At last a dining room rug!

[JoceAndChris]

Thank you to all who encouraged me to go for pattern with pattern. You know who you are.The Victorians wouldn't have batted an eye but it's been hard for me to go along with the uncompromising visual demands of the Persian rug, mingling in with flowery wallpaper and Chinoiserie cabinet. But at last it's here, and I really like it!

Especially in the context of the moody dim light of the room the pattern of the rug does melt into the background a lot.

Very difficult- impossible- to get the underlay flat under the rug. It's wrinkled and rucked up which means the rug doesn't lie flat. The whole thing is about as heavy as me -it's about 12 ft by 10 ft. Anyone know how to lay it smooth? It is perhaps a two person job which is why I haven't been able to do it.

 

[88v8]

Roll up the underlay, then unroll it in position.
Now roll it up again from both sides so it meets in the middle.
Now unroll each side separately whilst kneeling on it, smoothing out the creases as you go.
Now repeat for the rug.
Presume you used felt underlay? Or does it not need to breathe... can't remember what your floor's made of....

Nice rug, awfully tasteful with the multi-patterning. Very boudoir. Was thinking of another word beginning with b.... Naughty boy.

Ivor

 

[JoceAndChris]

Thanks Ivor! Will lift it with Chris and do that then! What a science!

Should I just throw this underlay away? It's terribly flimsy; made of a white plastic mesh. The rug was sent from the States and the chap in New York just advised me to get it over the phone so I never saw it. I don't think I'd have bought such nasty underlay had I seen it.

The floor is wooden suspended over a 2 ft void, the wind blows up the hill and through the dining room floorboard cracks so violently the tablecloth swings in the breeze. Hence the great need for the rug! I want the room to stay ventilated but not that much.

 

[MatthewC]

Should I just throw this underlay away? It's terribly flimsy; made of a white plastic mesh.

We've got some like that which came with a rug bought on the internet. I was going to say that "it seems to do the job" but then I asked myself "what job does it do?" and I realise I don't really know. I think underlay helps eliminate lines in the carpet from the floorboards. Does it also make the carpet last longer by providing a bit of extra thickness and thus some "give"?

In your case, Joce, I guess you want the underlay to add to the draughtproofing provided by the carpet in which case the white mesh is indeed useless.

 

[angrybird]

Truly sumptuous,it makes the room look so warm and inviting, a stunning finishing touch x

looking forward to some updates of the Campaign room

 

[JoceAndChris]

Matthew - good point about the lines from the floorboards! I've got a Laura Ashley rug (I really can't recommend their very thin flatweave rugs that are more like towels) and it's already very scored from the boards in the living room. It is a cheap machine made thing though - though I must say overpriced for what it is.

Apart from the points you mention I believe underlay stops the rug acting like a skateboard under your feet and makes it safer. I'll research better quality ones.

Angrybird, you are so sweet and always have a kind word to say. I'll pop some piccies of the Campaign Room up, it really has been a major project for a couple of years and is progressing nicely.

 

[Nigel Watts]

Lovely carpet which looks great in that room. I would be really interested to know what type it is.

 

[JoceAndChris]

Thanks Nigel! You really inspire me, as you know!

It's a vegetable-dyed hand made classic oriental Ziegler from Pakistan, 100% wool, 200 knots per sq inch. I bought it on irugs and it was shipped free of charge from the States. They've got some very nice rugs on there and helpfully photographed too.

 

[JoceAndChris]

looking forward to some updates of the Campaign room

 

[Zebra]

Oh my, look at that!
No, there isn't an emoticon for open-mouthed wonder....

 

[angrybird]

truly amazed!!!! amazing !!!
Joce you are such a talented lady XxX

 

[jocelyn plummer]

What's next Joce? !! xx

 

[JoceAndChris]

Oh, far too kind and flattering in the comments, but thank you. Any praise should really go to Chris for his carpentry and to Gareth Hughes for the idea in the first place, as well as drawing the pattern for those danglers. I'll put up some more piccies when it's all finished.

Next? For Chris it's draught proofing the windows and for me, when I've finished all the sewing for this room, I'd like to do a course in Roman blinds and have a go at some for the music room.

But one day there'll be an opium-den styled attic bedroom with Anglo-Indian colonial furniture, a stone blocked passageway, a shell grotto, and a blue and gold panelled Belvedere room! :wink:

 

[DJH]

Elegant Joce, and the rooms... :lol:

Doug

 

[Moo]

A shell grotto?
What a lovely excuse for a mass PPUK seaside picnic!

 

[88v8]

Felt underlay.
http://www.carpet-underlay-shop.co.uk/wool-felt-carpet-underlay-12-c.asp?gclid=CKKSkc6_0LACFVMetAodYTJrXQ
Yes, it will make the carpet last longer, but it's not so thick that one falls over the edge of it.

Or, if the boards are slippy, one of those slightly sticky underlays one can buy in carpet shops.

Ivor

 

[angrybird]

A shell grotto?
What a lovely excuse for a mass PPUK seaside picnic!

http://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=shell%20grotto

I think we should start beach combing now it looks like Joce is going to need quite a few shells!

 

[JoceAndChris]

Thanks for all the underlays Ivor, they look so much better than the one supplied. I'll get some organised.

Love the shell grotto pics and yes I will be needing a lot of shells! A lot will be done with pebbles and mussel shells.

I really want to make this myself so should go on a building or walling course. I've got the perfect spot for a shell grotto in a natural igloo of shrubbery and trees, but then again there's the possibility of excavating and using the vaulted rainwater chamber. But an above ground one would get used more I think. Hmmm. Anyway it's a long time away, must finish the house first.

 

[88v8]

A lot will be done with... mussel shells.

Torquay last year... doh.....

 

[JoceAndChris]

Muscles with white wine - if only! :lol: I find white wine is more with flabber and bingo wings these days, though in my 20s seemed to manage the combination suggested on the menu.