THE TRUTH ABOUT FLOOR COVERINGS

Radio Record, Volume I, Issue 7, 2 September 1927, Page 6

THE TRUTH ABOUT FLOOR COVERINGS

Whether the home is a mansion or a cottage, a bungalow or a flat, one matter is of vital importance is the question of floor coverings. The truth abort carpets, tugs and linoleums is that they are essential, There are certain points in the choosing of a carpet which may not be known to every one. To begin with, it should be borne in mind that a carpet does not wear from the top of the pile as many people think, but from what is known as the "bed."?>, No matter how strongly a car-| pet or rug may appeal to you from an artistic point of view, do not select one until you have put it. to the test. See whether it will fold easily. If it is unduly resisting you may be sure the carpet will not wear well. IMPORTANCE OF CORRECT CHOI | . The importance of correct floor coverings has been emphasised by Miss M. Puechegud at 4YA recently. "We make or mar our homes,’’ she said, ‘‘by our choice of floor coverings, just as often as we make or mar our homes by the right or wrong choice of: wallpapers or furniture. Whether it be cheap or expensive linoleum, a cheap or an expensive rug or carpet, or even only a stained ficor, with rugs ~scattered over it, if it is the wrong colour scheme, the wrong style, the incorrect size, no matter how ebanutiful it is in itself, the effect we are aiming at will be entirely spoilt. Instead of a beautifnl restful home, yon wil have a habitation not onlv irritating to vourself, but also irritating to others. /How are we to know what is a right choice, you ask? By studying the laws of harmony. WHAT IS HARMONY? ‘And what is harmony, you ask? Harinony is proportion, balance, balance applies not only to weight and size, k'nd and style, but to colour also. I cannot stress this point too often. Balance, proportion, harmony, whatever name you care to call it by, is the keynote, the foundation of successful house furnishing Many people are in favour of painting and papering their homes before choosing the furniture and furnishings. This to my mind, is an entirely erroneous idea, if for no other reason than here, in this country, homes are more often bnilt and then bought afterwards. No-after viewing the aspect and size of your room, which usually determines its use, think out. your colour scheme, starting from your floor. So many people absolutey lose sight of the fact that the room, is, after all, snbordinate to its inmate. The room is only a setting, and that bv plac. ing in it a carpet, rug or linoleum, which calls aloud to itself, it is frustrating the very first principles of har-_ mony. How often do we not see a beanti-. fully designed carpet and long to possess it? Then we think-we have carpets enough. But no! perhaps the carpet in the livingroom is getting rather thin. We could move it into the bedroom. After arguing for some little time with ourselves, we finally decide we must have it-and we buy it! but how does our beautiful carpet look in a wrong setting? Did we think of 1t in relation to the room’s aspect, to its size, to our furniture? No, we thought

only, "‘What a lovely colour! What wonderful quality. We are bitterly disappointed that it doesn’t ‘‘fit in’? with the colour scheme of onr livingroomand even cheapens itself and its surroundings. Does this mean that we cannot have a beautiful covering for our floor? Oh no! it merely means that care must be taken to select the right kind. Remember, your floor 1s the foundation of your setting, and all your colour artangements work upwards from this; and no matter what scheme yon are working upon your strongest tones must start from this. PLAIN VERSUS PATTERNED. "liven if one is working with pastel shades, the heavier and more intense tones must come from the floor I have seen a rich cream carpet on a drawing-room floor with blue and gold tones in the upholstery, and yet the strongest tone was the cream tone of the carpet. As a getieral rule a plain carpet with a toned border is admirable in a room with a panelled rich floral paper, such as in a living room, in. 1 library, or in a hall, or where ther- is woodwork showing, where the upholstering is figured in rich Oriental designs. This is what is known as harmonv by contrast. On the other hand, plainly upholstered furniture will require carpets: or rugs rich in design and colour, THE LIVING ROOM. "Yor a dining-room, as a general rule, a fairly plain all over design, or a bordered carpet or congoleum square is useful. The living room can have a very rich, bright, Oriental-designed carpet. As this room is usually the most lived in room of the house, and as the furnishing of this room is more or less democratic, the effect of a carpet rich in colour and design will make for a very cheering and brightening effect unon each member of the family Stained and polished floors are most attractive when they are well done. Halls, bedrooms, and library look very well done in this way, but they» must always be accompanied by very good Persian Turkish, Chinese, or rich Oriental rugs of nice size.) Never on any account place plain mohair or similar rugs on polished floors. For an invalid bedroom this plan of polished wood and rngs is an admirable one, as ch, room can be cleared at a moment’s notice, the rugs being merely removed and shaken. Some of the colonial reversible woollen rugs now being manufactured are verv attractive for this stvle of furnishing, and it would inJeed be surprising if out of the almost countless variety of colour schemes offering, one was unable to choose just what would be required to make their room 9n attractive one. "Tn a bedroom at all events the onetoned rug is the simplest and best. For a nursery an entirelv plain all over car-. pet is best, or a light toned small patterned linoleum is clean and effective. SIZE AND ASPECT. ‘Tn conclusion,’? said Miss Pnechegud, "let me repeat once again the aspect or outlook of a room will determine the tones of vour carpet. If the room is a sunny one, grey, white,

green, and blue can be safely used as these colours will not add to the appearance of warmth. If the room is a suniess one, carpets having a cream effect may be used,-as also carpets, linoleums, or rugs in yellow, red, pin: or tan will give -that appearame ¢. warmth and brightness that the room’s aspect prohibits. In small rooms, strong, bright colours in floor covering re quite out of place, as they tend to reduce the apparent size of the room. A small room will look more spacious if covered with fairly plain covering from wall to wall. A large room will be improved if strongly designed carpets, linoleums, ond rugs are used." Miss Puechegud will be happy to be of any assistance in the matter of advice in furnishing or refurnishing to interestea country residents, and will be pleased to answer any inquiry on the subject of interior decoration over the wireless. Will they please forward their inquiries, together with plans of rooms aid aspect, to her, at Station 4YA, Dunedin?