Dragonfly Designs: carpets and flooring

Showing posts with label carpets and flooring. Show all posts

Hunting for a Photo

I've always loved this photo!

I've been reading the Gorsuch catalog for years and this photo used to be on the back cover. Of course, I saved a copy of it but it became lost over the years. To my surprise it turned up in a vendor catalog recently. I had to share it with you.

The bed is from Genessee River Trading Company ($2025-$2800) and the area rug is from New River Trading Company and is available custom in any size or colorway. I'm not sure about the bedding, but I think it came from Traditions. The old oil painting, folk art painted Tyrolean armoire and the various other small antiques add to the charm of the room, don't you think? I love to mix new and old together like this. It gives rooms more character.

Items from Genesee River Trading Company, New River Trading Company and Traditions can be ordered through Dragonfly Designs. Call 530 583-6076 or email dragonflytahoe@att.net for inquiries.

Beautiful Wood Floors that Withstand Heavy Mountain Use

One question I am frequently asked is, "What kind of wood floors are best for cabins and mountain lodges?" Over the years, I have formed a strong opinion on this and I find that I make the same recommendation over and over.

Pre-wrecked--I am a big believer in using flooring that is antiqued. This can be actually antique wood or floors that are given an antique look at the factory. The more aged patina floors have, the more they will hide future scratches and mars. The reclaimed wood floor below was just installed into one of my projects last year. As you can see, it has just been barely sanded enough to make it smooth enough to walk on with bare feet. This has preserved it's beautiful antique color and texture. There are plenty of gouges as well as high and low points. If this floor becomes scratched or worn in the future, it will be easy to hit it with a little marking pen or stain and then oil over the top. It should appear exactly the same for many years into the future.

Reclaimed Wood Floors and Custom Area Rug by Dragonfly Designs

Reclaimed Wood Floor Detail

Lot's of Movement--I like to see lot's of color variations in the floors I install into my projects. Planks of varying colors, checking and cracking, knots and age marks or stains all make it hard for the eye to land in one place. This movement helps camoflage any wear and tear the floor may experience over the years. The floor below was installed into one of my projects over ten years ago and it still looks gorgeous today. The floors are antique white pine.

Antique White Pine Floors and Custom Needlepoint Carpet from Stark featuring Tahoe Native Plants and Animals

Detail of Custom Area Rug

Varied Plank Sizes--Next on my wood flooring wish list is varied planks. I like to use a mixture of at least two sizes, usually 8" and 10", but the more variation the better. Wide planks are my favorite, especially when the floors are beautiful. The floor below is made from antique hickory. It has been finely sanded but there is still quite a bit of variation, and of course, hickory wood has knots. The client and I had a bit of fun with this floor and added the bow-shaped joiners. This floor has been in use (with dogs) for over four years and still looks perfect.

Antique Hickory Wood

Bow Joining Detail

Mid to Darker Stains--Lightly-colored stains are harder to keep up, especially in the mountains where grit from summer hikers tends to come in the doors and winter shoes are often muddy. I tend to prefer floors that are no lighter than the ones shown above. If the house looks good with darker stain colors, the floors will be much easier to keep beautiful over time.

Always Oiled Not Verathaned.--I always recommended an oil finish such as Tung oil. The problem with Urethane or Verathane is that eventually the finish will wear through and then the floors will have to be sanded and varnished again. With antique floors, the more you sand, the more you remove the character. On the other hand, oil is something that can simply be added to over time. When the floors start to show a little wear, you just reapply the oil. Since the oil has a stain added, the dark glowing brilliance and color of the floors is brought back to life. If there are scratches or gouges, you can easily touch them up with a little colored marking pen or stain before reapplying the oil. There are special furniture retouching marking pens available for purchase or you can use art markers.

Maintenance for Oiled Floors--Oiled floors do need a little regular re-application with oil to look their best. Depending on how much wear the floors receive, once a year or so, you will need to reapply the oil. A few years ago I dropped by the house of my client whose floors are shown in the first photos above, to find the husband brooming Tung oil around the house. He had not even bothered to move furniture or roll up the area rugs, but was simply applying the oil to travel pathways and exposed areas of the floor. These clients have dogs and entertain large crowds frequently and their floors look exactly as they did the first day they were installed, now a dozen years later.

Concerns About Hydronics--Of course, in the mountains, folks like to have hydronic heat. Many of my clients have successfully installed solid wood planks over hydronic heating but I do still run into contractors that are fearful about doing so. "Antique-look" laminated wood floors are available that will solve that problem. These use new wood which has been distressed and aged to look antique. Some even have a hand-adzed look (a wavy textured one often finds in very old antique floors). These are also available in varied plank sizes and you can find also find them oiled. The oiled laminate floors below were installed about two years ago into another client's newly built Arts and Craft style house.

Oiled Floors in Laminate Application

Wood flooring is a big expense and you want to make sure you buy beautiful floors that have durability and performance in mind. Using my "pre-wrecked", oiled, high variation flooring tips will ensure that your floors survive years of heavy mountain abuse, dogs, kids and grit.

New River Artisans

My clients love this custom carpet from New River Artisans:

It's called Yellowstone and over the years I've ordered it a number of times for clients (and, in fact, even now I have another client looking at it, yet again).

One client used it in this fireplace seating group:

Another used it in her master bathroom:

And yet another used it in the entry area of her mountain-inspired cottage:

It comes in custom colors and sizes or shapes. New River Artisans will happily adapt it any way you need to fit into your room.

New River Artisans has many other great area rug patterns for mountain houses. My problem is that once my clients have seen Yellowstone, I simply can't interest them in any other pattern! Here are just a few of the other designs that I love:

Excitement Underfoot...Patterned Carpets

Okay, I confess, I am a sucker for patterned carpets, those wall-to-wall woolen wonders! I love so many different patterns that it's always hard to pick a favorite. When it comes to patterned carpets, "love the one you're with" is my motto.

Of course, in the world of ski cabins, fru fru bows and flowers in pastel colors aren't appropriate. But there are so many fantastic patterns that work beautifully in rustic interiors.

Unfortunately, patterned carpets can be very pricey and many of my favorites are in the $100 per yard (or much more) range. There are a few favorites, however, that are available for under $100 per yard. I was just showing them last week to a client, and I thought I'd show them to you, too.

Stripes are always a great choice for mountain houses. One I've always liked is called Aaah by Robertex. I love the colorway below with the subtle red pinstripe.

Aaah by Robertex $72.80 per yard

Here's another stripe I like. It's New Zealand Wool from Hibernia Woolen Mills in naturally dyed colors.

Hibernia Inspiration Kiawah Island $83.72 per yard

Hibernia Inspiration Martha's Vineyard $83.72 per yard

The colorway above would be practical for mountains houses with kids, dogs and hikers.

Speaking of practical, I love the way that the choice below actually comes pre-spotted (fantastic if you're worried about pet stains).

Antelope from Glen Eden's Out of Africa collection $93.38 per yard

It looks great installed, doesn't it? See below.

Well those are three of the best looking under $100 patterned carpets around. Oh heck, I'm feeling tired of controlling the budget, here are a couple of wow-factor patterned carpets for those with a hell-yes attitude.

Bellbridge Iakawa Fog

Prestige Mills Cardinal

Dare you?

Get Out of Safe Mode--Why Not a Colorful Patterned Carpet?

So often, we are afraid to take chances on our homes. We worry that if we make things too colorful or too spirited, we may become bored, or worse, uncomfortable with choices that we've spent a lot of money on. What could be worse than being "stuck with" an expensive mistake? Beige is always a safe choice, especially when it comes to carpet.

A second home in the mountains gives us the opportunity to experiment with a little whimsy and spirit. Afterall, we don't have to look at our decorating selections everyday, so it's unlikely we'll tire of them too soon. It's a place to feel safer about being bold.

Next time you think about replacing or adding carpets or area rugs to a mountain home, consider some of these colorful patterned carpets. They are just the ticket for adding warmth, beauty and personality to any mountain home.

This type of carpet can be installed wall-to-wall or it can be made into area rugs by adding borders, or by binding the edges off with fabric or leather.

Of course, carpet like this is more expensive. All of these carpets are 100% wool and start at about $70 per yard and go up to about $170. However, if you have the budget for luxury carpets, they can add quality, and yes, whimsy and style to a mountain house, in a way that no ordinary beige carpeting can hope to match. Go ahead....be bold!