be yourself, be alternative
Get designing... create your own rug online at:
www.alternativeflooring.com
Rug Shown: (above) Sisal Super Bouclé Bodmin with Moss and Porcelain Cotton double border.
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Rugs that come with a personal service. Rugs that sit quietly in front of the TV or rugs that beg for attention. Rugs that welcome you home. Whether they speak softly or shout loudly, our personalised rugs say more about you than your mum does. These are rugs with your personality woven in.
Rugs Shown: (above) Selection of rugs see Make Me A Rug, (front cover) Rock’n’Roll Mr Blue Sky with Cotton Porcelain Inner and Jot Denim double border.
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Designing your very own masterpiece is easy with our online Rug builder...
1.
Step 1. Pick your flooring
Choose from any of our materials, in any size. With so many possibilities, the real you will always shine through. How liberating. Subject to product limitations.
Step 2. Now your border style
2. 3.
Single, double narrow, double wide, double piping or whipped. It’s your call. Subject to product limitations.
Step 3. And your border fabric Choose your border fabric: cotton, linen, jute, leather, faux suede, fishscales, rainbow, jot, tweed or herringbone. Our rugs have the edge on personality.
Step 4. Finally, the size
Go large, go small, go personalise your living space. Choose the perfect size for your home. Subject to product limitations.
4.
Step 5. Click ‘n’ collect
5.
Your rug can be delivered to your nearest Alternative Flooring retailer for you to collect at your convenience. Simples...
Your store
Rug Shown: Wool Blocstripe Sable Bone Bloc with Expresso Faux Leather border.
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Tell us a bit about the Make Me A Rug service and how this now includes the Quirky B pattern and even more borders !
From the experts...
Rug Tips
The new Make Me A Rug Service has all the fabulous patterns from before but now they can be made into large rugs so they are perfect for any room in the house. There are lots of choices of border, so you can experiment to find the right look for you. Or, you can play it safe with the large range of neutrals but, if you do want to do that, can I urge you to have fun with the borders?
We asked Kate Watson-Smyth, fellow rug lover, writer of the UK’s number 1 interiors blog Madaboutthehouse.com and star of our Make Me A Rug video, a few questions about how rugs can transform your home. Are you a fan of rugs?
Any rug trends that you’ve spotted?
I absolutely am! My house has no carpet and I love the look of bare boards covered in different rugs. It’s a great way to decorate your home as you can change the rugs as the mood suits and, in doing so, completely change the personality of the room.
I think, as with all aspects of interior decoration, we are getting braver and bolder in our choices and that’s great. If you’re being sensible and buying a plain sofa so that it lasts for years and goes with everything then have a bit of fun with the rugs. You can afford to be bold with rugs as it’s easy to move them around to other rooms or even to change them seasonally so you don’t have to look at the same thing all the time. We change our clothes with the weather so why not our soft furnishings? Our homes don’t’ have to wear a uniform. The geometric look has been around for a while and shows no sign of disappearing and I’m a big fan of Quirky, which I have on my stairs. We’ve seen stripes around for a long time and I think a move towards spots is overdue. Also, whisper it quietly, I think the patterned carpet is due a comeback but it will be done in a totally new and modern way.
Which rugs do you have in your home? Yes I have rugs in every room. A very battered vintage Persian one under the kitchen table, which hides a multitude of red wine and food stains, several similar ones layered up in the sitting room and a plain one in the spare room. The bedside rugs are the sheepskins that my children used to have in their pushchairs.
Tips on decorating with rugs? Well rules are made to be broken, but there are a couple of guidelines that I think are important. Firstly, buy the biggest rug you can afford for the space. Secondly, in the sitting room (for example), a rug should be anchored by the front legs of the sofa (at the very least). A small rug under the coffee table that doesn’t touch any furniture creates an island and doesn’t pull the room together. If you have only small rugs then layer them up to cover a larger space. Or, as I said, one big one that fills the space to about 18 inches from the walls. The one exception I would make is if you have an unusually shaped rug – the cowhides and sheepskins – they can sit as islands because of their shape. Otherwise, the rectangles and squares should be large and luxurious.
What about size? Don’t skimp on size – are rugs getting bigger or it is just our imagination?
How easy did you find it? It’s incredibly easy and user-friendly. I love that there is a choice of room photographs so you can see how a rug might look in a different space. There are also a variety of floors so you can tell how it will look on painted boards, or parquet for example.
Take us through your Make Me A Rug experience
Rug Shown: Zebo Black with Cotton Pink border
I have long been a fan of Quirky but thought that it was only available as a runner. When I realised it is now made as broadloom carpet and possible to make a rug from it, I didn’t hesitate. My only decision was in choosing the border. I couldn’t decide if a dark border would be more subtle and allow the zebra pattern to stand out, or if a contrasting colour would be better. In the end I got samples of both so I could decide in real life and in my house rather than just online.
Thanks Kate, go online and see her personalised rug on our Rug Stars.
What about layering - the more the merrier? Layering rugs offers an easy way to add even more colour and pattern to a room or experiment with trends. Do you agree? Completely, layering can be tricky to pull off though. So the general idea is that they must all be Persian, or all Kilims or all Dhurries or all carpets. You can’t mix the materials. Then, you can totally clash the patterns as long as there is a common thread in the colours to hold your scheme together. If you have wildly clashing colours then try to keep the patterns similar: geometric or floral or striped. As with all these things, it’s hard to know what works until you see it. If you are planning this look in your home then just keep experimenting until you feel it works. Then roll up the ones that didn’t and use them in another room.
As I said, rugs should be as big as you can afford. Small rugs dotted around look dated and create a series of islands in your room rather than one cohesive space. The rug is the anchor that holds everything down. In addition to that, small rugs are not inviting. A large rug should invite you to step on it, preferably in bare feet.
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Rugs Shown: (opposite) Jute Big Panama Brioche with Cotton Herringbone Mouse border, (this page) Sisal Super BouclĂŠ with Cotton Porcelain Inner and Moss double border.
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Rugs Shown: 1. Quirky B Spotty Grey with whipped edged border. 2. Rock ‘n’ Roll Mr Blue Sky with Cotton Porcelain Inner and Jot Denim double border. 3. Moon Mineral Pinstripe with Cotton Storm border. 4. Quirky B Strawberry Meadow with Cotton Herringbone Squash border.
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5. Sisal Bubbleweave Gold with Rainbow Bleu border.
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6. Jute Big Panama Brioche with Cotton Herringbone Mouse border. 7. Wool Herringbone Zig Zag Portobello with Cotton Blueberry border.
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Rugs Shown: (this page) Sisal Malay Chen with Tweed Trinity and Cotton Porcelain border, (opposite) Coir Herringbone with Cotton Ochre and Porcelain double border.
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Rug Shown: (this page) Rock’n’Roll Mr Blue Sky with Cotton Porcelain Inner and Jot Denim double border, (opposite) Jute Big Panama Brioche with Cotton Crimson border.
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Rugs Shown: (this page) Wool Blocstripe Sable Bone Bloc with Expresso Faux Leather border, (opposite) Sisal Panama Pelham with Jot Candy and Cotton Jet double border.
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Rugs Shown: (opposite) Wool Herringbone Zig Zag Button with Cotton Herringbone Thistle border, (this page) Barefoot Ashtanga Silk firefly with whipped edge.
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our 5 border styles
border colours & finishes
1. Self Coloured Whipped
3. Double Piping - 55mm
4. Double Narrow - 70mm
Add a multi colour splash of colour - Rainbow style.
Rug Shown: Sisal Bubbleweave Gold Bubble with Rainbow Bleu border
2. Single Standard - 50mm
Rainbow Bleu 6421
Rouge 6420
Get designing... create your own rug with our ‘make me a rug’ service, see online for details.
fishscales
Fishscales borders shimmer with a lustrous decadence. Mix & match with Sisal Metallics for glam that’s always in great taste.
5. Double Wide - 100mm
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Pearl 6161
Anthracite 6163
Silver 6162
Glitter 6171
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Jot
Linen
Stripes
Herringbone
A fun dotty accent. Bright, bold and cheerful.
Cool, soft and sumptuous, linen is smart and tactile.
More than just a striking edge. Lines that add size and length on rugs and runners.
As Savile Row as a stockbroker’s suit, herringbone borders are city-smart. Add to rugs and runners for a crisp contrast.
Iris 6401
Ivory 2003
Thick Teal 6201
Black 6184
Emerald 6402
Fog 2031
Thick Black 6203
Grey 6181
Denim 6403
Pebble 2001
Thick Red 6204
Blue 6182
Biscotti 6405
Lead 2030
Thick Blue 6205
Green 6183
Coconut 6406
Seal 2005
Thick Mushroom 6206
Lilac 6180
Candy 6407
Stratus 2032
Thick Grey 6207
Pewter 6185
Ash 6408
Onyx 2010
Tweed
Named after tie knots; so slick and stylish.
Mint 6404
Windsor 6430
Trinity 6433
Balthus 6431
Murrell 6434
Eldredge 6432
Kelvin 6435
Get designing... create your own rug with our ‘make me a rug’ service, see online for details.
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Cotton Herringbone A subtle pattern which adds directional interest. Single or double border options.
Cotton
Bright and breezy or earthy and unassuming, our cotton borders are all-natural and all you. Single or double border options; can be used as piping.
Chiffon 1050
Lunar 1062
Porcelain 1006
Gunmetal 1011
Tortilla 1051
Elephant 1063
Bamboo 1008
Moss 1003
Latte 1052
Charcoal 1064
Biscuit 1016
Mink 1005
Hazelnut 1053
Basalt 1065
Ochre 1004
Cashmere 1007
Mouse 1054
Hunter 1066
Scarlet 1026
Oyster 1002
Mole 1055
Bayberry 1067
Crimson 1025
Jet 1010
Tuscan 1056
Sage 1068
Conker 1014
Navy 1029
Squash 1057
Eggshell 1069
Bourneville 1009
Mango 1022
Blazer 1058
Bluebird 1070
Storm 1028
Pink 1030
Fig 1059
Oxford 1071
Liquorice 1019
Blueberry 1020
Thistle 1060
Midnight 1072
Praline 1027
Apple 1031
Marine 1018
Plum 1032
Mortar 1061
Get designing... create your own rug with our ‘make me a rug’ service, see online for details.
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Jute
Natural 3001
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Leather, Faux leather & Faux Suede Faux Leather Colour
Faux Suede Colour
Ink 5520
Tar 5011
Get designing... Trial swatch service
Graphite 5521
Battleship 5012
Ocean 5523
Cobalt 5013
Expresso 5524
Mocha 5014
Bitter 5015
Dove 5522
Coffee 5016
Khaki 5527
Greige 5528
Nectar 5019
Alternative Flooring supplies individual design and colour swatches on request. Simply email or telephone with your request and your border or flooring swatch will be sent out immediately.*
Online
Explore the oodles of combos available to you online. Be inspired by our Rug Stars or create your own masterpiece. Save your designs or email them to a friend to see what they think? If it’s for you and it’s your perfect rug, you can buy right there and then and your rug will be despatched to your chosen Alternative retailer via our Click ‘n’ Collect service. Want to make extra sure? Order touchy feely samples delivered straight to your home to ensure that the textures and colours work for you.*
In-store
If you want to go, feel and touch a little more, visit one of our Alternative Flooring retailers where you can select the rug flooring and the border from their in-store sampling. You will also be able to order samples from your retailer*.
Garnet 5017
Flame 5530
Stone 4023
Chocolate 4010
Cirrus 4022
Chestnut 4007
Portland 4021
Black 4012
Wine 4020
Flint 4004
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You can buy Alternative Flooring products through a network of reputable specialist retailers. Find your nearest on the ‘Where to Buy’ on our website.
A long and happy life
Some handy tips to ensure that your rug has a long and happy life: 1. Protect with Intec stain inhibitor. A specially developed environmentally friendly solution. Order online or with your retailer. Your rug is treated before despatch and will not alter the colour, texture or flame retardancy of the rug. There is an additional charge for this treatment. 2. Vacuum your rug regularly. 3. If you have a spillage, don’t leave it too long. Be quick, speed is of the essence. 4. Blot and Clean spots and spills with our Natural Flooring Care Kit (available from alternative HQ). 5. Avoid liquids such as water or carpet cleaner. 6. Use a castor-chairmat if you have chairs with castors, to prevent fibre damage.
All products from a happy home All our products come from sustainable natural sources. That’s because we want to care for our environment (it’s the only one we’ve got).
Click ‘n’ Collect
Leather Colour
Get designing... create your own rug with our ‘make me a rug’ service, see online for details.
* A charge may be made for samples
Take me to your products
Get designing on our ‘make me a rug’ facility on our website and order online using our click‘n’collect service. Your rug can be delivered to your nearest Alternative Flooring retailer, for you to collect at your convenience. Simples...
Due to the printing process and the nature of natural flooring, the colours featured in this brochure may vary. Copyright of all images and designs shown in this brochure belong to Alternative Flooring. Proud to support
Scan the QR-code to go to our online Rug Builder
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The Alternative Flooring Company Ltd 4 Stephenson Close, East Portway, Andover, Hampshire, SP10 3RU t: 01264 335111 f: 01264 336445 e: sales@alternativeflooring.com www.alternativeflooring.com
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