H6

Debbie Travis

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Are you a carpet person, or do you love hardwood floors? I find that people fall into one of these two categories. Carpeting is a hot topic these days as we strive to make our homes more and more earth-friendly. Most synthetic materials are on the out list, although there are innovative breakthroughs that include recycling plastic bottles to make carpet fibers that meet the challenge. Natural fibers - wool, silk and cotton, and carpets made from plant fibers (sisal and sea grass carpets) and woven bamboo fibers are in the spotlight. If you are susceptible to common household allergies, then you should be aware of the materials that make up your décor, and it is a safe bet to opt for the most organic combination you can find.

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Aptly named Urban Tiger (Nourison.com), this 100 per cent wool broadloom is hypoallergenic and more durable than synthetic fibers.

photo contributed

Artists are applying their talents to the floor, using natural yarns to weave tactile textures into skillfully woven carpets.

For centuries, wool has been used to make carpets. Its natural properties keep us warm and dry under the most inclement circumstances. What's the trick? Warm in cool weather and cool in warm, wool's fibers form pockets of air which insulate you, wicking away moisture so that your body remains dry. Wool is naturally resistant to bacteria, mould and mildew and ultra durable. There is no off-gassing with pure wool. These positive characteristics make a wool carpet downright essential, but the cost has put the luxury of wool broadloom out of reach for most of us. Take heart, higher petroleum prices are pushing up the price of synthetics and you may be surprised at how reasonable wool, or any of the natural fiber carpets are becoming.

Cotton and linen are natural fibers that share many of wool's assets. A soft cotton mat or area rug is luscious by the bed or in the nursery. When you are shopping for carpets be sure to note ALL the relevant information about how the product is made. Educated consumers aren't just reading labels at the grocery store. You can check out products on line and you should be able to find out if pesticides have been used in the growing process for cotton and linen and where the sheep graze. What kind of dyes and glues are present, and the quality of the carpet backing.

Broadloom is a great unifier and will always warm up a large space. It's soft and luxurious underfoot, and the colour and pattern selection is vast. Broadloom is very style conscious; there's a perfect fit for traditional, country and modern homes. If hardwood is your choice, there's still room for an area carpet. Art on the floor is an exciting trend. Carpets rich in texture, combine wool, silk and cottons with varying lengths of loops and organic tones. For inspiration, have a look at the contemporary rugs on line at modernweave.com, and shown here. Each is designed by an artist. These exquisite rugs become the centerpiece of any room. They invite bare feet, and don't be surprised if you and your guests slide quietly from the sofa to the floor to experience the silky designs.

* Debbie Travis' House to Home column is produced by Debbie Travis and Barbara Dingle. Please email your questions to house2home@debbietravis.com.