Tired of stepping on my cold, wood bedroom floor, I began my search for a small—but funky—area rug at West Elm, $89. I was drawn to a green-and-white covering with a geometric pattern, which I liked mostly because the size was right—it was a small three-by-five-foot rectangle. The almost-friendly salesman told me that the carpet was woven using traditional Indian methods from wool and cotton. Much to his horror, I removed my ballet flats and tested my bare feet on the goods—which were itchy. 112 W. 18th St., nr. Sixth Ave.; 212-929-4462.