Wool rugs in a modern contemporary home add a warm touch to any room. Many people prefer the look and feel of woven (hand made) or tufted (usually machine made) rugs. Many of the popular styles can be very affordable for low budget redecorating.

So for anyone who is looking to invest in a wool rug, there may be questions about the durability. Is it worth the investment to buy a wool rug?

Wool Rugs – Resilient, Resistant

While wool rugs are popular for many different reasons, one of the most popular reasons is the resistant nature of wool rugs. Wool fibers do not absorb soil very well. This makes the rugs easier to keep clean.

In addition, wool rugs are said to be resistant to fire. The rugs are safe to put in children’s rooms or in high traffic areas of the home. The material is also resistant to static electricity.

Wool also naturally absorbs water from the air. Studies show that the wool fiber may suck up to 30% of it’s own weight in water and it still feels dry to the touch. Wool rugs can actually absorb the water vapor in the air, relieving the humidity in the home.

Wool rugs are also very durable. They can sustain their quality for years, even within the home of an active family.

Easy to Clean Wool Rugs

Above, it was mentioned that wool rugs didn’t absorb dirt. Homeowners really like that the wool fibers are also easy to clean. You can remove most stains with a little warm water and with light blotting. No chemicals would be needed, making it safer for health conscious families.

Upkeep of your wool rug depends on how you look after it once you bring it home. A light vacuuming once a week with slow, even strokes actually helps to improve the quality. A new wool rug may shed a few fibers at first and this is quite natural. With time, the shedding effect will fade and with continued regular vacuuming, your carpet will be better conditioned and have improved quality.

The Amazing Designs of Wool Rugs

Rugs are not only popular for their many benefits, but also for their designs. Now, manufacturers can create popular oriental, Persian and other styles of rugs for any fashionable home. You can get traditional hand made carpets of fine quality, or for something a little more inexpensive, a machine made wool rug is just as beautiful. Many of the hand made rugs come from China, Spain or India. If you are looking for machine made rugs, many rug companies in the USA create these.

If you are looking for a nice contemporary feel to your home, wool rugs make for an elegant and inexpensive option. Finding the right one for your home should be easy, a redecorating store or a specialized wool rug shop would be able to assist you with your needs and also give recommendations on style. Wool rugs are a great investment for your home.

Moe Kermani is the owner of Natural Area Rugs a distributor of fine quality, contemporary, area rugs. It is the fastest growing company in the field of distributing natural area rugs. They are dedicated to achieving world class performance through their belief in honesty and integrity in all their dealings with their customers. Their goal is to achieve the highest levels of customer satisfaction through the quality of their products, their prices, their service and the outstanding value of their products. Natural Area Rugs are located in Beverly Hills, California with warehouse and manufacturing facilities in Los Angeles, California. For more information visit http://www.naturalarearugs.com

It wasn’t that long ago that the fireplace was the main source of heat in most every home. The hearth was a place for families to gather so that they could enjoy each other’s company while they read, played games or worked on a hobby. And let’s face it. Houses in those days were cold. If you weren’t in front of the fireplace, you could be quite chilly.

Today, we have no need of the heat that radiates from a wood burning fireplace. The invention of modern heating systems which pump heat into each room, keeping the home a constant and even temperature, has negated the need of a wood burning fireplace all together. But still we hang on to the comfort and warmth that we can only experience while in front of a gently crackling fire.

Some families thoroughly enjoy building a fire on a brisk autumn day or cold winter’s night; others enjoy the light of the flickering flame associated with a fire but would rather do without the work involved with building a fire. It is for this second group of people that fireplace candelabras hold the most allure.

The fireplace candelabrum is a candle holder designed specifically to sit inside your fireplace. When lit the fireplace candelabra creates the warm flickering glow that you would normally get from a wood fire but without the wood and hassle of building one.

Fireplace candelabras can range in size to accommodate anywhere from 4 to 10 candles. Some fireplace candelabras are slim enough to fit in front of your existing andirons and grate while others are made to completely fill your empty fireplace.

In addition to adding a no-mess fire to your hearth, fireplace candelabras can be used to accentuate your existing décor no matter what style. From Contemporary and Classic to Country and Rustic, there is a fireplace candelabrum to suit even the most discriminating decorator. You can choose from candelabras crafted from the finest materials including steel, wrought iron and copper, just to name a few.

When selecting candles for your fireplace candelabra, you can choose candles which accent the colors in your room’s existing color scheme or choose candles with a certain holiday in mind. You can also use scented candles and even tailor the scents to create your own special scent or to reflect the seasons or a particular holiday.

Just think how relaxing it would be to lounge in your favorite recliner while enjoying the ambiance that can only be created by fire, all the while knowing that there will be no mess to clean up and that you won’t have to bank the fire before turning in for bed.

While many people turn to gas fireplace logs for this convenience, the use of gas logs requires the running of gas lines and installation of a gas log kit in the fireplace. For many, this is not a good option, especially if they want to be able to build a wood fire occasionally.

If you want to enjoy the ambiance and atmosphere associated with a wood fire without having to build a fire, you should look into purchasing a fireplace candelabrum for your home.

About The Author:
Pamela Tice is the owner of a number of fireplace websites specializing in Fireplace Candelabras and other Fireplace related products. Visit http://www.FireplaceScreensEtc.com for a large selection of Fireplace Screens, Fireplace Accessories and Candelabras.

Wood display cases, boxes, and domes are used for storing models, trophies, exhibits, flags, sports memorabilia, jewelry, cosmetics, and other collectibles. The base or supporting frame is made of wood while the rest of the display case is of glass or acrylic. The type of wood used affects the quality and appearance of the display case.

Since wood can be drilled, sawed, and machined, it can be fashioned into display cases of various shapes and sizes. The quality of the display cases depends on the sort of wood used. Aspen, mahogany, oak, rosewood, maple, rosewood, and pine are just some of the types of wood used for making cases. There are two kinds used to make display cases, hardwood and softwood. Hardwoods like rosewood, cherry, walnut, oak, and maple are hard and have a well-defined grain pattern. They look best when given a natural finish. For example, display cases made of oak are sturdy and heavy. With a natural finish, oak has a white or red-black tint, uneven texture, and very distinct grain design. Mahogany display cases have a reddish brown, spotted texture.

Softwoods like pine and cedar are soft and have simple grain pattern. They are ideal for making light bases for glass or acrylic domes and boxes. Pinewood display cases may have a finishing of gloss, oil, or lacquer. They get scratched and damaged easily and are not suitable for heavy or large display cases.

Wooden cases have an old-world elegance to them. Handcrafted wooden display cases are highly valued for their workmanship. Wooden display cases have a unique style and can be easily assembled. They can be set off against other pieces of furniture in the room or they can harmonize well with the décor of any room, office, or hall. Wood cases create an ambiance of security, solidity, and warmth and are more popular than metal or acrylic cases.

Display Cases provides detailed information about display cases, custom display cases, and more. Display Cases is affiliated with Home Entertainment Centers.

When you decorate your home, think twice about the colors you use. Plan out properly the color scheme before you even buy the paint.

1. That bright color might look great in a tiny swatch but garish on an entire wall. Use a free color visualizing tool to help you visualize how the wall would look in your chosen color, before you spend money on the paints.
2. If you choose a bright color, consider confining it to a single wall with neutral colors, on the rest of the walls to balance the look.
3. Light colors make a room look larger while dark colors make a room cosier.
4. To make the ceiling look higher, try a very pale color or white to make it recede. You could try painting the ceiling sky blue so it looks like you are looking up to the never ending sky when you look up towards the ceiling.
5. Wood gives the room a warmer, homelier, back to nature feel. A room with wooden wallpaper, wood floors, and ceiling, lit with warm lights gives you a comforting, cosy atmosphere.
6. Get your basic color scheme right first. The color of the floor, walls and ceiling should all complement one another. You could use the exact same color on the walls and ceiling for an unbroken, harmonious look in a room, to form the background before you add the furnishings or furniture. Visualize how the elements go together, you could sketch out the entire look on paper, or use color my home to put together the walls, floor, ceiling and furnishings to see how the colors go with one another.

   To use, choose the color or wallpaper for the wall. Next, choose the floor color. Then choose the ceiling color. Finally pick the furnishings. These are compared against the wall color or the floor color.

7. Dark colors are easier to maintain as dirt does not show up so easily. Consider a darker color for sofa sets, tables and other heavily used furniture, especially if you have little kids or pets in your home. On the other hand, if you have a long haired white cat that sheds a lot of hair, you might want want more white furniture as white hair contrasts with dark furniture. Consider your household when planning your color scheme.

The writer developed colormyhome to help her visualize the color layout in a room and to help her come up with pleasant color schemes.

Sports display cases are used to store and display sporting goods, clothing, trophies, and other sports memorabilia. These are used for displaying varied collectibles like bats, racquets, balls, gloves, shoes, caps, and jerseys. Sports display cases are available in several varieties that can satisfy any one from a five- year- old to a mature hobbyist.

Acrylic cubes used as table tops are the most common kind of sports display cases. A single collectible item is displayed in a simple square or rectangular acrylic/glass box mounted on a detachable wooden base. The simplest display cubes don’t have any wooden base and are meant for inexpensive table top displays. There are many innovative varieties of the simple display cube. A single baseball, for example, can be mounted on a plastic “glove” set inside the case. Generally, cube or box display cases have pylons and rings for mounting balls and bats.

Wall display cases are used to display a collection of items, like a set of golf clubs, instead of a single item. These are rectangular with five or six sides and glass doors and wooden frames.

Prices of sports display boxes vary greatly. Acrylic baseball cubes without wooden pedestals, for example, are available at GrandStandSports.com for as little as $5. A wall display case for a nine baseball bat collection, however, will cost $400 at the same site. An acrylic box display case for a football costs around $50, while a glass case of similar dimensions costs almost twice that.

Sports display cases are customized and personalized by attaching engraved plates to the wooden platforms of the boxes. Die cast display cubes and wall display cases may give the choice to attach your favorite race car number on the case.

Sports memorabilia have a lot of sentimental value. Your first baseball bat might have many memories attached to it. Putting it in a display case and placing it in your favorite corner or workbench will always remind you of your childhood and protect the object you treasure so much.

Display Cases provides detailed information about display cases, custom display cases, and more. Display Cases is affiliated with Home Entertainment Centers.

Decorating with area rugs is one of the easiest ways to update, revitalize and beautify your home. Rugs can add dramatic color and design to every room; create a focal point or define areas; add warmth to the look and feel of tiles, stone, or concrete; protect hardwood floors or wall-to-wall carpeting; and tie elements of a room together. You can change rugs when the seasons change and take them with you if you move. It is not surprising that area rugs are of great interest to the do-it-yourself decorator.

Some Things to Think About

Color is probably the most important element in decorating and should top the list of your requirements when selecting area rugs. If a room has a lot of bright colors and looks very busy, choose a neutral color and a subtle design for the rug. If the colors of the room are soft and neutral, you can add a splash of color and interest with a bright rug and a dramatic design. If you want to enhance the color scheme that exists in a room, select a rug that repeats the dominant or accent colors; if the color scheme hasn’t been chosen, buy the rug of your dreams and decorate the room around it.

The pattern on the rug must not clash with patterns on the wallpaper, window coverings, cushions, and other fabrics in the room. Dark colors add warmth, and light colors will make the room appear more spacious. The amount of traffic is also a consideration. If there are children or pets, or the rug will get steady use, dark colors and intricate patterns will not show dirt as much or as quickly as light colors.

If you buy a rug for the bathroom, make sure the colors are compatible with the color of the bathmat. (Or buy a new bathmat.) It is also important that a rug in the bathroom not be adversely affected by moisture especially if it will be underfoot when you step out of the shower or bath. Maintenance is an important consideration when choosing rugs not only for the bathroom, but also the kitchen, the hall, or the room of a child. Select designs and colors that don’t show the dirt, and are stain resistant and easy to clean.

It is a good idea to add padding under a rug because it will not only keep the rug from moving, it will also extend its life, absorb sound, and make vacuuming easier. If you are placing a rug over wall-to-wall carpeting, choose a thin under-pad coated with an adhesive.

Check the Size You Need

If you want an area rug to cover most of the floor in a room, the same amount of bare floor should be exposed on all sides of the rug, even if the room is an irregular shape or there is a closet or fireplace extending into it. If you are not able to arrange that, try and have the same amount of floor showing on two parallel sides.

When defining an area – a conversational grouping, for instance – there should be no more than two feet of empty rug extending out from behind the furniture. A rug used in this fashion will unify the items placed around it if the rug is large enough to accommodate at least the front legs of each piece of furniture.

If you are going to place a large rug in the bedroom, it need not be centered but the same amount of floor should be visible on two or three sides of it. In the dining room, the rug should extend eighteen inches to twenty-four inches beyond the table. An eight- by ten-foot rug will work in most living rooms and dining rooms. A six- by four-foot or a six- by nine-foot rug will be fine if it is for a small area, such as under a coffee table, in which case, the entire coffee table should be on it and all other furniture set back from it at an equal distance.

If you have trouble visualizing what a rug will look like in a room and can’t decide what size would be best, use masking tape to define the space. If that doesn’t help, cut pieces from a paper roll or lay out bed sheets to cover the area before you decide what size to buy. You don’t want any surprises.

Create Special Effects

If a rug is to be the focal point of a room, consider purchasing one with a central medallion, which is a popular design for an oriental rug. If the medallion will be hidden for the most part by a piece of furniture – the dining room table or a bed, for example – forget the medallion and select a rug that has an allover design, or one with detail on its borders.

Oriental rugs – a term which refers, in decorating lingo, to rugs from any Asian country – are popular in modern as well as traditional homes. Expect to pay more for an imported Persian rug, considered by many to be superior to all other oriental rugs. Tibetan rugs are also a beautiful and popular choice and not as expensive, or you can choose a rug from Afghanistan, Egypt, Pakistan, China, or from many other Asian countries.

If the room has an early American theme, a round braided rug, popular since the early settlement of North America, will probably be very suitable. Using a Navajo rug, with its geometric designs and flat weave, can reinforce a southern or desert theme. If your tastes run more to the comfort and appeal of animal fur or wool, forget the tiger skin and look for a flokati rug – a hand-woven Greek woolen rug with a thick, shaggy pile – it may create just the look you want.

Contemporary rugs come in every variety of color, design, texture, size, and price. Don’t overlook them when you are searching for the perfect area rugs, even if your house is decorated in a traditional style. Just as a traditional rug can look great in a modern home, a contemporary rug can add to the appeal and charm of a traditional home. Let your creative spirit soar – and make sure the rug can be returned or exchanged in case you discover your creative spirit soared in the wrong direction.

Cost is a Consideration

The cost of a home rug is closely related to the fiber from which it is made. The most expensive natural fiber will be found in a wool rug; other less expensive natural fibers are cotton, jute, silk and sisal (hemp). Popular synthetics favored for quality rugs are acrylic, polypropylene (olefin), and nylon.

If you are on a tight budget, look for discount and bargain outlets, but be sure the dealer is reputable, there is a wide selection, and check the warranty and the return policy before you buy.

Area rugs are available in a wide variety of styles, and there are sizes to fit every room and prices to fit every budget. Shop until you find exactly what you want.

About the Author:
Scott Gray is currently a freelance writer and enjoys providing tips to consumers who are in the market for all types of cheap area rugs, contemporary rugs, and persian rugs.

Jewelry display cases are available in a vast range of designs, colors, materials and sizes. Jewelry cases should add to the beauty of jewels exhibited. They should keep the jewelry secure from theft and other kinds of damage. Also, the display need (home, collection, retail outlet) must be kept in mind while choosing a display case or box.

The display case material needs to be strong, with proper security devices likes locks. TechnoDisplay displays have tempered glass, lights and locks for security. If you need to travel with the entire jewelry set then the jewelry display case needs to be compact, light, and portable.

The issue of aesthetics is the next consideration. Antique jewelry and watches or heavy gold and silver jewelry sets look best in wooden display cases that are elegant and have an old world charm. Contemporary minimalist jewelry or Swarovsky pieces harmonize with aluminum and glass/ acrylic displays. Since individual pieces like chains, ear rings and finger rings are small items, they look poor if simply deposited in a large cabinet. Each individual piece needs to be put on a stand, and then the stand can either be put in a showcase or a shelf. Display case stores also retail such stands. The website JewelSupply.com sells necklace cases with a bar for draping necklaces and earring stands shaped like T-bar, tree, or whale fin. Rings are put on finger shaped displays that are then put inside display cabinets.

Most people who own jewelry don’t display them permanently. They simply leave open the lid of the jewelry box to allow inspection. People who are not collectors or those who are not retailing jewelry, there is a range of jewelry storage or display boxes available. JewelSupply.com stocks display boxes shaped like crystal and rose and websites like jewelrydisplay.packaging.net have inexpensive contemporary, chic, light display cases and boxes to choose from.

Jewelry is perhaps the most beautiful of all collectibles. An appropriate display case enhances its beauty and a well chosen display or storage box adds value to the precious ornament inside.

Display Cases provides detailed information about display cases, custom display cases, and more. Display Cases is affiliated with Home Entertainment Centers.

Rustic country decor and how to decorate cottage style homes are extensions of American country style decorating. In addition, traditions are borrowed from French, English and some Swedish country looks. Rustic country decor can be defined as coarse, charmingly simple, unfussy, unfinished and yet with endearing qualities. Rustic country decorating includes the use of natural woods, aged surfaces, rough finishes and simple lines. Cottage style homes are comfortable, modest, quaint homes that can be made of thick stone or log wood.

Floors in rustic country decor and cottage style homes are made with stone or wood materials. Wooden floors were traditionally constructed with boards that were bare and simply waxed and hand-polished (high-gloss varnishes did not exist). Sometimes the boards were painted with light colors. If you like floor coverings, use oriental rugs and throws for visual warmth and color. Rustic country decor is about handcrafted objects, simplicity, furnishings that you enjoy and connecting back to nature.

Rustic cottage furniture is commonly made with pine and perhaps painted with hand-painted designs such as flowers, birds, animals, country scenery or leaves. Use ladderback chairs, rocking chairs, benches, wicker furniture and Windsor chairs. A large rectangular table made of pine is a good option for your kitchen or dining room table. To give your furniture a rustic look, brush a coat of paint on the furniture piece, then rub most of the paint off. After it dries, apply wood stain unevenly for an older weathered appearance. It will be perfect and rustic looking!

Baskets can be used to store wood, pine cones, flowers, plants and needlework. Brass candle holders, oil or kerosene lamps, sconces, hurricane lamps, tin lanterns, recessed ceiling fixtures or a vintage wrought-iron or metal chandelier provide successful lighting for rustic country decor and cottage style homes. Colors used in rustic country decor or cottage style homes are neutral tones ranging from white to bone, earth tones, red barn, blues and greens.

For rustic country decor in the kitchen, use open shelves, hutches, buffets, plate racks and cupboards for storage. Often, country kitchen storage is crammed with stoneware pots, plain glazed earthenware and glass jars. Kitchen pots should be made of copper, steel or cast iron — cookware tends to be large and plain. Use open shelving in the rustic country kitchen to display plates, dishes and dinnerware collections. Natural woods, light colors and bright fabrics work great for window treatments. Adding a rustic butcher block island creates a wonderful visual effect as well as provides useful functionality.

A rustic country decor bathroom has neutral tones or soft colored walls, antique-looking lighting, and wooden antiques or antique reproduction cabinets and vanity. Knowing how to decorate cottage style homes and bathrooms can result in creating a calm and elegant atmosphere. Clawfoot tubs, pedestal sinks, country style antique brass faucets and old-fashioned country cabinets provide the kind of atmosphere that makes you want to spend time there. Plain white towels are recommended instead of patterned or bright modern patterns. Use wicker or wire baskets to keep your sponges, loofas and shampoos handy near the tub or shower.

Understanding how to decorate cottage style homes means including items like quilts, antique furniture or reproductions, flea-market pieces, trunks, chests, armoires, stenciling, wallpaper, adirondack chairs, flower wreaths and bistro chairs. These types of elements give cottage style homes the kind of rustic country decor that is simpler, very personal and warmly inviting.

Whether in a seaside setting, an urban environment, a countryside location or a wooded mountain retreat, cottage style homes are cozy and unassuming, combining the past with the present. Read all you can find and learn what creating the rustic country cottage means to you no matter where it’s located. Enjoy expressing your personality and showing what the definition of home means to you.

Copyright 2005 InfoSearch Publishing

David Buster is VP of InfoSearch Publishing and webmaster of http://www.yourdreamloghome.com - visit the website and learn more about rustic country home decor and design, rustic kitchens and bathrooms, log cabins, fireplaces and firewood and much more.

Glass display cases have their own charm that sets them apart from cases made of acrylic and other synthetic materials. They are perceived to be aesthetic pleasing and bring class and elegance to the room or office. Apart from this, they have excellent lighting and heating properties.

Glass display cases are popularly used in homes, large corporate offices, museums, and high end retail stores. Glass display cases come in many varieties like tower displays, hexagonal or dome shape display cases, large cabinets, or wall mounts. Riker Mounts are very popular display boxes. They are used for displaying a range of curios from coins to swords as table tops or wall mounts. Websites like DisplayCaseStore.com have many varieties to choose from.

The fragility of glass psychologically extends to the collectibles in the display case, adding value and mystique to them. It is for this reason that jewelry, china, rare manuscripts, botanical specimens, and antiques are generally exhibited in glass display cases. Apart from these items, they store and exhibit books, sports memorabilia, shot glasses, spoons, and cards.

Glass display cases have unmatched illumination properties. As glass allows maximum amount of light to pass through the display case, the need for putting in extra lights for the collectibles is reduced. Glass display cases diffuse harsh light, making the collectibles shine with a softer glow.

Glass is also resistant to heat, so they are often used in bakeries and delis for warming and displaying food items. Halogen lamps can be put in glass display cases since glass can withstand high temperatures. The display case will not crack due to temperature changes since glass is resistant to temperature variation. Glass does not generate a static charge, so fragile items like silks and old manuscripts are safe inside glass display cases.

Glass display cases actually showcase a collectible, create an elegant ambiance, and are a practical and safe storage option.

Display Cases provides detailed information about display cases, custom display cases, and more. Display Cases is affiliated with Home Entertainment Centers.

We all take a certain pride in the interior of our homes. We all try to create a beautiful extention of our personalities.

You will find that while reading this article you will see all kinds of wonderful opportunities where you can use Zebra decor.

Often the only thing stopping us or inhibiting us is our budget and imagination.

Decorating with Authentic Zebra Decor is a very fullfilling excercise. Using the natural canvas of the Zebra and blending it with you current environment will definately add to the prestige of your room.

The products available are ever growing and you will find e.g. Zebra Skin Rugs - the skin with the head tanned flat, often with a felt backing used on the floor or as a wall hanging.

Next….

There are various area rugs crafted from off-cuts of Zebra and other game hides giving you a selection of patterns and earth colors that will delight you.

Then there is…

Furniture - Sofas, chairs, ottomans. Accessories - mirrors, lamps, pillows, etc.

The important thing to remeber is that Zebra decor wil be the main attraction where ever you use it, it has a majestic wild style that normal decor cannot compete with.

Once you have seen Authentic Zebra Decor you will fall in love with it, you will make all kinds of plans to afford it.

Imagine the interior of your dreams….

Now take a step towards it!

When choosing your Zebra decor it is very important that you get it from a reputable supplier. It is vital that the Zebra skin was tanned properly, else you will experience all kinds of problems with hair loss, texture of the skin, return policies and guarantees.

Tonie Konig is the owner of a wholesale business dealing in Zebra and other game decor in Cape Town, South Africa. He is involved with one of the top tanneries in the world and supplies some of the most gifted decor manufactures and retailers. To see some of the products you can have a look at his website http://www.zebracraft.com. Free Interior Decorating E-mail Course http://www.zebracraft.com/ezine.html