For a cosier texture, lambs’ wool fibre has a finer diameter than ewes’ wool, creating an even softer yarn. Ruanui Station is known throughout the world for its’ luxuriant lambs’ wool throws. The origin of this particular lambs’ wool is just as exceptional as the quality - grown exclusively at Ruanui Station in the Central North Island of New Zealand.
Situated in the hills west of Taihape, with a backdrop of the majestic Mount Ruapehu, the large farming station sits at an altitude of 550m above sea level and benefits from the rich soils of the volcanic plateau.
As the third-generation of their family to farm at Ruanui Station, the Carpenter’s have a strong sense of guardianship of the land and respect for its history. As a reflection of this, products are named after a paddock at Ruanui Station, connecting the final product back to the land, from where it originated. Shepherds tend to their stock on horseback, just as they have for 150 years.
Here the ewes experience optimal wellbeing, grazing on an abundant pasture within the 3,150 hectares of farmland. Shearing takes place twice yearly, and lambs born in spring are shorn alongside their mothers in January.
At Ruanui Station the diameter of the lambs’ wool fibre, known as microns, is around 29 microns – to put that in perspective, a human hair is around 100 microns wide. This makes for an incredibly soft and luxuriant yarn.
After shearing the wool is washed or scoured in Hawkes Bay with biodegradable and eco-friendly detergent. All contaminants such as wool grease, mud, seeds and thorns are removed, resulting in the cleanest processed wool in the world, ensuring the highest quality end product.
Once cleaned, the wool journeys to Wellington where it is then milled to the highest technical standard and spun into a weaving count of 1/11 (Yorkshire Skeins Woollen), resulting in fine soft stands of yarn.
In Auckland, the Ruanui Station yarn is dyed and woven into luxuriant products of exceptional quality. A truly Kiwi-made product from start to finish.
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It’s important know which fibres will perform best in your space. Beyond the desired look and feel, consider if the rug will be in a high or low traffic area and if there are pets or young children in your home.
Natural fibres are not only a sustainable choice, they’re also beautiful, breathable, and can be hardwearing.
Synthetic fibres are often made to mimic the look and feel of natural fibres and can be paired with them to improve durability. Synthetic fibres are ideal for outdoor areas due to their resistance to fading, stains, mould, and mildew.
While some fibres have higher stain and fade resistance than others, Ink and Brayer recommends applying a MicroSeal treatment on all indoor rugs, especially viscose and jute. MicroSeal is a non-toxic, non-allergenic formula for permanent stain and sun fade protection that dramatically increases the longevity of rugs.
Rugs are manufactured in a variety of woven and knotted styles. It’s important to consider how the weave will wear in relation to your lifestyle. High pile or loose weave rugs may not be ideal for young children or pets and shouldn’t be vacuumed with a brush vacuum.
To avoid choosing a rug that’s too small it’s important to remember that the role of a rug is to define a zone and to do that it is often best to have furniture at least partially placed on it.
Open Plan: Several rugs can be used to define the living, dining, and other areas in an open plan space.
Living Area: For large rooms with furniture in the centre, the rug should fit comfortably underneath, taking up slightly more floor space than the furniture.
An oversized rug can frame a room and create interest.
When furniture is against a wall, the front legs should be placed on the floor rug.
Smaller rugs can be placed under a coffee table, used to define specific seating areas, or to define a small space such as a reading nook.
Dining Area: The table and chairs should all rest on the floor rug. Choose a rug that’s large enough to fit under the chairs when they are pushed back from the table.
Bedroom: The floor rug should extend around the bed for a cosy look. Try placing a rug part way under the under the bed.
When making an investment in a rug or any significant purchase for your home, it makes sense to consult professionals that can offer helpful information or advice.
Remember that when purchasing a rug through Ink & Brayer, I am here to assist you with interior design advice and guidance, so that you can feel confident that you are choosing the right floor rug for your space. I am always happy to ask the supplier any specific questions for you too.
If you'd like to discuss a rug for your home or commercial space, get in touch now - I’d love to hear from you.
If you are based in Auckland, New Zealand, you may also like to learn about my In-Home Rug Consultation Service.
So I hope that has been some help to you. Have a great week. Happy rug buying everyone!
Bren.
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A brayer is a roller that you use in printmaking to roll out ink.Having worked my entire life as an artist and designer, I decided to create a website selling art. I decided I would pursue a long-time dream of printmaking for my own craft, but until I had the time to invest in my own art development I sold other people's art. I loved pattern, so I also sourced some beautiful and vibrant textiles and made cushions to pad out my online store offerings.
The cushions sold well, so I began visiting local textile and design houses to source more fabric. The quality and breadth of offerings astounded me and I was absolutely in my element. Among the exquisite prints, patterns and weaves of the many design houses of Auckland, I found my happy place. The tactile nature of textiles was a welcome contrast to the computer aided design I had been doing, and ignited a passion that has changed the course of my career.
While I may still work with printmaking art one day, I anticipate it will be married to fabric, perhaps using the craft to design motifs and patterns for interior textiles. In the meantime, I am developing my online home decor store, where I focus on my passions and strengths - textiles and soft furnishings, interior design, and decor for the home.
I am thrilled to say my husband survived against all odds. I've contemplated changing the name Ink & Brayer to something more interior-decor related; but it reminds me that life is unpredictable and it's important to follow your heart and be open to life's opportunities — flow with it and see where it takes you. I could never have anticipated this career change, and I've never been so passionate about my work. I adore my humble home studio and being able to work with tactile weaves and beautiful home decor products. Life is strange and wonderful.
