SHIVHON

Colorful Inspiration

2012-01-25T13:35:00.001-08:00

Concept Boards

2012-01-19T10:54:00.000-08:00

We have long since offered concept boards to our clients in order to assist them in visualizing their environment using our rugs. A typical concept board consists of multiple images and creates an overall mood. It is a wonderful way to visually communicate our concept along with the client’s overall goal.

Shivhon carpets is happy to provide this service and share some past boards with you here.

Sometimes a rug is a great starting point in a design concept and other times it is exactly what is needed to complete an already developed concept.

Abstract Rugs

2012-01-13T10:15:00.003-08:00

Just wanted to take a quick moment to share some new abstract designs with you. Enjoy.

In Full Bloom

2012-01-10T13:47:00.000-08:00

When I need to decompress, I head out into the garden and start clipping. My love affair with flora has clearly extended its way to some new bold rug designs. These nature inspired rugs are a simple and luxurious way to bring the garden and warmth of springtime indoors. Enjoy.

To see more designs please visit our website www.Shivhon.com

An old classic

2011-12-21T10:50:00.001-08:00

This coral rug is one of our original rugs created years ago. Luckily, a classic design never goes out of style. We hope you like is as much as we do.

Namaste.

2011-12-19T16:05:00.000-08:00

Use Your Imagination

2011-12-16T10:18:00.000-08:00

Abstract area rugs are colorful and usually inspired by scenes from nature or everyday objects. Our many abstract rugs are simply our interpretation of something real as seen through our imagination. These rugs can be very simple or extremely complex depending on the design and the method of weaving utilized to bring them to life.

An abstract area rug can make a great accent piece or become the perfect focal point for any living room, bedroom, office, or other room in your home that needs a modern flair.

SHIVHON carries a wide variety of these unique, colorful and modern rugs. Find the abstract design that will best fit your room and style at www.Shivhon.com

WINTER MAGIC

2011-11-29T11:30:00.000-08:00

Choosing a white rug for your home can bring a sense of versatility, warmth, and drama into any space. If you’re in the market for bedroom rugs, a large white rug in a soft plush wool or silk laid under or near the bed can make for a welcome place for toes to land when waking up on cold winter mornings.

The color white is tremendously comfortable and so restful to our eyes. White rugs will add a luxurious aesthetic to any space. These rugs allow sensuous textures to take the place of strong patterns and colors. Tactility is so very important in contemporary design.

Parang

2011-11-14T20:51:00.000-08:00

I am pleased to introduce the newest design in our collection of rugs.

This area rug was inspired by my many visits to the village of Ubud in Indonesia. Ubud is a remarkable town in the middle of the island of Bali. For more than a century, it has been the island’s preeminent center for fine arts. It is by far one of my favorite spots on the planet and a place I return to whenever I get the chance. Even just one or two night in Ubud is enough to ground me and make my soul happy.

If you ever get the chance I encourage you to go.

Our Parang rug is hand tufted of 100% wool and features a raised pile and loop design.

-Shirley Shivhon

There's just something about yellow + gray

2011-10-28T21:48:00.000-07:00

GoodWeave rugs featured in Jetset Magazine

2011-10-28T09:06:00.001-07:00

We are proud and excited to be included in the 2 page spread by GoodWeave in Jetset Magazine.

GoodWeave is an amazing organization of dedicated folks working to end child labor in the carpet industry and to offer educational opportunities to children in South Asia.

To learn more about GoodWeave please visit http://www.goodweave.org/

Jetset magazine is a luxury magazine which caters exclusively to jetsetters, the affluent marketplace, and how they travel; on private jets and charters. To learn more about Jetset Magazine please visit http://www.jetsetmagazine.us/

A dose of Ocean Love

2011-10-08T10:52:00.000-07:00

Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles

2011-09-28T11:16:00.000-07:00

We are honored to be gracing the pages of the October issue of Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles. Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles is a high-end residential design and architecture magazine built around the philosophy that Atlanta has its own unique design style and culture. Their editorial content have built a powerful resource for the design trade as well as affluent homeowners. Their warm editorial voice and artful representation of interiors and gardens help readers achieve the highest standard of a personal sense of place.

If you're in the Atlanta area be sure to visit our partners at Verde Home.

1000 Marietta St. Suite 244

(678)927-9113

www.verdehomeinc.com

New Creations

2011-09-27T11:23:00.000-07:00

New Creations

2011-09-26T14:41:00.000-07:00

New Designs

2011-09-23T09:32:00.000-07:00

More New Designs

2011-09-15T22:46:00.001-07:00

New Designs

2011-09-12T10:22:00.001-07:00

Its been a very busy and productive time here at Shivhon carpets. So many new designs for you choose from. Here's just a sneak peek for you....

Please contact us directly for samples and pricing.

Namaste

Koi

2011-09-08T10:46:00.000-07:00

Like peering into a tranquil pool. Vibrant koi swim among the lily pads on our hand knotted Tibetan wool and silk rug.

Available in custom sizes and colors upon request.

SIAPO- Sneak Peek

2011-08-29T09:54:00.001-07:00

Siapo, also known as tapa, is one of the oldest Samoan cultural art forms. For centuries Siapo has been passed from generation to generation. Even so, it has fast become a nearly extinct art form. Siapo is not only a decorative art, it is a symbol of Samoan culture. It's uses include clothing, burial shrouds, bed covers, ceremonial garments and much more.

The canvas of Siapo is the bark of the Paper Mulberry Tree. This cloth is known as u'a. The process of preparing the u'a includes harvesting, stripping, separating, scraping and beating. Ideally the paper mulberry tree stalk is harvested when it is about ten to fourteen months old or approximately one to two inches in diameter. The bark is then stripped and separated with a sharp knife. Once the outer bark is removed, the bast or inner part is placed in a bowl of fresh clean water to keep it moist. The next step is scraping, which removes the remaining bits of bark and green growth from the bast and softens and spreads the fibers. To insure proper scraping, three different clam shells are used. Each shell has a different degree of courseness. The three types of clam shells are pipi, pae, and 'asi. A wooden beater know as an i'e and a wooden anvil known as tutua are used in the beating process. The i'e is square in shape with two smooth sides and two grooved sides. These tools help to widen the u'a while it is beaten. The tutua is a single solid log cut about three feet long to be used by one person, or six feet long to be used by two or three people when beating the u'a. The top is eight inches wide and flat, with slightly rounded edges. Once the process is complete, the u'a is laid out to dry.

The design elements or symbols used in Siapo are reflections of things in the Samoan environment.

The art of Siapo continues to evolve and will hopefully survive and grow through the interest and support of its patrons. In an effort to support this amazing art form we are working on several new rug designs that pay respect to this ancient art form.

Above is a sneak peek of what we’re up to.

Enjoy.

Popular Rug Materials

2011-08-26T14:41:00.000-07:00

Wool

Most wool is made from the shearing of sheep. Wool is further categorized by its origin: Tibet and New Zealand are premium sources because their sheep produce higher levels of lanolin, which enhances the fiber's strength, texture, and luminosity. Many kinds of constructions and styles are made with wool: Hand-knotted, Tufted, Flat-weave, and Power Loomed rugs.

Advantages of wool

. •It's incredibly strong and durable, while remaining soft to the touch. 

. •Wool fibers are coated with a thin protective membrane that makes them water-, stain-, and soil-resistant, so upkeep is easier than with most other materials. 

. •It is highly elastic, so furniture and foot-traffic marks brush out easily. 

. •Wool absorbs airborne contaminates, thereby improving the air quality in your home. 

. •Harvesting wool is far more energy-efficient than producing synthetic fibers, so wool rugs are more eco-friendly than imitations. 

. •Wool is an excellent insulator, and will help keep warm air from escaping through floors in the winter. 

Silk

A natural protein fiber spun by silkworms or caterpillars. The Chinese were the first to develop silk textiles and the material they export is considered the highest - quality in the world. In rug making, silk is often blended with wool to increase durability and lower prices. Most rugs containing silk are either Hand-knotted or hand woven.

Advantages of Silk

. •Silk rugs are the softest you will find, and they have a sophisticated, elegant look. 

. •Surprisingly, silk is one of the most durable fibers around, which is why the rugs can last a lifetime. 

. •Silk fibers have an innate luster and sheen that make them highly reflective. The colors change constantly with the light, yielding a uniquely dynamic look.

NOTE: It is typical of new carpets to shed or sprout as you begin to live with them. While it may seem disconcerting, these issues are nothing to be concerned about and do diminish with regular use and maintenance.

SPROUTING: When carpets are finished, some fibers may be missed because they are impacted in the pile. With use, these longer threads will pop up (or sprout) above the surface of the carpet. Simply clip them to be even with the pile.

SHEDDING: After the finishing stage, carpets (especially cut pile) still retain some of the loose fibers. These often appear as balls of fluff on the surface of your carpet.

With regular vacuuming these issues should become less of a nuisance.

To extend the life of your rugs, consider these tips:

Rotation - To insure even wear, your rug should be rotated once a year. Depending on the traffic, the rotation may vary from six months to two years.

Vacuuming - Oriental rugs, like most carpeting, should be vacuumed on a regular basis to remove dirt and restore life to the fibers.

WARNING: USING HARSH CHEMICALS CAN PERMANENTLY DAMAGE THE FIBERS.

Any questions please don't hesitate to contact us at 310.463.0007

www.Shivhon.com

Northwest Home Magazine

2011-08-11T08:46:00.001-07:00

We greatly appreciate the continued support of Northwest Home Magazine and look forward to getting inspired by their new online blog. Since 2001 Northwest Home has covered home projects that mix the unexpected with the practical, and that speak to their region’s unique urban and suburban dwellers.

Check it out for yourself…

http://www.nwhomemag.com/blog/modern-design/alexischicoye/shopping-trip-shirley-shivhon-rugs-brighten-your-floor-summer-and-s

Finding Inspiration in Nature

2011-08-04T14:35:00.000-07:00

Nature is something that inspires all artists and designers on a day-to-day basis. Wherever it is you work, rest or play, there will always be nature around you, and whether you intend to or not it’s always going to influence you in one way or another. We invite you to take a deep breath, a good look around, and allow yourself to be inspired.

We are pleased to share with you our newest rug design, Hapuu.

Please contact us for pricing and availability.

Namaste.

Cloverfield

2011-07-28T09:40:00.000-07:00

There are those who look at things the way they are, and ask why... I dream of things that never were, and ask why not?

-- Robert Francis Kennedy

GoodWeave

2011-07-01T09:24:00.000-07:00

The handmade carpet industry exploits nearly 250,000 children. GoodWeave is helping to combat this problem and transform the rug industry by certifying child-labor-free rugs and by providing education and opportunities to rescued and at-risk children. The GoodWeave certification is implemented by GoodWeave International.

http://www.goodweave.org/spotlight_det.php?cid=88&interview_id=114

Child-Labor-Free Certification

The GoodWeave label is the best assurance that no child labor was used in the making of your rug. In order to earn the GoodWeave label, rug exporters and importers must be licensed under the GoodWeave certification program and sign a legally binding contract to:

1. Adhere to the no-child-labor standard and not employ any person under age 14

2. Allow unannounced random inspections by local inspectors

3. Endeavor to pay fair wages to adult workers

4. Pay a licensing fee that helps support GoodWeave’s monitoring, inspections and education programs

To ensure compliance, independent GoodWeave inspectors make unannounced inspections of each loom. If inspectors find children working, they offer them the opportunity to go to school instead, and the producers lose their status with GoodWeave. To protect against counterfeit labeling, each label is numbered so its origin can be traced to the loom on which the rug was produced.

GoodWeave also sets contractual standards for companies that import certified rugs. Importers agree to source only from GoodWeave certified exporters in India, Nepal and any other country in which GoodWeave rugs are available. In the United States and other rug-importing countries, only licensed importers are legally permitted to sell carpets carrying the GoodWeave label.

Importers and exporters also help support GoodWeave and its commitment to provide rehabilitation and schooling for all rescued children. Exporters pay 0.25 percent of the export value of each rug, and importers pay a licensing fee of 1.75 percent of the shipment value. Licensing fees go toward monitoring, inspections and educational programs that are part of the GoodWeave program.

GoodWeave's certification standards are set by GoodWeave International, an associate member of the International Social and Environmental Accreditation and Labeling Alliance (ISEAL), which leads the world in setting norms and good practices for certification. GoodWeave's national offices in producer countries implement and enforce the standards.

Soon, the GoodWeave label will mean even more. In order to further the mission to end child labor by addressing the root causes of the problem, GoodWeave's certification standard will include other environmental and social criteria, guided by ISEAL’s Codes of Good Practice. Licensees will be required to demonstrate that their employees are working under safe conditions for a reasonable wage, among other requirements. GoodWeave certified rugs will become greener, as licensees work to identify negative impacts of production as well as ways to mitigate them. Each producer will work with GoodWeave to develop a plan for improving working conditions and environmental impacts over time. To learn more about the new standard, visit www.GoodWeave.net.

Guanyin

2011-03-04T22:39:00.000-08:00

Inspiration is a funny thing. You never know when it will strike or where it will come from. Our newest pattern ,Guanyin, is pictured above.

It is (for personal reasons) named after the goddess of compassion.

Compassion plays a major rule in buddhist practice. Pema Chodron says that "In order to have compassion for others, we have to have compassion for ourselves." She writes that in Tibetan Buddhism there is a practice called tonglen, which is a kind of meditation practice for helping us connect to our own suffering and the suffering of others.

"Tonglen reverses the usual logic of avoiding suffering and seeking pleasure and, in the process, we become liberated from a very ancient prison of selfishness. We begin to feel love both for ourselves and others and also we begin to take care of ourselves and others. It awakens our compassion and it also introduces us to a far larger view of reality. It introduces us to the unlimited spaciousness that Buddhists call shunyata. By doing the practice, we begin to connect with the open dimension of our being."

Be kind to yourself and others.

Namaste

Hot off the Press

2011-02-20T14:01:00.001-08:00

Since first opening our doors in 2005 we’ve had the pleasure of having our rugs featured in many publications and online resources. Each feature has brought with it a sense of accomplishment and honor. However, I cannot properly express the level of excitement that a recent telephone call from the New York Times generated. Maybe its because the NY Times is not just a newspaper, it’s the NY Times! We are truly honored and humbled to be gracing the pages of the Times this week. This will be a difficult milestone to top.

Namaste,

Shirley Shivhon

A Fresh Spin...

2011-02-11T13:08:00.000-08:00

We are excited to share several new colorways in our ever so popular spinning pattern. Spinning is now available in Siver, Pinot, and Clay. Of course should you require custom colors please don’t hesitate to ask.

Namaste.

Tis The Season

2010-12-01T19:17:00.000-08:00

The weather is getting cooler and the leaves have officially changed their bright green colors of summer for richer tones of fall. Thus inspiring us to also change some colors in one of our favorite designs. Cherry Blossom is now available in 2 new colorways (sage and straw).

We wish you a warm and joyous Holiday season and thank you for your continued support.

Namaste.

Lanikai Project

2010-08-10T13:49:00.000-07:00

We recently had the pleasure of designing several custom rugs for a beautiful property located at lanikai Beach on Oahu, Hawaii. Lanikai is absurdly gorgeous; truly one of the most perfect beaches on the planet. The sand is as fine as talcum powder and the color of vanilla. The water, protected by an offshore reef, is as still as a swimming pool and a luscious inviting shade of turquoise. Palm trees arched gracefully out over the water, as if placed there expressly for postcard photographers.

Our custom rugs were commissioned to offset the natural beauty of this unique location and were woven in a shorter pile than normal (only 3mm high instead of 5mm). We hope you like them as much as we do.

Namaste.

Area Rugs: An Inexpensive Way to Refresh Your Home

2010-07-07T13:55:00.000-07:00

Perhaps you’ve recently moved or have decided to refresh a room in your home, thinking some new area rugs just might do the trick. They certainly are inexpensive and simple way to create a whole new look in your space and rather quickly without any installation needed.

Decorating with area rugs helps keep the home looking modern, up to date, beautiful and fresh. Rugs add style and design to a room, can make strong statement and provide a feeling of comfort over tiles, stone or concrete. They can even keep the hardwood floors and carpets safe. You can decorate a room with rugs according to the seasons and they are easy to move around if you ever decide to switch to a new home.

When you decide to decorate your house with rugs keep the following points in mind:

1. Color. If you decide to decorate a room that has mainly eye catching colors that are vibrant you should choose a rug that is neutral or in a dark color. If the room consists of light colors then enhance the room with a bright colored rug which would add more life and vibrancy to the room. Even if you have not yet designed the room and are moving in to a new place then purchase a rug of your liking and then decorate the room accordingly around it. If the rug is for a bathroom then make sure the colors coordinate with the bathmat and surface finishes. For rugs to be kept in the bathroom, kitchen, hall or a room of a child the rugs should not be too light colored, should be simple to clean and stain resistant. Wool is a great option here.

2. Size. If you are looking for an area rug to fill most of the room then leave a border of equal distance on all sides of the rug. A common measurement of an area rug to be placed under a cocktail table should be six by nine foot. An 8x10 or 10x14 should capture an entire living room grouping including sofas and lounge chairs.

If you have any questions or require assistance please don't hesitate to contact us.

SHIVHON

808.381.5102

www.Shivhon.com

CORAL

2010-06-07T14:39:00.000-07:00

Declining environmental conditions associated with extractive activities, deteriorating water quality and a changing climate threaten the long term persistence of corals and coral reefs, which support millions of lives. You don't have to be a marine biologist to know that the Gulf oil spill is an environmental disaster of the first order. Stuff leaching from the ocean floor is the worst environmental challenge a coral reef can face

Much attention has been paid to the fate of wildlife living on and above the Gulf of Mexico's surface. Now, a new research study published in the June 2010 print issue of the FASEB Journal (http://www.fasebj.org/) looks toward the seafloor to explain coral susceptibility to disease outbreaks when they encounter environmental stress and to set the stage for understanding exactly what type of undersea environment is necessary to promote coral health and growth after the oil spill cleanup. In addition, this research also opens doors for the development of new tools that can assess the health of corals, which is important when trying to establish manmade reefs or to save ones that already exist.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, "Corals that are spawning at the time of an oil spill can be damaged because the eggs and sperm, which are released into the water at very precise times, remain at shallow water depths for various times before they settle. Thus, in addition to compromising water quality, oil pollution can disrupt the long-term viability and reproductive success of corals, rendering them more vulnerable to other types of disturbances.

During the month of June SHIVHON carpets will donate 10% of sales on any of our coral pattern rugs to the The Coral Reef Alliance. To learn more about the important work they are doing to save coral reefs please visit http://www.coral.org/
Aloha.

Spring Cleaning

2010-05-17T15:12:00.000-07:00

Wool carpets are the easiest to clean because this natural animal fiber is non-absorbent, repels stains, and dries quickly. Wool is designed to keep sheep warm and dry in all weather. And Tibetan sheep, because they live at high altitudes, have the highest content of lanolin of any sheep. Lanolin keeps the wool softer, stronger, and more stain resistant.

The instructions in this guide are meant for fine handmade, hand dyed (vegetable or swiss dyes) wool carpets, not synthetic, or silk carpets.

Weekly carpet cleaning: vacuum once a week. Use a suction hose and head but not a stiff brush that rotates inside the head of the vacuum cleaner. Any stiff brush rotation will eventually tear up the carpet fibers and fringe.

Stains: Act fast and the wool fibers will keep the stain on the surface. Blot with a paper towel, then wipe or blot again with a wet cloth. Use more water and a bit of soap if the stain is heavier.

Pet Urine: Sponge or paper towel it away as quickly as possible, absorbing all the moisture you can. Add a tiny bit of vinegar to the water to lessen the smell. Next, this is a critical step, make sure you place dry towels or paper towels, under the carpet and on top of the carpet stain. Then place a heavy stack of books, magazines, or a full bucket of water on top of the paper towel/stain – anything heavy enough to absorb whatever urine or moisture might be left. Leave this towel/paper, carpet, towel/paper sandwich clean up for at least a few hours until the carpet is dry to the touch. Baking Soda sprinkled on the stain will also help absorb any odors. You can vacuum the baking soda away after a few hours also.

Discouraging Pets: I’ve been told by many customers that as soon as they place the carpet down in their homes, their pets roll around on the carpet and make it home. Pets like the smell of lanolin, after all it’s another animal smell they respond to. You can try spraying an air freshener on the carpet to mask the strong fresh lanolin smell they adore.

Red Wine: Blot as much red wine as you can off the carpet immediately, then pour dry salt on the remainder. Leave for a few minutes then vacuum the salt off. Repeat this several times. Finish by wiping the area with a dampened cotton towel. Some people recommend baking soda also to absorb the wine. If the stain remains, you may decide to have the carpet professionally cleaned, please no harsh chemicals or soaps, ask the carpet cleaner to use mild soap and water only.

Carpets will fade: No matter how good the dyes and dying process, all carpets will eventually fade in strong sunlight. Keep carpets protected from daily direct sunlight. Tinted windows, curtains, rolling carpets up – part of the day, throwing down sheets or towels over unprotected areas will all help prevent fading. NOTE: cheap synthetic dyes, especially the ones used in some silk Chinese rugs will fade badly in light or even run if washed.
Be aware of the two M’s: Moths, and Mildew

Moths will settle into an unprotected rug that is stored for long periods of time. They like darkness and quiet. Store the rug in moth balls, and check the rug every two/three months, move the rug, vacuum or shake it…disturbing any moth activity.

Mildew becomes established when a rug is left wet for long periods of time - weeks, months. Bad cases of mildew can definitely be seen and smelled. Wool will dry quickly if allowed to. The best way to eliminate mildew, is to have your carpet washed professionally…completely, and thoroughly cleaned. You too can try washing a smaller rug yourself on a warm summer day. Make sure the day is dry and warm above 80 degrees F. Use a garden hose, mild soap, and place the rug on stones, or a clean wooden pallet to dry…allowing air to circulate around the rug. Once dry look for any residual white spots, this may indicate that all the mildew has not been removed. Mildew will grow and spread if not eliminated. You may need to rewash the rug a couple of times…all depends upon the extent of the mildew.

Follow the washing instructions above for any general yearly cleaning of smaller area wool rugs. Larger rugs will need professionally cleaning from time to time depending upon pets, and traffic. Use a locally reputable carpet cleaner who comes to your home. Make sure, the company uses cold water and mild, mild soap and NO stiff brushes on the surface of your rugs. I hope these suggestions help…if you need more advice please contact us.

SHIVHON
(808)381-5102
http://www.shivhon.com/

Just How We Make Our Rugs

2010-03-23T16:10:00.000-07:00

All of our wool comes from sheep raised in the high altitude Tibetan plateau, 16,000-ft. above sea level. Tibetan wool has an exceptionally long and flexible fiber staple and high lanolin content which makes exquisitely supple and durable carpets. The rich lanolin fiber and hand processing give our carpets their special luster, soft feel, and allows the dyes to imbue warmly saturated coloring. The lanolin content also makes the rugs stain resistant and helps protect them from wear.
Once the sheep are shorn in Tibet, the wool is transported human porters, and then small trucks to our manufacturing facilities in Nepal. The wool is then sorted, washed, hand carded, then hand spun into yarn, and dyed in small batches before being woven into carpets. This hand-processing of the yarn is a time consuming part of the process, but it yields a result far more beautiful and durable than any machine processed wool. The yarn is dyed using mineral and plant derivatives, or for certain colors, the highest quality Swiss aniline dyes. These swiss aniline dyes are environmentally friendly. Our colors have a special richness without the harsh or artificial look of many chemical dyes.
Each carpet is woven on a traditional vertical loom using Tibetan double-knot construction. A full-size pattern template is placed behind the loom and the weavers follow the design as they progress. Large intricate carpets take several weeks to develop. Once the weaving is complete, the carpet is washed and then entire carpet is trimmed by hand using special scissors

Please contact us for swatch samples and prices.

Aloha.

Introducing our LOTUS rug

2010-03-19T16:01:00.000-07:00

The Lotus rises through the murky waters of ponds and lakes yet, when it blooms, it floats upon the surfact, its petals shining and untainted by the mud from which it emerged. In the scriptural language and sacred poetry of Hinduism and Buddhism, the lotus perfectly embodies the soul, rising up through the murkiness of worldly experience until it reaches the surface of the spiritual realm and blooms, vibrant and pure, free from all taint and attachment.

Our newest LOTUS rug is hand knotted of the finest Tibetan wool and silk. Please contact us to obtain a swatch sample , check on availability, and pricing.

Namaste.

Custom Rugs

2010-02-24T15:07:00.000-08:00

In the past investing in a custom-designed carpet was risky business. Colors were difficult to match and designs sometimes got lost in translation. Today, SHIVHON carpets helps take the guesswork out of custom creations by encouraging customers to bring in pieces of artwork and inspiration to be duplicated in green hand knotted fine carpets (prices start at $40 per square foot), in various choices of materials, including wool, silk and hemp. If a client has any design doubts? For just $50, we will whip up a swatch for client approval.

INVENTORY SALE

2010-02-10T14:36:00.000-08:00

Spring is just around the corner and we are getting a jump-start on our spring-cleaning with an INVENTORY SALE. We have several rugs available for immediate delivery at a fraction of the retail cost. Help us clean our warehouse and get a great deal on a green hand knotted Tibetan Carpet. These will go fast! Call us for pricing and availability.

Aloha.

SHIVHON

808.381.5102

http://www.shivhon.com/

New Year...New Partnership

2010-01-19T15:58:00.000-08:00

I am thrilled to announce that SHIVHON carpets may now be purchased at PANDE CAMERON in Seattle, Washington. I had the pleasure of visiting the showroom yesterday and spending some time with Brad Andonian.

The story of Pande Cameron began in 1924 when Colonel Guner Pande and Ernest H. Cameron started an importing business to bring the treasures of the Far East to this country, hiring an ambitious young man as their assistant. A quarter century of later that young man, Mihran Paul Andonian, bought the business and the Andonian family became the proud owners of Pande Cameron & Company of Seattle. Today the business is run by Charles (Dad) and Brad.

We welcome Brad and the entire team in Seattle to our ohana and look forward to servicing them with our hand knotted green carpets.

If you happen to be in the Seattle area please stop by the showroom and say hello.

Pande Cameron Seattle
333 Westlake Ave N
Seattle, WA 98109
(206) 624 6263
Hours: Monday through Friday 9am to 6pm, Saturday 10am to 5pm

Looking Back...Thinking Forward

2009-12-22T10:08:00.000-08:00

Thank you for allowing SHIVHON carpets to work on your projects. From selecting the perfect rug to creating a one of a kind carpet that meets your budget. We've enjoyed the challenge and we're looking forward to getting even more creative in 2010.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

The Shivhon Staff

The Gratitude Challenge

2009-11-02T15:27:00.001-08:00

As we embark on this season of giving thanks SHIVHON carpets would like to take a moment to shower you with our gratitude and invite you to join us in our gratitude challenge.

At SHIVHON, we believe that sharing gratitude for everyday experience can revitalize our commitment to living life with Aloha. As a result, we invite you to spend a few minutes each day to count all of life’s little blessings. Our gratitude challenge is a 26 day challenge to help us take note of the brighter side of life. Each day we will set aside a few moments to list at least 5 things that we are grateful for. We invite you to do the same.

Day 1

Today we are grateful for the following…

Our loyal customers who trust us with their business.
The beautiful women who weave each and every one of our rugs.
The public’s growing awareness of how evertday choices impact our health and our planet.
Roberta Landman, Senior Editor, at Phoenix Home & Garden Magazine for featuring our rugs in our Living Green section (November 09 issue).
A beautiful day of waves and caressing tradewinds on the North Shore of Oahu.

We hope you decide to join us in this challenge. There is no better time to say thank you than during this early holiday season.

Aloha nui loa

Natural wool delivers, year after year after year

2009-10-29T11:59:00.001-07:00

Americans of all ages spend an average of 90% of their time indoors, where the level of pollutants is often two to five times higher than it is outdoors and can be considerably higher. The air in most homes, schools and offices is already not what it should be, and as air quality worsens, so does health. Building air quality is certain to get worse if we keep making our buildings more air-tight without making sure that we maintain a healthful flow of fresh air and are very careful about what we put into our buildings.

While children are the most at risk (childhood asthma has increased 140% in the past 10 years), good air is important for everyone. Improved indoor environmental quality has been linked to improved productivity, higher test scores and even patient recovery rates.

There are two reasons that our indoor air quality is so bad:
• We don’t introduce enough fresh air from outdoors.
• We fill our spaces with toxic mixes of chemicals, organic matter and dust.

Natural hand knotted carpets are one simple way to improve the air quality in our homes.

Natural wool carpet is a healthy non-toxic alternative to standard nylon, olefin or other synthetic carpets that off-gass toxic chemicals, don't last very long and are not biodegradable. Wool carpets are: odor-free, renewable, longer lasting, fire-resistant, air purifying, softer, and biodegradable.

Natural wool ages gracefully, continually renewing itself and developing a rich patina as years pass. While synthetic fibers will become scratched, scarred and dull over time, wool carpets and rugs remain vibrant to the eye and supple to the touch.

Your style demands high design and high performance; natural wool delivers, year after year after year.

What makes SHIVHON carpets unique

2009-10-23T13:30:00.001-07:00

Offering the highest levels of responsible design and craftsmanship, SHIVHON strives to preserve Tibet ’s centuries old carpet making traditions and art form without compromising quality or social responsibility.

CONSTRUCTION

Unlike most rugs now coming from Nepal , SHIVHON carpets continue the age-old traditions of true Tibetan weaving-- no shortcuts, no compromises

KNOT COUNT

The knot count states how many individual knots of wool are found in one square inch of a handmade rug. In essence, the knot count defines the rugs fineness. A higher knot count allows for more detail in the design while also providing a finer rug texture than that of a lower knot count. You can physically feel the fineness of a rug when you grab it and try to bend it. A rug with a very high knot count will bend quite easily. You can actually grab a section of a finer rug and crumple into one hand much like you would with a towel. You can be confident that the knot count of a SHIVHON carpet is accurate. Unlike many others, we do not exaggerate the number of knots so you can be certain that you will find 100 knots per square inch in one of our 100 knot rugs.

TIBETAN WOOL

SHIVHON carpets are made with the highest quality of Tibetan wool available. This wool comes from the sheep of the Tibetan plateau at an altitude of 16,000 ft. Long fibers, high lanolin content and the unique physical structure of Tibetan wool makes it the ideal choice for rug weaving.

DENSITY OF PACKING

After the weavers finish weaving a row of knots, the alternate warp shed is pulled forward and the weft is passed through, then pounded down hard on the row of knots. This takes time and is hard work but it is essential for strengthening the foundation of the rug. SHIVHONweavers pack each rug very tightly in order to strengthen the rug and offer the durability necessary for it to last generations.

NO STRONG CHEMICAL WASHES

Strong chemical washes strip the wool of its natural lanolin. The wash creates an immediate shine but only at the expense of the wool, which has been stripped of its natural lanolin and weakened by the strong chemicals. SHIVHON carpets are not washed with harsh chemicals. Rather, their beautiful shine naturally reveals itself after being polished through the exposure to light, air and, of course, passing feet!

NUMBER OF COLORS

SHIVHON offers an unprecedented number of colors to select from in our carpets.

A Healthy Alternative

2009-10-16T18:46:00.000-07:00

Its just there. All the time. You walk on it, you vacuum it. you make sure your curtains match the color and the texture of it. You move your furniture around on it. When you spill something on it, you wish you had invested more to have gotten the kind that cleans easier. It gives your baby a soft and warm place to play. When the friends you'd like to impress come over it speaks volumes about your status in your social circles, without ever having made a sound. Its just there. Underneath it all. All the time. For years.

Few people imagine that carpet could be their best friend. Some know. They are the ones who have done everything they could to remedy some unexplainable physical symptom that started showing up out of the blue, more often than it should have. The few who have gone so far as to have ripped out their synthetic carpet, and gone to the expense of paying for an all natural wool carpet, that doesn't have all kinds of things in it that synthetic carpets do.

It is the people who have seen an improvement in their own health or the health of someone close to them when they changed their carpet. It is those people who know the value of natural carpet. They are the ones who know how much they spent to keep themselves healthy until they discovered that their carpet was contributing to their symptoms.
We specialize in providing natural carpets to people who are aware of the impact that chemicals have on their health. The green carpets we offer are a healthy alternative to commercial carpet

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

2009-10-05T13:42:00.000-07:00

In honor of Breast Cancer awareness month 10% of all proceeds from the month of October will be donated to LIVING BEYOND BREAST CANCER, a national, non-profit organization dedicated to empowering all women affected by breast cancer to live as long as possible with the best quality of life.

To learn more about LIVING BEYOND BREAST CANCER call
(610)645-4567 or visit www.lbbc.org

Why FAIR TRADE

2009-09-21T19:16:00.000-07:00

What is buying fair-trade? Fair-trade is a system of trade based on a direct relationship and partnership between buyers and producing community. It is a social movement and approach that helps producers in developing countries and promotes sustainability. Fair Trade makes sure that artisans receive a fair price for their products, have direct involvement in the marketplace, and uphold environmental and labor rights standards. This system builds real and last relationships between producers in developing countries and businesses and consumer.

Fair trade is based on dialogue, transparency and respect in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, producers and workers. So the next time you are selecting a product produced overseas take a moment to think about how its made, who its made by, and what kind of impact its making on the environment.

Creating opportunities for disadvantaged producers
Fair trade is an effective strategy for poverty alleviation and sustainable development. Its purpose is to create opportunities for artisans who have been economically disadvantaged or marginalized by the conventional trading system.

Transparency and accountability
Fair trade involves transparent management and commercial relations to deal fairly and respectfully with partners.

Environment
Fair trade actively encourages better environmental practices and the application of responsible and sustainable methods of production.

Capacity building
Fair trade is a means to develop producers’ independence. Fair trade relationships provide continuity, during which producers and their marketing organizations can improve their management skills and their access to new markets.

Payment of a fair price
A fair price in the regional or local context is one that has been agreed through dialogue and participation. It covers not only the costs of production but enables production which is socially just and environmentally sound. It provides fair pay to the producers and takes into account the principle of equal pay for equal work by women and men. Fair traders ensure prompt payment to their partners.

Gender equity
Fair trade means that women’s work is properly valued and rewarded. Women are always paid for their contribution to the production process and are empowered in their organizations.

Working conditions
Fair trade means a safe and healthy working environment for producer

Decorating with Rugs

2009-09-17T11:36:00.000-07:00

What is it about rugs that seems so much more personal than selecting other elements for a room? Perhaps it is their singularity, the variations in pattern and color. Maybe it’s the sense of permanence. Rugs are a piece of art and we owe it to ourselves to put something down and feel good about it. Here are some simple pointers on color, pattern, size, and placement.

1. Let the rug lead the room. Its always best to start with the rug, if possible, since it’s the largest focus of the room.

2. When it comes to patterns, diversity rules. If patterns are too similar they compete for your attention and cause confusion. Consider a geometric rug in a room of delicate florals. Or choose similar patterns but vary the scale.

3. Mix textures for visual interest and practicality. A mixture keeps things interesting so the room doesn’t look or feel like a museum. Choose materials wisely.

4. Don’t struggle to fit a rug into a precise color scheme. Using a rug that complements fabrics is always better than trying to match colors exactly. You have to know when to stop decorating and simply allow the room to come together naturally.

5. Consider the room size. Volume eats color and pattern. In a large room, the rug often disappears if its not big enough. Conversely, a vibrant rug can overpower and dominate a small space.

6. Big rooms don’t always mean big rugs. It’s important to mix things up, given that today’s homes have multiple big rooms with multiple functions. Sometimes itss best to use multiple rugs to define separate areas.

7. Think about your furniture placement. We normally suggest that at least the front legs of a sofa or large chairs to be on the rug. As for casegoods, all on or all off. In a dining room, the rug should hold the table and chairs for normal dining (without the extra leaves in the table).

8. Leave a border. In a small room its best to leave a border of the floor exposed- around 6-8 inches. It makes the room feel more spacious. If the room is large, you can leave 12-18 inches.

9. Get creative and go for the layered look. Try putting a fine Tibetan rug atop a less expensive sisal- that way you can use your rug budget for the size you can afford.

Thinking about expanding your decorating outside?

2009-09-07T00:13:00.000-07:00

We now have the perfect product for you...

From poolside to lanais, in residential and commercial settings, SHIVHON outdoor carpet products reflect many of the latest and most sophisticated trends in carpet styling. The outdoors is becoming an increasingly important part of homes today. Outdoor hearths, grills, and furniture create perfect getaways in the comfort of your own yard. Pools, spas, and hot tubs provide a sense of personal luxury, and upgraded landscaping and gardening amenities are more popular than ever. With SHIVHON outdoor carpet products, you can now buy the perfect foundation and finishing touch for all your outdoor spaces.

Our outdoor carpets are constructed of the finest UV stabilized fibers and are mold and mildew resistant.

How To Select The Right Area Rug

2009-09-02T17:42:00.000-07:00

Area rugs can make such a beautiful contribution to any room and they are often the first thing that catches the eye as you walk into the room. In view of that, doesn't it make sense to select the right area rug for each room of your home?
Of course, area rugs come in almost every size, shape and color combination imaginable, but a lot will depend on what the intended use is for the rug and the budget that you have to work with. Hand made rugs are considered to be of high quality and able to stand up to constant use and heavy wear.
In fact, for most people hand made rugs can be the best solution all around as they offer solid and durable construction and wide choice of styles and patterns at affordable prices. If the rug will be used in a room that is not decorated with fine furniture and accessories, why spend the money for the most expensive rug to put on the floor? On the other hand, if your room is filled with very high quality furnishings, why would you want to put down an area rug that does not fit with it's surroundings?
Hand made area rugs are still considered the best available area rug product and they possess a look and feel that is superior to all machine made rugs. You will find that our handmade rugs use the highest quality Tibetan wool for construction simply because it lasts much longer and stand up to heavier amounts of traffic than most other fibers. Tibetan wool also gets softer the more you walk on it. So pay attention to the material used to make the rug.
The weaving process of a hand made rug can be important too as the more densely the knots are placed together the higher quality of the rug. This is referred to as knots per square inch and our hand made rugs boast a weave density of 100 knots per square inch.
Of course, such high quality hand made area rugs can be expensive, but if used in the correct surroundings and treated as a piece of fine furniture that is cared for properly, they will last for many years and look incredibly beautiful while doing so.
So when you choose an area rug, first determine where it will go and try to match the decor of that room as much as possible, then choose the level of quality that will match your budget, and you will be able to make a wise choice.

2009-08-19T15:12:00.000-07:00

Great rooms are created from the ground up- literally.

The floor is the foundation of any room and should act as both a decorative feature and the anchor for all the other elements in the room. The floor is your opportunity to give a face to a room. It can darken or lighten the atmosphere, bring reflective shine, or demarcate spaces. Floors bring pattern and texture to a room or help disguise awkward proportions. Stripes, for example can widen a long, narrow room.

Nothing warms up a room like a beautiful rug. A rug provides a visual footprint, a guide to how to use the space within a room. Rugs can draw people to a seating area, or indicate a pathway to another space. They are a means of not only adding warmth but bringing coherence to a space, to differentiate path from place.

Don’t underestimate the warmth that a beautiful rug will bring to completing your next project. And remember that your home should be as rich and varied as the life you live within it.

Fall Collection 09

2009-08-12T14:35:00.000-07:00

The Shivhon Fall Collection 2009 is a visual pleasure. The vision for this collection has a very comforting feel;patterns that bring a feeling of soothing and warmth. With the times we are living in, we all need a peaceful mind set and that starts at home. And we wanted to convey a sense of the basics of nature here.

The new collection is brought to life by a rich palette of the colors… warm olive, burnt sienna, honey yellow, purple heart, American beauty, and crème brulee.

Please contact us to view the entire collection, request samples, and receive price estimates. We look forward to hearing from you.

2009-08-06T15:44:00.000-07:00

We walk on carpet almost every day, yet the appealing colors and patterns and the comfort it provides are often taken for granted. Of course we notice when it’s worn or soiled, but we seldom, if ever, think about how this product is made or how it affects indoor air quality during use.

Carpet is usually made of synthetic fibers, such as nylon, which are produced from petroleum, a non-renewable resource. Petrochemical processes for synthetic fiber production require high inputs of energy and water and produce harmful air emissions (VOCs) that contribute to smog. Carpet production itself is energy and water intensive and toxic dyes have been used to produce the attractive colors the consumers demand. Sometimes these dyes end up in streams. Carpet has also been a contributor to indoor air pollution, particularly from adhesives used for installation. Finally, old carpet is typically disposed of in landfills, taking up valuable landfill space and wasting resources that could be reused or recycled. Gratefully, the carpet industry is now finally addressing some of these major environmental impacts.

So choosing a green carpet is good for both the environment and your home. Take a look at renewable fibers such as wool and hand knotted carpets that require no machinery to be assembled. Also, most fine carpet producers are using environmentally friendly dyes and vegetable dyes in the production of their product.

Today consumers have many more choices and options when it comes to green home products. Lets work together to stop filling our landfills and create products that do not harm our bodies or the planet we call home.

For the love of our oceans

2009-07-20T17:06:00.000-07:00

As you know, our office is located on the North Shore of Oahu where the ocean plays a daily role in our lives. Its simple- we love the ocean, our quiet beaches, waves, and salty trade winds blowing through our hair. In anticipation of the surf season just a few months ahead SHIVHON carpets will be releasing several new abstract carpet designs that capture our love of the ocean and its waves.

The way we see it life’s circumstances are very much like the ocean and her waves, they are constantly in motion. They are whatever they are, wherever they are at any given moment and it is our responsibility to be flexible and work with them. The ocean is our spiritual connection to the earth. To live on land we must learn from the sea…to be free as the tides, free as a wind swell, joyful and loving in letting it be. The ocean also has a way of unleashing our creativity so that it flows without effort: it allows us the opportunity to have our inner beauty and light shine through for all to see.

Here is a sneak peak of our newest patterns. We hope they inspire you and bring you closer to the vastness and beauty that the ocean stirs in us…our heart-home.

Aloha.

Reasons to choose wool rugs

2009-07-12T21:41:00.000-07:00

Wool Rugs – Resilient

While wool rugs are popular for many different reasons, one of the most popular reasons is the resistant nature of wool rugs. Wool fibers do not absorb soil very well. This makes the rugs easier to keep clean.
In addition, wool rugs are said to be resistant to fire. The rugs are safe to put in children’s rooms or in high traffic areas of the home.

The material is also resistant to static electricity.Wool also naturally absorbs water from the air. Studies show that the wool fiber may suck up to 30% of it’s own weight in water and it still feels dry to the touch. Wool rugs can actually absorb the water vapor in the air, relieving the humidity in the home.

Wool rugs are also very durable. They can sustain their quality for years, even within the home of an active family.

Easy to Clean Wool Rugs

Above, it was mentioned that wool rugs didn’t absorb dirt. Homeowners really like that the wool fibers are also easy to clean. You can remove most stains with a little warm water and with light blotting. No chemicals would be needed, making it safer for health conscious families.

Upkeep of your wool rug depends on how you look after it once you bring it home. A light vacuuming once a week with slow, even strokes actually helps to improve the quality. A new wool rug may shed a few fibers at first and this is quite natural. With time, the shedding effect will fade and with continued regular vacuuming, your carpet will be better conditioned and have improved quality.

Wool Rugs are not only popular for their many benefits, but also for their designs. You can get our SHIVHON traditional hand knotted Tibetan carpets in so many different patterns and colors for no extra cost and for a fraction of what the competition are charging.

If you are looking for a nice contemporary feel to your home, wool rugs make for an elegant and inexpensive option. Wool rugs are a great investment for your home.

About Us

2009-06-10T17:37:00.000-07:00

We are a boutique environmentally and globally conscious company producing green Tibetan carpets. Our goal is to provide the market with a world class green flooring alternative at fair trade prices.

Our office is located on the world famous North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii. Most of our design inspiration comes from the spectacular natural beauty that surrounds us. Haleiwa is a small beach town where fragrant flowers grow and palm trees dust the sky. A place to play in the surf and feel the caress of the trade winds. It is rejuvinating and inspiring. It is our muse and our aina.

I look forward to sharing our ideas and inspirations here with you.

Warmest Aloha,

Shirley Shivhon, ASID