.<br />
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In addition to the Valentine above, Karastan created four more as you can see below:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXelrHFZ9W3JKdeDKHz0RJWphCyqx0TyHw80nkUVHTJk3Xfh2gF8egDEIP4eVddTfv7hchihO5bfpDVFxhXeJ10GBzkTzM79m358P7-np4DdM6N2QHX-URTJ62dwC1Tkbn9Fiy01bCGEwH/s1600/K11Animal+Valentine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Karastan Carpet Valentines - Animal" border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXelrHFZ9W3JKdeDKHz0RJWphCyqx0TyHw80nkUVHTJk3Xfh2gF8egDEIP4eVddTfv7hchihO5bfpDVFxhXeJ10GBzkTzM79m358P7-np4DdM6N2QHX-URTJ62dwC1Tkbn9Fiy01bCGEwH/s320/K11Animal+Valentine.jpg" title="Karastan Carpet Valentines - Animal" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTOjGXpwpR0efX7avtGBxTbSOi4mF3PZz0IavEx-JXVzMKn2XTV8wh6OOqmvZBC0zaFaeaP_Ab1I3FV9eY3n-LjxAx0QsDRjD6PbZzhd9UEadgAKhGngofnE-6CQObCB_5_4PcO0WfYuAX/s1600/K11Check+Valentine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Karastan Carpet Valentines - Check" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTOjGXpwpR0efX7avtGBxTbSOi4mF3PZz0IavEx-JXVzMKn2XTV8wh6OOqmvZBC0zaFaeaP_Ab1I3FV9eY3n-LjxAx0QsDRjD6PbZzhd9UEadgAKhGngofnE-6CQObCB_5_4PcO0WfYuAX/s320/K11Check+Valentine.jpg" title="Karastan Carpet Valentines - Check" width="192" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAjW3OFVywxv57yXFAkqjeL3WhyphenhyphenaOROhCq-nycZr2CqvIQEjVeeekMmKIdFnWJYkByDC0cL2xUuLc6Eh2jzsR3JOuAOhcwwzeSfmKpn215U5A5zfspLslbuxLUA2risz-I6BUH2TOmDCOB/s1600/K11Snug+Bug+Valentine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt=" - Snug Bug" border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAjW3OFVywxv57yXFAkqjeL3WhyphenhyphenaOROhCq-nycZr2CqvIQEjVeeekMmKIdFnWJYkByDC0cL2xUuLc6Eh2jzsR3JOuAOhcwwzeSfmKpn215U5A5zfspLslbuxLUA2risz-I6BUH2TOmDCOB/s320/K11Snug+Bug+Valentine.jpg" title=" - Snug Bug" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihcHo4Mtrhyphenhyphen8ia0SYARnl3BkeI0AlRMwa4OPeNvgDfYgoZHDmbWYjoO3wtfVLo14ULxvIM-m8e2id6p681C1i4wj2vnoNiiuQNZfGv8brozrjvPPqLtTC8A-vvA4komHsuKatVt8zOe9Au/s1600/K11Stop+and+Stair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Karastan Carpet Valentines - Stop and Stair" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihcHo4Mtrhyphenhyphen8ia0SYARnl3BkeI0AlRMwa4OPeNvgDfYgoZHDmbWYjoO3wtfVLo14ULxvIM-m8e2id6p681C1i4wj2vnoNiiuQNZfGv8brozrjvPPqLtTC8A-vvA4komHsuKatVt8zOe9Au/s320/K11Stop+and+Stair.jpg" title="Karastan Carpet Valentines - Stop and Stair" width="192" /></a></div><br />
So, which is your favorite Karastan Carpet Valentine? Go visit the Karastan Facebook Page and spread the carpet love.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><i><b>Happy Valentine's Day!</b></i></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXBmgbx91uCalR5qoM7FfJT5L6norjp2fZiQQE5eVbBITtq15Q11ULy7tw2KIo7QqFOsOa97ho4rRihTWuCgMHF2DbkHkfdNkXLrY_n4xTfy-M8OZBHst5A37szHHkMV27QFeIBrmFNxoA/s1600/cbw2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXBmgbx91uCalR5qoM7FfJT5L6norjp2fZiQQE5eVbBITtq15Q11ULy7tw2KIo7QqFOsOa97ho4rRihTWuCgMHF2DbkHkfdNkXLrY_n4xTfy-M8OZBHst5A37szHHkMV27QFeIBrmFNxoA/s200/cbw2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>CB Whittemorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737846177421292411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239939622083929042.post-8861048413655304912011-01-12T12:05:00.000-05:002011-01-12T12:05:44.062-05:00Want Carpet? Pick a Number!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGYckKLnKK-duQDkP4_Kc2bqmCzMX5lNNhM4DiHRdSIonUOWVdON-PuIeC50VGgHw-ArXTMM1fQgM-xdtaVny3ngiwp3zWg0CW9KXBS-TLnl2eug-25HdEywQpKtwTXCrHszPPUewRF_vO/s1600/Mathcarpet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Want Carpet? Pick a Number! The Mathematical Carpet" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGYckKLnKK-duQDkP4_Kc2bqmCzMX5lNNhM4DiHRdSIonUOWVdON-PuIeC50VGgHw-ArXTMM1fQgM-xdtaVny3ngiwp3zWg0CW9KXBS-TLnl2eug-25HdEywQpKtwTXCrHszPPUewRF_vO/s320/Mathcarpet.jpg" title="Want Carpet? Pick a Number! The Mathematical Carpet" width="219" /></a></div>From what I've observed, flooring - and carpet - tends not to get the attention and credit it deserves for completing a room design. The floor matters aesthetically and practically. It also creates opportunity for conversation (i.e., human warmth) and I love encountering carpet examples that help make that point. In this case, it's via numbers. Hence the title to this post: <b>Want Carpet? Pick a Number! </b><br />
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More specifically, numbers as in this carpet labeled "The Mathematical Carpet" which I learned about via <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/30/garden/30rugs.html?_r=3" target="new"><i>The Mathematical Carpe</i>t</a> in T<i>he New York Times</i>.<br />
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This "Mathematical Carpet" features - what else but... numbers. The end result is a numbers-based, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abstract_expressionism" target="new">Abstract-Expressionist</a> inspired carpet designed by <a href="http://www.hokansoncarpet.com/" target="new">Hokanson's Carpet</a> [Note: website relentlessly plays Sinatra's "<i>Do it my way</i>"] in Houston, TX. <br />
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Each rug is custom made which -to me- means that you can pick and choose which numbers best suit your fancy.<br />
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I particularly love the range of colors and the lack of bland beige-ness. <br />
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Imagine the conversations you might have as a result of a number-inspired carpet: the state of the economy, how successful you were in closing your last deal, reviewing addition, subtraction, multiplication and division with your children, the order of numbers, probability, proportions in recipes, ... The possibilities are endless!<br />
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Wouldn't an alphabet version be fun, too? With a mixture of script and print and a range of handwriting styles. I'd identify it as "The Handwriting Carpet".<br />
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What's your reaction? What carpet designs have you come across that lead to interesting conversations? Any that are number-based?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizTHx5nE9di8xZuCNIA_h-dfhjFm6ARWvAzaFnf-_j2_LnBk7YVqHtLLjmOdOjJP9-h5lk0hAWF4rcQFyUpCLrK32uNq3etjwkJvvAzda9kWE3kRVRynul0uaJe3K22eFxXjCnFD9cI1eV/s1600/cbw2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizTHx5nE9di8xZuCNIA_h-dfhjFm6ARWvAzaFnf-_j2_LnBk7YVqHtLLjmOdOjJP9-h5lk0hAWF4rcQFyUpCLrK32uNq3etjwkJvvAzda9kWE3kRVRynul0uaJe3K22eFxXjCnFD9cI1eV/s200/cbw2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>CB Whittemorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737846177421292411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239939622083929042.post-88220323531606531332011-01-05T08:04:00.003-05:002011-01-05T08:58:13.578-05:00Around the World With Carpet.... At Airports<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhua5hm83uoMoHoqbfgsk2Aam75SXF1jog9Rjg1WMw-9Ryk8pdKHfT8tx1pGsy2m9EDwTWDqaUiZWxpLCfkn-3e0mUs3iT-2bmI318tjsfSJR8zO7NLRfHs8WClVScKO1N_0J6gTzjNTXFs/s1600/carpetsForAirports_Home.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Around the World With Carpet.... At Airports" border="0" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhua5hm83uoMoHoqbfgsk2Aam75SXF1jog9Rjg1WMw-9Ryk8pdKHfT8tx1pGsy2m9EDwTWDqaUiZWxpLCfkn-3e0mUs3iT-2bmI318tjsfSJR8zO7NLRfHs8WClVScKO1N_0J6gTzjNTXFs/s320/carpetsForAirports_Home.jpg" title="Around the World With Carpet.... At Airports" width="320" /></a></div>Bethany Richmond from the <a href="http://www.carpet-and-rug-institute-blog.com/" target="new">Carpet and Rug Institute Blog</a> just published "<a href="http://www.carpet-and-rug-institute-blog.com/2011/01/colorful-world-of-airport-carpet-george.html" target="new"><i>The Colorful World of Airport Carpet: George Pendle's Carpet For Airports Site</i></a>". It's a delicious romp around the world with carpet at airports all from the comfort of your computer!<br />
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I was so excited about her find that I had to share it with you here.<br />
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First, it literally shows you carpet around the world from a multitude of airports.<br />
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Next, <a href="http://carpetsforairports.com/" target="new">Carpets For Airports'</a> author - George Pendle - has a delicious sense of humor that will have you in stitches.<br />
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Finally, I'm a big believer in carpet in airports - to absorb sound, add warmth and generally create a more welcoming environment there as well as in other public environments. These two posts - <a href="http://flooringtheconsumer.blogspot.com/2007/02/pounding-las-vegas-pavements.html" target="new">Pounding Las Vegas Pavements</a> and <a href="http://carpetology.blogspot.com/2008/05/foots-perspective-episode-4.html" target="new">A Foot's Perspective - Episode 4</a> - offer perspective on why.<br />
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Check out Bethany's post and visit <b>Carpets For Airports</b>. Will you? Then, let me know which is your favorite carpeted airport!<br />
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I can't wait to hear back from you. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDhIkrU1bFZBQScKHkrS6eg1z75OLKWqOc9atJCWeKB2nbT3ZkxeHxhkhwflLueSyFhA6cs_AhLpswpSMAm6dFbhpdcVf2JmXaZbJapxbXUuKLH5EZPLd8WObgfHYM6NFvg_3Snk0we8pP/s1600/cbw2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDhIkrU1bFZBQScKHkrS6eg1z75OLKWqOc9atJCWeKB2nbT3ZkxeHxhkhwflLueSyFhA6cs_AhLpswpSMAm6dFbhpdcVf2JmXaZbJapxbXUuKLH5EZPLd8WObgfHYM6NFvg_3Snk0we8pP/s200/cbw2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>CB Whittemorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737846177421292411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239939622083929042.post-21271386591057078082010-12-22T08:03:00.002-05:002010-12-22T20:50:16.100-05:00Carpet Design Inspiration: Meagan Webb, tx:style Winner<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG6Ijz9ecDjXlcxK66daRCsN3zbc7cY2RYcE-HfaeFTTPAD9kutW-nUfNwzLUG3zR7bMWnid9sHD-4uF2rWbuQsKo4yfz5Hi52wESXVgFsKuVzatzbK1kO5pMAIi783bhb9y2jiDMIONO0/s1600/txstyle_Neo+con+4.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Carpet Design Inspiration: Meagan Webb, tx:style Winner" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG6Ijz9ecDjXlcxK66daRCsN3zbc7cY2RYcE-HfaeFTTPAD9kutW-nUfNwzLUG3zR7bMWnid9sHD-4uF2rWbuQsKo4yfz5Hi52wESXVgFsKuVzatzbK1kO5pMAIi783bhb9y2jiDMIONO0/s320/txstyle_Neo+con+4.bmp" title="Carpet Design Inspiration: Meagan Webb, tx:style Winner" width="240" /></a></div><a href="http://www.mannington.com/commercial/pressroom.aspx/2010/12/6/release-mannington-commercial-announces-txstyle-design-challenge-year-three" target="new">Mannington Commercial has just announced the 2011 tx:style Design Challenge</a>.This is the third year of the competition and the resulting carpet design inspiration is truly electrifying.<br />
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I first wrote about tx:style Design Challenge in <a href="http://carpetology.blogspot.com/2008/12/mannington-commercial-carpet-design.html" target="new">Mannington Commercial Carpet Design Competition - tx:style</a> in December 2008. I was thrilled to hear back from Carly Rullman from <a href="http://www.scoutbrand.com/" target="new">Scout Brand </a>- who coordinates tx:style - about the <b><a href="http://www.manningtontxstyle.com/" target="new">2011 tx:style Design Challenge</a></b> and asked her for perspective on the competition and on carpet design inspiration resulting from the program. Carly graciously put together the following interview with 2009 tx:style Design Challenge winner, <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/pub/meagan-webb-leed-ap-iida/12/b05/7b1%22" target="new">Meagan Webb</a> on her Squareberry Collection.<br />
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[Note: here are <a href="http://www.manningtontxstyle.com/contestdetails" target="new">details for participating in the 2011 tx:style Design Challenge</a>.]<br />
<h4>From Carpet Concept to Installation: An Interview with 2009 tx:style Design Challenge Winner, Meagan Webb</h4>By Carly J. Rullman<br />
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In the Nashville VA Hospital, there lies an area with brand new carpet flooring- a design called Canopy. Inspired by the finite details of nature, Canopy is part of the Squareberry Collection which healthcare designer, Meagan Webb, entered into the 2009 tx:style Design Challenge. Meagan Webb also won the first tx:style Design Challenge.<br />
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Now in its third year, the tx:style Design Challenge gives designers a platform to showcase their talents and a shot at having their design turned into a complete product line by Mannington Commercial. Meagan tells us about her experience in going from carpet concept to installation.<br />
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<b>What prompted you to enter the tx:style Design Challenge? </b> <br />
I heard about the tx: style Design Challenge at a very sensitive time. The healthcare design firm for which I was employed experienced large layoffs due to the economic challenges that many architecture firms have experienced. I was affected by the layoff; therefore, a former coworker called to check on me and mentioned the contest. She encouraged me to enter, but the catch was—it ended that week! I decided to go for it and got to work immediately. <br />
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<div style="text-align: right;"></div><b>What inspired the Squareberry design? </b><br />
I am amazed by the beauty of God’s creation when hiking. The finite detail that was put into creation astounded me. I noticed that not one leaf was identical to the next. As I pondered, I contrasted the way God designed the world with the way man interprets creation. Man sees everything on a grid. Everything has a size, shape and increment.<br />
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Squareberry contrasts the organic shapes of creation with the rigid grid that we design and see through our own eyes. This creates a delicate juxtaposition of geometry and organic forms. <br />
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<b>Did you have any particular installations in mind when you were designing Squareberry? </b><br />
Naturally, I thought of healthcare installations; however, I think the carpet design would work well for hospitality or retail applications, as well.<br />
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<b>What 3 words would you use to describe Squareberry?</b><br />
Organic, geometric, layered.<br />
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<b>How was your NeoCon experience?</b> [<i>Note: finalists of the tx:style Design Challenge are awarded a trip to <a href="http://www.neocon.com/" target="new">NeoCon World’s Trade Fair in Chicago</a>.</i>]<br />
My 2009 NeoCon experience was indescribable. It was amazing to network with other designers from around the country and share the Squareberry design story. It was intriguing to learn about the other designers’ inspiration stories. Hearing those stories made me realize one can truly find inspiration anywhere. I really enjoyed getting to share this experience with the other extremely talented finalists. It was an opportunity of a lifetime that I will never forget and hope that many other designers get to experience it as well.<br />
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<b>What have been the biggest challenges you've faced as a young designer?</b><br />
The biggest challenge I have faced as a young designer is beginning and continuing my career in the current economic times. I have been forced to be creative and diversify myself as much as possible. While looking for a job, I did residential and commercial freelance work, including landscape design, graphic design and interior design, as well as renovating historic homes in Nashville. This was my opportunity to try new ventures and discover what aspects of design I was passionate about.<br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"></div><b>What are your goals for Squareberry? </b><br />
I would love to see the entire Squareberry carpet collection installed in a healthcare facility lobby. I would relish the opportunity to continue designing carpet in the future and hope to build upon this experience. I really enjoyed the detail of pattern making and the process from concept to installation. It opened my eyes to the opportunities in carpet and textile design.<br />
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<b>What are your goals as a designer?</b><br />
I plan to continue my career as a healthcare designer working at the <a href="http://www2.va.gov/directory/GUIDE/facility.asp?id=95" target="new">Nashville VA Medical Center</a> serving our veterans. I find healthcare design a rewarding field by knowing I am creating a healing environment for those who are suffering. To keep my creativity fueled, I will purse my personal venture of renovating historic homes and businesses in east Nashville.<br />
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<b>Where can someone find an installation of Squareberry?</b> <br />
I recently had the opportunity to install Canopy, a Squareberry carpet coordinate, in the Nashville VA Hospital Medical Services department. This was such a rewarding experience that brought the design to life.<br />
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<b>What makes up the Squareberry line exactly? </b><br />
<i>Squareberry</i>- Juxtaposes organic forms and rigid grid lines.<br />
<i>Canopy</i>-Takes a closer look at the tree. Admiring the vast depth of the tree canopy. The deeper you look the more layers you see.<br />
<i>Bark</i>- Inspired by the texture of bark, a grid like texture that repeats.<br />
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<b>Thanks, Meagan! </b><br />
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The Squareberry carpet collection is offered by <a href="http://www.manningtoncommercial.com/" target="new">Mannington Commercial</a>. Meagan Webb currently works as a Healthcare Designer at Nashville VA Hospital and continues to do home and business renovations in east Nashville.<br />
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This year’s tx:style Design Challenge launched Dec. 6th, 2010 and goes until Feb. 16, 2011. The contest is open to all practicing designers and architects of varying experiences. To enter your winning design, go to <a href="http://www.manningtontxstyle.com/" target="new">www.manningtontxstyle.com</a>.<br />
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Thank you, Carly and Meagan, and all the best to the Mannington Commercial <b>2011 tx:style Design Challenge</b> participants! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ikEkOaPT9pniMTm5nDpRTLpeVJPMH4AOyeSeNbJsKJAnhykWiuddTZlSfPD8CuIezmUfVmwBuK7qJejB0-cic5UeG8esxJ-F3MS0m0n4FnEyOaxDg_v-E5EstUo4u8zjwA2SVMzv4DN4/s1600/cbw2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ikEkOaPT9pniMTm5nDpRTLpeVJPMH4AOyeSeNbJsKJAnhykWiuddTZlSfPD8CuIezmUfVmwBuK7qJejB0-cic5UeG8esxJ-F3MS0m0n4FnEyOaxDg_v-E5EstUo4u8zjwA2SVMzv4DN4/s200/cbw2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
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<b>Photo Credit: </b><br />
Photo courtesy of Mannington Commercial.CB Whittemorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737846177421292411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239939622083929042.post-72995994540377345722010-12-14T08:01:00.001-05:002010-12-14T08:01:00.390-05:00Carpet Style Trends & Ideas: George Clarke<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ8FqMZwwdi6gx7wrOA-NMSgwgWCq-Vu9wHSN11KovaYzf2ERmkQp_OYWGtxzhkAEEHk_naotC43MlneHQnK2gv8DPNdOTZl-VJbluujIBUt0OTED5suRBz_PZ4ycTc9z3twPZXsFCnhNf/s1600/housetohome2010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" alt="Carpet Style Trends & Ideas: George Clarke" title="Carpet Style Trends & Ideas: George Clarke" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ8FqMZwwdi6gx7wrOA-NMSgwgWCq-Vu9wHSN11KovaYzf2ERmkQp_OYWGtxzhkAEEHk_naotC43MlneHQnK2gv8DPNdOTZl-VJbluujIBUt0OTED5suRBz_PZ4ycTc9z3twPZXsFCnhNf/s320/housetohome2010.jpg" width="257" /></a></div>Did you participate in the <a href="http://carpetology.blogspot.com/2010/10/live-uk-design-chat-101510-george.html" target=new >10/15/10 live web chat with UK designer George Clarke?</a> If not, you can still enjoy the replay and glean carpet style trends, colors and ideas from the lively exchanges that took place. Here is a <a href="http://www.housetohome.co.uk/articles/George_Clarke_039_s_home_improvement_tips_-_REPLAY_OUR_WEBCHAT_502130.html" target=new >link to the housetohome webchat with George Clarke</a>.<br />
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I thought I would recap for you George's comments relating to carpet since they are so relevant to the <i>Carpetology Blog</i> and bring to life some great <b>carpet style trends and ideas</b>.<br />
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By the way, George has carpet in his home. During the webchat he explained that he has carpet in his bedrooms and is about to install 1000 sq. feet of carpet in his newly designed basement because he wants that space to be "<i>sofy, cosy and quiet...</i>"<br />
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My friends at Funonthefloor.com invited me to ask the first question. What an honor!<br />
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<b>Housetohome:</b><br />
Let’s kick off with a question from Christine B Whittemore of Carpetology - "<i>My readers are very interested in carpet style trends. What's the best way to incorporate the latest carpet patterns and styles in home design?"</i><br />
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<b>George's response</b>:<br />
<i>Bold colours or simple stripes are a really good way to incorporate the latest trends... this Season's <a href="http://www.ukhomeideas.co.uk/ideas/other/web-sites/george-clarke-joins-fun-on-the-floor%E2%80%99s-expert-panel" target=new >'Ballet Russe'</a> is a perfect example of a latest trend - get the look with a rich red or plum carpet in a velvet pile - these are perfect and luxurious for bedrooms. There are loads of ideas and more information on this at <a href="http://www.funonthefloor.com/" target=new >www.funonthefloor.com</a>.</i><br />
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[Thank you, George, and FunontheFloor!]<br />
<br />
<b>George Clarke offered advice on making a "teeny little flat in London" look bigger:</b> <i> first have a big clear out and declutter, use minimal finishes and over elaborate on furnishings and decoration, integrate storage as much as possible rather than having free standing furniture, use a light coloured carpet on the floor or other light finishes...and paint all of the walls a light bright colour...a matt trade white is my favourite...keep everything minimal and simple. G</i><br />
<br />
<b>On making a space look less gloomy and more cheerful: </b><i>get as much natural light in there as possible. My house is north facing and I have lots of skylights to get stronger light into all of the rooms. A few bright and bold colours on the wall or on the floor by using bright, colourful carpet can also add colour and vibrancy to a room....light and colour!!!!!! G</i><br />
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<b>On carpet for absorbing sound and as alternative to wood flooing</b>: <i>I'm a big fan of thick comfortable carpet. Timber flooring has been trendy for years but can often be cold in a room and for flats like yours its impractical. Go soft, cosy and luxurious...visit www.funonthefloor.com...G</i><br />
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[NB: Carpet is also a "<i>brilliant insulator!!!!!!</i>" says George.] <br />
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<b>On which colors are popular trends for carpet: </b> <i>Abby...no way!...people are far more adventurous now and are avoiding the usual beige. The research and trends today show that people are looking to personalise their style and want to bring more character into their homes...the days of boring bland and neutral are gone! visit www.funonthefloor.com to see the trends for this year...you'll be impressed! G [CB: Hurray! George says it's ok to banish the beige!]</i><br />
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<b>On carpet and kids:</b> <i>everyone thinks carpet is completely impractical with kids...this aint true...they are much easier to clean and maintain than they used to be so don't compromise on comfort over practicality. There are ways of keeping your carpet in great nick. G</i><br />
<br />
<b>On the best carpet style for high traffic areas </b>- asked by <a href="http://blueantstudio.blogspot.com/" target=new >Blue Ant Studio blog</a>: <i>A carpet labelled ‘Heavy Domestic’ will be good for high traffic areas. Berber carpets, also known as looped pile, are very durable and practical. A cut pile or twist is good for any room in the home. </i><br />
<br />
<i>Your carpet retailer should be able to help you choose one...and visit <a href="http://www.funonthefloor.com/" target=new >www.funonthefloor.com</a> for even more inspiration and technical advice. G</i><br />
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[Note for North American readers: 'heavy domestic' is a carpet performance rating in the UK.]<br />
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Read through the web chat replay for some of the other tips, trends and ideas that George Clarke shared. As you can tell from these few responses the energy and enthusiasm were high - on George's part and from those participating and asking questions. Don't you think?<br />
<br />
For additional resources about carpet trends and design ideas, check out:<br />
<a href="http://www.funonthefloor.com/" target=new >www.FunontheFloor.com</a><br />
<a href="http://www.funonthefloor.com/our-experts/george-clarke" target=new >George Clarke's Fun on the Floor design blog</a><br />
<br />
And, from HousetoHome, short videos with George Clarke on<br />
+ <a href="http://www.housetohome.co.uk/articles/advice/style_ideas/%20%20George_Clarke_s_guide_to_an_energy-efficient_home_-%20%20%20_SEE_VIDEO__448535.html?subslug=" target=new >How to make your home more eco-friendly</a><br />
+ <a href="http://www.housetohome.co.uk/articles/advice/%20%20planning/George_Clarke_s_5_ways_to_add_value_to_your_home_-%20%20_SEE_VIDEO__448537.html?subslug=" target=new >How to add value to your home</a><br />
And, finally <a href="http://www.georgeclarke.co.uk/" target=new >George Clarke's website</a>!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsPxkTyI1EqnuFq0Wy0wqVeDefMM00z5Qjy-7OYzcUDImDPzTxfebmaDVRkL31LTip-q7qHievDKF6VuZbbjpeR2JcM7n_rjfJoD_JVT8RR8RRMN-9cUelUMrjKoJ_wIZu6s2re8bXPVIw/s1600/cbw2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsPxkTyI1EqnuFq0Wy0wqVeDefMM00z5Qjy-7OYzcUDImDPzTxfebmaDVRkL31LTip-q7qHievDKF6VuZbbjpeR2JcM7n_rjfJoD_JVT8RR8RRMN-9cUelUMrjKoJ_wIZu6s2re8bXPVIw/s200/cbw2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>CB Whittemorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737846177421292411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239939622083929042.post-6515404433042721762010-10-28T16:15:00.000-04:002010-10-28T16:15:01.796-04:00Las Vegas Style Inspiration: Bathroom Blogfest 2010<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUwJEiWVwMVQDA_P6EqKkCMg5tbYkIsllIYs7NaBKuWJvuX5z1tp3xYegKDsvxtzEmZxK1NUcx1aOnoGRvUoWh58YSxQsXRQFdruPpv_3G06hl513UDv5sMF7QPNu8x7ZscOABTtW5ODPa/s1600/BathBlogfest-2010--button-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Bathroom Blogfest 2010" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUwJEiWVwMVQDA_P6EqKkCMg5tbYkIsllIYs7NaBKuWJvuX5z1tp3xYegKDsvxtzEmZxK1NUcx1aOnoGRvUoWh58YSxQsXRQFdruPpv_3G06hl513UDv5sMF7QPNu8x7ZscOABTtW5ODPa/s1600/BathBlogfest-2010--button-2.jpg" title="Bathroom Blogfest 2010" /></a></div>Back in February 2010 - seems like ages ago - <a href="http://www.surfaces.com/" target="new">Surfaces</a> organized an insider's tour in Las Vegas of the <a href="http://www.encorelasvegas.com/" target="new">Encore</a>, hipper, younger sister to the <a href="http://wynnlasvegas.com/" target="new">Wynn</a>, led by the Encore design team. The experience - because it captured intense Las Vegas style inspiration - was unforgettable. Luckily, I had my camera handy and kept it busy thereby allowing me to share with you several bathrooms.<br />
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It shouldn't come as a surprise that opulence is a dominant theme throughout the Wynn and Encore in terms of unique materials and themes and fascinating juxtapositions of products.<br />
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We started out at the Wynn Las Vegas. This first bathroom is located in the shopper section - definitely not your average shopping mall public restroom! Notice the beautiful materials and the combinations of colors, shapes and textures. I love the contrast between the bold floor pattern and the more soothing solids of the other surfaces.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5VRmTd5CIFFYEF_3jgHDpsVK406kAsaRFNlK6GKroCk0X4Ja1BZyfWSrfjEaPfGEzLsQHufoIkW8KFdyQq1krQxV2_AFUErCMdXz8U2nNE6FqCRVG7_Jc_D-78-_4nJC4vGwvnvGQn1sm/s320/IMG_3243.JPG" style="clear: both; margin: 0px auto 10px;" title="Wynn Las Vegas bathroom" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Restrooms in the Wynn shopping mall</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5VRmTd5CIFFYEF_3jgHDpsVK406kAsaRFNlK6GKroCk0X4Ja1BZyfWSrfjEaPfGEzLsQHufoIkW8KFdyQq1krQxV2_AFUErCMdXz8U2nNE6FqCRVG7_Jc_D-78-_4nJC4vGwvnvGQn1sm/s1600/IMG_3243.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>As you transition from the Wynn to the Encore you notice butterflies. The effect is subtle because the <a href="http://carpetology.blogspot.com/2010/03/carpet-style-trends-2010.html" target="new">color scheme works together</a>. The Encore theme is the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butterfly" target="new">butterfly</a> which symbolizes metamorphosis; it's considered good luck across all cultures. I took many photos of all of the instances of butterflies: in store windows, on the walls, in sconces.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFo4b3g2mNoYCoArLAx89AX7JCwQTuzZd2b5VnV6GGZtG9iWrR1siik5RfOQtflp3rZg_pitiJhdaTKEiiZmuot20f8naKXPZtdTpYbvyn5o3OKviaL9UzMJ8aeGznYFUZBO1mIQo-cRz6/s320/IMG_3259.JPG" style="clear: both; margin: 0px auto 10px;" title="Encore butterfly inspired carpet" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carpet transitioning from the Wynn to Encore</td></tr>
</tbody></table>This bold butterfly carpet pattern was repeated in tile patterns. Truly marvelous!<br />
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Moving on to another bathroom.<br />
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We visited the<a href="http://www.encorelasvegas.com/#/nightlife/xs/" target="new"> XS Club</a>, inspired by the human body, and were told that this was a place that got pretty wild at night. Luckily, we were there early in the day and had it all to ourselves. Check out the women's room....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFo4b3g2mNoYCoArLAx89AX7JCwQTuzZd2b5VnV6GGZtG9iWrR1siik5RfOQtflp3rZg_pitiJhdaTKEiiZmuot20f8naKXPZtdTpYbvyn5o3OKviaL9UzMJ8aeGznYFUZBO1mIQo-cRz6/s1600/IMG_3259.JPG"></a> <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxQdluk4IBCB86morfiro5M5yG4mrkG5eAlfF76l_LqkFlCjtR26RP3eTZ6wdGLHAOfStyBfoj4WYJYvEusBnJVcA5soHh3i2EY3kgb23DUZbr4Iup0glTmD1GUu6pU2cYT8U7As7M0DG2/s320/IMG_3282.JPG" style="clear: both; margin: 0px auto 10px;" title="XS bathroom" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Women's Room: What's That in the Mirror?</td></tr>
</tbody></table><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxQdluk4IBCB86morfiro5M5yG4mrkG5eAlfF76l_LqkFlCjtR26RP3eTZ6wdGLHAOfStyBfoj4WYJYvEusBnJVcA5soHh3i2EY3kgb23DUZbr4Iup0glTmD1GUu6pU2cYT8U7As7M0DG2/s1600/IMG_3282.JPG"></a> <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6OYwb-PbWaTqecRegFu-59F1gGEyEWA9QSsxijcjpnRks9z6ZrJBL46LtiD3LkU_nRd0vjQWTQpqpOdaXQNUs7W_NYfAoXtM6HpnONU5azZG7xdZOzXvnrqTanITraC0zoPqFV-NkI86z/s320/IMG_3283.JPG" style="clear: both; margin: 0px auto 10px;" title="XS bathroom: understated, utilitarian flash" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Understated, utilitarian flash</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWak_tDZr6xlGPcijEtyHEiwaNSZPdsHSdVDAGLz8fNio_POAt4XqYGM0tX0S9moTQ2ltm4hYF4Tsx_SfcWX6pvZFFJf8RawOlPmcvcAUmI__eZ_IYOCBEg9YUlPSAxQQpdBeKoI7JylBh/s320/IMG_3284.JPG" style="clear: both; margin: 0px auto 10px;" title="XS Bathroom: Functional with glitz" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Functional with glitz</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6OYwb-PbWaTqecRegFu-59F1gGEyEWA9QSsxijcjpnRks9z6ZrJBL46LtiD3LkU_nRd0vjQWTQpqpOdaXQNUs7W_NYfAoXtM6HpnONU5azZG7xdZOzXvnrqTanITraC0zoPqFV-NkI86z/s1600/IMG_3283.JPG"></a><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" bathroom="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCh1kWWiQ-B4YHM4ciRNZQUYDJP7kOP_ak0jbOkfv_CUHmkk7O5IQRPfg_icqr4vh-F45Mz6UN4_0FJ2CqCCV-163mcf7vHtjNPNhqORnOAgV-MLedQ0IeTc0efMYnVo95kFyouw1yHiI6/s320/IMG_3285.JPG" style="clear: both; margin: 0px auto 10px;" title="XS Bathroom Warning" warning="" xs="" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Consider yourself warned!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>As you exited the bar to make your way to the foyer, these marvelous torsos lined the wall.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTM0w0ldF8mlc-gVcSIIdiv_YlIc8LqsmIBQGE9OOxhYqdw7-CCj8PXhpzJvD6_8soCBhE18HMRr-0Zgc6P7_WXmCDjqjsVhJ4jlHGhsA2FBVR3GgN6nTBan9DAVZ8UtTueSenHlOzXTEJ/s320/IMG_3286.JPG" style="clear: both; margin: 0px auto 10px;" title="XS draped torsos" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reminds me of Rodin's Gates of Hell</td></tr>
</tbody></table><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTM0w0ldF8mlc-gVcSIIdiv_YlIc8LqsmIBQGE9OOxhYqdw7-CCj8PXhpzJvD6_8soCBhE18HMRr-0Zgc6P7_WXmCDjqjsVhJ4jlHGhsA2FBVR3GgN6nTBan9DAVZ8UtTueSenHlOzXTEJ/s1600/IMG_3286.JPG"></a> <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEl2Hfeq-aBMvdiXxZpsPUShnX3qCD4o5dvb9nIYwco0INhvJwscTbVId0fyZBjawkIfeVeYbaAS8SO7E9l6oYmHBrbrn8ugR-bwel-Wq1dWhbkYrDjiw4PPIpvFbL4r9hKidAGGpeeO9x/s320/IMG_3289.JPG" style="clear: both; margin: 0px auto 10px;" title="XS coatcheck" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love this: Coat Check</td></tr>
</tbody></table>[Funny how many casino nightclubs seem inspired by the human body. Definitely read <a href="http://www.nj.com/insidejersey/index.ssf/2010/07/new_jerseys_best_restrooms.html" target="new">Inside Jersey's Best of NJ: The best public bathrooms</a> by <a href="http://www.gregsaitz.com/index.html" target="new">Greg Saitz</a>' description of the Caesar's Atlantic City Hotel and Casino bathroom.]<br />
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This image I took along our walk. I just had to include it. You are right in concluding that it has nothing to do with the club we just left. I consider it timelessly elegant, possibly even reminiscent of the 60s?.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEl2Hfeq-aBMvdiXxZpsPUShnX3qCD4o5dvb9nIYwco0INhvJwscTbVId0fyZBjawkIfeVeYbaAS8SO7E9l6oYmHBrbrn8ugR-bwel-Wq1dWhbkYrDjiw4PPIpvFbL4r9hKidAGGpeeO9x/s1600/IMG_3289.JPG"></a> <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiluPfKZtwPpVhTOqBhxJyybrr6VriGHPFweEo9QYE94N_uJJ9rIzBXZ2fdYJ6pW8EPkuiWeiYCgblADQtRBGSOxVY4YEOf37roXT2o8j2aGUB6OwUwGCtnqMjvTrLcU6s_kjpJ4mq6DxgE/s320/IMG_3297.JPG" style="clear: both; margin: 0px auto 10px;" title="Encore Lucky Peacock" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lucky Peacock: Gorgeous ostentation</td></tr>
</tbody></table><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiluPfKZtwPpVhTOqBhxJyybrr6VriGHPFweEo9QYE94N_uJJ9rIzBXZ2fdYJ6pW8EPkuiWeiYCgblADQtRBGSOxVY4YEOf37roXT2o8j2aGUB6OwUwGCtnqMjvTrLcU6s_kjpJ4mq6DxgE/s1600/IMG_3297.JPG"></a><br />
<input id="gwProxy" type="hidden" /><input id="jsProxy" onclick="if(typeof(jsCall)=='function'){jsCall();}else{setTimeout('jsCall()',500);}" type="hidden" /><br />
<div id="refHTML"></div>Finally, this bathroom was in one of the special ritzy suites. I couldn't get over the soothing green color scheme and the rich, sparkly insets and details. Luckily, the mirror frames were simple shapes. Isn't that fabric scrumptious?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWak_tDZr6xlGPcijEtyHEiwaNSZPdsHSdVDAGLz8fNio_POAt4XqYGM0tX0S9moTQ2ltm4hYF4Tsx_SfcWX6pvZFFJf8RawOlPmcvcAUmI__eZ_IYOCBEg9YUlPSAxQQpdBeKoI7JylBh/s1600/IMG_3284.JPG"></a> <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyfJZeYBSWrewuJVSGygvuClsxqbfcxaEr5NQawfD3sDHfC25fCxgb6aNezXo1s6Xx_269_2QcY5Ew9Mpm-Snp1gUQbCKIG4Q2ajgSZCtSjDVuXQ57PaQVbmSL31sxu-FDZceO9oX1vS4v/s320/IMG_3300.JPG" style="clear: both; margin: 0px auto 10px;" title="Encore bathroom" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pure Bathroom Elegance</td></tr>
</tbody></table><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyfJZeYBSWrewuJVSGygvuClsxqbfcxaEr5NQawfD3sDHfC25fCxgb6aNezXo1s6Xx_269_2QcY5Ew9Mpm-Snp1gUQbCKIG4Q2ajgSZCtSjDVuXQ57PaQVbmSL31sxu-FDZceO9oX1vS4v/s1600/IMG_3300.JPG"></a><br />
<br />
Check out Becky Carroll's post <a href="http://customersrock.net/2010/10/26/bathroom-blogfest-2010-stuck-in-the-60s/" target="new">Bathroom Blogfest: Stuck in the 60s?</a> for other Las Vegas bathrooms.<br />
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What do you think? Are you inspired by Las Vegas Style Inspiration? <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Happy Bathoom Blogfest 2010!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsPxkTyI1EqnuFq0Wy0wqVeDefMM00z5Qjy-7OYzcUDImDPzTxfebmaDVRkL31LTip-q7qHievDKF6VuZbbjpeR2JcM7n_rjfJoD_JVT8RR8RRMN-9cUelUMrjKoJ_wIZu6s2re8bXPVIw/s1600/cbw2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsPxkTyI1EqnuFq0Wy0wqVeDefMM00z5Qjy-7OYzcUDImDPzTxfebmaDVRkL31LTip-q7qHievDKF6VuZbbjpeR2JcM7n_rjfJoD_JVT8RR8RRMN-9cUelUMrjKoJ_wIZu6s2re8bXPVIw/s200/cbw2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>CB Whittemorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737846177421292411noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239939622083929042.post-1298432116276412192010-10-26T10:09:00.003-04:002010-10-26T10:15:44.011-04:00Surfaces and Bathroom Blogfest 2010<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirrmad-K4AlEd98gdQOLxutQTK4ugFBSzagQj-ng4o1S4zVK0AAI57iMpiWy9lSA_A5RsmkXf1p02pZS8B_gB88wQDvNm3NvWnpQ9nC_AXcRfJNHchOqKkmg5tl-7m3832N266aAVtC0Bd/s1600/BathBlogfest+2010+madmen+logo+v3.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Surfaces and Bathroom Blogfest 2010" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirrmad-K4AlEd98gdQOLxutQTK4ugFBSzagQj-ng4o1S4zVK0AAI57iMpiWy9lSA_A5RsmkXf1p02pZS8B_gB88wQDvNm3NvWnpQ9nC_AXcRfJNHchOqKkmg5tl-7m3832N266aAVtC0Bd/s320/BathBlogfest+2010+madmen+logo+v3.png" title="Surfaces and Bathroom Blogfest 2010" width="203" /></a></div><a href="http://www.surfaces.com/" target="new">Surfaces</a>, the annual exposition for the flooring industry, occurs once a year in Las Vegas. For <b>Bathroom Blogfest 2010</b> - taking place this week - I thought I would share with you what I consider a clever way of showcasing flooring products.<br />
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[For more information about <a href="http://www.simplemarketingblog.com/2010/10/press-release-bathroom-blogfest-2010.html" target="new">Bathroom Blogfest 2010, read the official release</a> and consider visiting <a href="http://www.bathroomblogfest.com/" target="new">BathromBlogfest.com</a>.]<br />
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Now, for the record, I don't have much related to carpet or rugs to share with you in this post. However, <a href="http://www.carpet-and-rug-institute-blog.com/2010/10/rugs-mats-and-bathroom-blogfest-2010.html" target="new">Bethany Richmond has a really interesting blogpost about bathroom rugs and carpets</a> you may find inspiring.<br />
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I think you'll also enjoy these design related Bathroom Blogfest posts:<br />
<ul><li><b>Jeanne Byington</b> writes about <a href="http://blog.jmbyington.com/?p=3145" target="new">Nostalgia and Bathrooms</a> with tons of practical advice.</li>
<li><b>Chris Moline</b> shares interesting Bathroom ideas in <a href="http://alexandriacarpetone.wordpress.com/2010/10/21/bathroom-blogfest-stuck-in-the-60s-inspired-by-mad-men-this-will-be-fun/" target="new">"Stuck in the 60s?" inspired by Mad Men - this will be fun!</a></li>
<li><b>Paul Anater</b>'s post about <a href="http://www.kitchenandresidentialdesign.com/2010/10/still-stuck-in-60s-that-may-not-be-bad.html" target="new">Bathrooms stuck in the 60s includes a rich selection of photos. His take: being stuck in the 60s may not be a bad thing!</a></li>
<li><b>Renee LeCroy</b> asks <a href="http://www.kitchenandresidentialdesign.com/2010/10/still-stuck-in-60s-that-may-not-be-bad.html" target="new">Are You Overdue for a Bathroom Redo?</a></li>
</ul><br />
Back to Surfaces...<br />
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These pictures below are ones I took on the last day of Surfaces having just finished using the women's bathroom on the ground level of the Sands Convention Center. I couldn't get over how cool the effect was.<br />
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The product manufacturer, <a href="http://www.armstrong.com/flooring/flooring-101.html" target="new">Armstrong</a>, had vinyl product samples displayed in the women's room. I wish I had checked whether the men's room had also been decked out. Next time. In any case, the product does a great job jazzing up, warming up and improving the acoustics of an otherwise uninspired and rather sterile space.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDLdzM2mJ3zYz3RvE6Ablu09KqMQN5plF7S8APt8zo_uoAe0kFaNEv_JBIwR3unvzLNEqv8950SCg9VIzBFr-qm-o0Zh6mD5SoissXlHao4Qx5RZIZMFzNHfD51xQCCTeEoc3gBLtwRGQf/s320/IMG_3304.JPG" style="clear: both; margin: 0px auto 10px;" title="Sands Convention Center Women's Room" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sands Convention Center Women's Room</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDLdzM2mJ3zYz3RvE6Ablu09KqMQN5plF7S8APt8zo_uoAe0kFaNEv_JBIwR3unvzLNEqv8950SCg9VIzBFr-qm-o0Zh6mD5SoissXlHao4Qx5RZIZMFzNHfD51xQCCTeEoc3gBLtwRGQf/s1600/IMG_3304.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTRPjHuGLnKmIrv_UL2x3ClWHY-Apgj42hZs1-OsJYIzdWwioKz3CCsW4ByN4PJeErkWnsbnKtToJFkxmQhgk84jsT1hnFv-xvc8CeKneAKW88I5UW3NC6p6EBxU8Q8WSf7CNIbeaiuwpr/s320/IMG_3303.JPG" style="clear: both; margin: 0px auto 10px;" title="Armstrong at Surfaces 2010" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look Down! Armstrong flooring sample</td></tr>
</tbody></table><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTRPjHuGLnKmIrv_UL2x3ClWHY-Apgj42hZs1-OsJYIzdWwioKz3CCsW4ByN4PJeErkWnsbnKtToJFkxmQhgk84jsT1hnFv-xvc8CeKneAKW88I5UW3NC6p6EBxU8Q8WSf7CNIbeaiuwpr/s1600/IMG_3303.JPG"></a> <br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnPcBQvrHh613nj1x6AKLeWr0-FFPYyhyN_xc4ouQO2BcoylX9T8heGTpbIazkud7rqF02OCouAh22li_s3oMp6r5puvcihk-LMsq4J-LYFsFXOVKpGWNm7XXS7cdF3ax1P7T_onDKjcbz/s320/IMG_3305.JPG" style="clear: both; margin: 0px auto 10px;" title="More Armstrong at Surfaces 2010" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look down again! Another Armstrong sample</td></tr>
</tbody></table><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnPcBQvrHh613nj1x6AKLeWr0-FFPYyhyN_xc4ouQO2BcoylX9T8heGTpbIazkud7rqF02OCouAh22li_s3oMp6r5puvcihk-LMsq4J-LYFsFXOVKpGWNm7XXS7cdF3ax1P7T_onDKjcbz/s1600/IMG_3305.JPG"></a><br />
<br />
Now, imagine Bethany's bathroom mats on there... Nice, don't you think?<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Happy Bathroom Blogfest 2010! </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ysf8QKq5jmJ8xLB0ABtaEGOZWrsxr1CTRXVWvwz7OwE_60aZMXYkFQxayGLGJOvgAS0xPFPsonVdCj0bV456KBZxkolh3scqJ-HBg2IgRZnjSdujPLp-l-FeYbmop-VtTkzQ2dJC1_YQ/s1600/cbw2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ysf8QKq5jmJ8xLB0ABtaEGOZWrsxr1CTRXVWvwz7OwE_60aZMXYkFQxayGLGJOvgAS0xPFPsonVdCj0bV456KBZxkolh3scqJ-HBg2IgRZnjSdujPLp-l-FeYbmop-VtTkzQ2dJC1_YQ/s200/cbw2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
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<a href="http://bathroomblogfest.com/" target="new">BathroomBlogfest.com</a>.<br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/BatrhoomBlogfest" target="new">Like Bathroom Blogfest on Facebook.</a><br />
<a href="http://twitter.com/BathroomBlogfes" target="new">Follow us on Twitter</a>.<br />
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Be part of the fun!<br />
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This year's participants in Bathroom Blogfest 2010 include:<br />
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<table class="tableizer-table"><tbody>
<tr class="tableizer-firstrow"><th>Blogger</th><th>Blog Name</th><th>Blog URL</th></tr>
<tr><td>Susan Abbott</td><td>Customer Experience Crossroads</td><td><a href="http://www.customercrossroads.com/customercrossroads/">Customer Experience Crossroads</a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Paul Anater</td><td>Kitchen and Residential Design</td><td><a href="http://www.kitchenandresidentialdesign.com/">Kitchen and Residential Design</a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Shannon Bilby</td><td>Big Bob's Outlet</td><td><a href="http://blog.bigbobsoutlet.com/">http://blog.bigbobsoutlet.com/</a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Shannon Bilby</td><td>Carpets N More Blog</td><td><a href="http://blog.carpetsnmore.com/">http://blog.carpetsnmore.com/</a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Shannon Bilby</td><td>Dolphin Carpet Blog</td><td><a href="http://blog.dolphincarpet.com/">http://blog.dolphincarpet.com/</a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Shannon Bilby</td><td>From The Floors Up</td><td><a href="http://fromthefloorsup.com/">http://fromthefloorsup.com/</a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Shannon Bilby</td><td>My Big Bob's Blog</td><td><a href="http://blog.mybigbobs.com/">http://blog.mybigbobs.com/</a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Toby Bloomberg </td><td>Diva Marketing</td><td><a href="http://bloombergmarketing.blogs.com/bloomberg_marketing/">http://bloombergmarketing.blogs.com/</a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Laurence Borel </td><td>Blog Till You Drop</td><td><a href="http://www.laurenceborel.com/">http://www.laurenceborel.com/</a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Bill Buyok</td><td>Avente Tile Talk Blog</td><td><a href="http://tiletalk.blogspot.com/">http://tiletalk.blogspot.com/</a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Jeanne Byington </td><td>The Importance of Earnest Service</td><td><a href="http://blog.jmbyington.com/">http://blog.jmbyington.com/</a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Becky Carroll</td><td>Customers Rock!</td><td><a href="http://customersrock.net/">http://customersrock.net/</a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Marianna Chapman </td><td>Results Revolution</td><td><a href="http://www.resultsrevolution.com/">http://www.resultsrevolution.com</a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Katie Clark </td><td>Practial Katie</td><td><a href="http://practicalkatie.blogspot.com/%20">http://practicalkatie.blogspot.com/ </a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Nora DePalma </td><td>American Standard's Professor Toilet</td><td><a href="http://www.professortoilet.com/">http://www.professortoilet.com/</a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Nora DePalma </td><td>O'Reilly DePalma: The Blog</td><td><a href="http://www.oreilly-depalma.com/blog/">http://www.oreilly-depalma.com/blog/</a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Leigh Durst </td><td>LivePath Experience Architect Weblog</td><td><a href="http://livepath.blogspot.com/">http://livepath.blogspot.com/</a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Valerie Fritz</td><td>The AwarepointBlog</td><td><a href="http://www.awarepointblog.com/">http://www.awarepointblog.com/</a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Iris Garrott</td><td>Checking In and Checking Out</td><td><a href="http://circulating.wordpress.com/">http://circulating.wordpress.com/</a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Tish Grier</td><td>The Constant Observer</td><td><a href="http://spap-oop.blogspot.com/">http://spap-oop.blogspot.com</a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Renee LeCroy</td><td>Your Fifth Wall</td><td><a href="http://yourfifthwall.com/">http://yourfifthwall.com/</a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Joseph Michelli</td><td>Dr. Joseph Michelli's Blog</td><td><a href="http://www.josephmichelli.com/blog">www.josephmichelli.com/blog</a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Veronika Miller</td><td>Modenus Blog</td><td><a href="http://www.modenus.com/blog%20">http://www.modenus.com/blog </a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Arpi Nalbandian</td><td>TILE Magazine Editor Blog</td><td><a href="http://www.tilemagonline.com/Articles/Blog_Nalbandian">TILE Magazine Editor Blog</a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Maria Palma</td><td>People 2 People Service</td><td><a href="http://www.people2peopleservice.com/">http://www.people2peopleservice.com/</a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Reshma Bachwani Paritosh</td><td>The Qualitative Research Blog</td><td><a href="http://www.onqualitativeresearch.blogspot.com/">The Qualitative Research Blog</a></td></tr>
<tr><td>David Polinchock</td><td>Polinchock's Ponderings</td><td><a href="http://blog.polinchock.com/">http://blog.polinchock.com/</a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Victoria Redshaw & Shelley Pond </td><td>Scarlet Opus Trends Blog</td><td><a href="http://trendsblog.co.uk/">http://trendsblog.co.uk/</a></td></tr>
<tr><td>David Reich</td><td>My 2 Cents</td><td><a href="http://reichcomm.typepad.com/my_weblog/">http://reichcomm.typepad.com/my_weblog/</a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Sandy Renshaw </td><td>Around Des Moines</td><td><a href="http://www.arounddesmoines.com/">http://www.arounddesmoines.com/</a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Sandy Renshaw </td><td>Purple Wren</td><td><a href="http://www.purplewren.com/">http://www.purplewren.com/</a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Bethany Richmond</td><td>Carpet and Rug Institute Blog</td><td><a href="http://www.carpet-and-rug-institute-blog.com/">http://www.carpet-and-rug-institute-blog.com/</a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Bruce Sanders</td><td>RIMtailing Blog</td><td><a href="http://rimtailing.blogspot.com/">http://rimtailing.blogspot.com/</a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Steve Tokar</td><td>Please Be Seated</td><td><a href="http://stevetokar.wordpress.com/">http://stevetokar.wordpress.com/</a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Carolyn Townes</td><td>Becoming a Woman of Purpose</td><td><a href="http://spiritwomen.blogspot.com/">http://spiritwomen.blogspot.com/</a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Stephanie Weaver</td><td>Experienceology</td><td><a href="http://experienceology.blogspot.com/">http://experienceology.blogspot.com/</a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Christine B. Whittemore</td><td>Flooring The Consumer</td><td><a href="http://flooringtheconsumer.blogspot.com/">http://flooringtheconsumer.blogspot.com/</a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Christine B. Whittemore</td><td>Simple Marketing Blog</td><td><a href="http://www.simplemarketingblog.com/">http://www.simplemarketingblog.com/</a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Christine & Ted Whittemore</td><td>Smoke Rise & Kinnelon Blog</td><td><a href="http://smokerise-nj.blogspot.com/">http://smokerise-nj.blogspot.com/</a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Christine B. Whittemore</td><td>The Carpetology Blog</td><td><a href="http://carpetology.blogspot.com/">http://carpetology.blogspot.com/</a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Linda Wright</td><td>LindaLoo Build Business With Better Bathrooms</td><td><a href="http://lindaloo.com/">http://lindaloo.com/</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>CB Whittemorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737846177421292411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239939622083929042.post-41361679139684984742010-10-13T14:02:00.001-04:002010-10-13T14:04:22.579-04:00Live UK Design Chat 10/15/10: George Clarke<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjISytLdz2lx67K9_vY3gIcV9SyUQ0aPbwXhUH4cUsAvwWce4jBN4ey1pZARbVxCt6w7o8eHOOYemVxiI1PLQ05GmKRNpcpH80Vl4VIpPFTpS_PrykJ_oGDeprVVwqTylsz9J0FZSBBKjwY/s1600/FoF_GeorgeClarke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" alt="Live UK Design Chat 10/15/10: George Clarke" title="Live UK Design Chat 10/15/10: George Clarke" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjISytLdz2lx67K9_vY3gIcV9SyUQ0aPbwXhUH4cUsAvwWce4jBN4ey1pZARbVxCt6w7o8eHOOYemVxiI1PLQ05GmKRNpcpH80Vl4VIpPFTpS_PrykJ_oGDeprVVwqTylsz9J0FZSBBKjwY/s320/FoF_GeorgeClarke.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Are you passionate about Home Design & Improvement [and how carpet fits into the overall picture]? If yes, you might be interested in a <a href="http://www.housetohome.co.uk/" target=new >HousetoHome</a> <b>Live Web Chat</b> taking place this <b>Friday, October 15, 2010</b> with <a href="http://www.funonthefloor.com/our-experts/george-clarke-bio" target=new ><b>George Clark</b></a>, UK architect, writer and lecturer, hugely successful property TV presenters on UK television and newest addition to <a href="http://www.funonthefloor.com/" target=new >Fun on the Floor</a>'s panel of experts.<br />
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Here are the details: <br />
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<b>Location</b>: Go to <a href="http://www.housetohome.co.uk/" target=new >www.housetohome.co.uk</a><br />
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<b>Time</b>: 1 pm BST or 8 am EST<br />
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<b>Be sure to register!</b> Sign up below.<br />
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<iframe src="http://www.coveritlive.com/index2.php/option=com_altcaster/task=blogreminder/altcast_code=2880409141" scrolling="no" height="250px" width="230px" frameBorder="0" style="border: 1px solid #A9AAA1;" ></iframe><br />
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Here is some additional information on <a href="http://www.georgeclarke.co.uk/" target=new >George Clarke</a> from my friend Patrick Finn at <a href="http://www.funonthefloor.com/all-about-carpet" target=new >FunontheFloor.com.</a><br />
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<i>"Many of your UK readers will know George from The Home Show [launched in 2008] and Restoration Man [launched in 2009] programmes that he appears on at Channel 4. After three successful series of Build A New Life for Five from 2003 to 2006, George became the face of architecture at Channel 4.</i><br />
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<i>George will be on hand via this Live Design Web Chat to answer questions on home renovation and design projects so I feel sure that this will be of interest to your audience. May I request that you let your readers know about this unique opportunity to quiz him about anything from carpet tips to basement conversions."</i><br />
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As I mention above, George recently joined the <i>Fun on the Floor</i> panel of carpet experts and <a href="http://www.funonthefloor.com/our-experts/george-clarke" target=new >now has a home design blog at Fun on the Floor</a> where he adds more useful help and advice on all sorts of home improvement projects there. <br />
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Do register for Friday's event to participate in the Live UK Design Chat with George Clarke. I bet you will be inspired!<br />
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By the way, you might also be interested in the <a href="http://www.housetohome.co.uk/blogs.html" target=new >HousetoHome Blogs.</a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1_9VPHtTv3n4TZ1IOMyiP8V1gKLJC6YhG-j6ir79q2fwZrHqns2swVXokhIM9jfSBMggACy4u1Yd2q0z4kyGAJjNgEMjiF_iORonFCqZcCyasM_25PUvyMklthcOCO-_K_YsUv3d9zEW7/s1600/cbw2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1_9VPHtTv3n4TZ1IOMyiP8V1gKLJC6YhG-j6ir79q2fwZrHqns2swVXokhIM9jfSBMggACy4u1Yd2q0z4kyGAJjNgEMjiF_iORonFCqZcCyasM_25PUvyMklthcOCO-_K_YsUv3d9zEW7/s200/cbw2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>CB Whittemorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737846177421292411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239939622083929042.post-20484307586050061072010-09-22T08:03:00.000-04:002010-09-22T08:03:00.163-04:00Vegas Carpet: Surreal, Intense and Addictive?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZngx26YGb1q2Z_uPIgigrNcU3NYIeWmIcXR9WiiNoSVw0nhXzphKdWB6ARcnaN7e8eSMhckuK4-LuvX935OT3rcwhrfuorNt8TsNlyAgYmADIWz4C89elILL8zw1SbBc8RnjeE_mCJ7QY/s1600/WiredCasinoCarpet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Wired: Ugly Vegas Carpets Want You to Keep Playing" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZngx26YGb1q2Z_uPIgigrNcU3NYIeWmIcXR9WiiNoSVw0nhXzphKdWB6ARcnaN7e8eSMhckuK4-LuvX935OT3rcwhrfuorNt8TsNlyAgYmADIWz4C89elILL8zw1SbBc8RnjeE_mCJ7QY/s320/WiredCasinoCarpet.jpg" title="Wired: Ugly Vegas Carpets Want You to Keep Playing" width="225" /></a></div>What's your opinion of Las Vegas Casino carpet? Love it? Hate it? Tolerate it as a necessary evil? Is it too intense, somewhat surreal while also addictive?<br />
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This Wired magazine article builds on a related story in <i>The New Yorker</i> [see <a href="http://carpetology.blogspot.com/2010/04/carpets-of-vegas-floorscapes-at-casino.html" target="new">The Carpets of Vegas: Floorscapes at the Casino</a>]. Titled <a href="http://www.wired.com/rawfile/2010/09/ugly-vegas-carpets/" target="new">Ugly Vegas Carpets Want You to Keep Playing</a>, it, too, brings up <a href="http://www.momentagency.com/" target="new">Chris Maluszynski</a>'s Las Vegas Carpets photographic series.<br />
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In the article and the series, you'll experience the surreal quality of both carpet and Las Vegas. Where else but in Las Vegas can such intensely exuberant and patterned carpet be more appropriate? Where else can it support addictive activity?<br />
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I love the points made by <a href="http://www.dieiscast.com/about/" target="_blank">Dave Schwartz</a>, Director of the <a href="http://gaming.unlv.edu/" target="_blank">Center for Gaming Research</a>, at the University of Nevada Las Vegas.<br />
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He states that “<i>casino carpet is known as an exercise in deliberate bad taste that somehow encourages people to gamble.</i>” Talk about addictive!<br />
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At the same time, each carpet design distinctly defines individual casinos. Per the article, "<i>Schwartz also points out that the busy carpets are not without design: There are floral designs at Mandalay Palace, abstract pointillist floors at Paris and, at Caesars Palace, the wheel – the Roman symbol of the “relentless capriciousness of fortune.”" </i>[See<i> </i><a href="http://carpetology.blogspot.com/2008/04/empty-pockets-happy-feet-casino-carpet.html" target="new">Empty Pockets, Happy Feet & Casino Carpet</a>.]<br />
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For me, prolonged exposure to the visual intensity [and energy] of the various bold and colorful patterns creates sensory overload. That's when I seek refuge in my hotel room where if I'm lucky, as you can see in <a href="http://carpetology.blogspot.com/2009/02/foots-perspective-22-wow-mirage-carpet.html" target="new">Wow! Mirage Carpet</a>, a tastefully subdued design scheme will definitely offer a well-deserved break!<br />
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What's your take on Las Vegas carpet? Do you have a preferred Casino pattern? Let me know!<br />
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A few additional casino-related carpet posts:<br />
+ <a href="http://carpetology.blogspot.com/2008/05/ny-ny-casino-abandons-branded-carpet.html" target="new">NY-NY Casino Abandons Branded Carpet</a><br />
+ <a href="http://carpetology.blogspot.com/2008/05/way-finding-with-carpet.html" target="new">Way-Finding With Carpet</a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil-mPNeXEeB7KxuKMWcR2vdnyJtAu1xBnNnCQXOIz2xdJT90lf50hMoCZDswEQJMeukLwTBlafMpqXLIor1bYLwXXCg1TMbITywQi64fbUxTIzwUdFAp-WILI24WKPH6K96lO0fmw64qaP/s1600/cbw2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil-mPNeXEeB7KxuKMWcR2vdnyJtAu1xBnNnCQXOIz2xdJT90lf50hMoCZDswEQJMeukLwTBlafMpqXLIor1bYLwXXCg1TMbITywQi64fbUxTIzwUdFAp-WILI24WKPH6K96lO0fmw64qaP/s200/cbw2.jpg" width="200" /></a>CB Whittemorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737846177421292411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239939622083929042.post-59573401765989959142010-09-01T08:04:00.002-04:002010-09-01T08:04:00.464-04:00New Carpet Style Trends from CarpetRight<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFyhSvrotbvfkmu6SmZ5Znxeniq_tCYmX3S3LvOJQgpL_jGeROFXegJkuPZL9quyt_n1c6BqOQ4jPQAUkgpvEkk0776_2buT6WgMqsSN7mZIEy8yRR2zGvHJZ4zbsnKPclRYsXdqY7ArLA/s1600/carpetrightAug2010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="New Carpet Style Trends from CarpetRight" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFyhSvrotbvfkmu6SmZ5Znxeniq_tCYmX3S3LvOJQgpL_jGeROFXegJkuPZL9quyt_n1c6BqOQ4jPQAUkgpvEkk0776_2buT6WgMqsSN7mZIEy8yRR2zGvHJZ4zbsnKPclRYsXdqY7ArLA/s400/carpetrightAug2010.jpg" title="New Carpet Style Trends from CarpetRight" width="352" /></a></div>If you remember from <a href="http://carpetology.blogspot.com/2010/07/carpetright-style-guide-carpet.html" target="new">Carpetright Style Guide: Carpet Inspiration Online</a>, Carpetright in the UK offers carpet design and style inspiration via online trends and monthly tips. These are created by <b>Victoria Redshaw</b> and have recently been updated with new carpet style trends!<br />
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More specifically, when you next visit the <a href="http://www.carpetright.co.uk/style_guide" target="new">Carpetright Style guide</a>, you'll find details on the 3 following new trends:<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">* </span><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.carpetright.co.uk/style_guide/trend-jubilant-indigo/" target="new">Jubilant Indigo</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">* <a href="http://www.carpetright.co.uk/style_guide/trend-county-ideal/" target="new">Country Ideals</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">* <a href="http://www.carpetright.co.uk/style_guide/trend-grand-bazaar/" target="new">Grand Bazaar</a></span><br />
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What I love most about how Victoria presents these carpet style trends is that she suggests how to <b>get the look</b>, <b>create interesting design groupings</b>, then <b>complete the look</b> with carpet recommendations.<br />
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As I read through each trend, I find myself thinking how I might go about creating that trend...<br />
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In addition to the style guide trends, you'll find two new interior design tips since my last post, both extremely practical and relevant: <a href="http://www.carpetright.co.uk/style_guide/tip-july/" target="new">How to make a small room look bigger</a> and <a href="http://www.carpetright.co.uk/style_guide/tip-august/" target="new">Simple Rules for Selecting Colours</a>. <br />
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I invite you to go explore. Then, will you let me know which carpet style trend you find most appealing and which interior design tip most valuable?<br />
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Thanks for reading!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizTHx5nE9di8xZuCNIA_h-dfhjFm6ARWvAzaFnf-_j2_LnBk7YVqHtLLjmOdOjJP9-h5lk0hAWF4rcQFyUpCLrK32uNq3etjwkJvvAzda9kWE3kRVRynul0uaJe3K22eFxXjCnFD9cI1eV/s1600/cbw2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizTHx5nE9di8xZuCNIA_h-dfhjFm6ARWvAzaFnf-_j2_LnBk7YVqHtLLjmOdOjJP9-h5lk0hAWF4rcQFyUpCLrK32uNq3etjwkJvvAzda9kWE3kRVRynul0uaJe3K22eFxXjCnFD9cI1eV/s200/cbw2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>CB Whittemorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737846177421292411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239939622083929042.post-19574609023921621892010-08-11T08:07:00.000-04:002010-08-11T08:07:00.279-04:00Carpet Stain Removal iPhone App<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQLBAmLkJbu64CPtn1d1qlUpY2MHRVPSRXYjqXx1LUNklIg6LJixFcsTsrW5QQKF9OZwB6Gon_nkw2dCDM96vys_S8BM9GAn_UhAG-n92tohAtGs1aml138wyLXajyrYxYBhcB8kqrsdMf/s1600/ShawAppCarpetStains.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Shaw Floors Carpet Stain Center App" border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQLBAmLkJbu64CPtn1d1qlUpY2MHRVPSRXYjqXx1LUNklIg6LJixFcsTsrW5QQKF9OZwB6Gon_nkw2dCDM96vys_S8BM9GAn_UhAG-n92tohAtGs1aml138wyLXajyrYxYBhcB8kqrsdMf/s320/ShawAppCarpetStains.jpg" title="Shaw Floors Carpet Stain Center" width="320" /></a></div>I love practical solutions especially when they help me deal with messy hassles such as carpet stains. The latest I've come across is an iPhone app offering specific instructions on how to remove carpet stains! It's the <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/shaw-floors-carpet-stain-center/id370142355?mt=8" target="new">Shaw Floors Carpet Stain Center</a>.<br />
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Available free, you can check it out on iTunes or download it directly to your iPhone, iTouch or iPad by searching on the exact name or also "carpet stain" [there may be a few other search terms, but my iPhone isn't cooperating at the moment].<br />
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The application lets your search alphabetically through almost 1000 different stain types. Alternatively, you can type the specific stain into a search window. Once you identify your stain, the app offers a recommended stain removal procedure, specific techniques and solutions [aka cleaning solutions] to have handy.<br />
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Some additional thoughts relating to carpet stain removal:<br />
<ul><li>You do want to act quickly when you have a carpet stain.</li>
<li>You may want to keep handy in your home the carpet cleaning solutions listed. For example, a detergent solution in a spray bottle, water in a spray bottle, solvent, white vinegar, ammonia, ammonia/hydrogen peroxide mixture... </li>
<li>The technique to use for dealing successfully with carpet stains is "<i>Blot, don't Rub</i>!" Check out this post on <a href="http://carpetology.blogspot.com/2008/10/foots-perspective-episode-15-how-to.html" target="new">How To Remove A Carpet Stain </a>for more detailed instructions.</li>
<li>Removing carpet stains takes time.</li>
</ul>I encourage you to download the app which is mighty handy for dealing with carpet stains.<br />
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And, then, let me know what you think!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizTHx5nE9di8xZuCNIA_h-dfhjFm6ARWvAzaFnf-_j2_LnBk7YVqHtLLjmOdOjJP9-h5lk0hAWF4rcQFyUpCLrK32uNq3etjwkJvvAzda9kWE3kRVRynul0uaJe3K22eFxXjCnFD9cI1eV/s1600/cbw2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizTHx5nE9di8xZuCNIA_h-dfhjFm6ARWvAzaFnf-_j2_LnBk7YVqHtLLjmOdOjJP9-h5lk0hAWF4rcQFyUpCLrK32uNq3etjwkJvvAzda9kWE3kRVRynul0uaJe3K22eFxXjCnFD9cI1eV/s200/cbw2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>CB Whittemorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737846177421292411noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239939622083929042.post-86094650232220547922010-07-21T08:30:00.001-04:002010-07-21T08:30:00.086-04:00Nourison Rug Accents A Room<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGn30mXxP152GS2HDW_9wRW3e4grqcK8ACNjxk4nmYW522aqNstIYjlPPdc_BUC6tOFnhKH9KOAWdGZVFIGd0dyn-VDmj0oUUFnBp7gaYMYT3OwvPLZZ2B0y-ektisdUoTnRPRqCr3BtrU/s1600/nourisonWONZ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Style VA26 from Nourison's Vallencierre collection" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGn30mXxP152GS2HDW_9wRW3e4grqcK8ACNjxk4nmYW522aqNstIYjlPPdc_BUC6tOFnhKH9KOAWdGZVFIGd0dyn-VDmj0oUUFnBp7gaYMYT3OwvPLZZ2B0y-ektisdUoTnRPRqCr3BtrU/s320/nourisonWONZ.jpg" title="Style VA26 from Nourison's Vallencierre collection" /></a></div>I love how carpets and rugs add warmth and visual appeal to a room. Rugs, in particular, create design accents that can define the purpose of a space, generate conversation and generally convey a sense of hospitality to a space. Take this room scene from <a href="http://www.nourison.com/main.aspx" target="new">Nourison</a> with its magnificent styled rug.<br />
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My friend, <a href="http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/article/469568-Wes_Connelly_retires_from_Wools_of_New_Zealand.php" target="new">Elise Demboski, executive director North America</a> of <a href="http://www.woolsnz.com/" target="new">Wools of New Zealand</a>, forwarded me this image. She thought I would enjoy it.<br />
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She was right!<br />
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I asked Elise for more information:<br />
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<i>Style VA26 from Nourison's Vallencierre collection features an elegantly eclectic transitional motif that enhances both traditional and contemporary interiors with a sophisticated fashion accent. All rugs in the Vallencierre collection carry the Wools of New Zealand brand and are hand-washed, hand-carved, and hand-finished for an appearance that is both luxurious and unmistakably fashion-forward.</i><br />
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Note: what the photo above doesn't properly capture is how textural the pattern is with its hand-carved quality. Truly scrumptious!<br />
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What do you think about this particular carpet rug style?<br />
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By the way, you might consider checking out Elise's blog <a href="http://www.woolforabetterworld.com/" target="new">Wool For A Better World</a>.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI-bE1Z1PHMnv4oD923HnuHJj1Mk7uZUvRJMo8z4QDD8AZ_CqDP3uwrKR7F831uEfJWNwMpbMBqVi7WcB8hrpEWQ44j7BSgbEKXITMiecqn0yZ_zYIeBA1-yaSBGCIU70TOxgUqY14DHTx/s1600/cbw2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI-bE1Z1PHMnv4oD923HnuHJj1Mk7uZUvRJMo8z4QDD8AZ_CqDP3uwrKR7F831uEfJWNwMpbMBqVi7WcB8hrpEWQ44j7BSgbEKXITMiecqn0yZ_zYIeBA1-yaSBGCIU70TOxgUqY14DHTx/s200/cbw2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>CB Whittemorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737846177421292411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239939622083929042.post-50906220284576927392010-07-08T14:44:00.000-04:002010-07-08T14:44:52.809-04:00Carpetright Style Guide: Carpet Inspiration Online<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLEIi6a0NCAuMflbplcQrEjWV4KbhSj2iM3msQmjNOxCAYrWKiBbx_FT9gFIyX9FUbJ7x1t2Sxm1ZoaQKibGf9Od6p58x5hyphenhyphen0gG6VjP9_HoF2rtR_DUxDuq9q8MxeoscjeOQLQ435irIN_/s1600/Carpetright.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Carpetright Style Guide: carpet inspiration online" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLEIi6a0NCAuMflbplcQrEjWV4KbhSj2iM3msQmjNOxCAYrWKiBbx_FT9gFIyX9FUbJ7x1t2Sxm1ZoaQKibGf9Od6p58x5hyphenhyphen0gG6VjP9_HoF2rtR_DUxDuq9q8MxeoscjeOQLQ435irIN_/s320/Carpetright.jpg" title="Carpetright Style Guide: carpet inspiration online" /></a></div>How many flooring or carpet retailers have you encountered that offer customers interior style advice? Not that many, right? Imagine then being inspired and guided online by an incredibly talented interiors trend forecaster who not only offers advice on how to make the most of your flooring or carpet decision, but also helps integrate the floor into an overall design concept. That is what <b><a href="http://www.carpetright.co.uk/" target="new">Carpetright</a></b> in the UK has done with its <b><a href="http://www.carpetright.co.uk/style_guide" target="new">Style Guide</a></b>.<br />
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I learned about the Carpetright Style Guide from my friend <b>Victoria Redshaw</b> whom you may remember from <a href="http://carpetology.blogspot.com/2009/11/celebrating-carpet-uks-fun-on-floor.html" target="new">Celebrating Carpet: UK's Fun on the Floor with Style</a>, <a href="http://carpetology.blogspot.com/2010/02/design-trends-2010-carpet-floors-more.html" target="new">Design Trends 2010: Carpet, Floors & More</a>, and <a href="http://carpetology.blogspot.com/2010/05/surfaces-blog-source-of-carpet-style.html" target="new">Surfaces Blog: Source of Carpet Style Trends & More</a>! She provides the guidance, inspiration and overall interior style advice for the Carpetright Style Guide.<br />
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Here is the post Victoria wrote on the subject in the <a href="http://trendsblog.co.uk/" target="new">Scarlet Opus Blog</a>. It's titled <a href="http://trendsblog.co.uk/?p=7167" target="new">Reaching Out to Customers With Carpetright</a>.<br />
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She explains that the Carpetright Style Guide helps customers understand how important flooring is to the overall design scheme and achieve an entire look rather than a piecemeal one. As Victoria explains "<i>we wanted to help customers to understand how flooring can be an integral part of creating the hottest new interior trends in their own home... and of course let them know what those hot trends are."</i><br />
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The lowdown is as follows: every six months, Carpetright will showcase 3 new interior trends on their website and via in-store posters with montages of home products currently available at UK stores. Trend boards will help demonstrate how the entire look comes together.<br />
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As of July 2010, the trends you'll find on the website include:<br />
<ul><li><a href="http://www.carpetright.co.uk/style_guide/king_and_country/" target="new">King & Country</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.carpetright.co.uk/style_guide/indian_odyssey/" target="new">Indian Odyssey</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.carpetright.co.uk/style_guide/imperial_glamour/" target="new">Imperial Glamour </a></li>
</ul><br />
Which is your favorite?<br />
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Furthermore, every month Victoria shares a valuable design and style related tip:<br />
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January - <a href="http://www.carpetright.co.uk/style_guide/tip-january/" target="new">In Praise of Pattern</a><br />
February - <a href="http://www.carpetright.co.uk/style_guide/tip_february/" target="new">Getting To Grips With Grey</a><br />
March - <a href="http://www.carpetright.co.uk/style_guide/tip_march_2010/" target="new">Blue is the Hot New Color for 2010</a><br />
April - <a href="http://www.carpetright.co.uk/style_guide/tip_april/" target="new">Make a Colour Statement in your Hall</a><br />
May - <a href="http://www.carpetright.co.uk/style_guide/tip-may/" target="new">Movie Magic</a><br />
June - <a href="http://www.carpetright.co.uk/style_guide/tip-june/" target="new">Making a Sample Board</a><br />
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I can't wait to read about the July tip! <br />
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The Carpetright Style Guide is practical, inspiring, helpful, educational and truly beautiful! And I love how completely it integrates carpet and flooring into the final look/feel of each design concept.<br />
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What do you think?<br />
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Congratulations Victoria and Carpetright for creating such a rich source of carpet inspiration online and integrating it with your in-store experience!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8g4hyphenhyphen0MATOjXLoil5D8wvqxHUEOCkuuP-GCLjB53YCiw2NDcJLmplUXTe_2MT9CaGifpbcKxJitHLJvWJq6oJAtKo3uPMvs9_snSkZm3a-_EO0lXq1yTWF0F9CG0G2VQIhBoRBCcjZ4Og/s1600/cbw2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8g4hyphenhyphen0MATOjXLoil5D8wvqxHUEOCkuuP-GCLjB53YCiw2NDcJLmplUXTe_2MT9CaGifpbcKxJitHLJvWJq6oJAtKo3uPMvs9_snSkZm3a-_EO0lXq1yTWF0F9CG0G2VQIhBoRBCcjZ4Og/s200/cbw2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>CB Whittemorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737846177421292411noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239939622083929042.post-76703233704018486412010-06-30T08:03:00.002-04:002010-06-30T08:51:32.522-04:00Tigressa SoftStyle Carpet From Shaw At Carpet One, Flooring America<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBTjegOwL1XfOgfp9fa1yAuRklgJP94UYmHXFhIcjKOsF2f0iFLQ7uPlbVN7NYbtrJo1ZiSm47tUMsBYgStEtUdiNdW2guebupFnoLia9uSM6tsykACwH1IXqz9KNOwIAKFdr4hry-3Wan/s1600/tigressa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Tigressa SoftStyle Carpet from Shaw" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBTjegOwL1XfOgfp9fa1yAuRklgJP94UYmHXFhIcjKOsF2f0iFLQ7uPlbVN7NYbtrJo1ZiSm47tUMsBYgStEtUdiNdW2guebupFnoLia9uSM6tsykACwH1IXqz9KNOwIAKFdr4hry-3Wan/s320/tigressa.jpg" title="Tigressa SoftStyle Carpet from Shaw" /></a></div><a href="http://www.shawfloors.com/" target="new">Shaw Floors</a> and <a href="http://www.ccaglobalpartners.com/" target="new">CCA Global</a> have just launched a new carpet product together. It's called <a href="http://www.tigressacarpets.com/" target="new"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Tigressa SoftStyle</b></span></a>, consists of a collection of 31 carpet styles and is available at <a href="http://www.carpetone.com/" target="new">Carpet One Floor and Home</a> and <a href="http://www.flooringamerica.com/" target="new">Flooring America</a>.<br />
<h4>New Carpet Style Introduced Via Bloggers</h4>What's particularly unusual with this carpet style introduction - beyond its <a href="http://www.tigressacarpets.com/shared/pages/about/about.aspx" target="new">"<i>exceptional strength and ultimate softness</i></a>" is that it involves bloggers, a first for the flooring and carpet industry.<br />
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That's right, on May 19th and 20th, 2010, Shaw and CCA Global invited bloggers to participate in a two day event, starting at <a href="http://www.barnsleyresort.com/" target="new">Barnsley Gardens</a> with an inspiring presentation from <a href="http://amydevers.com/about.php" target="new">Amy Devers</a>, HGTV's <a href="http://www.amydevers.com/tv.php?tv_cat_sel=tv&tv_id_sel=000001/" target="new">DIY to the Rescue</a> and the next day at Shaw in Dalton, GA, with a visit tour of the Shaw Design Center and mini-manufacturing process, the creation of trend boards, and firsthand Tigressa demonstrations.<br />
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Here's who participated - a veritable who's who in the interiors and home furnishings industry each projecting strong voices in design, color, decor and green living:<br />
<ul><li><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/pub/carrie-malatesta/15/210/a24" target="new">Carrie Malatesta</a> from <a href="http://www.buildingmygreenlife.com/" target="new"><b>Building My Green Life</b></a>, about living, working and building sustainably.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.charlesandhudson.com/team/" target="new">Timothy Dahl</a> from <b><a href="http://www.charlesandhudson.com/about/" target="new">Charles & Hudson</a></b>, an independent resource for do-it-yourself enthusiasts seeking the latest in home improvement tips and techniques as well as the finest tools and hottest news in the home building industry. </li>
<li><a href="http://www.mariakillam.com/" target="new">Maria Killam</a> from <a href="http://colourmehappyblog.blogspot.com/" target="new"><b>Colour Me Happy</b></a> which exudes her fresh take on contemporary and her love of color.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.dailydanny.com/?page_id=2" target="new">Danny Seo</a> from <b><a href="http://www.dailydanny.com/" target="new">Daily Danny</a></b>, about green living expert Danny Seo's eco-friendly and crafty ideas for everyday living</li>
<li><a href="http://grassrootsmodern.com/about/" target="new">Creede Fitch</a> from <a href="http://grassrootsmodern.com/" target="new"><b>Grassroots Modern</b></a></li>
<li><a href="http://materialgirlsblog.com/about/" target="new">Jill Seidner</a> from <b><a href="http://materialgirlsblog.com/losangeles" target="new">Material Girls</a></b> which offers design inspiration from coast to coast. </li>
<li><a href="http://www.oneprojectcloser.com/one-project-closer/" target="new">Jocelyn Hagan and Kim Fauth</a> from <b><a href="http://www.oneprojectcloser.com/blog/" target="new">One Project Closer</a></b>,filled with tips, advice, experiences, products, reviews, giveaways, finances, how-tos, tools and more that help us build better homes, communities and lives.</li>
<li><a href="http://thedecoratingdiva.com/about/" target="new">Carmet Natschke</a> from <b><a href="http://thedecoratingdiva.com/" target="new"><b>The Decorating Diva</b></a></b></li>
<li><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/pub/amy-bleier-long/5/b94/86a" target="new">Amy Bleier-Long </a>from <a href="http://www.traditionalhome.com/blogs/companion/" target="new"><b>Traditional Home Blogs</b></a></li>
</ul><br />
Preston Koerner from <a href="http://www.jetsongreen.com/" target="new"><b>Jetson Green</b></a>, a daily-updated web magazine blog obsessed with Green Living, wasn't able to attend. He did, though, describe in <a href="http://www.jetsongreen.com/2010/06/tigressa-softstyle-durable-carpeting.html" target="new">A Durable Soft New Carpet Tigressa</a> the Tigressa materials he received. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://shawfloors.smugmug.com/Residential/CCA-Global/Tigressa-Blogger/100519-The-Ruins-08/877282443_qRWTN-S-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Tigressa Welcome" border="0" height="200" src="http://shawfloors.smugmug.com/Residential/CCA-Global/Tigressa-Blogger/100519-The-Ruins-08/877282443_qRWTN-S-1.jpg" title="Tigressa Welcome" width="132" /></a></div>Attending from the flooring trade media were <a href="http://flooringtheconsumer.blogspot.com/2008/02/meet-kim-gavin-editor-floor-covering.html" target="new">Woman In Flooring Kim Gavin</a> from <a href="http://fcw1.com/ME2/Default.asp" target="new">Floor Covering Weekly</a> [see <a href="http://fcw1.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=&nm=&type=Publishing&mod=Publications%3A%3AArticle&mid=8F3A7027421841978F18BE895F87F791&tier=4&id=9371393595574B45947B23DD3768DBE4" target="new">CCA & Shaw launch Tigressa via bloggers</a>] and Emily Hooper from <a href="http://www.floorcoveringnews.net/" target="new">Floor Covering News</a> [see <a href="http://www.floorcoveringnews.net/index.php/2010/06/cca-launches-tigressa-markets-via-bloggers/" target="new">CCA launches Tigressa, markets via bloggers</a> - note: registration required].<br />
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I was invited to participate and, unfortunately, couldn't attend. My friend and former colleague, <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/pub/bruce-conlon/8/402/b54" target="new">Bruce Conlon</a> -- we both called on CCA Global, he for Shaw and I for Solutia/Wear-Dated -- graciously sent me information so I could share it with you.<br />
<h4>What The Event Was Like</h4>To give you a feel for the event, I thought I would share with you posts written by the blogging attendees. [<a href="http://www.oneprojectcloser.com/tweets-from-opc-at-shaw-carpet-atl/" target="new">Kim and Jocie from One Project Closer Tweeted the event</a>. I wish I had a transcript :(...] Here's their summary: <a href="http://www.oneprojectcloser.com/new-tigressa-soft-style-carpet-line-by-shaw-rolling-out-this-weekend/" target="new">New Tigressa SoftStyle Carpet Line By Shaw - Rolling Out this Weekend</a>.<br />
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I love the detailed and visual overview that Material Girls' Jill Seidner shares in <a href="http://materialgirlsblog.com/losangeles/2010/05/29/tigressa-softstyle-carpet-from-shaw-floors-event/" target="new">Tigressa SoftStyle carpet event from Shaw Floors.</a><br />
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Colour Me Happy's Maria Killam offers a marvelous visual description of the entire event in <a href="http://colourmehappyblog.blogspot.com/2010/05/removing-carpet-stains.html" target="new">Tigressa SoftStyle; 4 Steps to Removing Stains from your Carpet</a>. I love the photos of the trend boards!<br />
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There's The Decorating Diva's Carmen Natschke summary: <a href="http://thedecoratingdiva.com/shaw-floors-tigressa-softstyle-carpets-debuts/" target="new">Shaw Floors' Tigressa SoftStyle Carpets Debuts.</a> And in Traditional Home Blogs, Amy Bleier-Long describes <a href="http://www.traditionalhome.com/blogs/companion/2010/06/10/shaw-tour/" target="new">eye on the tiger - behind the scenes at shaw.</a><br />
<ul></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://shawfloors.smugmug.com/Residential/CCA-Global/Tigressa-Blogger/100519-Group-Ruins-06-8x10/877371534_fHDR5-M-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Launching Tigressa: Group Shot" border="0" height="255" src="http://shawfloors.smugmug.com/Residential/CCA-Global/Tigressa-Blogger/100519-Group-Ruins-06-8x10/877371534_fHDR5-M-1.jpg" title="Launching Tigressa: Group Shot" width="320" /></a></div><h4>What makes Tigressa Softstyle carpet different?</h4>According to <a href="http://www.floordaily.net/flooring-news/Article.aspx?article=16980" target="new">FloorDaily</a>,Tigressa is a "<i>line of soft nylon carpets with fibers half the width of human hair... More fibers yield better color saturation within the carpet as well as greater durability and wear resistance since it spreads wear out across more individual threads."</i><br />
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DailyDanny's post <a href="http://www.dailydanny.com/?p=3224" target="new">Introducing Shaw Floors Tigressa</a> does a great job of explaining what makes Tigressa unique as does Charles & Hudson's Timothy Dahl in <a href="http://www.charlesandhudson.com/archives/2010/05/tigressa_softstyle_carpet_from_shaw_floors.htm" target="new">Tigressa Softstyle Carpet From Shaw Floors.</a> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://shawfloors.smugmug.com/Residential/CCA-Global/Tigressa-Blogger/100520-RD-Meeting-65/877503559_z89ry-S-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Tigressa Inspiration Strikes!" border="0" height="132" src="http://shawfloors.smugmug.com/Residential/CCA-Global/Tigressa-Blogger/100520-RD-Meeting-65/877503559_z89ry-S-1.jpg" title="Tigressa Inspiration Strikes!" width="200" /></a></div><h4>What's the story behind the name "Tigressa"?</h4>The Tigressa introduction includes a strong commitment to <a href="http://www.tigressacarpets.com/shared/pages/savethetigers/savethetigers.aspx" target="new">saving wild tigers in Asia</a>, where they are on the brink of extinction.<br />
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<i>"For all Tigressá sales made between May 16 and August 20, 2010, we’ll donate a portion of the proceeds to the <a href="http://www.savethetigerfund.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home1" target="new">National Fish and Wildlife Federation’s Save the Tiger Fund (STF</a>). STF sponsors effective efforts to stop the killing of wild tigers, enabling them to recover and flourish, and empowers local people to live in balance with natural resources, providing tangible benefits to them whenever possible."</i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://shawfloors.smugmug.com/Residential/CCA-Global/Tigressa-Blogger/100520-Plt-3-Tech-23/877551945_WZ3oL-S.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="What's Tigressa all about?" border="0" height="132" src="http://shawfloors.smugmug.com/Residential/CCA-Global/Tigressa-Blogger/100520-Plt-3-Tech-23/877551945_WZ3oL-S.jpg" title="What's Tigressa all about?" width="200" /></a></div>Accordingly, the Tigressa SoftStyle carpet introduction includes a <a href="http://sweepstakes.tigressacarpets.com/" target="new">Tigressa sweepstakes</a>:<br />
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"<i>One grand prize winner will receive a trip for two to India to see the tigers, a $12,000 value! Three first prize winners will receive a $1,500 gift card for Tigressá carpet, and five second prize winners will receive a Nikon COOLPIX camera. Enter now for your chance to win! </i><br />
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<i>Increase your odds of winning by sharing on both Facebook and Twitter. For every entry on Twitter, we will donate a dollar to the Save the Tiger Fund to help support the efforts to save this regal creature from extinction*."</i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://shawfloors.smugmug.com/Residential/CCA-Global/Tigressa-Blogger/100520-The-Design-Center-23/877582811_wULew-S.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Carpet One's Terri Daniels talks about Save The Tigers" border="0" height="211" src="http://shawfloors.smugmug.com/Residential/CCA-Global/Tigressa-Blogger/100520-The-Design-Center-23/877582811_wULew-S.jpg" title="Carpet One's Terri Daniels Talks About Save The Tigers" width="320" /></a></div>The sweepstakes lasts until August 20th.<br />
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When you register for the sweepstakes, you have the opportunity to share on Facebook and on Twitter. For every #Tigressa tweet sent out [you have 3 to choose from]: <br />
<ul><li><i>Just donated a dollar to the Save The Tiger Fund and entered to win a trip for two to India thanks to #Tigressa! http://bit.ly/tigressa</i></li>
<li><i>Donated a dollar to the Save the Tiger Fund, entered to win great prizes, and learned about new #Tigressa carpet! http://bit.ly/tigressa</i></li>
<li><i> Found the perfect new carpet for my home and entered to win great prizes, including a trip to India! http://bit.ly/tigressa #tigressa</i> </li>
</ul><br />
Shaw and CCA will donate $1 to the Save the Tiger Fund. Note: you must issue the tweet from the sweepstakes registration page. <br />
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Here is Materials Girls' post about Save The Tiger: <a href="http://materialgirlsblog.com/losangeles/2010/06/12/tigressa-carpet-save-the-tigers/" target="new">Tigressa Carpet & Save The Tigers.</a><br />
<h4>The Tigressa SoftStyle Carpet Product</h4>Now onto the Tigressa carpet product itself.<br />
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From the samples Bruce and <a href="http://www.empowermm.com/index.html" target="new">Empower MediaMarketing</a> sent me, Tigressa feels lush, thick and soft. The brochures describes it as "<i>luxurious and durable</i>" with "<i>ultra protective color and microfiber technology, supreme, silky softness, stronger than ordinary carpet, richer stronger color.</i>" <br />
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In terms of nitty gritty details, Tigressa is made from type 6 nylon which can be repeatedly recycled into new nylon. For that reason, it is categorized as a <a href="http://www.carpetone.com/flooringinformation/ourbrands/greenflooring.aspx" target="new">Green Select</a> product at Flooring America and Carpet One.<b> </b><br />
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Building My Green Life's Carrie Malatesta describes what she learned about carpet sustainability in <a href="http://www.buildingmygreenlife.com/shaw-floors-tigressa-carpet-launch/" target="new">Shaw Floors: Tigressa Carpet Launch</a>.<br />
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That, then, is the lowdown of Tigressa SoftStyle Carpet from Shaw based on the accounts of the bloggers I've listed above. Look for it at Carpet One and Flooring America and then, please, let me know what you think. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXOgXBJnYS5fn35bQz_pje1fcsHQowCO4iHu8z91u1RBNzM-3TPaBjM_KpWQtUgWdFz6H5VnoRSP0rEFmkaz1LPwTU4TvF8pmUqhftG6yz32M4aUhjEvB73dbudeJmdU-D7ekxNm_BPbHH/s1600/cbw2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXOgXBJnYS5fn35bQz_pje1fcsHQowCO4iHu8z91u1RBNzM-3TPaBjM_KpWQtUgWdFz6H5VnoRSP0rEFmkaz1LPwTU4TvF8pmUqhftG6yz32M4aUhjEvB73dbudeJmdU-D7ekxNm_BPbHH/s200/cbw2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
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Note: Photos Courtesy of Shaw Floors.CB Whittemorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737846177421292411noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239939622083929042.post-52719492721078242262010-06-16T08:03:00.001-04:002010-06-16T08:03:00.393-04:00World Cup Extends To Grass Carpet<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0-Lkp3IDcqmcxHQ1YQnmOlzT98Fxbt7QNqJUiEnW3ciKZU8VUfdY7WbpN_l01_TINQFoRmmo56OMdZWIA-B8nvHmOUB-Za3gY3RCTnev9sPN3vd3R870qR5ZPC-T94op-B-jarmBAT2_E/s1600/FIFA2010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="World Cup Grass Carpet" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0-Lkp3IDcqmcxHQ1YQnmOlzT98Fxbt7QNqJUiEnW3ciKZU8VUfdY7WbpN_l01_TINQFoRmmo56OMdZWIA-B8nvHmOUB-Za3gY3RCTnev9sPN3vd3R870qR5ZPC-T94op-B-jarmBAT2_E/s320/FIFA2010.jpg" title="World Cup Grass Carpet" /></a>Yes, the amazing 2010 <a href="http://www.fifa.com/aboutfifa/index.html" target="new">FIFA</a> World Cup <span style="font-size: xx-small;">TM</span> soccer or football [depending on where in the world you are :)] competition is underway in more ways than one. That's right, it extends to grass carpet!<br />
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According to <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/2010-06-05-689535619_x.htm?csp=34sports" target="new">Artificial grass woven into real turf at World Cup</a>, <a href="http://www.dessosports.com/en/desso-grassmaster/south-africa-2010/" target="new">Desso Sports Systems has created the Desso GrassMaster</a> which ensures that the World Cup stadiums offer the best possible grass carpet for the teams playing.<br />
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It's a grass turf solution that has been used in the United States for the National Football League's <a href="http://www.dessosports.com/en/desso-grassmaster/grassmaster-projects/denver-broncos/" target="new">Denver Broncos</a>, <a href="http://www.dessosports.com/en/desso-grassmaster/grassmaster-projects/green-bay-packers/" target="new">Green Bay Packers</a> and Philadelphia Eagles as well as in Europe for rugby<b> </b>(a.o. Vodacom Stormers-<a href="http://www.dessosports.com/en/desso-grassmaster/grassmaster-projects/newlands-stadium/" target="new">Newlands Stadium</a>). <br />
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Here's what I found fascinating about this product: it <a href="http://www.dessosports.com/en/desso-grassmaster/" target="new">blends natural grass with artificial grass! Check out this information from the Desso GrassMaster website</a>:<br />
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<a href="http://www.dessosports.com/typo3temp/GB/fd057dcafb.jpg?file=uploads%2Fpics%2Fgrasmaster_illustratie_09.jpg&width=800m&height=600m&bodyTag=%3Cbody%20style%3D%22background%3A%23FFF%3B%20margin%3A%200px%3B%20padding%3A%200px%3B%22%3E&wrap=%3Ca%20href%3D%22javascript%3Aclose%28%29%3B%22%3E%20%7C%20%3C%2Fa%3E&md5=f05951aa0eea1237f4e7fcfdd2a544b2" onclick="openPic('http://www.dessosports.com/typo3temp/GB/fd057dcafb.jpg?file=uploads%2Fpics%2Fgrasmaster_illustratie_09.jpg&width=800m&height=600m&bodyTag=%3Cbody%20style%3D%22background%3A%23FFF%3B%20margin%3A%200px%3B%20padding%3A%200px%3B%22%3E&wrap=%3Ca%20href%3D%22javascript%3Aclose%28%29%3B%22%3E%20%7C%20%3C%2Fa%3E&md5=f05951aa0eea1237f4e7fcfdd2a544b2','f5ff45c1932cf7df74ef4458be771e31','width=660,height=433,status=0,menubar=0'); return false;" target="thePicture" title="the roots of the natural grass grow around the injected artificial grass resulting in a stronger pitch"><img alt="the roots of the natural grass grow around the injected artificial grass resulting in a stronger pitch" src="http://www.dessosports.com/typo3temp/66e0874da5.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" width="150" /></a><br />
<i>"Desso GrassMaster is a sports field of <b>100% natural grass reinforced with Desso synthetic grass fibres.</b> The unique element of this patented reinforced natural grass system is the 20 million artificial grass fibres injected <b>20 cm deep into the pitch</b>. During the growing process, the roots of the natural grass entwine with the synthetic grass fibres and anchor the turf into a <b>stable and even field</b>. In this way the natural grass fibres are well protected against tackles and sliding. Moreover, it ensures better drainage of the pitch. Despite the fact that 3% of the pitch is made up of synthetic grass fibres, Desso GrassMaster gives players the <b>feeling of playing on a 100% natural grass pitch</b>.</i>"<br />
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Can you tell that I'm in awe! <br />
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GrassMaster truly goes beyond <a href="http://carpetology.blogspot.com/2008/02/cushioning-play-with-astroturf-carpet.html" target="new">Cushioning Play with Astro Turf Carpet.</a> How marvelous to see it being put through its paces at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, don't you think?<br />
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And, to put all of this competition - grass carpet and football or soccer - into perspective, have you watched this Nike Football video?<br />
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[Subscribers, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idLG6jh23yE" target="new"><b>click</b> on <i>Nike Football Write The Future</i> for the link to YouTube</a>.]<br />
<object height="340" width="460"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/idLG6jh23yE&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0xcc2550&color2=0xe87a9f"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/idLG6jh23yE&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0xcc2550&color2=0xe87a9f" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="460" height="340"></embed></object><br />
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May the best team and grass carpet win the World Cup!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnU9fUJxYs5DPzQUS4y4KlRVYirZUBnz9LYwjX8C_hcaBWis-fU3_7IJIUWE4hYOWEqysxLx8lsVbjxNMui3B_Cv3t6hib6hWywP58JewQTR6JI_K3au3ry5Pd3G8c1cLbP0_csH5intt-/s1600/cbw2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnU9fUJxYs5DPzQUS4y4KlRVYirZUBnz9LYwjX8C_hcaBWis-fU3_7IJIUWE4hYOWEqysxLx8lsVbjxNMui3B_Cv3t6hib6hWywP58JewQTR6JI_K3au3ry5Pd3G8c1cLbP0_csH5intt-/s200/cbw2.jpg" width="200" /></a>CB Whittemorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737846177421292411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239939622083929042.post-74427430178185232492010-06-10T08:07:00.000-04:002010-06-10T08:07:00.055-04:00How To Care For Shag Carpet<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeoVtP2IEoIu1wg4j2371h98jLLFMfZlrBNLYrI0mh0Ew0oZUImZOk-_qutsCUu_zE-VSVdEVjWHxHMmi-Wb-YMSrCg9na6yw3pYoz5i50G6xboPW3w0SmzIR3JsHZtpGZeSsoDgybUZh9/s1600/ShagPilator_2a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Bethany Richmond and the CRI shag carpet pilator" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeoVtP2IEoIu1wg4j2371h98jLLFMfZlrBNLYrI0mh0Ew0oZUImZOk-_qutsCUu_zE-VSVdEVjWHxHMmi-Wb-YMSrCg9na6yw3pYoz5i50G6xboPW3w0SmzIR3JsHZtpGZeSsoDgybUZh9/s320/ShagPilator_2a.jpg" title="Bethany Richmond and the CRI shag carpet pilator" width="320" /></a></div>This post about <b>How To Care For Shag Carpet</b> is dedicated to my friend Izzy who, in <a href="http://smokerise-nj.blogspot.com/2010/01/isabelle-garlands-first-smoke-rise.html" target="new">Isabelle Garland's First Smoke Rise Encounter</a>, referred to an extraordinary sight: the <i>raking</i> a shag carpet. Raking with a pilator as <a href="http://www.carpet-and-rug-institute-blog.com/2009/04/meet-bethany-richmond-communications.html" target="new">CRI's Bethany Richmond</a> so elegantly demonstrates in this photo, constitutes a best practice in caring for shag carpet.<br />
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In my Wear-Dated days, with the expert guidance of <a href="http://carpetology.blogspot.com/search/label/Annette%20Smith" target="new">Annette Smith</a>, I proudly put together a Shag Carpet Maintenance document. I discovered, in looking for shag raking ammunition for Izzy, that the document was no longer available. However, I'm able here to recreate most of the content and offer you expert advice on how you should care for your shag carpet.<br />
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Here goes...<br />
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Shag carpet is back. It’s thick, plush, luxurious and comfortable. It makes fantastic conversation piece area rugs and scrumptious wall-to-wall carpet. For that reason, we share with you important information on how to care for and maintain your shag carpet.<br />
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<h3>General Shag Carpet Care:</h3>Carpet generally wants to be vacuumed frequently, ideally twice a week and more often in high traffic areas. Shag carpet is no different. However, one major difference does exist between shag and other carpets, and it has to do with beater bars…<br />
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<h3>Vacuuming Shag Carpet:</h3>The best way to care for your shag carpet is to vacuum it with a suction-only vacuum. If your vacuum has a beater bar, be sure to disengage it when vacuuming your shag carpet. When disengaged, the brushes on the beater bar should not come in contact with or abrade the fibers as you vacuum. The reason? Using a beater bar or brush may cause the yarns to “feather out” or lose their twist, resulting in pilling or fuzzing. That means your shag carpet would no longer look they way it did when you fell in love with it;. It would lose its unique character.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0OAqRhlfCNEtbA9zgevtVEWFpx2_hRVbobIWwYc_fVf8ljvKkkR3miHhiub50BXoSA6FtsifGBJEPrgvbg1a7jdtQ1Ufe_wrKabZSHiGEARUB_v67e9Z2X3koUOf7yy_2Eu733FNbh7x4/s1600/ShagPilator_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="CRI Pilator - closeup" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0OAqRhlfCNEtbA9zgevtVEWFpx2_hRVbobIWwYc_fVf8ljvKkkR3miHhiub50BXoSA6FtsifGBJEPrgvbg1a7jdtQ1Ufe_wrKabZSHiGEARUB_v67e9Z2X3koUOf7yy_2Eu733FNbh7x4/s320/ShagPilator_1a.jpg" title="CRI Pilator - closeup" width="320" /></a></div>If you have a particularly thick shag carpet, you might consider using a <b>pilator</b> [see close up in photo] or grooming rake to keep your carpet looking well-groomed and carefully coiffed.<br />
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Caring for your shag carpet with frequent and suction-only vacuuming will ensure that your shag carpet provides you with the Beauty, Comfort and Durability you expect from it.<br />
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Something else to consider. Your vacuum… Have you checked whether it is certified through the <a href="http://www.carpet-rug.org/commercial-customers/cleaning-and-maintenance/seal-of-approval-products/vacuums.cfm" target="new">Carpet and Rug Institute Seal of Approval/Green Label Vacuum Cleaner Program</a>? The program has established industry standards on vacuum cleaner performance. Visit <a href="http://www.carpet-rug.org/" target="new">www.carpet-rug.org</a> for details and listings.<br />
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<h3>Additional Shag Carpet Care:</h3>For additional carpet care and maintenance guidelines, definitely speak with your carpet retailer.<br />
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For those of you with shag carpet, would you add anything to this post on how to care for shag carpet?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzqUA7yca7_W85_cgJuiLPa-TC7u_xIqY8CAHFL38yb6chK9rAj11muMN5OOP7TEJbwKr6fQhaTdzuOGUo2u7SDcvE7QjXUyxGgxqtQHTD9SSnD8J6uI3h_QBdDb9gHIns5jCyoL_v7T9h/s1600/cbw2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzqUA7yca7_W85_cgJuiLPa-TC7u_xIqY8CAHFL38yb6chK9rAj11muMN5OOP7TEJbwKr6fQhaTdzuOGUo2u7SDcvE7QjXUyxGgxqtQHTD9SSnD8J6uI3h_QBdDb9gHIns5jCyoL_v7T9h/s200/cbw2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
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<h3>Shag Carpet & Pilator Image credits:</h3>Thank you, <a href="http://www.carpet-and-rug-institute-blog.com/search/label/Jennifer%20Mendez" target="new">Jenn Mendez</a> and Bethany Richmond from the Carpet and Rug Institute, for capturing the shag pilator in action! Check out the <a href="http://www.carpet-and-rug-institute-blog.com/" target="new">Carpet and Rug Institute Blog</a> for many great carpet related resources.CB Whittemorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737846177421292411noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239939622083929042.post-77923810462426437052010-05-25T08:04:00.003-04:002010-05-25T08:04:00.106-04:00Mannington's tx:style Design Challenge<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhXMVoi2eDiTEte0hImouDvK0JLI475hCxXvSYfv-lWESIRzh_Cq8tLsx4nqrR5ZYtJLr6WAIEgJwZbGlELgd8qt_dAm4v1gW7UcUDHfZEa5CFd_7L1yFZC5ZaqpZ9L22eiDo0-A-4jZ3I/s1600/TXstyle.bmp"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 130px; height: 130px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhXMVoi2eDiTEte0hImouDvK0JLI475hCxXvSYfv-lWESIRzh_Cq8tLsx4nqrR5ZYtJLr6WAIEgJwZbGlELgd8qt_dAm4v1gW7UcUDHfZEa5CFd_7L1yFZC5ZaqpZ9L22eiDo0-A-4jZ3I/s320/TXstyle.bmp" alt="Mannington Commercial tx:style" title="Mannington Commercial tx:style" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473024896396982722" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Do you remember reading about</span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://carpetology.blogspot.com/2008/12/mannington-commercial-carpet-design.html" target="new"> Mannington Commercial Carpet Design Competition - tx:style</a><span style="font-style: italic;">? I first wrote about it in December 2008.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Well, I have news for 2010! According to <a href="http://www.scoutbrand.com/who-we-are/" target="new">Carly Jayne Rullman</a>, account coordinator for <a href="http://www.scoutbrand.com/" target="new">ScoutBrand</a> in Birmingham, AL, <a href="http://www.txstyle-mannington.com/" target="new">Mannington's tx:style Design Challenge</a> is even Bigger and Better!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">I invited Carly to tell us more.</span><br /><br />-----------<br /><br />Last year, <span style="font-style: italic;">The Carpetology Blog</span> introduced <a href="http://www.mannington.com/commercial/" target="new">Mannington Commercial</a>’s tx: style Design Challenge, an online competition among young, aspiring designers to have their design made into a full carpet collection.<br /><br />And because the competition was so popular among its 6,000+ registrants, Mannington Commercial re-launched the website this year.<br /><br />This year, the website is even better. In addition to being the website for the Design Challenge, it is an online design community that is up and running year-round. The site presents monthly contests, a <a href="http://www.txstyle-mannington.com/be_inspired_view.php" target="new">mood board</a> where users may upload what inspires them and a product development tab.<br /><br />The <a href="http://www.txstyle-mannington.com/monthly_contest.php" target="new">monthly contests</a> have brought many to the online community. Simple in nature, the prizes are big—a trip to <a href="http://www.greenbuildexpo.org/Home.aspx" target="new">Greenbuild</a>, a $500 gift certificate to <a href="http://www.westelm.com/" target="new">West Elm</a> and the current contest that will give one lucky winner a trip to <a href="http://www.neocon.com/" target="new">NeoCon</a>. And there’s more where these come from.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc80sCZIcRNpIzJB-44L03eatxKUvyzpBwPqv50mHCHhWwqlAssm87NoBGZq_LRTGzoWqfVPwgvI58Ok1RZhv0rL7kQGepQ_Uz0W06voNGxVk0-0uhih2aRPqfzBv7ZlBfkzB0uLjbOFkG/s1600/TxstyleDesigners2010.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0px 10px 10pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc80sCZIcRNpIzJB-44L03eatxKUvyzpBwPqv50mHCHhWwqlAssm87NoBGZq_LRTGzoWqfVPwgvI58Ok1RZhv0rL7kQGepQ_Uz0W06voNGxVk0-0uhih2aRPqfzBv7ZlBfkzB0uLjbOFkG/s320/TxstyleDesigners2010.jpg" alt="Mannington tx:style design challenge 2010 finalists" title="Mannington tx:style design challenge 2010 finalists" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473024905420746274" border="0" /></a>The "<span style="font-style: italic;">Who wants to go to NeoCon?</span>" contest ends May 27th and the winner will be announced June 1st.<br /><br />At this point, <a href="http://www.txstyle-mannington.com/about_design_challenge.php" target="new">Mannington Commercial has chosen six design finalists</a> who are in the running for the top honor. You can see their unique designs on the tx:style website, as well as video clips to get to know their personalities and the inspirations behind their work. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Be sure to vote for your favorites!</span><br /><br />Online voting closes June 14th, but remains open to visitors at NeoCon (June 14-16).<br /><br />If you can make it to NeoCon this year, the finalists will be in <span style="font-weight: bold;">Mannington Commercial’s showroom #1039</span>. An entire section is devoted to tx: style, where the finalists will be showing off their design boards and encouraging online voting. Additionally, there will be awesome giveaways, including fun bags and iPads.<br /><br />But don’t forget- <a href="http://www.txstyle-mannington.com/register.php" target="new">tx: style online design community will remain active throughout the year</a>, so there is always a chance to interact with other young designers and prizes to win.<br /><br />-------<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Thank you, Carly!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">I hope you'll go vote. And, if you are passionate about designing commercial carpet, won't you consider joining the </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.txstyle-mannington.com/index.php" target="new">Mannington Commercial tx:style</a><span style="font-style: italic;"> design community?</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSxlsgWeXZA2kWqt_SWqbDK7TSvehgIlQULDdOzABUYfXmmfHIE3jKtW5WpFU_WxwNj3GASCf52Xw4QpPJGMTp8HlDbxEMXk4WpTO_fp4g0abt0BMhosDs7hHLPq8D1xRHXEthQjBsUmoj/s1600/cbw2.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 120px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSxlsgWeXZA2kWqt_SWqbDK7TSvehgIlQULDdOzABUYfXmmfHIE3jKtW5WpFU_WxwNj3GASCf52Xw4QpPJGMTp8HlDbxEMXk4WpTO_fp4g0abt0BMhosDs7hHLPq8D1xRHXEthQjBsUmoj/s200/cbw2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473025046735616466" border="0" /></a>CB Whittemorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737846177421292411noreply@blogger.com0