Dear Debbie: We want to update the carpet in our bedroom. What would look good with a metal bed frame?
Shauna
Wall-to-wall carpeting is back in fashion with textured designs that suit contemporary style. The trend began when manufacturers saw consumer interest in the wide selection of carpet designs in hotels and commercial buildings cross over to homes.
Hardwood floors are still high on the preference list for open-space living, but wall-to-wall is returning to the bedroom, hallways and stairs. Although the price is higher for the more complex textured designs, it鈥檚 affordable for small spaces.
鈥淲e are seeing carpet innovations using multi-colour fibres to create rich patterns such as the granite look,鈥� says Kerri McKeen, Carpet Product Manager at Shnier, a major floor-coverings company (shnier.ca).
鈥淭he emphasis is on soft 鈥� the new manufacturing processes have perfected the production of fibres that are sweet and soft underfoot as well as longwearing and stylish. Grey is the big colour story, with other shades such as taupe, blue and green all having grey undertones.鈥�
You can see in the contemporary bedroom shown here, the tone on tone weave of Stainmaster鈥檚 Canterbury Driftwood is a perfect complement to the metal bed and floating side table (richmondcarpet.ca).
The variety of designs accommodates transitional and updated traditional styles as well. And if you find a wall-to-wall carpet design you like for other rooms in the house, it can also be cut and bound to act as an area carpet, a bonus when you require a custom fit, and want the wood floor to show.
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Dear Debbie: We have lived in our house for 30 years and want to modernize it. There is a brick wall at one end of the living room where there was originally a wood-burning stove. We have replaced it with a gas fireplace and traditional white mantel. Would you suggest covering the brick? Any other ideas?
Judie
Exposed brick on interior walls can be fantastic, but it鈥檚 not for everyone. Traditional and modern styles accommodate exposed brick walls 鈥� so it can stay if you like the look. It鈥檚 your choice. You can cover the brick, or partially cover it so that it is not so imposing. For example, leave the exposed brick around the fireplace reaching up to the ceiling, and cover the rest with drywall. Drywall is adhered to the brick with drywall joint compound and nails to hold it firm while drying.
Your choice of light grey walls is a good one with or without the brick. Look for a听contemporary wall-to-wall carpet design. This will set up your fresh style immediately. A听sleek new sofa in grey or camel tones and accent seating in patterned upholstery that has听a combination of shades that听you like will transform this听space.
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Debbie Travis鈥� House to Home column is produced by Debbie Travis and Barbara Dingle. Email your questions to [email protected]. Follow Debbie on Twitter at twitter.com/debbie_travis, and visit Debbie鈥檚 website at debbietravis.com.
