Fabulous Floors Q1 2017 Winter | Page 12

carpet couture | When planning, remember to consider the ways in which a carpet’s yarns are twisted, loose to tight. At issue is both appearance and perfor- mance. Generally, the higher or tighter the twist, the better the performance characteris- tics are apt to be. Higher twists result in more defined, more sophisticated carpet loops. In other words, looser twists are more casual; tighter twists more formal. Tighter twists are also easier to vacuum. Consider as well the visual texture pro- vided by images like florals and geometrics, or the way a carpet appears to be tailored or sculpted by altering deep and light dyeing, or the application of color flecks in the yarn. In other words, indulge your imagination and artistic eye and your sense of touch. Not- ing the hints of color and shading in a carpet, for example, makes it easier when you redeco- rate to coordinate what you already have, and to see design possibilities uniquely your own. ■ 10 FABULOUSfloors Above: Orbit in Dark Earth by NOURISON, 100% New Zealand Wool face-to-face wovenon state-of-the-art Wilton looms. Below left; Elegant pattern from Lexmark Carpet; below right; SmartStrand Forever Clean Silk Carpet by Mohawk.