68 
House 6 * Garden 
FACTS about CARPETS and RUGS 
Some Points in the Weave and Fabrics of Fhese Mate¬ 
rials That Should be Understood by the Purchaser 
E. A. DE QUINTAL 
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Another example of medium 
grade Axminsler. This is woven 
27" and j6" wide, plain or with 
a design and sells for approxi¬ 
mately $4-75 to $5.25 a yard 
your attention the generally mistaken 
impression of the word “Imported”, as ap¬ 
plied to carpets. The American public, 
particularly female buyers, seems to think 
that when a salesman mentions that a 
carpet is imported, it is a much better piece 
of goods than could be purchased in a 
domestic fabric. 
A dealer can import inferior qualities as 
well as good qualities. Some carpet dealers 
rely upon using the word “Imported”, 
feeling sure that it increases the oppor¬ 
tunity of selling their merchandise and 
many buyers are instantly won over when 
the salesman mentions that the carpet is 
imported. They believe that they are 
getting a much better quality than the 
domestic goods which can be bought for 
the same money. The real facts, however, 
are that nine times out of ten there is much 
better value in a domestic piece of goods. 
Therefore be cautious to examine what you 
are buying, if the carpet or rug offered is 
imported. This particularly applies to 
seamless Chenille carpets. 
If you are deciding between an imported 
and a domestic make, examine your 
intended purchase carefully and compare 
the quality of the imported with a similar 
one of domestic make from the standpoint 
of actual value—considering quality of 
yarn, dye, height of pile, closeness of weave 
and general appearance. You will find that 
the domestic quality is the better value. 
{Continued on page 132 ) 
A medium grade of Axminster, 
showing both pile and weave. 
These come both seamed atid 
seamless, plain and figured, and 
will give e.xcellent service 
A fine type of worsted Wilton. 
In addition, there are various 
grades of wool Wiltons. Although 
not a high pile carpet, the worsted 
is fine and the weave close 
F loor coverings are such an important 
item of house furnishings that it is well 
for the readers of this magazine to have a 
general knowledge of the various grades 
and qualities. 
Let us assume that you are in need of a 
rug. The first question would be the grade 
or the quality. Having made your decision, 
you naturally feel that you want to get the 
best value for your money. Should you 
desire to purchase either rugs or carpets, 
you have practically the same grades to 
choose from, but the variety in carpets is 
greater. 
As to quality, some will try to sell you a 
\’elvet or an Axminster, another a Wilton or 
a Chenille. If you have only a limited 
amount to spend, say $55 to $75 for a rug 
size 9' X 12', my advice would be to buy a 
good standard grade of Axminster. Exam¬ 
ine the surface of the nap, which ought to be 
fairly smooth. However, as is characteristic 
of the Axminster quality, you will find that 
this rug is not woven very closely, but you 
can rest assured that you will get years of 
satisfactory wear out of this grade. This 
quality can be procured with a design or 
with a plain center and band border. Better 
grades of Axminster can also be purchased 
seamless and in solid colors or with designs 
at approximately $95 to $105. 
The next popular kind usually considered 
is the Wilton. As with the Axminster, there 
are a number of grades and the terms 
“Royal Wilton”, “French Wilton”, “Im¬ 
A good grade of seamless high pile 
A.xminsier, showing the height of 
the pile and the closeness of the 
weave. It comes plain only. This is 
a remarkably durable type of rugging 
A velvet carpet. It has a smooth 
surface, and a fairly close weave 
and is very durable. It comes 
27" or j6" or 54" wide, in plain 
or moresque kinds 
ported Wilton”, “Wool Wilton”, etc., really 
mean nothing except to inform you of 
certain weaves. Here again you must be 
sure that you get a standard grade. As a 
general rule, all standard grades have the 
name of the manufacturer, as well as the 
quality and name of the rug, woven in the 
back in several places. The wool Wilton is 
the cheaper grade and the worsted Wilton 
the better grade. 
Be careful in purchasing a wool Wilton, 
as I can assure you that 75% of the wool 
Wilton rugs on the market will cost you 15% 
to 20% more than a good grade of Axminster 
and will not wear as well. In purchasing a 
good standard worsted Wilton rug you have 
much better value. This grade retails for 
about $125 to $135 for a 9' x 12' rug and is 
usually made up in Oriental, medallion and 
all-over effects. 
The next quality would be Chinese or 
Oriental rugs. There are some imitation 
Oriental rugs on the market, but my advice 
would be to buy the real article or a good 
worsted Wilton. 
Before proceeding to the subject of car¬ 
pets in general, it is important to bring to 
