Hi Gwendolynne

I worte an article recently about tufted rugs, and one thing I was sure to stress was that not all smell.

I looked at the Angela Adams site, and I would feel quite comfortable calling the cust. service # and getting as much info as possible about the rug and whether or not they have had an issue with odor. Exchange a few emails if possible and question the return shipping charges should it smell and you need to return.

Kudos to you for shopping sensibly and watching for the Rugmark label. I don't sell new rugs, so while I'm familiar with Rugmark, I don't know about their association with other orgs.

There was a new category called "Accessories" added to the shopping sources in the link below. A lot of the sites are contemporary, so you may find something you like. In addition, there is also a "Rugs" listing under shopping sources, but that may not offer as many contemp. styles.

Good luck, I hope this rug turns out to be a keeper!

Here is a link that might be useful: Contemporary shopping sites

gwendolynne -- Both Rugmark and Care & Fair are advocacy groups which address issues of child labor, particularly acute in Pakistan.

If they certify a rug it is more than likely not made by child labor -- not 100% but probably not. I know this from someone who has traveled there and written about child labor issues. I've linked you to the C&F website below.

Design and color aside, a tufted rug is held together by glue, as you know. As T2G says, not every rug smells as a result. But glue holds the nap in place. (This is explained in detail with pictures in an article on the link in the post above.)

In hand knotted rugs, strands of yarn are hand-tied around the string grid (warp and weft). Those are much more durable.

Tufted rugs will be less expensive than hand knotted as a rule, I expect for that reason. Production time is just so different.

Good rugs are expensive, for sure. But there are also a lot of buys around -- both on the internet and in bricks and mortar stores.

There are a ton of choices (one reason it's difficult to recommend specifics) but I believe a really good shopper, who nows what she likes, can make her own luck pricewise.

Here is a link that might be useful: Care & Fair

My understanding is that tufted rugs often shed and are not, in general, as good a quality as handknotted. But it might depend on the manufacturing standards. Can you post a pic of your LR, as well as of each rug?

Thanks ladies :).

Tryin2, if I'm going to call customer service at Angela Adams and ask lots of questions, is there anything I should not forget to ask?

Organic, I'm sure you've seen my living room before, but here it is:

The more I try to "traditionalize" this house, the less I like it and the more comfortable I am becoming with a cleaner, more contemporary style. My inspiration is the hurricane jar of beach rocks on the coffee table - very organic feel and muted driftwood colours. The painting over the mantle and the Angela Adams rug share the exact same colours. The armchair will be recovered in a solid once a rug is chosen.

Here's something very similar to the gray/gold hand-knotted rug I saw:

Here's the Angela Adams rug (but as a runner):

Here's the same rug in a different colourway, just so you can see the full pattern:

Thoughts?

That's a pretty rug (sorry if you don't want my opinion) but I'm not seeing it with the picture on the mantle. Do you intend to keep the picture? It seems less transitional more traditional than what you seem to be headed toward?

Oh, I do remember now when you posted about finding the pic for the mantle.

If I were calling Angela Adams c/s, I would merely explain that I am aware that latex is used in the construction of the rug and there have been some serious odor issues as a result of that. I would want to know if they are aware of the problem, and can they assure you there is no odor, and if they can't, what is the return/restocking, etc. policy if it arrives and does have the odor?

I'm hoping you'll get get a more personalized type of c/s with that site, and they'll be able to address your query.

We have a Angela Adams area rug. It is very well made. and does not smell at all. We bought it at an independant flooring store in NJ,

The quality is excellent. My cats have already initiated it. It cleaned up easier than my wall to wall rugs with only water.

The label does have the Rugmark certification.

Here is my rug:

Hi Gwen, Can you tell me the wall color in your gorgeous room. I have the same design dilemma I am moving away from the traditional but at the same time I cant go all out contemporary.
Thanks
Nami