Rug selection

Climate is also an important consideration. In a cold country nothing is as warm and eomf orting as a deep pile carpet under­foot. In the hot desert or tropical regions flat weaves are cooler and, especially when it is very damp and humid, easier to keep free from mildew and subsequent rot.

In some sections it has been a time-honored custom to take up the heavy pile floor coverings during the hot season and replace them with flat woven summer rugs.

Warm deep colors are most cheery and comforting in a cold place, cool light colors in the hot spots.

I remember a house in the Borego desert where everything was a pale silvery sea green-even the glass bricks which were used instead of clear windows to let in light. It made one feel like a mermaid under water and it seemed at least 20 degrees cooler there than in the white glare of the desert only a few feet away.