Hazaad.com’s Blog

Las Vegas is still trying to take the “United States Furniture Show” crown from High Point North Carolina. It would appear that hotel rates are a key feature at the moment. The plethora of hotels in Las Vegas appears to give it an advantage on this characteristic.

I know many people who aboslutly love Ikea. I have heard of this devotion reaching near religious zealot levels. I enjoy their minimalist designs quite a bit, however, I have never really understood such a level of devotion.

Ikea made the news recently for issueing an volutary recal of 100,000 or so folding chairs and sofa beds. I’m not sure if this is a sign that they are a responsible company or a strike against them.

However, as far as I can tell there is only one reported case of a rather serious injury (a fingertip amputation). From what I am able to glean from the diagrams and pictures that I have found, the chair doesn’t look horribly dangerous.

Without other information to the contrary I’m going to give Ikea the benefit of the doubt and call this a responsible move by a large company. A responsible move, by such a large company, is always something to be applauded. Cheers Ikea.

http://www.luxist.com/2006/06/11/night-owl-nightlight-rugs/

Here is an article about some rugs that have night lights built in. Think of them as multitasking rugs.

If we say that the night light doesn’t cause a trip hazard, I’m not so convinced that the rug would be all that comforting. But, hey I’ve never tried one of these.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,19364647-2702,00.html

Bison, or the American buffalo, is in many ways a wonderful animal. The meat can be excellent (though, at times it can also be somewhat tough) and the furs can be quite nice.

A bison’s coat can be an excellent material for a rug or the skin can be used as a rug itself. It is way nicer than a cow skin and much better for the ecosystem than one of those big cat skins. You can even tell your friends that it was about to trample a mountain lion, which you saved by killing the buffalo with your bare hands.

http://www.projo.com/sharedcontent/features/housegarden2/

Here is an article about the move of rugs now into outdoor space. It could be an elegant way to enjoy a barbecue.

If one does use rugs for outdoors I would suggest the durability of a wool one, and to also look for rugs with dies that are resistant to fading. Otherwise the summer sun could quickly fade your rug.

http://www.iranmania.com/News/ArticleView/Default.asp

Here is an interesting article that talks about Iran’s declining share of the handwoven rug market. Aside from competition with other developing nations I would also argue that political climates are also adversely affecting Iran’s export image.

One of the greatest strengths of Iranian carpets is quality of the designs. One alternative, and middle path for the non-purest, that I would be interested in would be the designs of Iranian artists woven elsewhere.

http://www.shns.com/shns/g_index2.cfm

Here is an article about accessories. Specifically accessories for rooms. These are things like paintings, pictures, pillows, or some breeds of small dogs. However, this article points out that while area rugs are “accessories” in the sense that they are both stylish and removable they also have that wonderful ability to also be useful.

Sadly the only good ‘useful and good looking’ jokes that I can think of right now are rather sexist.

It was recently the anniversary of the Chernobyl reactor disaster. Since then the name Chernobyl has become a key part of our world culture. Here is an interesting story from a man who was in Kiev at the time of the accident.

http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/04/27/opinion/edserge.php

He also mentions how wet rugs were used in the entrances to hotels and public buildings to help people clean the sloes of their shoes. This was to clean of “the dust.” I’m not to confidant that these rugs helped all that much. However, I must say that it is an interesting repurposing of rugs. It also demonstrates a real fear.

http://www.safavieh.com/dealer_site/main.htm

It looks like we will be able to buy a new line of Martha Stewart rugs in spring 2007. These new rugs will be made by the swanky New York rug merchants Safavieh.

http://www.coldbuster.com.au/

Here is an interesting company that makes a series of flat heaters. One can put a heater underneath one of your rugs for a warm and comfortable glow.

I would suggest using these underneath a wool rug. Other materials, especially synthetic ones, might be a little too flammable for this use.