In The Market For Carpet? We'd Like To Help.

The Shining carpet art installation

originally uploaded by Happy Sleepy.

If you're reading this blog post, there's a very good chance you're in the market for carpet. Maybe you're ready to buy carpet? Or simply searching for information about carpet. We'd like to help.

According to a 10/15/2008 MediaPost article titled Karastan: Building Share Of Voice In A Recession, "every time a consumer shops for flooring, it's like the first time. Even if they've made a significant flooring purchase in the last five years, they need to learn about it all over again. And the place they want to do that is on the Web."

Not surprising -- the web is where I turn to for information. Is it the same for you?

But it's also daunting as flooring and carpet aren't always the easiest to connect with online or offline.

For that reason, we thought we should remind you that, well... we're here. As you're looking for that perfect color, just the right style and the price that matches your budget, Wear-Dated has tools and tricks to help you find exactly what you're looking for, and help you make carpet buying decisions. We even have advice to help you care for your carpet after you've made your choice.

Here's more specifically what we have available:

FIND CARPET - Here, you can peruse thousands of styles and colors. We have everything from shag to loop, so you can narrow your choices down to specifics or broaden them to include everything that might be a possibility.

DESIGN A ROOM - Let's say that you've narrowed it down to your top three options. Now you want to see what each of them actually looks like on a floor. Pick a living room, bedroom, dining room or foyer and view it with your favorite carpet made with Wear-Dated carpet fiber. It's easy and far less expensive than trying all three options at home.

ESTIMATING CARPET - We know you want to visit your local retail store already prepared. Just measure the room you'd like to carpet, then enter your calculations here. We'll crunch the numbers so that you have a better idea what to expect when you make a purchase.

CARING FOR STAINS - You're careful, but stains do happen. Use this handy-dandy reference guide to remove nearly all unwanted stains from your carpet. We also recommend the Carpet and Rug Institute's Spot Solver.

NEWS & UPDATES - All carpet, all the time, delivered right to your inbox. Subscribe via email or RSS.

Happy Exploring! If you have questions, please let me know.

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Sensational Color For Your Home

Colourful Homes originally uploaded by michelle_dirocco.

Color. I live for it. It soothes me, energizes me, and helps me concentrate. In fact, I can't relax at home until the colors are just right. Similarly, the lack of color demoralizes me, robbing my soul of poetry and music. Color adds depth, dimension, texture and a sense of sweet comfort to my home decor. Home wouldn't be home without color. Is it the same for you?

As a young teenager, I remember helping my French cousin Dominique paint her tiny Parisian apartment: a rich, Colombian coffee bean brown for the WC; a fiery red for the common area... The preposterousness of her colors floored my American sensibilities, and opened a window onto the potential of Color for the Home. Similarly, my French aunt covered her kitchen in a warm orange, making the space glow with hospitable possibilities, as did my grandmother's buttery yellow kitchen. I wish I had asked them what inspired their color selections.

Luckily, today's there's a wonderful color inspiration resource in Kate Smith's Sensational Color and Color For Your Home, one of three color related blogs she writes.

My current office combines spring green and light purple. My previous office paired duckling yellow with periwinkle blue. Although related, the current evolution definitely works better for me and the space as well. My inspiration? Magazines, several favorite fabric swatches, a reupholstered sofa, something within me and a piece of artwork.

Artwork can be a terrific place to start. In fact, in Create a Color Palette To Coordinate Walls, Carpet, Furniture & More, I describe how to create a color palette with the help of Fabulous Floors Magazine's "Designer's Walk." If you haven't read it, consider downloading a copy of the article by clicking this link.

[By the way, a video clip of our Audubon color forecast is available on the Wear-Dated website, in Color and Carpet.]

Once I have color families in mind, I like to test my concepts. Traditionally, I get paint swatches and pair them against my fabrics and artwork. I definitely look at them in different light conditions.

Some of the online design sites are terrific for exploring and experimenting with color concepts. For example, the Wear-Dated website Design A Room function allows you to view carpet colors in a specific room setting and modify the wall colors, too. There are others [although they may not focus as much on the floor and carpet] -- like DesignMyRoom, or Better Homes and Gardens' Arrange-a-Room or even iVillage's Virtual Room Decorating...

Before finalizing my color decisions, I like to remind myself of color principles and tips. We offer a few in Color Your Home with Wear-Dated. Sensational Color, though, will truly give you something to think about.

I wish you great fun and sensational colors for your home.

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The Wear-Dated Carpet Buying Sheet

We've just published what I consider to be a really valuable document to refer to when you buy carpet. It's the Wear-Dated Carpet Buying Sheet and consists of tips, advice and questions to ask when you are ready to purchase carpet. The goal of it: to ensure that you have the best overall experience possible with carpet.

The Wear-Dated Carpet Buying Sheet came about as Annette and I discussed carpet complaints and what types of complaints might be preventable. Many were. And consumers told us that they wished they had known before they had problems what they should have been doing.

After all, carpet represents a major purchase - like a car or a major appliance. But, unlike those other major purchases, it doesn't come with a comparable instruction manual. Wouldn't you want to know ahead of time what is important for carpet care and carpet maintenance and carpet warranty compliance? I would.

That's how the Wear-Dated Carpet Buying Sheet came about. Tips, advice and suggested questions to ask your retailer before you leave the store.

For example, warranties.

Did you know that carpet often carries multiple warranties? From the retailer, the carpet manufacturer and – for better quality carpet – from the fiber manufacturer. [Note: Wear-Dated is a carpet fiber and we offer a warranty on carpet made with Wear-Dated carpet fiber.] The different warranties may differ one from the other in their requirements. They may also be affected by the carpet pad or cushion you purchase. Best to know ahead of time.

The best time to determine which warranties apply is at purchase, by asking the retailer and noting details from the back of the carpet sample.

And, how best to maintain carpet.

Carpet must be vacuumed regularly [at least twice per week] and professionally cleaned every 18 to 24 months. But, did you know that certain styles of carpet [e.g., shag or some loops] prefer a suction-only vacuum? Proper maintenance ensures that carpet retains its beauty over time. How it is done will also affect a carpet owner’s warranty. Best to know ahead of time.

I grew up considering ‘vacuuming’ a generic activity. Actually, until recently I thought that. I've learned though - from spending time with Annette Smith and getting involved in the Wear-Dated website - that it isn't!.. Vacuums have become more specialized, and their power greater. And which vacuum you use matters for your carpet. [Hint: beware of beater bars...]

Another important piece of advice: keep your purchase receipts. You may need them.

The Wear-Dated Carpet Buying Sheet includes these and other valuable tips. It can be downloaded from the Wear-Dated website.

If you see anything missing, please let me know.

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Carpet: The Solution for Uncertain Economic Times?

Yes, you read right: carpet may just be the solution to uncertain economic times. Here's my reasoning.

Unless you've been living in a fall-out shelter, you know that the economy isn't at its best right now - to say the least. And because of this, it's easy to get swept up by worry about the condition of your bank, your job and your 401K, especially since the media hasn't covered anything else in recent months except the impending presidential election. And of course, while you're worried about your job and your 401K, you've probably abandoned all hope of selling the house you planned to move out of a year ago. Don't lose hope yet. You may not be able to buy a new house right now, but you can certainly spruce up the one in which you're currently living with carpet.


In fact, Wear-Dated just sent a news release out into the world discussing ways in which homeowners can enhance and add value to their homes. If you're searching for information on carpet and carpet care, you may come across it, but we thought these were such great ideas, you might want to read about them here as well.

Basically, realize that - even in a depressed market - your house's interior doesn't have to reflect the mood of the outside world. Plus, if you give your home's decor a boost, you may give your own morale a boost as well.

Tip #1 – Don’t let carpet stains sit – take care of them immediately. Whether carpet already covers the floors of your home or you’re in the market for new flooring altogether, you can keep your carpet looking like new using the Stain Removal Guide at WearDated.com. Here, you’ll find everything from the tools you should have on hand to the steps for removing specific stains like hand lotion, catsup and candle wax. Choose a stain from the drop down menu and read step-by-step instructions to safely remove it from your carpet. [Image at left compliments of ABC Rug & Carpet Care.]

Tip #2 – Your carpet’s color can make a beautiful design statement. To learn more about color as a design tool, make sure to visit us here at The Carpetology Blog. If you haven't already, do read our discussions about the impact color has on home design, home décor ideas from Wear-Dated’s color guru Ann Hurley, and seasonal predictions for color and design trends. You can also access the blog from the Wear-Dated Web site home page or check out excerpts in the Wear-Dated website Newsroom.

Tip #3 – Give your home a modern makeover with carpet! Compared to buying a whole new house (or the pain of trying to sell your current home), carpet costs very little. Add design flair to a room with a stylish new frieze, a retro shag or a subtle loop. Try on hundreds of carpet styles and options in the Plan & Design section of WearDated.com.

And don't forget, you can find a Wear-Dated retailer using the Find Carpet Retailers function on WearDated.com. Making an easy way to freshen your interior - and banish uncertain economic times - just around the corner...

P.S.: Christine suggests another carpet solution for uncertain economic times...

Tip #4 - Carpet can help insulate your home. Especially since, according to Sunbeam bedding, 74% of Americans are considering not increasing the heat this winter to stay warm, but rather piling on the blankets. Carpet with proper padding can significantly improve warmth in the winter and coolness in the summer, helping make your home more energy efficient.

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Karastan Carpet Styles Featured on WearDated.com

In honor of a month [i.e., National Karastan Month] during which Karastan dealers around the country showcase Karastan carpet products, we decided to feature several Karastan carpet styles made with Wear-Dated carpet fiber on the Wear-Dated home page -- giving me an excuse to get up-close-and-personal with five delicious carpet styles.

More specifically, Carlisle Bay, Wolcott, Nob Hill, Eloquence Classic, and Cabarita... All five carpet styles feature Scotchgard Protector Advanced Repel Technology from 3M for advanced stain and soil protection for carpet.

Carlisle Bay here on the left represents a loop construction with lovely texture. It features Wear-Dated DuraSoft carpet fiber.

In fact, the official writeup on Carlisle Bay describes it as follows: "Inspiring ideas begin with Carlisle Bay. This ever-versatile beauty features loads of textural loops in a handsome selection of solid and berber shades... It has the good looks and performance benefits it takes to create your ideal home."

Suzy Swensen, a former Woman of Wear-Dated now with Karastan, says "It's the best of the best! It's soft yet practical. It's loaded with textural loops offered in 30 organic colors and 10 Berber fleck neutrals all at a great value."

Wolcott, also made with Wear-Dated DuraSoft carpet fiber, represents a combination of loop and texture construction [or of cut and uncut yarns]. The end result is "the timeless look of pin-dot patterning with irresistible texture."

It is available in 22 colors.

[Credit goes to Ray Cross, one of our Wear-Dated Representatives in the Northeast, who sent me pictures of Wolcott.]

Suzy says: "This is a great value for the individual looking for something different from a cut pile carpet. Wolcott is a pin dot which easily takes customers into a patterned look."

These next two are particularly scrumptious if you are susceptible to that delicious, heavenly cushioned feel that comes from intensely thick textured carpet... Both of these feature Wear-Dated Natural Nylon carpet fiber.

Nob Hill is intensely plush. Per the official description, "Nob Hill is a heavy weight workhorse texture - sure to impress the most discriminating Karastan customer. An expansive 40 color line will satisfy decorating needs for any area of the house. Karastan "style" is written all over this product - sell with confidence!"

Suzy describes Nob Hill as "luscious, thick, very natural looking and easy to decorate with. Next to Eloquence Classic, it doesn't get any better than this!"

Having sunk my hands into Eloquence Classic, I can attest firsthand to this carpet style's opulence. I purposely include this photo on the left as it visually demonstrates how thick, crisp and clean it looks.

Per the official description, this "one of Karastan's most successful signature products gets a sure to please make over that includes a fashion palette of 60 luscious shades sought after by today's most discriminating consumers. The distinctive texture of this handsomely rugged heavy, nubby twisted yarn provides an unbeatable combination of value and durability."

Cabarita room scene courtesy of Karastan.

Cabarita is a delicious frieze or casual texture, made with Wear-Dated DuraSoft carpet. It's comfortable and durable and available in 32 colors.

According to the official description, "Consumers who invest in Cabarita can create their own relaxing living space - using both solid and berber flecks - that will perform for years. One more outstanding casual wall-t0-wall carpet by Karastan."

Suzy adds that Cabarita's very natural colors blend well with any decor.

Five stylish reasons to go explore what your local Karastan dealer has featured during National Karastan Month. Don't miss it. You might discover that you desperately need to buy one or several of these carpet styles!



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Before You Buy Carpet, Download This Show Me Sheet

Please, before you buy carpet, do download the Wear-Dated Carpet Fiber Show Me Sheet!

Consumers, designers and retailers have told us that it's one of the most valuable documents they've encountered for organizing carpet buying thoughts.

Although we refer and link to it from several different locations on the Wear-Dated website, I'd like to show it to you in detail here on The Carpetology Blog. [If you remember, Elizabeth used the Show Me Sheet to 'focus her thoughts' in The Carpetology Guide to Buying Carpet - Step 3.]

What I like most about the Wear-Dated Carpet Fiber Show Me Sheet is its simplicity and thoroughness. Its purpose is to organize your thoughts around what to look for in carpet and carpet styles to best suit your lifestyle and design preferences - before you walk into a store. So that when you do enter a store, you have better control over the conversation with your salesperson and the choices available.

From the simplicity perspective, it consists of a checklist where you can select:
+ which rooms you plan to carpet
+ how you live
+ who makes up your family [i.e., pets and/or people]
+ what you plan to do on the carpet
+ which mood you hope to achieve
+ what your existing decor consists of

You can then detail which colors you already have in your room [it encourages you to bring swatches or paint chips with you to the store] and which carpet colors to consider. You can also add any relevant notes.

By the way, if you're starting fresh, you might bring in a pattern or piece of artwork to use as the basis for a color palette to work from [see Color and The Retail Experience].

On the Wear-Dated website, you can find Wear-Dated Carpet Fiber Show Me Sheet in the Newsroom document library; in Plan & Design in the Carpet Style & Lifestyle section and in the results page when you Find a Retailer to Buy Carpet from.

I hope you download the Show Me Sheet before you buy carpet. And, do let me know how it works for you.



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About Us: What Is Wear-Dated?

I recently realized something. That I haven't really explained what Wear-Dated is and what it represents.

I realized it thanks to a 'Get To The Point' article from MarketingProfs titled "Blogging for Dollars." Not that any of us at The Carpetology Blog are actually blogging for dollars. It goes way beyond that.

We blog to showcase the better, softer, more fashionable and inspiring side of carpet. We blog to share information about what matters in carpet -- when you're exploring what's available, have decided to purchase a carpet style and then want to care for it.

You see, I wish the whole carpet buying process were at lot more fun and fashionable. I wish carpet were showcased in as exciting an environment and context as Brighton accessories or Hermes scarves or Zappos shoes!

That's why I blog here at The Carpetology Blog. To bring you up-close-and-personal to the latest carpet styles, to offer you resources for more information - including from the Wear-Dated website - and to make sense out of purchasing and caring for carpet.

I *hope* that when you explore carpet choices in retail stores that you'll want to see what's available with Wear-Dated carpet fiber. But, I also know that first and foremost you need to find the perfect carpet color and style before deciding whether to purchase branded or unbranded carpet fiber.

Getting back to 'Blogging for Dollars.' It's based on a post by Michael Martine from Remarkablogger titled "The 5 Elements Every Business Blog Must Have" where he says that a business blog must include "clear basic business info, highly visible and functional contact page, highly visible services/products pages, a killer about page, highly visible RSS and email subscription area." In other words, the basics must be covered.

So let me cover the basics.

Wear-Dated is Solutia's brand and warranty to the consumer on carpet made with our fiber. Solutia makes nylon 6,6 carpet fiber, the durable carpet fiber. Solutia is based out of St. Louis, MO. Wear-Dated is based out of Kennesaw, GA, close to Dalton, GA, the carpet capital of the world.

We don't sell anything directly to consumers. The fiber we make goes to carpet mills [like Mohawk, Karastan, Fabrica, Gulistan, Royalty and Tuftex] to be transformed into carpet that retailers purchase to then sell to consumers.

We test the carpet made with our fiber. It if meets our Wear-Dated construction and performance requirements [e.g., wear & soil resistance, appearance retention, and stain resistance, color & lightfastness, tuft bind, and static control] then it carries the Wear-Dated carpet fiber brand label and warranty to the consumer.

To contact us:
+ From The Carpetology Blog, you can leave a comment, or contact me directly at cbwhittemore [at] gmail.com
+ From the Wear-Dated website, you can reach us via contact us or emailing us at info [at] weardated.com
+ In the Wear-Dated website newsroom, we list media contacts, too.

Although we do showcase products, offer installation advice and care & maintenance recommendations in The Carpetology Blog, for an in-depth view of carpet styles made with Wear-Dated carpet fiber, I strongly encourage you to visit the Wear-Dated website Carpet Catalog, the Sales Assistant or the Retailer Locator. We also detail Warranty & Care information on the website, including filing a claim, a stain removal guide and general carpet care tips.

This blogpost officially addresses About Us. The Wear-Dated website also includes in the Newsroom a section titled About Wear-Dated with information explaining what is Wear-Dated, who are the People of Wear-Dated, corporate social responsibility, a Wear-Dated timeline and what's new at Wear-Dated.

Finally, subscribing.

If you check out the left sidebar of The Carpetology Blog, you'll see two subscription options: via RSS and email. We' ve also added similar subscription options for the Wear-Dated website Newsroom for any new press releases or news updates.

Please let me know if I've missed something. I'm hopeful that this tells you more About Us and gives you a better sense for What is Wear-Dated.

By the way, Shannon Bilby at FloorTalk! interviewed me about Wear-Dated [Thanks, Shannon!] so you can read more.



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The Carpetology Wear-Dated Website Guide: Subscribing to the Newsroom

This installment of The Carpetology Wear-Dated Website Guide will take you through Subscribing to the Newsroom.

First, some information about the Newsroom itself. You may notice from the navigation at the top of each page on the website, that the Newsroom option looks a bit different. It's a different color, and it's a link. When you mouse over it, you won't get a listing of pages as you do the other navigation choices like Learn About Carpet or Plan And Design.

When you click on the Newsroom link, it takes you to the Newsroom. There, you will see the recent entries in News & Events. You'll notice on the left sidebar several options:

+ View All Recent Entries [this cuts across all categories and shows your recent items]

+ News & Events where you can view Wear-Dated News, Press Releases, Newsletter Archives, Promotions, Contests and The Carpetology Blog

+ About Wear-Dated includes reference information like What Is Wear-Dated?, The People of Wear-Dated, Corporate Social Responsibility, Wear-Dated Timeline, About The Newsroom and What's New at Wear-Dated?

+ Links of Interest

+ Media Gallery where you can find Print Advertising and Wear-Dated Logos

+ Document Library with digital copies of our printed resources.

As part of the Wear-Dated website redesign, we decided to enhance the Newsroom experience by offering the means to easily subscribe to any updates or communications [i.e., from News & Events]. Updates like new press releases, promotions taking place at retailers around the country, and a weekly update summary capturing the week's happenings on the website, in the Newsroom and on the blog[s]...

We also felt it important to offer options as we all have distinct preferences for receiving news updates. The result: two options as announced in Wear-Dated introduces Newsroom subscription options. [It's also summarized in Newsroom Subscription Options on the website.]

These subscription options offer a choice between having updates delivered directly to your email inbox or via RSS to your feedreader anytime we add new News items, Press Releases or Promotions.

Mind you, this differs from the website registration process [described in The Carpetology Wear-Dated Website Guide: Home Page] which lets you comment and rate products and retailers and opt in to our newsletter.

Let me go through the ins and outs of the subscription process here. [By the way, it's very similar to the options available here on The Carpetology Blog!] Feedburner, a reputable resource recently acquired by Google, provides the service for both options.

First, RSS.

RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication. With RSS, updates appear in a 'feedreader' that aggregates news feeds. These feeds can be easily accessed and organized [e.g., in folders] according to your preferences.

To get started subscribing to an RSS feed, you first need to enable a feedreader like Google Reader, Newsgator, Bloglines and Netvibes by setting up an account. Once the account established, it's a matter of enabling the subscription - same as if you were enabling the email subscription.

On the Wear-Dated website, look for the bright orange RSS icon and click on that. It will take you to a page where you can select your feedreader and enable the subscription.

Next: Email.

For an email subscription, click on the Feedburner flame icon. This brings up a separate window for entering email address and spam-prevention letters. That then triggers a verification message to your email inbox. You MUST open that verification email and click on the link within.

Once 'verified,' FeedBurner activates the email subscription to “News And Events”. You are ready to receive updates!

Let me know if you have any questions.

Next: The Carpet Catalog II

Previous posts in this series include:
The Carpetology Wear-Dated Website Guide: Carpet Catalog I
The Carpetology Wear-Dated Website Guide: Home Page
The New Wear-Dated Website Is Live!

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The Carpetology Wear-Dated Website Guide: Carpet Catalog I

Next in The Carpetology Wear-Dated Website Guide: The Carpet Catalog, Part I.

The Wear-Dated Carpet Catalog allows you to easily browse through carpet styles, and the colors available in each style.

To reach The Carpet Catalog, you have several options:

• From the Wear-Dated Home Page, simply click on any of the Featured Carpet Styles.
• From anywhere of the website, reach The Carpet Catalog from the drop down menu, under Find Carpet.
• You can also enter a specific carpet style name in the search box [top right hand corner of each page].

As in a carpet retail store, we use a 'deck board' format where critical information about the carpet is readily available and visible in one location: the carpet style name [in my example, it's Marciano], the name of the carpet mill that created the carpet [here, WundaWeve], the name of the color shown in the large swatch, the Fiber Line - i.e., the type of Wear-Dated carpet fiber [here: DuraSoft. This link takes you to a listing of all of the Wear-Dated carpet fiber types available], a description of the carpet style [here a shag], and a durability ranking for the style.

Durability Ranking corresponds to the Wear-Dated® performance rating we get when we test carpet samples. It is based on an international test method known as Hexapod which evaluates appearance retention of carpet. The instrument used to test carpet is composed of a circular rotating drum with carpet placed on the inside. Also placed inside this drum is an eight-pound steel ball with six pods [hence the name 'Hexapod']. As the drum rotates, the ball falls on the carpet face, simulating footsteps.After the standard number of rotations, carpets are then assessed using the Carpet & Rug Institute [CRI] performance rating scale. The lowest rating of 1 means “severe change in appearance” and the highest rating of 5 means “no change in appearance.” Note that these ratings do not take into account soiling, poor maintenance or other factors of use; just the change of texture related to matting and crushing that might occur from walking on it. For these reasons, it is not practical to associate years of wear with the performance ratings.

The virtual carpet deck board allows you to easily evaluate carpet colors in the larger swatch format [in-store, the large swatch is often beige and the color line shown in small swatch sizes], and page back and forth from color to color. Or, simply select the one you like from the thumbnail choices.

The Carpet Catalog offers another benefit: visualizing the carpet in a room to better evaluate how it might look with furniture and in combination with different wall colors.

So, from The Carpet Catalog, look for "See This Carpet In A Room" and you will be taken to the Room Designer where you can let your imagination run wild!

When you reach the Room Designer from the Carpet Catalog, it will automatically take you to a room with your carpet. However, if you don't like the room category choice, you can pick another [living room, bedroom, dining room, foyer]. Each category includes several individual room choices.

Within the Room Designer, we have purposely focused the decisions around carpet choices - color, style, whether to rotate the carpet [useful for a pattern] - and walls colors. [Did you know that a flooring change tends to precipitate a wall color change?]

You can also enlarge the room scene and print it. Or choose a new room.

We offer the option to return to the Carpet Catalog via "More About This Carpet" or to consider other similar carpet styles via "More Carpets Like This."

And, if you're ready, we'll take you to the Retailer Locator!

Back to The Carpet Catalog.

If you've decided you just don't like the carpet style in front of you, click on "More Carpets Like This" and you can choose from many others.

Or, simply Find a Store Near You!

Check it out and let me know what you think.

Next: Carpet Catalog II, where I will discuss comments and ratings, as well as the other options we offer in The Carpet Catalog to help you find the right carpet style.

Other posts in The Carpetology Wear-Dated Website Guide series: The Carpetology Wear-Dated Website Guide: Home Page.

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The Carpetology Wear-Dated Website Guide: Home Page

So, the New Wear-Dated Website Is Live! That means that I can take you through The Carpetology Wear-Dated Website Guide.

Here, the focus is on the Home Page.

From here, you can quickly navigate to Learn About Carpet, Find Carpet or Carpet Care from the three buttons on the right.

You can also navigate from the top pull down menus which will show you the sections to anticipate.

Or Search by entering your search term in the box at the top right of the window.

Up in the top left hand corner, you'll notice Register/Login.

We invite you to register. It's easy. It's free. And, we will not in any way abuse your confidence.

Why Register? So you can receive our newsletters. To rate and comment on retailer and carpet experiences. To participate in our upcoming contests and to participate in newsroom discussions.

If you're unhappy with the newsletter, you can opt out at any time. But, I'm hoping you won't be.

In fact, I'm hoping that you'll be so delighted, that you'll let others know to come register.

I've included a screen shot of the registration page. Registration consists of an email address, a password, your name and a zip code. Then, there's a box to check about the newsletter.

It's that easy.

At the top right of the Home Page, you'll notice 2 icons. One that says print this page, and another that says share this. The sharing button is pretty cool. Click on it and you'll have the option to email or to share via Technorati, Del.icio.us, Digg, Facebook, Windows Live and StumbleUpon.

The email option sends an email with a link to the page you found interesting, with a personalized message from you.

Back to the Home Page.

Notice the toes? Those glamorous pink toes? Against that gorgeous pink carpet? Click on the white arrow in the middle of the toes image and you'll get to experience Beauty. Comfort. Durability. Go on. Check it out!

If you don't see an arrow [see picture below], don't be alarmed. It's that you're missing Flash. Note immediately below the graphic the words "This content requires Adobe Flash Player 9. Please Get Flash."

[Thank you, Sue Cannon, for helping illustrate what happens when Flash is missing.]

Under the graphic, we feature selected carpet styles made with Wear-Dated carpet fiber. Clicking on any of those styles will take you to the carpet catalog where you can browse colors for that style and see the carpet in a room.

The stars below each item correspond to ratings that visitors contribute. You can see those in more detail when you go to the carpet catalog pages.

We will showcase new featured products regularly. And, the banners under the featured carpets - which take you to other Wear-Dated areas within the website [e.g., learn more about Wear-Dated Natural Nylon], here to The Carpetology Blog, or to promotions and contests.... - will also change regularly.

That covers the Home Page.

Next: The Carpet Catalog.

If I've missed something, or you have any questions, please let me know.

Thanks for checking out the Wear-Dated website.

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The New Wear-Dated Website Is Live!

We are oh-so-pleased to announce that our newly redesigned Wear-Dated website is live!

I hope you like it...

In redesigning the website, we wanted and needed the website to reflect our By The Foot campaign which is quirky, whimsical, really fun and puts the whole process of buying carpet, owning carpet and caring for carpet in a new framework. One that better reflects how women do things - like make decisions about what's going into our homes and how those decisions reflect our individual sense of style.

Next, we wanted to create a different web experience. One that is more attuned to searches that start on a search engine rather than at a specific manufacturer or brand site. One that is also easier to interact with and share with others.

In other words, we spent a great deal of time rewriting and refining our content so it provides more meaningful information as you go about learning about carpet, finding carpet and carpet retailers, and then caring for carpet.

We added printing and sharing functionality from every website page. Any page can easily be emailed or tagged via the social web [e.g., Technorati, Digg, Del.icio.us, StumbleUpon! and even Facebook].

On the home page, we feature specific Wear-Dated products. Those will vary over time and allow us to better tell the Wear-Dated story of Beauty. Comfort. Durability.

You'll also see a Newsroom for capturing all news Wear-Dated related. There, you can find press releases, learn more about the People [and Women] of Wear-Dated, discover relevant documents, see our media, be inspired by upcoming contests, promotions and newsletters, and keep up with What's New With Wear-Dated. That's right: you can subscribe, via RSS or email for updates...

From anywhere, you can search. And if you really can't find what you are looking for, please let me know so we can do something about it.

In coming posts, I will detail the website and its features.

In the meantime, please do visit the Wear-Dated site and let me know what you think. Consider registering so you can comment, rate products and retailers, and receive our upcoming newsletters.

And, if you really like the site, please consider a Digg or a Stumble!

Thank you!


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