By ELISE DEMBOSKI

Highland Cloth is a Wools of New Zealand Brand carpet by Helios.

Wellington Park is a Wools of New Zealand Brand carpet by Bellridge.

Sardinia by Couristan.

What is it about wool that makes it so desirable?

Wool works from the inside out to add performance, quality and value to your purchase. To truly enjoy wool, it must be touched. The soft feel of wool makes it incredibly luxurious underfoot. Because it is versatile, wool can be crafted in an endless array of expressive textures and fashionable designs. Wool has a natural luster and patina which enhance the look of every floor covering and provide the perfect color canvas. From rich, saturated shades to the palest of pastels, high-quality wools dye in colors that are clean and true.

The key characteristic that sets wool apart is its innate ability to age gracefully. If you look at wool under a microscope, you'll see that its structure is made up of overlapping scales, arranged much like roof shingles. As wool ages, it continually renews itself by shedding these scales and in doing so develops the classic patina known to add value to antique wool rugs.

The same scales which keep wool looking good also help it clean easily. Wool's scales hold everyday dust and dirt near the surface of the pile, where it can be easily vacuumed. Wool fiber is protected by a thin membrane which prevents moisture from readily penetrating. Instead, moisture initially sits on top of your carpet, where it can be quickly blotted up.

We know that wool's natural crimp enables it to recover well from heavy pressure. When crushed, the wool fibers spring back into place, much like curly hair. Because its scaly structure provides flexibility, the wool fibers bend instead of break. Over time, this makes a big difference in how well a carpet ages. Fibers prone to breaking or fracturing tend to catch dirt, which can make a carpet look dingy even after repeated cleaning.

Wool's enduring aesthetic qualities make it easy for you to decorate your home in many styles with confidence. But what if you have asthma or allergies? People often think they are allergic to wool because they've worn a sweater that made them itch. What they're really feeling is the "tickle" of the fibers against their skin, much like the itchiness felt after a haircut.