Create Your Own Masterpiece with Carpet Binding

Upcyling is a new decor and art trend where people take pieces that otherwise might be thrown away and redesign them into something more valuable. Old mason jars can become hanging herb planters. Broken plastic bottles have new lives as flower vases. Balls of yarn can turn into a cozy lounge chair. Even carpet remnants can be upcycled into a stylish new rug through a process known as carpet binding.

Carpet binding is a simple way to create beautiful and unique home furnishings out of old carpet, carpet scraps, or extra pieces of installed carpet. In carpet binding, the edges are bound together to prevent fibers from unraveling, since wall-to-wall carpets are often unbound or tacked to the sub-floor. This can be done quickly and cost-effectively with polyester tape, which is applied to the carpet edge and then sewn shut. A longer, but more luxurious, way of binding carpet is by surging the edges together with pieces of thread.

Nylon Rugs: Not Your Grandmother?s Nylons

Considering getting a nylon carpet installed? Nice choice! When we think of nylon, we often think of pantyhose that run easily. But when it comes to carpet, you?ll be glad to know that nylon is the strongest of all types of carpet pile. It?s marked by excellent resistance to abrasive materials, insects, mold, rot, and most chemicals. This is a large part of why nylon is today?s most commonly used carpet fiber. Read on to find out everything else you need to know before going nylon.

Nylon is typically more expensive than other synthetic carpets. But consider those nice nylon fibers an investment ? nylon carpeting is widely considered the most resilient carpet, and should last you for twelve to fifteen years. Its fibers should also maintain their original height and shape. Yes, you can drag heavy furniture across it to your heart?s content ? nylon carpet fibers will bounce back totheir good-as-new look almostimmediately.

Nylon rugs are also stain-resistant, and great at hiding soil. Select branded, premium varieties can be made to resist even pet stains! Consider nylon an excellent choice for high-traffic living areas (think living rooms, play rooms, and dens), and commercial facilities. Plus, it?s versatile ? you can create almost any look you desire with nylon. Think sleek offices, fashion-forward entertaining areas, plush boudoirs, and/or low-maintenance basements. (Glean some more nylon carpeting inspiration over at Houzz.com.

What?s more, nylon carpet piles have a reputation for holding their color remarkably well. Nylon is also static-free (unlike its primitive forms; i.e. your grandmother?s nylons). Technically speaking, nylon retains the same crimp and twist the manufacturer gave it. And cleaning is easy ? because nylon absorbs very little water, it dries quickly. It also responds well to almost all professional cleaning methods and treatments. And, it provides no food source. Yes, it makes for a blessedly inhospitable habitat for mildew. Phew!

And, now for the cons: Nylon fibers are almost always acid-dyed, and rarely solution-dyed. This means they can be prone to bleaching, fading, or absorbing urine. As we mentioned, nylon carpeting is not the cheapest option. While it?s not quite as expensive as wool carpeting, nylon carpeting will run you more than polyester or polypropylene options. But if you?re looking for value and have your heart set on nylon carpeting, consider unbranded nylons. And, know that most manufacturers offer wear guaranties.

Outdoor Carpets in the Coastal Carolinas

One of the many joys of living in a coastal area like southeastern North Carolina, isenjoying mild weather almost year-round. To maximize livable space in their homes, lots ofCarolinians create second living rooms outdoors, or on their porches, that featureeverything from sectional sofas to flat screen televisions to full kitchens. Outdoor carpets can be used to tie these ?rooms? together, or to provide a comfortable walking surface instead of concrete or wood.

But, because Wilmington, NC? along with our neighboring beach communities? sees a lot of sun, a lot of rain, and a lot of sand, there are specific considerations to keep in mind when searching for the perfect outdoor rug:

Weather: While bright sunny days areperfect for working on your summer tan, they?re not great for all outdoor carpets. If the rug will be entirely outdoors with no cover, then carpet experts recommend polypropylene because not only maintains both the color and integrity of the carpet, it also wicks moisture to prevent mildew. Likewise, man-made materials such asnylon and polyester are usually mold resistant, and last longer outside than natural materials like bamboo and jute when exposed to high humidity and persistent afternoon showers.

Durability: In beach communities like Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, and Southport, NC, outdoor carpets also need to withstand salt and sand which gettrapped in the fibers. For outdoor carpets, short carpet piles are best. Long carpet piles tend to harborsand and debris which can warp and stain the carpet over time. Though outdoor carpets do not last as long as indoor carpets, you still want to select a durable outdoor rugthat will last through many summer barbecues and Monday night football games in front of the outdoor television.

Placement: Placement probably matters the most when considering which outdoor carpet to purchase. If a carpet has some cover from sunlight, such as a porch or pergola, then you can choose from a wider range ofmaterial and color options. Indoor rugs can even be used in covered outdoorspaces, though they are lessdurable then outdoor rugs, especially in coastal climates like ours. Additionally, the angle of carpet placement affects its longevity. Placing an outdoor carpet on a slight slope allows water and moisture to drain and prevents mold and mildew from growing between the fibers.

Types of Natural Stone Tile

With all the types of natural stone tiles available, picking out a new floor can seem daunting. Which level of porosity do you need? Which tiles are better for outdoors? Indoors? How willyou ever choose?

Here?s a list of the seven most common types of natural stone tile to help you make your decision.

Flagstone: Flagstone is not a type of natural stone, but refers to any type of paved, flat stone. Mostly used outdoors, flagstones are perfect for walkways, fire pits, and pool decks. The surface is usually non-slip and water resistant, and can withstand heavy traffic and sunlight?however, the irregularity in color and shape can make replacing broken flagstones difficult.

Granite: Granite is the hardest natural stone on the market, which makes it ideal for flooring and countertops. Because the surface is scratch resistant, you can chop vegetables directly on your kitchen counter?no cutting board needed! Granite comes in hundreds of natural colors, making it perfect for almost any room, but some people prefer it as a counter rather than flooring because it?s heavy and cold to the touch.

Limestone: Limestone is a porous stone that?s actually just a young marble! It?s made from seashells and other organisms crushed together, which sometimes show up in the grain of the tile. Limestone is good for flooring, but it does hold moisture due to the natural holes in the stone.

Marble: Marble is an elegant natural stone tile that has been used as a luxurious building material for centuries. The high-contrast veining pattern sets marble apart from other types of stone. Because marble is softer than granite, it is susceptible to stains and scratches?especially from acid-based liquids.

Sandstone: Sandstone?s rough, textured surface is one-of-a-kind. This natural stone is biodegradable, making it perfect for both indoor and outdoor applications. The grains in sandstone weather over time, meaning that the stone will look different five or ten years after installation, but some people prefer the aged look of the stone. Sandstone is extremely porous, so it?s not ideal for bathrooms or kitchens.

Slate: Slate is extremely versatile and comes with a wide variety of colors and sizes. It?s made from clay and shale, so the tiles are both water resistant and slip resistant due to the textured surface. Unfortunately, slate tiles can be uneven, which makes installation and uniform floors tricky.

Travertine: Travertine is similar to limestone and marble, and is the natural stone that was used to build the Coliseum in Rome. These tiles are comfortable to walk on, and come in a range of colors. Travertine has a tendency to scratch and stain, especially if untreated, and will hold liquids if not sealed properly.

Polyester gets a bad rap (thanks, 1973!), but rest assured: it looks a lot better on your floors than on your pants. In fact, one trend that?s here to stay is polyester carpet and polyester rugs. Read on for the pros and cons you need to know before committing to polyester in your home.

For starters, polyester rugs are known for being super resistant to bleaching, fading, and water-based stains. They also keep their color well, making them a great option for ?statement? rugs. They?ll fulfill your little girl?s pink, red, and purple decorating fantasies, as well as your little boy?s sporty ones. In fact, polyester will pack the perfect punch in any room where color matters.Check out Houzz for examples of the beautifulboldness of polyester.

Polyester rugs are also durable and quick-drying. Improvements in the manufacturing of polyester carpet?think better heat settings and finer yarns?mean they?re now way better at maintaining that full, fluffy, and luxurious velvety look. Indeed, installing polyester carpet is a sure way to get those heavy, lush, soft-textured floors that up the coziness factor in your boudoir or dressing room.

Fans of Mother Earth will be pleased to know that polyester carpet has become increasingly green over the years. Today, a percentageof your rug, not unlike your polyester fleece jackets, is often composed of recycled soft-drink bottles. Polyester is also highly reusable, meaning that, when you?re ready to change carpets, your used polyester can re-enter the circle of carpet life, rather than the local landfill.

Above all, polyester carpet allows you to stretch your decorating dollar. There are a variety of weaves and a broad spectrum of colors which can be purchased and installed for a fraction of the price of, say, nylon carpeting. It?s a great choice for those rooms with less foot traffic (think: studies, guest rooms, etc.). However, for those rooms with high foot traffic, you?ll probably want to stick with nylon or with another carpet of comparable quality. Despite advances, polyester yarns are still relatively less resilient, and more likely to show matting and wear-spots. It?s also difficult to remove oil-based stains from polyester?so definitely steer clear of polyester carpeting in your dining room and favorite snacking spots!