Rugs, longevity of stuff, furnishings, etc.

[shootingstar]

I think I have to buy an area rug. I've only bought little mats.

But it's partially to protect the laminate floor and also to give the place a slightly warmer feel. (I have no idea if the floors will be warm in winter.)
So I can't buy wool, because he is allergic to floating fibres, gets rashes from wool touching his skin.. And jute, sisal,....to me seems abit too flat, no textile nap feel, hard underfoot, for my taste. This is for a living room ..with eventually a coffee table when I get more money.....:p
I will have to bypass all sorts of gorgeous looking wool carpets. but that's ok. Except it looks like less choice for man-made fibres, in terms of design pattern choices.

Any advice on longevity? What I should look for? I mean I don't have any children nor pets. So life is easier that way. The salesperson said I shouldn't expect a rug or stuff like that to last any longer than 5-6 yrs.

:eek: I must be a cheapo. Because whatever I buy now, I want it to last at least 10-15 yrs. or more. I tend to buy furnishings and appliances with that in mind. :o
And yes, my furnishings have lasted that long in the past ...

I'm not an interior design fashionista. I try to choose sleeker, slightly more contemporary lines, single colours or 2nd bold accent colour to outlast time and stuff that I accumulate over time. I'm not really into the country/paisley look.

[Crankin]

I don't really have any experience with area rugs; it is true that wool would last longer, but I am wondering if you should get a second opinion about the synthetic fibers. Maybe consult with the design staff at a larger store? Usually they do this for free, in the hope they make a sale.
Generally, if you don't have kids or pets, things do last longer than quoted. I've had my living room furniture (Scandinavian teak) for 30 years. The couches are just a teeny bit tired looking, but probably only noticeable to me. This furniture was not used as "family room" furniture, but, it has been used quite a bit. I think modern looking/sleek stuff holds up much better than "frilly" stuff, or at least it's easier to make it look new. I really dislike anything with ruffles, curtains, etc. I do like the occasional well placed antique that fits in well with the modern look I have.

[westtexas]

I think you can make things last a lot longer than what salespeople will tell you if you take good care of it. I just donated a bunch of my furniture today (no place to put it when I move to a small place in 4 weeks) and the guys were surprised when I told them one bedroom set was built in 1985 and the other was built in 1997 and it was furniture for children. But my parents raised my brother and me to take good care of our things so they last forever. I'm sitting on a sofa we got in 1995, with my feet propped up on a table my parents bought when they got married (1974). The furniture I am replacing my donated furniture with is also from when my parents got married. If you buy high quality and take good care of it - there is no reason it shouldn't last upwards of 10-15 years.

:)

[shootingstar]

Yes, true that was a strange comment by the salesperson. After all, what is an antique? :p

However I do think in general, the overall workmanship is lower for furniture compared to 50 yrs. ago. unless one is willing to pay alot of money.

Rugs get trod upon. But then I never have people walk around in my home with their outside shoes on. That's just how I was raised. Barefeet, socks or slippers.

[NbyNW]

Try looking at FLOR carpet tiles (http://www.flor.com/). Click on specs tab in product profiles to see fiber content. IMHO I think there's a lot to like about this company and their products.

[shootingstar]

Thx NByNW! Carpet tiles look useful in a dining area..again I have to think about chairs not scraping flooring..

[malkin]

I thought the whole point of laminate floors was to not need protecting.

I took a scrap of our flooring, and could not mar the surface with anything including a hammer and a drill.

[shootingstar]

I thought the whole point of laminate floors was to not need protecting.

I took a scrap of our flooring, and could not mar the surface with anything including a hammer and a drill.

Mine is bamboo laminate flooring. It came with the place already installed. I'm not sure I want to try punching it since I don't have a scrap to try it.

I spoke with a carpenter who had several decades of experience with installation of wood flooring for large facilities. He didn't know much because he worked with real wood. Those folks are a fountain of knowledge. He looked at the flooring in the building where we were all meeting: "That's fir wood, very hard", he said." Tree that doesn't exist east of Alberta." :rolleyes:

We were in a building at least 4-5 decades old.