Kathy Ireland's rugs are beautiful, durable, machine-crafted of plush 100% polypropylene in a Wilton woven construction inspired by her travels all over the world. Learn More
Oriental rugs are thick and rich, high in art content, often in multi-colored patterns or featuring representational designs. The typical color range for an oriental rug includes black, soft yellow, pastel pink, peach, apricot and blue. These vibrant colors are achieved by the use of time tested vegetable (natural) dyes. The artisan will mix various dyes together and blend the various colors throughout the design area creating a unique and beautiful masterpiece.
Determining the quality of a particular Oriental area rug can be a challenge for the novice. One needs to determine whether a rug is 'open' or 'close' backed. Open backed means that the back of the rug will have a cloth covering where the weave will be concealed. In a closed back rug, no covering is added. You will be able to determine stitch count, which brings us to another factor determining value. Stitch count is the number of lines the rug is rated when made. The lower the stitch count, the looser the weave. The higher the stitch count, the opposite is true, the tighter the weave. Stitch count is in increments such as '60 line', '70 line', '80 line', '90 line', etc. This is only half the story though. Along with stitch count, the thickness of the rug determines value as well. For example, a 5/8 90 line Oriental rug with a Peking Floral design with no known flaws, will sell more than a 3/8 70 line rug in the same design.
Originally, oriental rugs were hand-woven in China. Oriental rugs are now made in Romania, Iran and India as well. Oriental rugs represent a good value as labor costs remain low. The most expensive oriental rugs are woven from silk, cheaper oriental rugs from wool.
The warmth and beauty of Oriental rugs bring interest and luxury into almost every room in the house. Their amazingly resilient and durable qualities make oriental rugs perfectly suited for heavily traveled areas as well as seldom-used parlors.
![]() Area Rugs - 386 Chinese RugsThe centuries-old Chinese textile industry is rich in history. While most antique carpets are classified according to a specific region or manufactory, scholars attribute the age of any specific Chinese rug to the ruling emperor of the time. Learn More |
Oriental Rugs...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... |
Area Rugs...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... |
Hand-Made Rugs...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... |
Persian Rugs...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... |
Wool Rugs...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. |