Qing Collection: Tibetan Knotted & Antique Washed

In Chinese, the word “qing” means clarity or purity, or a blue or green that can span the spectrum from the clearest sky to the blackest sea. Hemphill’s Rugs & Carpets Qing Collection is a grouping of designs that are Asian-inspired collages. Patchwork designs, florals and screen patterns are lovingly hand knotted in a pile of wool with faux silk accents to add shimmering details to each pattern.

Tibetan-style hand knotted in India with an antique washed, Seridian wool and faux silk pile.

Additional patterns are available. Standard and custom sizes are available.

Hemphill’s Rugs & Carpets
230 East 17th Street
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
949-722-7224

A History of Karastan Rugs

The first Karastan Axminster rug came off an Eden loom at 2:02 p.m. on April 8, 1928. When we visited on Oct. 20, 2010, Karastan Original Collection rugs were still being made on the company’s Axminster looms.

Karastan 717 Multi Colored Panel Kirman

Karastan’s 50-color 717 Multi-Color Panel Kirman design in the Karastan Original collection was introduced in 1937 and is still the company’s all-time best seller.

Over the years, Karastan has modernized the Eden facility to include Karaloc woven and Van de Wiele wilton looms. (Machine-tufted Karastan broadloom is produced in other facilities). Both spool and gripper Axminster constructions were developed from the original jacquard loom technology invented in Axminster, England during the Industrial Revolution of the early 19th century.

Halcyon Skinner, an American who was employed by Alexander Smith, is credited with inventing the spool Axminster in 1878.

Today, Karastan is the only U.S. maker of spool Axminster rugs.

Modern electronic gripper Axminster carpeting is made all over the world and most often found in contract installations, particularly in the hospitality field.

When Karastan developed advanced Axminster technology in 1928, the new manufacturing process was considered so revolutionary that the trade press reportedly referred to the first Karastan rugs as “Mystery Rugs.” Axminster rugs can contain up to 50 colors, which has been a major selling point since the looms were invented. The depth and detail of a traditional hand-knotted rug can be reproduced using this manufacturing technique.

The fact that Axminster rugs are also virtually indestructible is another major selling point. Karastan invited visitors to walk on the rugs at both the 1933-34 World’s Fair in Chicago and the 1939-40 World’s Fair in New York. Nearly 5 million people walked on a Karastan rug in Chicago and 9 million people walked on another Karastan rug in New York. After both Fairs, the rugs were cleaned and restored to their original condition.

Quick Fix: Add a New Rug to Freshen the Look of a Room

When a room is looking a little tired and dated and re-decorating sounds like too much hard work, a new rug is one of the most cost-effective and easiest ways to create a whole new mood in your home.

This is one accessory that can instantly update the look of your interior and can make a world of difference to a room. Whether you want to make a bedroom brighter, liven up a living room, or make your dining room dazzle, the right rug can do wonders to a dull-looking room.

The latest collection of contemporary area rugs at Hemphill’s Rugs & Carpets is proving to be a big hit, with customers. Designers have been particularly enthusiastic to wide range of choice of area rugs that are offered. What a perfect way to compliment your hardwood floors which are also offered by Hemphill’s Rugs & Carpets

How to Select the Perfect Dining Room Area Rug

The dining room seems to be where all the entertaining happens. Whether it is for the immediate family, holiday dinners or intimate romantic dinners, the dining room is a special room. When decorating your dining room, we often forget about the flooring and the area rug that goes under the table. Believe it or not, the perfect area rug can make your room feel casual or formal, just by changing the rug. Here are tips for choosing the right one for your home.

* Assess the size of your dining room: Your dining room size will dictate how large of an area rug you should use. Large dining rooms may need to utilize two or more area rugs based on multiple seating areas and tables. For smaller dining rooms consider using one that is larger than your dining room table, but smaller than the perimeter of the room. For those that have hardwood flooring, a border of the contrasting resilient flooring makes a nice contrast.

* What’s the shape of your dining room: While most would think a rectangular carpet should go in a rectangular room, there are often exceptions. Area rugs can take their cues from the space as well as the shape of the table that covers it. It is often a play on form and color when choosing the area rug. Decide what feels and looks right to you. Your dining room is your design preference and trends and design can be followed or broken!

* Choose a pattern or not: In some dining rooms the area rug serves as a floor covering that feels good underfoot and is meant for function and not décor. While other dining rooms keep a simple table and chairs, and then have the area rug take command of the room. If you choose the more bold approach, choose a few colors from the carpet and bring them into the wall color and fabrics of the room. This will unite the room and keep it from looking too busy for the eye.

* Defining a space: If you have an open area dining room that shares a space with a living room or kitchen area, an area rug will help you define the dining room without using walls. Choose a rug that uses colors from adjoining spaces but still defines the space. Therefore a mixture of neutrals from the surrounding rooms with a punch of an accent color to match the dining room chairs would be perfect.