Here in Southern California we don’t think about wool very much.   Since we are blessed with warm, temperate weather for most of the year, the majority of us only bring out our wool sweaters or even “woolens” (as our grandmothers called it) a few times a year.    Most of us in warmer climates have lost touch with the valuable aspects of wool.

Wool is not just used for sweaters and long underwear though, but it is also a popular fiber used in quality carpeting and rugs.   There are many wonderful benefits to having wool carpet.

Wool is naturally insulating, which means it helps regulate temperature in your house (or on your body in the case of a sweater).  It’s a fabric that “breathes.”   It’s also naturally green and sustainable, since it is grown, not made, on the bodies of sheep and goats around the world.   Also, because of the wide variety of sheep breeds, many beautiful and natural shades of carpet are made from wool without the aid of chemical dyes.   Not only that, but it is soft to the touch while also being extremely durable.

Since wool is an animal fiber, unlike cotton which is a plant fiber, or acrylic which is a synthetic fiber, wool has something called “memory.”   Memory is great because it helps the fiber retain it’s original structure.  When you vacuum, spot clean or steam clean wool it will bounce back and retain it’s original structure much better than a plant-based or synthetic carpet.   This means that high-traffic areas in your house will keep a clean, crisp look much longer than other types of rugs or carpet.

Even more, if you run a “shoes-off” type of house, you can team up with wonderful wool carpet to keep that flooring looking as clean as ever!

In the Los Angeles area?  Contact your friendly neighborhood Carpet Wagon to find out more about wool and other excellent carpeting options for your home: 1-877-57-WAGON

Do you love decorating?  Do you spend hours pouring over decorating magazines for inspiration?

Here are a few of our favorite home decorating magazines and why we like them:

Veranda:  This beautiful magazine is published 6 times a year.   It gives great tips for entertaining and features various geographic locations with historically traditional styles.  www.veranda.com

Elle Decor:   This magazine specializes in ideas for a trendy, upscale lifestyle with contemporary French influence.  www.elledecor.com

Dwell:  This modern magazine explores new and exciting decorating and architectural trends.   www.dwell.com

Fabulous Floors: This incredible print magazine also features all of its articles online.  It starts with the floor as the first transformation point for a redecorated room.   www.fabulousfloorsmagazine.com

What about you?  What are your favorite home decorating magazines and what draws you to them?

Want to “go green” with your interior decorating?  Excellent idea.  Let’s talk about your flooring, first!

We hear the word “green” thrown around and attached to almost everything.  But not everything that totes itself as “green” truly is environmentally friendly or sustainable.

Almost every type of flooring–from wood, to carpet to tile can be evaluated on its Green properties.   There are many attributes that make a flooring Green.   Everything from the toxicity of the manufacturer process to the distribution methods of the material are significant.

Here are some questions to consider when “going green” with your flooring:

• Is the product renewable and recyclable?
• Is the manufacturer a socially responsible company?
• Does it allow for green installation and maintenance?

Choosing to go green is a great decision, but the choices can be daunting.  Ask your local flooring company to help you navigate your options.