The Plain Rug

The plain rug or carpet is perhaps in greatest vogue to-day among those of domestic make. There are many good reasons favoring its choice. A plain floor covering, like a plain wall, sets off to good advantage whatever may be placed upon it. There is no reason for calling attention to an inexpensive rug by introducing a design which will detract from furnishings of greater value in the room. Most of the rooms in our homes to-day are too small, and a plain rug or carpet adds to the apparent size of the floor space. When carpets, rather than rugs, are used, the use of one solid color on the floors of adjoining rooms adds greatly to the effect of spaciousness and gives a sense of unity to the whole house.

Effect Of Size Given By A Plain Rug

As has just been said, the greatest sense of size is given by an unbroken floor space, so, in the same way, if plain floor coverings are used, a room appears largest which is carpeted, next in size if a single large rug is used, but much smaller if a number of small rugs are used. A plain floor always seems larger than a floor bearing a design, whether that design is made by figures woven into the floor covering, or by the arrangements of rugs upon the floor. When, however, small rugs are selected, they should fit like mosaics into a picture, in color and design and in their placing.

Subordination Of Floor Coverings

The choice of floor covering, however, is affected by so many conditions that it is not easy to lay down any definite rules as guides. Rugs and carpets should always be as inconspicuous as possible. They must blend with the walls and furnishings, or an otherwise beautiful room will prove unpleasant to live in. The less pronounced the floor of the room, the better and more restful the combined effect.

Plain Rugs With Banded Borders

Among the most harmonious domestic rugs made are those in one, two, or three plain-toned borders of one color. Where two or three tones are used, the central value is lighter than the marginal border. These rugs have a pile which is often quite deep, and they are firmly woven.

Axminster Rugs

A plain Axminster velvet rug in a nine by twelve size may be purchased as low as twenty-eight dollars. The Axminster carpets and rugs have a rather coarse warp, but the rugs especially give a very good effect and have fair wearing qualities. The Chenille Axminster rugs in plain tones are made after the fashion of hand-tufted rugs of Scotland. They are very heavy, with a deep pile and made of the very finest wool. Large Chenille rugs may be purchased for sixty-eight dollars and up.

This Plain Rug with Banded Border Makes an Excellent Background for the William and Mary Furniture.

(Copr.,1916, Good Furniture Magazine).

Finely Figured Domestic Rugs Are Well Suited for Use in Entrance Halls. The Aruchair Is or the Period of Charles II.

(Courtesy of Mrs.Henry Dunisp).