For the First Time in California...

It is no wonder Amy Helfand is is sought after by the New York art world and the International Design Community. Her rugs are inspired by her travels around the globe, most recently, Nepal. These rugs are simply exquisite and totally unique. While Ms. Helfand shows regularly as an Artist, and whose rugs were shown at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair this year, her presence at California Carpet's Design Studio is the first time her rugs are being shown on the West Coast. For the month of September, get your art fix and your design homework done at once.

Among other publications, Amy has been featured in the New York Times and Dwell Magazine. But to see the true vivid colors for yourself, it must be done in person.

Back by popular demand, and because it's September, is the annual Architecture in the City Home Tours weekend going on in San Francisco.

It runs the whole weekend of September 10th. Tickets often sell-out to this event, which provides the rare opportunity to peek into other people's homes. And, they are amazing homes. Especially for the modernist, this is a 'not to be missed' event.

So get your tickets now!

Cowhide + Lasercut = Fabulous

Behold these soon to be classics — they are works of art. They have even been made into wall panels for a major installation in their native Argentina.

Using special laser techniques to craft intricate designs and good old-fashioned construction methods to create architectural patterns, Yerra is delivering cowhide rugs that make one swoon. They simply must be seen to be believed.

From rich espresso colors to milky whites there is now a cowhide rug to suit just about any room. Touch one now at the Design Studio during the Fall Rug Show.

Inspiration at The Fall Rug Show

Inspiration can come from a lot of different places. For an artist it can come from standing still on the corner of a busy intersection, or often, seeing another artist's work. Seeing an other's use of color or texture can inspire something completely different and unique. But for any of us, the act of creating is a universally optimistic endeavor.

So this year, it seemed more important than ever to bring inspiration, along with creativity and optimism, to the Design Studio for the first ever Fall Rug Show scheduled to coincide with San Francisco's Architecture in the City Month. Come see the rugs and be inspired to create your own unique space, your special room — something that sets it apart from any other room you've seen.

Scheduled to coincide with San Francisco Architecture in the City Month, the designers for this year's Rug Show were carefully selected for the ability to innovate with color, texture or design. We guarantee you'll be inspired. Even if you don't buy a thing!

Emma Gardner comes to The Design Studio

Well, her rugs, that is. This acclaimed designer continues to design vibrant modern rugs from her studio in Connecticut. She's worked with interior designers and architects for years to design the perfect accompanying rug for the spaces they've designed. Additionally she sells directly to consumers and for the first time, she is showing her rugs in The Design Studio at California Carpet.

She's been covered by leading fashion magazines plus many favorite interior magazines from Elle Decor, Dwelll, Country Living and House Beautiful. In 2006 she received a prestigious award from Interior Design Magazine. Even, Oprah loves her, putting her in O at Home magazine.

If you'd like to see what all the fuss is about, be sure to stop by California Carpet at 8th and Folsom anytime between September 3 and October 4th and visit the Fall Rug Show.

The Ancient Art of Felting

With credentials in art and engineering, it is no surprise the Israeli born, U.S. educated Liora Manne is creating innovative rugs recognized the world-over as something special. The long list of coverage from art, home and design magazines is simply to long to list. But you wouldn't want to miss out on seeing them, or even better, touching them.

Using the ancient art of felting, she creates rugs that are arresting and durable at once. The process is so unique you get the feeling you are walking into some one's workshop just by touching these rugs. Even better, they are great for use indoor or out!

Visit the Rug Show at California Carpet to see for yourself.

The Great Summer Savings Event

It's that time of year again. The end of the Summer is already upon us. And with each ending is the possibility of new beginnings.  So, to help out with the new beginnings we are pleased to announce the Great Summer Savings Event happening NOW. 

Wether you are looking for good deals on rugs, carpet or hard flooring, you'll find them in the store.  Don't forget to check in the Roll Room for a great selection of carpet selling for a fraction of the price. And, remember, these are the same great quality and makers you find in our cut to order showroom. But these, we've gotten at a special price and we pass on the savings to you!

Shop early for the best selection.

Craftsmanship Shows

Check out this latest example of wall-to-wall carpet used as a runner. The same carpet was also cut and serged for use on the landings as area rugs, to unify the space.   Considering the pattern and repeat in this is carpet, it was a complicated installation.   

The key of course was in the art of the measurement and installation. 

And what a great choice to go with a 'contour' rather than the ever popular 'waterfall' stair covering style.  The other nice part of this design is that it shows off the hardwood floors to give the home a very custom look.

Not only does it look great   — it saved the home owner money!

Textured Solids

Mmmm, soft pebbles under foot. Comfy and cozy, just in time for summers end.

Versatile and refined treatments in muted hues establish a soothing, finished feel.  Wether in the bedroom or the playroom, it is a nice way to insulate for either cool, warmth or sound.  There are lots of colors to choose from and remember wool is a naturally sustainable material.

How to: Get an Area Rug on the Cheap

A custom bound remnant can save you hundreds of dollars. You can choose the size and edging to truly achieve a designer look for less. This option really pays off if you are looking to cover a large area.  

Especially one where you're sure to be changing out the rug in a few years.

Textured Neutrals

Textural options lend a decorative interest in shades that won't wear out their welcome. Plush instantly adds comfort to a bedroom, whereas a tailored flat weave looks best in a living or dining room.

White Cowhide

A minimalist dream... all the luxe but none of the fuss.

The characteristics of cowhide make them naturally stain repellent and extremely durable. 

The variety of colors, shapes and sizes is unusually broad, and ideal for giving a home an eclectic vibe.

Prices can vary, but to replicate the one shown here you can expect to pay approximately:

• 4x6, $1300
  
• 5x8, $2160
  
• 8x10, $4320
  

Contact us for custom colors and sizes.

Trade pricing available upon request.

Timber!!!!!

Eco-timber that is!

With all the discussion of global warming and the climate crisis it seems more important than ever to consider using FSC-certified wood floors. For those who don't know it means the wood used for the floors is from a forest being responsibly managed by ecological experts (specifically, the Forest Stewardship Council).  So, not only are the floors naturally stunning, they do no harm to our forests and no harm to your home.

Old Rug, New Look

When going for the modern look it is sometimes hard to imagine what an antique rug or any traditional rug could do for the space. But it can bring warmth and permanence to the home and it can save it from looking too 'trendy'.  This photo shows a spot-on example of how to do it just right.

Combine an antique rug with your modern or contemporary home for a great, sophisticated look. 

Approximate size: 6 x9, estimated price: $6500.

Good Ideas Come in Narrow Packages

This runner used as a door mat is an excellent solution for the increasingly popular double and triple-wide accordion doors.  This one is made of a great-for-grabbing-excess-debris, woven vinyl fiber. It is quite commonly used for mats, both indoor and outdoor and can be custom ordered in the design, size and color/s of your choice.

Not Your Mother's Linoleum Floors

Mod, stylish, gleaming in it's simplicity, is this all natural linoleum floor. Most of us now know that linoleum floors are one of the best choices for eco-friendly flooring, but did we know they could look quite this fantastic? 

Now we do.

It's Perfectly Natural

This irresistible pug is standing atop a natural fiber rug. Seagrass and sisal used to come ago as mere trends in flooring. But, alas, they are now classics. Durable and earth-friendly they are a perfectly natural choice for the stylish pup — or human.

Love those layers

Flipping through an enormous stack of magazines, it is clear designers are loving the layered look. Here it looks so chic and it instantly adds interest to a room, and the combined use of texture is fresh and modern. What an ideal way to make a change that doesn't break the bank.

Out with the old

Anticipating new carpeting, one can worry about where the old carpet and padding is going to end up? Now we are overjoyed to find out it gets RECYCLED. Woo Hoo!

The future uses can simply be other related products like backing for carpet tiles or fiber underlay pad that goes under carpet. Or, the new uses can be quite interesting. Some of the other things post consumer carpet may become are plastic parts for cars, reusable hay for sediment control on construction sites, sewage pipes, or concrete reinforcement.

Who knew that the trampled old carpet can be turned into something useful.

Adding softness to my modern space

A fabulous way to add softness, especially in a modern room, with its angular lines and spare furnishings, is with a rug. Rugs can also unify a room or add a spot of color to a neutral space. In a loft or in an awkwardly shaped room, rugs can create “rooms within a room.”

The Artistry of the Installation

When one is in the hands of a good carpet installer it really shows. This is actually a broadloom (wall-to-wall) carpet selected from one of the more high end carpet lines, serged as a traditional runner and custom fit under exacting specifications. 

For one not satisfied with the usual crop of "runners" this is a superb solution.  But what it really comes down to is being able to rely on the artisan, yes, artisan, doing the work! This is a job well done.

It was implemented in two different parts of this large home, using two different but similar styles of carpet. The only significant difference is a slight change of color from a taupe look to one that coordinates with a black and white theme. Simply stunning.

Animal Magnetism

It is time to get in touch with your animal side.   The selection of  animal and animal-inspired carpeting and rugs these days is truly amazing. The right print can look chic used wall-to-wall in say, an ocelot print. Or, it can look simply inspired as a cheetah-print area rug. Zebra is great for an all black and white look or even to temper an overly colorful room.  They are incredibly flexible and great for high traffic areas too.

And, now it is easy to get exactly the size you want. It's time to release your inner-tiger.

The Design Awards are Coming!

Now is the time to get your tickets to the AIA's Annual Design Awards. Get your tickets to the Gala now and walk your own Red Carpet!

 

Phat, Sustainable Wools

There is something kind of amazing about these phat textured carpets that has me craving wool. The extra-large nubby texture  has me wanting to cut and bind one for every room in my imaginary new eco-home.  And their natural flaws make them even more right. Naturally insulating for warmth and sound, wool is also sustainable, so you can't go wrong. Just check out the in-store display in San Francisco for even more.

Instant Gratification Carpeting

If you are one for instant-gratification

then you must shop the Roll Room. 

There are great luxurious wools and also low-priced value carpets. The clincher is that they are priced well below the manufacturers list price and they are ready for immediate installation. Truly incredible values.

AIA San Francisco's Small Firms, Great Projects Exhibition

AIA San Francisco's Small Firms, Great Projects Exhibition
January 26, 2009 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
San Francisco Design Center, Two and 101 Henry Adams Street, San Francisco

Exhibition On View through February 9, 2009 at the San Francisco Design Center.

Showcasing the innovative and award-winning work of local architecture and design professionals, Small Firms, Great Projects celebrates exceptional Bay Area architecture. Participating firms are experienced in a wide range of work including new residences and remodels, commercial and retail spaces, educational, civic, institutional and religious projects, historic preservation, as well as landscape and interior design.

For a preview of projects by participating firms, CLICK HERE.