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Cowhide rug "dents"

Jameson Cardenas

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

I got a really good deal on a cowhide rug from CB2 and I'm currently using it in my home office under a light desk and chair, sitting on top of a 1/4 Surya rug pad which provides great cushion underfoot. I want to preserve the rug as best I can while enjoying it, and have a question about furniture "dents." I noticed my furniture's nickel-sized feet leaves noticeable indentions on the surface, with slight indentions on the bottom. I'm wondering if this has to do with my thickness of the rug pad leading to slight stretching of the hide more so than if it was sitting directly in the hard floor.

Can these surface dents or slight stretches be remedied down the road? Is my rug pad causing more harm than good? Am I overreacting? Thanks!

Top of rug indention samples

Bottom of rug in same area as above

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Comment (1)

SJ McCarthy
5 years ago
Skin stretches (yep, even dead skin like a cowhide). And that's a good thing. Yes the rug pad is encouraging your rug to do this more so than if it was not there (the more "squish" you have underneath, the FURTHER the hide has to STRETCH to reach the hard surface underneath). And I personally would say you are over reacting...but that's my perspective and not yours.

It is your home. You need to be happy and content and RELAXED in your own home. If this bothers you than who am I to say "you're overreacting"? It is not for me to say.

But a little perspective will go a long way. Remember that FLOORING (area rugs are in that category) are the MOST ABUSED surface in a home. They are SUPPOSED to get beaten up. They are supposed to get dents, dimples and dings. It is what they are built to do.

You've already stated that you LIKE the softness. You LIKE the cushion. You LIKE the luxury of the rug+pad in your space. I would say these "likes" are far more important than a few dimples created by furniture feet (which happen with ANY carpet...think plush wall-to-wall carpet sitting under heavy sofa....furniture feet dimples are to be expected).

I would say that you will want to figure out which is MORE important. The luxurious feel under foot, or the visual perfection of a piece that is meant as flooring. If the visual wins out, I suggest hanging it on a wall....'cause an rug that is too nice to walk on is useless as a flooring product.
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I have two: Dining room ... walked on constantly. 7 yrs old, no worn spots. Office ... has heavy, wooden desk chair with rollers on it, used often. Over 25 yrs old (it used to be in my dad's office), a couple of lightly-worn spots. As others have said, buy from a reputable source with a good knowledge of cowhides. I would never buy one from a chain store. For cleaning, I lightly vacuum with an attachment. A cowhide that has been processed correctly is very tough, after all, it has already been in all kinds of weather and conditions. I've never had any problems with shedding, curling, etc. I used to sell them here in Texas, our supplier is no longer in business, or I'd recommend them. If I couldn't find a good local place, I'd definitely order one online, from a place that specializes in hides. It's worth paying more for top quality, it will last a very long time. We always had a dozen scattered around the store, so they got very heavy traffic, and none looked worn at all. ETA: I've never noticed a smell, from mine or any I sold. This post was edited by Miz_M on Sun, Feb 9, 14 at 11:19
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