| ...n for your design scheme. An area rug can visually integrate or harmonize eclectic elements in any décor or can revitalize a room.
There’s an endless array of area rug designs to choose from; Oriental, Persian, contemporary, country/casual, transitional and novelty designs are just a few that can be found in nearly any price range.
This checklist, presents some questions you should... |
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Design Types
Rug designs are generally categorized in four different styles:
TRADITIONAL - Traditional area rugs are typically modern-day representations of more formal, time-honored European and Asian designs ... |
| ...Oriental rugs are fine crafted rugs that contribute nicely to any formal or informal setting in your home. Open virtually any magazine on decorating and you'll find Oriental rugs used as integral part of the decor. Oriental rugs blend wonderfully with contemporary, formal, ornate, casual and traditional decorating styles. Oriental rugs are as adaptable to the casual living styles of today as to... |
| ...ndustrialist / retailer Marshall Field had a traditional Axminster weaving loom modified to create what no one else had ever created -- a machine-made rug woven through the back, just like a handmade Oriental, featuring intricate designs and virtually unlimited color variety. Karastan’s rug mill was established in 1926, and introduced the first Karastan rugs to the public in 1928.
Machine ... |
| ...m one wall to another, and is typically not even attached as part of the floor.
Area Rugs can be produced on a loom quite similar to woven fabric, made using needle felts, knotted by hand (in oriental rugs), made with their pile injected into a backing material (called tufting), flatwoven, made by hooking wool or cotton through the meshes of a sturdy fabric or embroidered. Carpet is common... |
| ...is attached to the warp by one of three knot types (see below), such as shag carpet which was popular in the 1970s, to form the pile or nap of the carpet. Knotting by hand is most prevalent in oriental rugs and carpets. Kashmir carpets are also hand-knotted. Pile carpets, like flat carpets, can be woven on a loom. Both vertical and horizontal looms have been used in the production of Europe... |
| ...eloped from the versatility of Axminster construction. The basic construction was adapted slightly by the Marshall Field & Company, which set up an Axminster mill in North Carolina to manufacture oriental patterned carpets now known as Karastan.
These Axminster rugs, with patterns that were recreated from antique orientals, do not have the stiff construction characteristic of Axminster... |
| ...s been a part of both Romania and the Ukraine-depending on the political situation. The designs are often floral with elegantly drawn motifs and colors in earth tones. The style shows both French and Oriental influences. Bessarabian rugs rugs are almost always wowen, meaning they have no pile. The rare Bessarabian rug with pile is very valuable. Bessarabian rugs are not as formal as, for example, ... |
| ...For many people the term "Persian rug" is synonymous with oriental rugs in general. Certainly the variety of Persian rugs, from the sophisticated larger versions made by master weavers to the smaller but no less charming nomadic Persian rugs, is extraordinary. The colorings of Persian rugs are invariably rich and deep, usually with a ground of crimson backing symbolic, figurative or naturalisti... |
| ...Muslims are often seen kneeling and prostrating on small embroidered rugs, called "prayer rugs." For those unfamiliar with the use of these rugs, they may look like small "oriental carpets," or simply nice pieces of embroidery.
During Islamic prayers, worshippers bow, kneel, and prostrate on the ground in humility before God. The only requirement in Islam is that prayers be performed in... |
| ...The Savonnerie rug, aristocrat of rugs of the Western world, was first produced in 1628. The Savonnerie rug has a textured pile, knotted by hand in much the same manner as an Oriental carpet, with a Turkish knot. Savonnerie rugs are usually baronial in size and are better suited to elaborate and formal rooms. Named for a children's hospice in Southern France, in the 17th c. students of Pierre D... |
| ...way or living room, take care to choose one that is going to be able to withstand the test of time. Although wool is known for its toughness, some applications, particularly those used to manufacture oriental rugs, use very long fibers which are not always practical for area rugs that have to withstand a large amount of human traffic. |
| ...f damage and wear & tear. In spite of this, you should still be able to find an antique rug in a relatively good state. Here are some of the things to look out for when shopping for an antique or Oriental rug:
Antique rugs should be professionally cleaned before assessing it's value. If possible, ask the person or the company that you are buying the item from to get it cleaned in advan... |
| ... can actually become the central focus within an interior. Many people actually choose to give their accent rugs pride of place and hang it from the wall.
Accent rugs can be braided, Persian, Orientals, rag, hooked and just about any other design. The concept that accent rugs have to be a specific style or shape or size just doesn't apply. Wherever there is a need in a particular room for ... |