FAQs

A: One of the easiest ways to select a color scheme is to start with a fabric. If you are looking for a sofa, the fabric you choose will become the color scheme. Generally, it is easier to work with three or four colors, rather than just two. Pick one of the colors from your fabric for the carpet and one for the walls. Use other colors in the fabric for additional pieces of upholstered furniture and accessories.

A: When trying to coordinate a variety of colors and finishes for your home, view your samples as a group. Colors can change depending on what is adjacent to them. Ideally, your samples should be viewed in the position they will have in the completed room. For example: carpet on the floor, paint, wall covering and drapery fabric viewed vertically. View your samples from a distance to imagine how the finished room will look.

A: The carpet has probably been down for a while. Cleaning the carpet might help the appearance, but would not change the color. You may not be happy with the effect you will get from dyeing the carpet. Rather than investing more money in carpet that needs to be replaced, spend your dollars on new carpet.

A: Add some color. Often it is a lack of color that makes a room seem cold. Use colors that are warm, like yellow, red and terra cotta. Green can add a nice balance to a warm color palette. Choose thick, plush carpet that is inviting to sit on. Select comfortable furniture that is made for reading and relaxing.

A: There are no set rules that you have to follow. The room will be more interesting if there is some contrast between the walls and the carpet. If they are the same color, it may be hard to tell where the walls stop and the floor begins. That said, choosing a wall and carpet color is totally a matter of personal preference.

A: Builders often choose off-white carpet as a safe choice, making it easier to sell a home. Since you are building the home for your own use, pick a color that you like and that suits your family's needs. For instance, if you have small children and pets, a mid-tone hue will hide soil and traffic better than a light color. Many colors work as neutrals that will allow flexibility with color schemes for future purchases. Grey, taupe and even muted shades of blue, green, rose and peach can be used as a starting point for your new home.

A: First, select colors that you love. That is more important than the latest trend. The most successful rooms do not follow any formulas or set color schemes. Avoid using all light pastels or all dark jewel tones—the freshest looks combine light and dark. Use contrasting colors to keep it interesting.

A: Do the messiest things first. Paint first, and then wallpaper. Have your carpet installed last. During installation, your baseboard might get scraped or nicked, but it should be fairly easy to touch up any minor damage (as compared to painting close to the carpet without getting any on it). ?

A: Start with the least flexible elements. The carpet is a good place to begin, as it will set the color scheme for the entire room. Your next step will be to coordinate furniture fabrics. If you choose to use the manufacturer's fabrics, you will have limited flexibility. You can pick your own fabric (known as C.O.M. for customer's own material), but it will substantially increase the price of the furniture. The next step is the drapery fabric and you can pretty much choose fabric from any number of sources. If you are choosing wall-to-wall carpet, there are many choices of colors and styles, and you can easily find something to coordinate with your fabrics. Paint comes last since there are thousands of colors to choose from once you have made your other decisions.

A: Nylon staple fiber is manufactured in cut-lengths, typically between 4 and 6 inches long. Like wool, the carpet mill spins nylon fiber into yarn, giving the carpet mill greater flexibility in the size of the yarn and subsequent styling of the carpeting. Staple yarn is versatile (can be used for fine to large tufts) and luxurious. In fact, most heavyweight carpets are made using nylon staple yarn. Nylon staple yarn appears natural in luster and hand, much like wool.

A: Nylon, polyester, polypropylene and wool are the primary fibers used to make carpet. Nylon comprises over 60% of all carpet made due to its excellent resiliency and styling flexibility. Polyester and Polypropylene (olefin) if properly constructed will perform in light and medium traffic areas. Wool comprises less than 2% of the carpet manufactured today and is used primarily in high-end residential styles.

A: The characteristics that determine a carpet's floor wear performance are twist, fiber type and density. The twist can be checked by looking at the side of the carpet tuft; the more twists on each tuft, the better! A carpet made of nylon is more resilient and durable, and the denser the surface pile, the more support each tuft will provide for its neighboring tufts.

A: You may not see the exact same carpet as you shop in various stores. To compare quality, you can rely on how the carpet looks and feels. When it comes to carpet, you get what you pay for. About 50% of the cost can be attributed to the amount of fiber in the carpet – the more fiber, the more expensive the carpet (and the better it will wear). Ask your salesperson to point out carpet selections made with Anso® nylon, your guarantee of a carpet that will provide years of quality and performance.

A: Good quality carpet should stay looking good for many years. Appearance retention is the factor with which you should be most concerned. Technically, synthetic carpets do not wear out—that is, lose actual fiber, which is what the abrasive wear warranty guarantees. Look for thick, dense carpet made of good quality fiber, like Anso nylon.

A: You have several options. Carpet that is quite worn and unattractive will be a major turnoff to prospective homebuyers. You may want to replace it with an earthtone or neutral color. Another option is to have carpet samples from your local carpet retailer available and include new carpet with the sale of your home. Most buyers would prefer selecting their own carpet.