How to Identify A Real Silk Rugs

We don't mean to be alarmist, but we sometimes see "silk rugs" that are made of something other than genuine, natural silk. This is not a problem if you know that the rug you are considering is made of artificial silk, but sometimes rug dealers neglect to pass on this information! The problem happens most often with just a few rug types sold in tourist markets in Turkey and India (and sometimes in Pakistan).

Real Silk
Real silk is produced as the cocoon covering of the silkworm, the pupal form of the Asian or mulberry silk moth, bombyx mori. The cocoon is spun by the silk moth caterpillar of a single silk fiber that can be up to several thousand feet in length. To harvest the silk, completed cocoons are boiled or heated to kill the silkworms, then laboriously unwound into single fibers which are plied together and spun into thread or silk yarn.

Artificial Silk
Artificial silk is everything billed as silk that doesn't come from the silkworm cocoon. Most often this means mercerized cotton; sometimes it means a manufactured fiber like rayon or a blend of chemically altered and/or manufactured fibers. It's not that artificial silk is intrinsically evil, it's just that the whole point of using artificial silk in a rug is to save the cost of real silk. It is not nice when this cheaper, artificial silk rug is misrepresented and sold for the price of a real silk rugs.
Mercerized cotton

A ripening cotton boll can contain as many as 5,000 separate cotton fibers, each fiber growing from a tiny seed and formed as a hollow cylindrical sheath of as many as thirty layers of almost pure cellulose. Cotton fiber is mercerized by being stretched under controlled tension at room temperature while being treated with a 21 solution of caustic soda (NaOH). The effect is to swell the fiber and make its surface much more reflective, thus dramatically increasing its luster (and also its tensile strength). After the chemical treatment, cotton yarn is often singed to remove whatever small amount of fuzz remains on the surface of the fibers. Sometimes cotton is calendered by being passed between heated rollers. The effect is to increase the luster and sheen of the fiber still more. However it is treated, cotton remains cellulose: C6H10O5.

Rayon
Like cotton, rayon is made of almost pure celulose, but rather than being grown, rayon is produced by first dissolving cellulose (obtained from cotton or woodpulp) to produce a thick yellow liquid called viscose. The viscose is extruded through tiny holes into a chemical bath that produces long filaments which can be spun into thread and yarn. Viscouse rayon was the first man-made fiber. In 1920, DuPont bought from the French the technology for making viscose rayon. DuPont first called the material "artificial silk", and formed a company (The DuPont Fibersilk Company) to manufacture it. Other artificial fibers would follow quickly: acetate (also derived from cellulose) in 1924, nylon, (commonly, adipic acid reacted with hexamethylene diamine) in 1939, acrylic (from acrylonitrile, a petrochemical) in 1950, polyester in 1953, and triacetate in 1954.

With all these artificial fibers around, how can you identify a rug woven with natural silk?For example handmade area rugs,silk rugs,persian rugs,oriental rugs,wool rugs
First of all, pay attention to whatever clues the dealer--or the rug--gives you. For instance, we have seen many artificial silk Kayseri rugs (and some Hereke rugs), both Turkish types. In Turkey, a real silk Kayseri is an ipek Kayseri: ipek is "silk" in Turkish. An artificial silk Kayseri is a flos Kayseri ( a yun Kayseri has a wool pile). The dealer might be accurately describing the piece to you as a flos rug, but by not explaining the difference between flos and ipek, he lets you jump to the intended assumption, and you unwittingly buy an artificial silk rug.
Indian rug dealers are seldom as delicately circumspect as some of their Turkish counterparts. Artificial silk rugs in India are often blatantly sold as real silk, complete with certificates of authenticity and written guarantees. For many years Kashmir in northern India has been the major source for both real and artificial silk Indian rugs. Look carefully at the "silk" rug: it should be tightly woven (with more than 200 knots per sq. in., and often with 500 or more knots), intricately detailed, closely clipped, and it should have real silk fringe that is clearly an extension of the rug's structure, not sewn on or sewn into the ends of the rug. Artificial silk rugs often have only medium weaves (less than 250 knots per sq. in., and sometimes less than 150 knots per in.), and often have cotton fringe. Good quality real silk rugs always have real silk fringe. In Pakistan we often see rugs called jaldars. These wool pile rugs often have "silk touch," meaning that there is artificial silk inlay in the pile (often outlining part of the design). This artificial silk is almost invariably ivory in color, and is made of mercerized cotton.

Tests for Silk
OK, you're looking at a nicely woven, nicely patterned, closely clipped "silk" rug with what appears to be real silk fringe. You still might be looking at a rug made of artificial silk. Here are three field tests that might help you distinguish real from fake. No guarantee; your mileage may vary.

Rub it! It is sometimes claimed that you can tell real silk from artificial silk by vigorously rubbing the pile with your open palm. The real silk rug feels warm, the artificial silk rug stays cool to the touch. We sometimes think we have felt this difference. Of course, it helps to have a real silk rug with you so that you can compare a known quantity!

Burn it! This test is at least good theatre, and actually can be helpful. Clip off a small piece of the fringe, or pull a knot out of the rug from the back (why should the owner object?). Burn it. Look at the ash and smell the smoke. If the material was cellulose (rayon), the ash should be soft and chalky, and the smell should be like burning paper (most paper is made of cellulose). If the sample is real silk, the burning sample should ball to a black, crispy ash, and the smell should be of burning hair (you're burning protein, the same stuff your hair is made of). You've got to be a little careful with this test to avoid smelling the smoke from the match (and to avoid igniting yourself or the rug dealer's shop).

Dissolve it! The most accurate test is one that chemically differentiates protein from cellulose or petrochemicals. One such test: at room temperature, mix a solution of 16 g copper sulfate (CuSO4) in 150 cc of water. Add 8-10 g glycerine, then caustic soda (sodium hydroxide: NaOH) until a clear solution is obtained. This solution will dissolve a small sample of natural silk, but will leave cotton, rayon, and nylon unchanged.

About the Author

Steven ZHAO is the CEO of http://arearugs2door.com .An award-winning retailer, wholesaler, and manufacturer of handmade area rugs,silk rugs,persian rugs,oriental rugs,wool rugs etc.

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5 Great Black Area Rugs For Your Home

Among the many styles of floor rugs for sale today, the area rug is one of the most popular. Most likely you already own one or two or even more in your home. One color that never seems to go out of style is black. Black area rugs can transform any space in your home from dull to divine, boring to beautiful. If you would like to try using these black rugs for your home, here are five suggestions that you can start with.

Black wool area rugs

The black wool rug works best for high traffic areas like the living room, as wool is a great natural material that is tough and hard-wearing, yet remains very soft and comfortable for the feet. Wool is also a natural fiber which means that it is safer than synthetic materials. Did you know that wool is naturally flame resistant? This makes it a great rug to be placed in living rooms with fireplaces. A small errant spark that may accidentally land on your wool rug will burn itself out.

For this wool rug, you can easily take your pick from the many available shapes and sizes. A rectangular one looks great and so will a round one. Most people go for the 8' x 10' sized ones but this depends on the amount of space that you have. Design wise, you can have a traditional design or a contemporary design. Pick a solid black one or better yet pick a dominantly black rug with other complementary colors. You can easily find black and white styles, black and red wool rugs, black and grey contemporary rugs, or even black and brown rugs.

Black shag area rugs

The black shag rugs can offer a different and fun texture to your home. Shags come in many styles, and you can pick a shag made from natural fibers or synthetic materials. The most expensive type of shag rugs that you can use in the home is the Flokati shag. In black, these add a very soft and comfortable surface for you to step on while giving your room a classy luxurious look that you will definitely love. Besides the Flokati, you may want to try a black shaggy Aros rug, black leather shag rug, cotton jersey shag rug or even a black synthetic acrylic shag rug.

Black sheepskin area rugs

The black sheepskin rugs make a nice addition to any room in the home. Sheepskin today can be found in many hues and black is one of them. A sheepskin rug is either made from real sheepskin or you can find them made from synthetic fibers as well. So you can take your pick based on your personal preferences. You can use these rug sin the living room or other areas of the home. Some of these rugs come in the natural shape of sheepskin rugs that you may have seen, while others like the synthetic sheepskin rugs are found in several sizes in the rectangular and round shapes.

Black silk area rugs

The black silk rugs are one of the more expensive types of rugs for sale. This is because the material used is silk, which is a luxurious material. On the other hand, you can now find faux silk rugs if you so prefer. These are much cheaper than the real thing. Black silk area rugs normally can be found in oriental or Persian designs. These real silk rugs may not be suitable for high traffic areas, unless you opt for a faux silk area rug. These rugs can instantly make your home look and feel more luxurious and opulent.

Black outdoor area rugs

The black outdoor rugs are made specifically for you to use outdoors. You can easily make any of your outdoor living areas more comfortable and look more chic by adding these black beauties. Look for rugs that are easy to clean and maintain and your rugs will provide you with many years of service. Choose geometrical design and shapes, wavy lines and zigzags, flower and plant motifs and solid black colored rugs. The choice is yours.

The above five types of black area rugs will make your home more comfortable and cozy, and will add an air of stylish elegance.

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Natural Rugs For Today’s Home

With the fear of VOPs, toxins that are emitted from synthetics, and other pollutants in our homes grows, people are turning away from the traditional manufactured home products and turning to natural.

The Feng Shui has also given birth to more natural materials in the home. With the introduction of silk and grass wallpapers, bamboo and rattan window treatments, concrete and stone counter-tops, reclaimed and natural fiber insulation's, the next natural extension was to use natural products in carpets.

Homeowners are becoming concerned with the solvents, rubbers, and synthetics used in wall to wall carpets. In fact, many carpets are deemed ‘unsafe’ for use in day care centers and primary classrooms. Many homeowners are removing wall to wall carpets from their homes and replacing them with rugs.

Rugs do not need a rubber backing and they lack the glues and solvents found in carpets. They can be lifted and cleaned, removing more allergens, mold, and mildew spores than can be removed from wall to wall carpets. It is also easier to find rugs that have not been treated with chemical stain retardants or UV blocks.

Rugs are also made from an assortment of natural fibers from wool, silk, flax, seagrass, mountain grass, reeds, and cotton.

Grass rugs are perfect for today’s Feng Shui designs. Their natural weave adds texture to the room without overpowering it.

Beautifully crafted Grass Rugs are made entirely from only 100% natural fibers, the highest quality natural materials. They offer natural beauty combined with an inherent strength and stain resistance. This means that seagrass can be used in high traffic areas and in family homes.

Seagrass is obtained from a tall plant with grass-like stems found in wet lands. It emits a grassy, hay-like scent that is far more relaxing than any man-made sent. However, it dissipates with time. Colors range from sage green hues to olive, perfect for the current home decorating themes. Grass has a non-porous surface with a naturally smooth texture and sheen quality.

Wool rugs, like Persian and Indian rugs, have been used for hundreds of years. Wool rugs come in fantastic colors and dynamic patterns. Wool rugs are versatile. They can be used as throws, wall hangings, couch covers, window treatments, and floor coverings.

Another ancient rug fabric is flax and linen. Both these plants can be spun into thread and woven into carpets and rugs in the same way that wool and other throw rugs are made. In fact, except for the texture and more natural tones, linen rugs are often mistaken for wool rugs.

One of the most coveted items in today’s home decorating world is the silk Oriental rug. However, the odds that the Oriental rug you are considering buying is ‘real silk’ is very slim – even if it is a costly rug. It is more likely to be fake silk or mercerized cotton.

Thousands of homeowners are duped out of $5 000, $10 000, and more every year for silk rugs that have no silk content in them at all. Only a real expert can make a 100% accurate assessment.

Natural fiber rugs are a pride to own, and a comfort to live with.

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Persian & Oriental Fine Rugs Make A Bold Statement In Your Home Decor

When planning the decor theme for a new home, don't forget to consider your floor coverings. Fine rugs can add a wonderful accent to your home decor, whether as an accent or a major impact on the overall appearance of your room.

Other times you may want to redecorate your home, to enhance a favorite room or achieve a fresh look. While most people may think of adding new curtains, paintings or wall hangings, or slipcovers to embellish their home decor, another option is to add some beautiful fine rugs.
Persian rugs or oriental rugs are excellent choices to add touches of elegance to your home. Whether your want a small accent rug or a large area rug, you are sure to find the size, color, and design to suit your taste among the many fine rugs available.

What are Fine rugs?
According to home decor dealers, fine rugs are typically those made with the highest quality materials and craftsmanship, of Asian origin. Top quality wool fiber with significant pile comprises the main composition of these rugs, which often feature thick hand-knotted fringe. Fine rugs usually inclue Persian rugs and Oriental rugs, often constructed with a luxurious blend of wool and silk.
Difference Between Persian and Oriental rugs

Is there a difference between Persian rugs and Oriental rugs? According to knowledgeable people known as "rugophiles," the terms are not interchangeable, and a distinct difference exists between Persian and Oriental rugs. The primary difference between the two is related to the country of origin of the rugs. Persian rugs derive exclusively from Iran, after its former name of Persia. Oriental rugs derive from several countries in Asia, including Iran, as well as China, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Tibet, and Turkey. Therefore, Persian rugs are in fact of Oriental rugs, but the reverse is not necessarily true.

Oriental rugs as a whole have provided inspiration for art, literature, and music since the first story of Aladdin and his flying carpet. Harkening back to about 3000 BC, people have created rugs, initially for warmth as they covered earthern floors in early homes. Many centuries later, as rug-making evolved, artisans began weaving designs into their rugs. rug-making even found its way into palaces, as royalty began commissioning spectacular Oriental rugs with intricate designs depicting crests, coats of arms, and floral motifs. The 19th century saw the beginning of machine-made rugs, although hand-knotting continued for the fringe. Mass production, worldwide, in the 20th century, opened up the opportunity for nearly anyone to purchase beautiful Oriental rugs.

Persian rugs share some of the extensive historical background of Oriental rugs, with some notable differences. Created exclusively in Iran - formerly Persia - Persian rugs feature exceptionally thick pile, hand-knotted fringe, elegant rich colors, and intricate designs. Another distinction between the rugs is that Persian rug designs typically bear the name of the Iranian city in which they originated. Some of the most popular designs are Dubba, Gabbeh, Hamadan, Heriz, and Tabriz. Another significant development with Persian rugs is their increased presence in the marketplace since the embargo against Iran lifted in 2003.

Features of Oriental and Persian rugs
While fine rugs are available in virtually every color and color combination of the rainbow, they are typically rich, elegant shades. The classic features of Oriental rugs and Persian rugs include the following:
• Shapes: Available in octagon, oval, round, runner, and square shapes.
• Sizes: Available in numerous sizes, dependent on the shapes; for instance, octagonal sizes may vary from 4'11" x 4'11" to 9'10" x 9'10"; oval sizes may vary from 2'3" x 4'5" to 8'2" x 9'10"; round sizes may vary from 4'11" in diameter to 11'6" in diameter; runners may vary from 2' x 8' to 2'7" x 65'; and square sizes may vary from 4'11" sq. to 11'6" sq.
• Styles/Quality: Available in hand-knotted, hand-tufted, wool, silk, wool and silk, machine-made, and flat weave styles and various piles.
• Prices: Avaiable in a wide range of prices, depending on all the previous details, potentially from under $100 to $1500 or more.

Whether you are planning your decor for a new home, or redecorating your present home, don't forget your floor coverings can include fine rugs. Consider purchasing the Oriental rug or Persian rug that best accentuates your home decor. Beautiful Oriental rugs At Great Prices

Inspirational Artworks Of The Persian Rugs

While dealing with the issues of Persian rugs the history tends to span back to the Bronze Age - some 3500 to 2000 BC. Some of the rug experts and the researchers of this subject believe that the root of the Persian rugs is the Safavid dynasty that used to exist during the 16th and the 17th century. With the rich Persian culture and art the Persian rugs have developed gradually to a extent and is now among the world's top ranking categories of rugs.

While almost all the original rugs of the reign of the Safavid dynasty has destroyed, yet some of the worn out pieces have been saved and are restored at the carpet museum of Tehran. People from far and wide come to this museum in order to view the magnificent artworks of the craftsmen of those periods. The unswerving artworks of the artists and the rugs makers of the Safavid dynasty are perhaps the best-treasured wealth of the world.

Persian rugs of the prevailing era is much different form those but it is beyond all doubts that today's Persian rugs are also highly demanding because of the mind-blowing art. The Persian rugs tend to be the most effective and pivotal components that delineate the central theme of the Persian art and culture.

Properties of the Persian Rugs

During these days the Persian rugs have changed to a great extent. With the unique synchronization of the traditional Persian art and the modern trend of decoration the Persian rugs has revolutionized the modern mode of decorating the interiors of the modern homes and offices. Although the awe-inspiring touch of the royal classical beauty is still found in today's Persia rugs. This is where the Persian rugs are remarkably distinctive from the other categories of rugs.

Secondly vital property of the Persian rugs is that the art of the Persian rugs are originally based on the art related to the Islamic culture - especially the Shiah Isalm. This tends to be the major reason behind the fact that the beauty of the Persian rugs involves the aesthetic fervor of classical Islamic style. The modern Persian rugs tend to represent the aesthetic blend of the awe-inspiring artworks and the traditional Persian culture.

Thirdly, the quality range of Persian rugs is crafted out of high grade wool or cotton or high quality silk, although the silk Persian rugs are not as hardy as the woolen and the cotton rugs. The silk Persian rugs are enjoying high demand in the global market but the woolen and the cotton Persian rugs have acquired a demand level further high.

Categories of the Persian rugs

As far as the categories are concerned the Persian rugs are of various types, which have been named on the basis of the places they are made. The varied categories of the Persian rugs are however, Abadeh rug, Ahar rugs, Arakh rugs, Aradabil carpets, Afshar, Gabbeh, Heriz carpets, Isfahan, Jozan, Nain rugs, Qom rugs, Sarouk rugs, Shiraz rugs, Tabriz rug, Kashan rugs and etc.

Each of these categories has got their own specific notes of designs and art, which are unique and are very much different from each other. Purchasers of the Persian carpets must look as to which specific type or category would match the preset tune of decoration of the interiors of their home prior to purchase.

Samantha Clark heads consumer reviews at http://www.dealsdepot.com.au and http://www.rugstore.com.au - the web's most popular Online Shopping sites.

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Persian Rugs Can be Used for Various Purposes

Rugs can be used for various purposes - ranging from the traditional floor covering, to bed coverings, wall hangings, table coverings or even stored away for investment purposes.

Where the rug is used will to a large extent determine its lifetime, because a rug used on the floor will be liable to more wear and tear than a rug that will be hung on a wall.

Lets look at the various ways you can utilise your Persian Rug:

1. Using your Oriental carpet as a floor covering

This is the most common usage and it is important to choose the right rug for the right circumstances. Where there is a lot of foot traffic involved it would be better to choose a rug with a heavier pile. The size of the rug is also important. When a rug is bought to be used on the floor, ideally it should not cover the entire floor to ensure it will be framed by the open area of the surrounding floor so make sure that at least a couple of inches, if not a feet or two, are showing around the carpet.

Rugs that will go on the floor can be used in hallways, where they form a colorful welcome to owners as well as guests. A ground floor hall rug receives a lot of traffic and should therefore be selected for durability. Research shows that rugs such as the Hamadan, Meshkin or Ardebil will last very well. Rugs in hallways should be turned regularly and cleaned regularly.

Stair rugs must also be chosen carefully since they also receive a lot of traffic. Although stair rugs must be fastened securely in place, glue and nails must never be used to keep the rug in position as this will cause damage and lower the value of the rug. It is better to use wooden or metal stair rods.

Oriental rugs can also be used on the floor in living rooms and other rooms and once again, depending on the amount of traffic that is expected, a hard-wearing cotton rug should be used for heavy traffic areas, while a more delicate silk or antique rug can be used for areas that are not frequented that often.

2. Rugs as wall hangings

Rugs can also be displayed to their full splendour on the wall. If a rug is too heavy though, it should rather not be used as wall hanging since its weight might strain the weave. Old rugs (antique rugs) that have seen a lot of wear can be used for wall hangings, as well as rugs such as pictorial rugs and silk rugs which display well in reflected light. Silk rugs such as Qum, Ishafan and Tabriz will work well as wall hangings.

3. Rugs as bed or table covers

Flat-weave kilims would work well for this purpose, as will smaller antique rugs that have a thinner pile. Remember that if a rug is used as a table covering, if heavy ornaments are placed on it, it might crush the weave and the ornamet should be moved regularly so as not to leave a permanent indentation. Floral vases can also be dangerous due to water leakage and spillage.

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How to select an Oriental Rug

Traditional wisdom says that interior home decorating should begin with an Oriental rug. There are plenty of choices in colors and materials from which to choose a rug and a rug well chosen and well cared for will probably last much longer than anything else in the room. In the olden days, Persian rugs or kilims from Iran were supposed to be the best rugs available but today you find that other eastern countries like India, Nepal, Pakistan, Nepal, Tibet, China and Turkey have been making rugs which have matched and even surpassed the quality of those from Persia.

Before you go out shopping for an Oriental rug, it would be wise to spend some time thinking about the size and color that you would prefer. You may even carry some photos of your room to help you decide. There are plenty of colors and designs to choose from. Next, you have to decide on the how much you are willing to spend on your purchase. The price of an Oriental rug is dependent on the following factors :
- Country from which it comes
- Age
- Condition
- Quality
- Design demand

Counting the knots in an Oriental rug is not the only or most important thing to do. A geometrically designed rug might have fewer than 100 knots in a square inch but a floral pattern extremely detailed might have more than 300 even. Although the regularity and tightness of the rug are of utmost importance, the quality of the wool ascertains the resistance and longevity of the rug. And don't forget to take into account the quality and color fastness of the dyes being used.

Besides, the price of an Oriental rug could also be decided by the prevailing design and color fads. About 50 years ago, orange, brown and green were considered the hot colors; but that is not the case today. The condition of the rugs and age affect the value of second hand rugs. Age will increase the value of the rugs provided they have been well maintained but if not, wear and tear and stains will reduce the value.

The best of rugs are always made from natural fibers with wool, silk and cotton being the most common and silk the most sought after as well as expensive. Wool is the most popular material used to make a Persian rugs or kilims because of its intrinsic properties - wool is long lasting, flexible, is easily dyed and can be woven or spun with ease. Besides, wool is readily available in areas where kilims or Persian rugs are made since you find a lot of nomads tending sheep there.

A fascinating thing about the Persian rugs or kilims is that you can deduce from which tribe the rug came from based solely on the type of wool and dye used. Some wool from sheep is sought after even more than the rest as it gives a certain luster to the Persian rugs or kilims.

Warps are commonly made of cotton as its high strength helps maintain the shape. Besides it maintains its natural white color over time. Another reason is that cotton can be spun into the finest of threads. Hair of camels, goats and horses is often sued to make Persian rugs or kilims to produce unique effects. Camel hair might be used to give a woolen rug additional strength while horse hair might give eye-catching tassels. Wool when mixed with goat hair produces a silky sheen. Silk has always been considered a material of luxury so silk rugs are rare although they might still be produced. They are often included in the dowry of a bride along with other Oriental rugs and treasured as part of the family wealth.

Tag : rugs,area rugs,outdoor rugs,oriental rugs

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Selecting the Perfect Area Rug

The right rug: A well-chosen rug enhances your color scheme, in addition to absorbing sound in a hardwood room.

You're in luck if you pull up your green shag carpeting and uncover a hardwood treasure. But what do you do with those naked floors?

If your floor is in good shape, you may want to leave it uncovered. If you do so, it's important to put stick-on felt pads on the feet of your chairs and place small, washable throw rugs at high traffic areas (under the kitchen sink, the front door, etc.) to increase the life of your floor.

If your newly revealed floor is in bad shape, you don't necessarily have to re-carpet or refinish the hardwood. There are several less expensive options:
- Install tile only in the high-traffic areas showing damage, leaving the remainder of the hardwood intact.

- Hire a hardwood repair specialist to spot-replace and re-stain warped, burnt or gauged areas.

- Lay area rugs over the damaged zones. The Selection Process
There are several advantages to using large area rugs on your hardwood flooring:

- The room will feel warmer and look more "pulled together" when anchored by a rug.

- Rugs help absorb the increased noise and echoes generated in a room with hardwood flooring.

- A well-chosen floor covering enhances your color scheme and the decor of the room.

- Your floors will be protected from scratches and wear.

The first step in selecting the appropriate rug is to determine where you want to put it and the size you'll need. Make sure you have your furniture in the best arrangement possible for the room. Lay newspapers down on the floor and begin covering the area needing the carpet. Start small and keep laying down paper until you find what looks like the best coverage. Establish minimum and maximum acceptable sizes and jot this down. (Most rugs come in standard sizes but there are variations, so it helps to know the range of sizes that could work in the room.)

The rug should enhance the room's decor by echoing its color scheme and style and should be an integral part of the overall design, not the focal point. Stand in the room needing the rug and make note of its one, two or three predominant colors. Then determine the room's style or period (French Country, Modern, Early American, etc). Knowing the room's colors and the style will help you narrow your choices.

Decide on a solid versus a patterned rug,such as handmade area rugs,silk rugs,persian rugs,oriental rugs,wool rugs etc. Solid colored rugs calm the eye, but show spots and lint more easily. A patterned rug adds visual interest and hides soil well, but finding one to match your existing furnishings may be a challenge.

Next, determine your budget. When I was looking for my perfect living room rug (with an 8-foot by 10-foot minimum and a 9-foot by 12-foot maximum), I wanted to spend less than $750 but was prepared to pay up to $1,000. After a two-month search, I ended up with a close-to-perfect-rug for $625, delivered. I could have settled for a $350 alternative, but felt the additional $375 was a worthwhile investment. A Range of Sources

Once you know your budget, your colors and your style, you're ready to hunt down the rug of your dreams. Many retail furniture stores also carry area rugs that you can take home and try out. Try to save money by purchasing your rug during a sale. Inexpensive Alternatives

- Recycle your old wall-to-wall carpeting. Lay out the carpeting on your driveway and determine what section of the rug could be re- used. Use masking tape to outline the area you want cut and trimmed. Take the carpet to a carpet company willing to do the lacing and - voila - a "new" area rug for the cost of the stitching!

- Try garage or estate sales. You can find new, antique or imported rugs at a flea markets, often at a good price.

- Furniture consignment shops sometimes carry high-quality used carpets at a fraction of the new cost.

- Purchase a remnant from a carpet outlet.

About the Author

Steven ZHAO is the CEO of http://arearugs2door.com .An award-winning retailer, wholesaler, and manufacturer of handmade area rugs,silk rugs,persian rugs,oriental rugs,wool rugs etc.

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Oriental Rugs - History And Information

Oriental rugs are handcrafted rugs woven in the Middle East and the Orient - mostly regions extending from China in the east, to Turkey in the west and the Caucasus in the north, to India in the south. Authentic oriental rugs are knotted with pile or woven without pile and exclusively handwoven, which makes them unique and more exquisite, precious, and expensive than the other types of rugs. Some of the most popular and best oriental rugs include the Turkish, Caucasian, Turkoman, Afshan, Donkeybags, Prayer Rugs and Kilims rugs.

Short History:

The earliest known oriental pile rugs were those found in a Scythian burial site in Outer Mongolia dating back to the fifth century B.C. The second millennium B.C in Egypt and Central Asia had already seen the evolution of the art of rug weaving so by the fifth century B.C., rug weaving had become a fairly well-developed art. When the Silk Route came into being in the 17th century during the Safavid reign in Central Asia, oriental rugs started gaining immense popularity and Europe began to import them in large quantities. The rug making art and industry in the Orient also became a lucrative, highly skilled occupation. By the mid 19th century, not only the rich but the middle class citizens of Europe also began to value and afford these exquisite handwoven rugs.

Knots and Oriental Rug Weaving:

Oriental Rugs are handwoven on looms. The pattern of the rug is created by the knot (pile). Pile knots are of two types - symmetric and asymmetric. Symmetrical knots can be tied in such a way to give the pile a left or right inclination. Knot density is measured by counting the knots vertically and horizontally within the given area along the back of the rug. The size of warp (foundation threads wrapped around the loom), warp depression, weft (thread inserted along the width of the loom) and pile threads all determine the knot density. A cartoon (preliminary sketch similar in size to the work) may be created as a guide before weaving.

The loose warp threads along the ends are knotted, woven or braided into the fringe after the weaving. The Selvage is the edge formed after a single terminal warp or a cord made of various terminal warps is wrapped with the weft threads. The side cord may also be added only after the rug has been woven and removed from the loom, and a single cord is sewn on to the side of the rug. To create a rounded finish, an overcast (warps wrapped with a separate thread in circular fashion) may be used.

Type of Materials used for Weaving Oriental Rugs:

Wool, cotton, silk and rayon are commonly used in weaving oriental rugs. Wool and Silk are generally used in the pile. Wool is the most common fiber in the Oriental rug weaving industry and silk is the most expensive. Silk, which is also the most resilient, is used for creating the most elaborate and intricately knotted rugs because of the possibility of creating unique and exquisite texture unmatched by any other. Cotton is mostly used for weft and warp. Rugs made from rayon are cheaper and less durable though they almost resemble silk.

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How to select an Oriental Rug

Traditional wisdom says that interior home decorating should begin with an Oriental rug. There are plenty of choices in colors and materials from which to choose a rug and a rug well chosen and well cared for will probably last much longer than anything else in the room. In the olden days, Persian rugs or kilims from Iran were supposed to be the best rugs available but today you find that other eastern countries like India, Nepal, Pakistan, Nepal, Tibet, China and Turkey have been making rugs which have matched and even surpassed the quality of those from Persia.

Before you go out shopping for an Oriental rug, it would be wise to spend some time thinking about the size and color that you would prefer. You may even carry some photos of your room to help you decide. There are plenty of colors and designs to choose from. Next, you have to decide on the how much you are willing to spend on your purchase. The price of an Oriental rug is dependent on the following factors :
- Country from which it comes
- Age
- Condition
- Quality
- Design demand

Counting the knots in an Oriental rug is not the only or most important thing to do. A geometrically designed rug might have fewer than 100 knots in a square inch but a floral pattern extremely detailed might have more than 300 even. Although the regularity and tightness of the rug are of utmost importance, the quality of the wool ascertains the resistance and longevity of the rug. And don't forget to take into account the quality and color fastness of the dyes being used.

Besides, the price of an Oriental rug could also be decided by the prevailing design and color fads. About 50 years ago, orange, brown and green were considered the hot colors; but that is not the case today. The condition of the rugs and age affect the value of second hand rugs. Age will increase the value of the rugs provided they have been well maintained but if not, wear and tear and stains will reduce the value.

The best of rugs are always made from natural fibers with wool, silk and cotton being the most common and silk the most sought after as well as expensive. Wool is the most popular material used to make a Persian rugs or kilims because of its intrinsic properties - wool is long lasting, flexible, is easily dyed and can be woven or spun with ease. Besides, wool is readily available in areas where kilims or Persian rugs are made since you find a lot of nomads tending sheep there.

A fascinating thing about the Persian rugs or kilims is that you can deduce from which tribe the rug came from based solely on the type of wool and dye used. Some wool from sheep is sought after even more than the rest as it gives a certain luster to the Persian rugs or kilims.

Warps are commonly made of cotton as its high strength helps maintain the shape. Besides it maintains its natural white color over time. Another reason is that cotton can be spun into the finest of threads. Hair of camels, goats and horses is often sued to make Persian rugs or kilims to produce unique effects. Camel hair might be used to give a woolen rug additional strength while horse hair might give eye-catching tassels. Wool when mixed with goat hair produces a silky sheen. Silk has always been considered a material of luxury so silk rugs are rare although they might still be produced. They are often included in the dowry of a bride along with other Oriental rugs and treasured as part of the family wealth.

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Glorious Modern Designer Rugs Glorify The Interiors

The days of cotton and silk are no more there are very limited designers of the modern rugs that make rugs out of silk and cotton, although the modern designer rugs crafted out of cotton are more commonly available as compared to the modern designer rugs crafted out of silk. These days the modern designer rugs made up of pure wool have become the true criterion of the modern fashion and decoration.

The manufacturers of the modern designer rugs have been putting greater emphasize on the colors and the combination of colors. Crafted out of the 100% pure wool and decorated by the awe-inspiring combination of vibrant colors with most cultivated tastes, the modern designer rugs have earned a great deal of acceptance and admirations from all over the world. This is due to the fact that the modern designer rugs, by the virtue of the wide range of practical, yet aesthetic designs - both ornamental and geometrical - have the standout ability of complement the modern trend of interior decoration. This is how the modern designer rugs have been quenching the thirst of millions of fashion conscious people in very single corner of the globe.

The well-established designers of the modern rugs have also devoted enough of time and brain to come up with the varieties of shapes and sizes of the modern designer rugs. The modern designer rugs come in as small as 2' x 3' and as large as 9' x 13' area rugs. Moreover there are also round rugs and the runners with ecstatic designs and patterns. These wide varieties of shapes and sizes and designing themes tend to satisfy the need of the millions of customers with millions of choices.
Starting from the very formal beige and black combination to the retro styled abstract design area rugs the modern designer rugs have been providing the elegant rugs for all modern homes.

The Internet has come up with the thousands of great designers of the modern rugs and hence acts as the great guide to the people who intend to purchase the modern designer rugs. Some of these designers have brought forth the ecstatic combination of the 1800's art décor to the latest contemporary designs of rugs. This tends to deliver your office or your living room a distinctive dimension and rich sophistication. Featuring the galore of glory with superb combination of aesthetic colors the modern designer rugs have revolutionized the modern concept of decorating the interiors as well as the patios, or hall ways or corridors and etc and set some unique spirits to configure the overall tones of the place.

The handcrafted modern designer rugs prove to be more expensive. Hence investing on the hand crafted modern designer rugs should be done only after extensive planning and budgeting. The modern designer's rugs come in two categories of materials - the natural fibers and the artificial chemically treated synthetic fibers. The modern designer rugs crafted out of the synthetic fibers are quite inexpensive but should be avoided if you are not on tight budget, due to the fact that these artificial fibers are not safe - especially for the kids.

Samantha Clark heads consumer reviews at http://www.dealsdepot.com.au and http://www.rugstore.com.au - the web's most popular Online Shopping sites.

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Area Rug Buyers Guide

When you begin decorating your home there are some important factors to consider. Your floors will usually be the foundation for your design. An authentic hand made area rug can visually integrate or harmonize diverse elements in any decor or can reenergize a room.

Below are various factors to consider for purchasing & decorating with an oriental rug:

1. Size of the Rug - Area to be covered

Size up the room and the area you want to cover.

The most common area rug sizes are 4-by-6 and 6-by-9 feet. They work well under a coffee table.

An 8-by-10-foot area rug or larger can cover an entire room.

Smaller area and scatter rugs can be ideal for adorning smaller spaces--a hearth! , a bedside, the area in front of a kitchen sink--with a splash of colo r and warmth.

2. In the Home

Living Room

In a living room the area rug would most likely be placed in front of the sofa and under the coffee table

To place a room-sized area rug on a hardwood floor, choose an area rug which allows eight inches (twenty centimeters) of wood to be exposed around the rug's perimeter.

Measure the open space up to the sofa and chairs making sure that the individual seated will have both feet on the area rug.

More than one area rug is acceptable.

Dining Room

There should be room to pull the chairs out from the table with the back legs of the chairs remaining on the area rug.

Stairs

Look for Busy & Dark patterns

Dark wool rugs are great for this

Hallways & Entrances

Dense Patterns

Wool pile (Most durable) with cotton foundation (strong and does not loose shape) is ideal.

Very light colors are not suggested

Bedroom

Do not recommend a room size Persian/Oriental area rug for the bedroom. Most of the pattern will be hidden under the bed in the dark making the rug prone to moth damage.

Instead, use multiple area rugs. A rug at the foot of the bed and two on each side Or use several scatter rugs to fill areas around the bed as needed. It will actually cost less and compliment your furnishings better.

3. FURNISHINGS

Begin with the end in mind. Visualize the finished look of the room. Do you prefer the sparse, uncluttered look or you have a room rich with colors and textures?

Remember that a rug is th! e largest splash of color in any room. Select your rug first, and then the upholstery to blend with the rug. Furniture should enhance the rug design or colors found in the rug

Next comes window treatment and walls; neutral shades are recommended.

Elements of a rug design can be further incorporated into the overall design scheme. For example, if the rug is floral, add framed prints or flowers in similar colors.

Conversely, should your focal point be furniture, choose a rug to pick up the colors used in your furnishing patterns. Patterns can be mixed if they are coordinated by color.

Don't get discouraged if you are having problems finding an area rug to blend in with your decor. We suggest you surf NatureRugs.com for the vast variety of Rugs that will suit your situation. For some reason, Jaipur & Agra Rug designs and colors tend to work with many fabrics.

4. Using Multiple Area Rugs

Should you use one rug or two?

• One rug is the general rule as it coordinates the room together and helps select fabrics for furniture, curtains, etc.
• In a very large room, more than one rug can be used to separate the room. The designs of the rugs should be different enough to create spatial separation, but similar in color and quality to maintain the integrity of the room space.

Two or more rugs should complement each other

• One needs to be dominant in size
• They should be similar in at least design/color/size
• Smaller rugs should not look like clones

5. Color

If redecorating an already furnished room, choose a rug to pick up the colors used in your furnishing patterns

Paint or paper the walls in colors found in the rug when color coordinating.

Look for a rug that is commonality with the existing color of the walls.

A rug with a bold, overall design can be the focal point of a room with a chair and sofa in solid or subdued patterns.

Light colored rugs make a room look more spacious, and deeper colors lend coziness to a room.

6. Durability

For floor rugs wool is usually a preferred choice as it resists daily wear better than synthetics. Wool has many wonderful qualities- deep, rich color tones, high durability and relative ease of care. For more information you can read article Advantages of Wool over Synthetic Fibers.

Silk rugs are better used for walls, throws etc. Living rooms are ideal to showcase silk rugs.

Chromium dyes are strong and deliver consistency and durability of color.

Vegetable dyes give the rug a patina of color, a casual look that is very attractive.

7. Shape

Let your decorating style determine your rug shape.

Don't be limited to the idea of getting a rectangular rug.

A circular or octagonal-shaped floor covering can add flair and elegance.

8. What is the dealer return policy?

You should at least have one week risk free trial period to experience the rug. You can test the wool texture, dye quality (take a moistened paper towel and run it along the edges & center, the dye should not bleed out) & see if it fits into your home décor.

Other considerations:

Medallion design area rugs should be centered in the room & directly under the chandelier

Don't select a busy area rug if the room's color scheme and patterns are busy as well.

Keep your family safe by making su! re that rug corners do not extend into high traffic areas.

Watch out for the fringe. If the rug you like has fringe, make sure it's sewn on well, and very carefully use the vacuum cleaner.

Look at the back of a rug, as this will usually tell if it is machine or handmade. If the fibers are stiff and run straight up and down, it's a machine rug.

When buying oriental rugs, avoid going-out-of-business sales and auctions where sellers aren't likely to be around later if your rug has a problem

In all rooms try to avoid having the corner of the rug end up in the middle of the doors or archway openings.

For smaller rooms, a small pattern is more appropriate. It gives the appearance of a larger room.

If you're looking for absolute perfection, don't buy a handmade area rug. Expensive hand-made rugs are not squared off as properly as imitation machine-made reproductions. Also read Article Hand Knotted vs! . Machine Made Rugs.

Don't underestimate the value of an underlay. Not only will it absorb the impact of feet and noise, it will reduce wear and tear on the rug and make vacuuming easier.

It is recommended to rotate rugs end for end on a yearly basis to equalize wear.

Oriental rugs fade, as does upholstery. Avoid direct sunlight.

Another recommendation is to have rugs cleaned professionally periodically by a reputable cleaner

To meet Federal Trade Commission requirements Persian/ Oriental rug dealers label each rug with its country of origin and the distributor's business name. Labels having the words Indo-, Sino- or Pak-, for instance, would indicate that a rug came from India, China or Pakistan respectively.

Rugs are called 'tribal" if they are woven by nomadic groups.

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What is your area rug made of? Part two.

The two main classifications of rug materials, namely natural and synthetic, are in some ways different and also similar from one another. Unlike natural materials that come from plant and animal fibers, synthetic materials are man-made fibers that resulted from many broad studies and researches done by experts to improve, or yet again replace, the process of obtaining fibers naturally.

People now-a-days are more practical and tend to buy products that are economically-wise. I don’t blame them. With the financial recession embracing the country, there is nothing else to do but to be thrifty and buy cheap yet high-quality products. If you are one of these people, well you’ll probably prefer area rugs made of synthetic materials rather than the ones made of natural fibers. So read on!

Nylon, a commonly used material in rug production, is the first synthetic fiber to be produced. It is durable, elastic and soil resistant. Nylon made its first appearance in the US during the World War II as a substitute for silk in the military field. Though nylon fibers can also give an area rug the appearance and texture that wool possesses, rugs made of nylon don’t normally hold their worth longer than area rugs made of wool or silk.

Though some argue that Rayon is neither a natural nor synthetic fiber but an artificial one, it is still a man-made material derived from wood. Some also say it is considered semi-synthetic because it has the same characteristics of natural fibers. Rayon fibers have the resemblance of silk. And so it is used to give an area rug the look and feel similar to rugs made of silk. Thus, it is also considered as Faux silk or “False silk” also called art silk. Although it can imitate silk and even cotton or wool, Rayon fibers have a tendency to melt if exposed to fire.

Acrylic is another kind of synthetic material made from Polyacrylonitrile. Blended with other materials to give a rug the same feel that the wool possesses, Acrylic fibers are soft, elastic and works very well with dyes. Also, the cost of an area rug combined with acrylic is lower than that of the cost of rugs made with pure wool or silk.

Another affordable synthetic material, also called Polypropylene, is the Olefin. These fibers are durable, resistant to soil, mildew and stain, and, like Acrylic fibers, work well with dyes. More likely Olefin is similar to acrylic since both of them can give a rug a wool-like texture. Nonetheless, Olefin materials make a rug’s weight lighter giving it more possibility to shift and slide when placed in areas with very high foot activity. Olefin, a petroleum-based fiber, is most commonly used for machine-made rugs. And while having a low mass, Olefin fibers are of bulky and have low moisture absorption giving a rug a nice warm-feel.

Nylon, Rayon, Acrylic and Olefin are just some of the synthetic fibers used in the market today. These fibers are basically produced to somehow replace natural fibers allowing the finished products to be more affordable but also having almost the same quality as the natural-fibered area rugs. Hence it is safe to say, both natural and synthetic fibers have common characteristics. Thus, allowing substitution between the two producing cheaper high-end area rugs.

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Moroccan Rugs - How To Cheer Up Your Home Decor

Adding a touch of ethnicity to your home’s interiors by using furniture, furnishings, and rugs is a sure way to brighten the atmosphere! Over the past few years, decorating homes in ethnic styles has become extremely popular. Sensing the demand for original tribal art from various places around the world, even big stores such as Target have been known to launch complete furnishing lines that reflect a particular culture or region such as Indian or Japanese home furnishing lines.

One of the most popular emerging styles is Moroccan, especially in the rugs and carpet industry. Hand-woven Moroccan rugs are a fantastic way to invite warmth and create a bright and charming atmosphere in your home.

Moroccan rugs have been infusing the magic of color and art to the homes of millions over the world. Moroccan rugs and art have been widely connected to the west and examples of this can be seen in Bauhaus movement or in the works of American designers like Billy Baldwin during the 1960’s and 1970’s.

The simple geometric patterns of Moroccan rugs have been used for long to lend a stylish, urbane and sophisticated look to most of the modern furnishings. The famous pile carpets from the Middle Atlas Mountain region of Morocco are proudly displayed in renowned historic houses such as Frank Lloyd Wright's iconic Fallingwater and Charles and Ray Eames spectacular Pacific Palisades house in California.

And with the late 1990’s, Moroccan rugs revival was imminent as designers and public showed a renewed interest for elements of the 1960’s and 70’s era both in terms of style and color. Bright and warm hues of oranges and saffron yellows reflecting in Moroccan rugs geometrical patterns were scene stealers. Moreover, these rugs are made from spun wool and had an authentic indigenous character making them ‘one-of-a-kind’ with a quality that was hard to find in their synthetic factory made modern cousins.

Moroccan rugs were and are still being made by the Berbers, who are an indigenous tribe of North African region living in Morocco. These weavers use hand-dyed wool to weave the rugs and each rug is unique in its design, use of colors, and patterns. The designs of Moroccan rugs are often similar to those found in the weaving of Native Americans.

Another type of Moroccan rugs are ‘kilims’ or ‘hanbels’ though these are lightweight, flat in weave and motifs are made with variations of red, blue, green, yellow, mauve and white. The price of Moroccan rugs and kilims are usably determined by the size, quality of the design and the colors used.

Why Buy Moroccan Rugs?

A holistic mix of modern and ethnic styling and design, Moroccan rugs lend a distinctly stylish look to your home decor. Warm and bright, they can simply liven up any space and make it look trendy, colorful and luxurious. Romance is an integral part of Moroccan culture and your Moroccan furnishings can bring some of that feeling in your room or home.

Rectilinear Moroccan carpets and rugs are visually striking and rich, and vivid with interesting motifs, making them a perfect flooring accessory for your living room or bedroom. Made from organic, hand woven wool, Moroccan rugs can be hung on walls hanging or used as a throw.

Let’s look at some of the things you should know before you set out to purchase Moroccan rugs for your home:

Rugs Authenticity –Always shop around. Extremely low priced rugs may mean that the products are not authentic. All Moroccan rugs are made from wool and have very bright colors. Also, good quality rugs should have 120 knots/square inch of weave; turn the carpet over to look at the knots. Handmade carpet will feature variations in the knots as compared to factory made carpets. Ask the shopkeeper if you can burn a small bit of the fringe to check the authenticity of the material – silk and wool being natural fibers will smolder when burnt.

Rugs Design—Bold patterns, visually enticing motifs and sparkling colors, Moroccan rugs are eye-catching to say the least. If your room already has a lot of visual movement and your furnishings are heavily designed then opt for a less conspicuous pattern.

Rugs Formality—Casual and comfortable appeal of the Moroccan carpets is a reflection of the tribal heritage of the indigenous people. You may not be able to achieve an authentically layered look as the Moroccan rugs are made in larger sizes to fulfill modern living room requirements.

Keep these things in mind when buying Moroccan rugs and enliven your home decor today!

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Living Room Rugs Can Bring A Profound Impact To Your Home's Decor

Living room rugs are a great way to update, refresh, and transform the look of virtually any room. Many living room rugs also look great in kitchens, dining rooms, bedrooms, and even children's rooms. For a nominal cost, a living room rug can transform the look of the room without changing anything else. Decor, paint, and professionally installed carpet can be very costly. A vibrant and complementary living room rug can breathe new life into a room and make it fresh again.

Living room rugs come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Accent rugs are typically a few feet wide and a couple of feet long. These look great in the entryway of a home or as a bath mat in the bathroom. Colorful accent rugs also look great under tables and consoles on hardwood floors. Runners are long, skinny rugs that are often perfect for displaying in hallways, entryways, and foyers leading to the living room. They have a "red carpet" feel to them that makes them inviting and special. Area rugs come in a variety of sizes and are generally square or rectangular, although some can also be round. They are often several feet long and wide and feature intricate patterns, colors, borders, and really become the centerpiece of the room. Area rugs look great under a coffee table in the center of the room. Others purchase area rugs for use under a dining room table or to place under a decorative wingback chair or sofa set.

Rug prices can range from a few dollars up to thousands of dollars. The materials used to make the rug, design processes and manufacturing required to produce the rug, and the designer can all affect the bottom line. Wool, silk, and real fur rugs are often hand-tufted, handcrafted, and can be very expensive. Avid rug collectors visit galleries and manufacturing plants to acquire unique pelts and pieces that are assembled from the finest crafters in the world. A mid-priced, well-made, colorful rug manufactured by mass retailers and merchandisers is sufficient for most homes.

Choosing a pattern or color scheme for a rug is always the most difficult part of the process. Some choose a rug to essentially act as floor art, becoming the focal centerpiece of the living room. Others choose living room rugs that will complement an already-existing color palette or design theme. Living room rugs can feature scrollwork, sports themes, novelty designs, braiding details, color blocking, flowers, polka dots, stripes, and virtually every pattern in between. Many floor and rug centers will happily provide swatches to customers. These small pieces of fabric can be brought home and compared to existing furniture, painted walls, and other rugs to ensure that it will look good in the room before purchasing.

Those will small children or pets will enjoy purchasing cotton blend rugs that can be machine-washed or spot cleaned. Spills and stains are easily treatable on cotton blend rugs. Cotton rugs can also withstand repeated washing and hold colors truer longer. For those that enjoy luxurious fabrications, wool and silk-blend rugs are elegant, yet durable, and can easily last a lifetime. Eco-conscious consumers can purchase rugs that are constructed from recycled plastic bottles, bamboo, and other green materials.

Most living room and area rugs can be vacuumed and cleaned with a professional carpet cleaner or home steam-cleaning unit. It is always best to check the manufacturer's guidelines and care instructions to determine the best method of keeping the rug clean, vibrant, and looking great for many years. rugs made of natural fur, animal skins, or other delicate materials may need to be professionally cleaned by a leather specialty shop or professional dry cleaner.

Whether the rug is small, large, round, rectangular, expensive, less costly, colorful, or muted, living room rugs can instantly transform the look of any room. Area rugs look great on bare hardwood floors and carpeted floors.

Shop for Traditional Oriental Rugs

First came the trend of traditional rugs in the initial stages when it was new for all people then slowly other types of rugs like modern rugs, shaggy rugs came into existence. Traditional rugs are easily available from any rugs shops or market. The traditional rugs are known for providing alleviates the stress of your body. Sitting on a hard floor may strain your back or leg but on rugs shows positive effects. Connoisseur people have long back recognized the magnificent work of art to décor their palace or home. While for those who are rich & healthy obsesses traditional rugs of ancient times considering as an elegant & luxury item for mark of status symbol.

The traditional oriental design rugs are readily available in the market made by hand craft work or use of machine. Traditional rugs come in Arts & Crafts, Persian, Floral and Aubusson patterns. Generally, traditional rugs are made of hand hooked, hand knotted, hand tufted, flat weave, braided and machine made. The hand knotted rugs in common terms is known as carpet. The genuine Oriental rug is a hand knotted carpet which in most of cases is either knotted with pile or hand woven without pile.

Traditional rugs refer to both Traditional Persian Rugs as well as Traditional Oriental Rugs. These rugs because of its age are known for its high value. Traditional Persian & Oriental rugs are very expensive for one to afford. The demand of traditional rugs lies in the artistry works which differentiate out every piece of rug because of its uniqueness which are dated back to biblical times. These rugs were hand crafted and hand knotted which lacks words of appreciation and admiration. The finest piece of traditional area rug does not include any noxious element. Rugs made with 100% cotton, wool or silk also add up some health benefit points in your body. If you want to compare between the traditional handmade rugs & machine made rugs then you clearly get the distinguish features of them. Traditional handmade rugs lasts for long time and its durability is much better. While machine made rugs show off their poor result within some limited period of time as they could stand by the wear & tear of the environment. Traditional handmade rugs give back to the weavers creating job and opportunity for the artists & weavers. While machine made rugs seize of hundreds of weavers job. As a result, a kick on their starving stomach to feed on.

Thus, it is your prime duty to take the utmost care of your traditional rug as it is highly valuable and unique too after knowing its importance. A little care with proper attention will serve you the best. Don’t forget a traditional rug is an integral part of your home and a finest piece of artistic work that decors your room, so better take care of it.

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Tips for Decorating With Quality Area Rugs

A house has to be decorated with various accessories to make it look beautiful. Carpets and rugs add to the overall effect of a room. Each room can be decorated with different designs and colors to suit the room and also individual tastes. Carpets cover a bigger area and need more maintenance, while area rugs cover only the area that you want covered.

Area rugs can be placed in front of the hearth, the window seat or in a small passage way. It can be used in front of a sink, in front of sofas and under the dining table. It can be placed on a table to keep flower vases or lamps. It can also be hung on the walls or framed and placed on the walls. All this adds to the effect of the room.

The area rug is the best solution wherever you have a lot of people walking about. The rug will protect the carpet or the floor from being worn out quickly. Buying an area rug is much more economical than buying a carpet. So, students and people who have limited income can also afford it. This will also help in making the room warm.

The area rugs are easy to maintain. When you are rearranging the room you can also change the place of the rug. They are found in various colors and designs. You can also have multi colored rugs. In one room you can two or three rugs to decorate the room. They are available in various prices, too, to suit your budget.

You can get handmade and machine made rugs. Machine made rugs are made from artificial fabrics like olefin and polypropylene. Choose the one that will suit you.

You can have floral rugs which give a country or traditional feel. Bold colors and contrasting designs and lines will add to the modern look of a room. You can also have a sheepskin rug or a shag rug.

Persian rugs are supposed to be the best. The reasons for this are that premium dyes are used to get striking colors. Each rug has a unique look. There are three types of designs available in the Persian rugs. They are: geometric designs, pictorial designs, curvilinear and floral designs. The more knots that are there the more tightly it is woven. They are made of the best quality of wool, silk and dyes.

There are three types of rugs to choose from – the hand knotted, the machine made and the hand tufted. The quality of hand knotted rugs depends on the number of knots per square inch, the type of wool used and the wash. The machine made is made by machine. The hand tufted is made by yarn being forced into a grid. This later has an application of latex or fabric backing.

While buying area rugs, you must decide what place in the house you are going to use it in. You should also plan as to how you will blend it with the existing look of the room. Be sure to ensure that the colors match. You should keep in mind how each room is used to decide on what type of area rug you want in which room. You can buy area rugs for the drawing room, the dining room, the bedroom, the bathroom and the children’s room. You have outdoor and indoor area rugs, cowhide rugs, bamboo rugs, oriental rugs and modern rugs. The size of the rug and where it is going to be placed is very important.

Area rugs should not be used when there is an opening to another room or at the edge of a pathway. This might result in people tripping and falling. The rugs with small designs and light colors can make the room look bigger. If you want the attention to be focused on the area rug, then it should have bold colors and designs. Rugs of various shapes can be used to make the room look attractive.

It is good to use rug pads under the rugs wherever the rugs are placed in a room. The rugs get worn out from the bottom, when we walk on it. The rug pads protect them.

You can get area rugs in stores or you can order them online. Each piece can be special. It will definitely enhance the look of the room and add to the décor. There are a variety of styles, designs, materials and textures to choose from. Since it is available in all price ranges, you can buy one to suit your pocket. Go ahead and get area rugs to decorate you home.

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Buying Oriental Rugs at Auction - What You Need to Know

In order to buy Oriental rugs at auction, you have to be able to evaluate them. They can be rather complicated so the more knowledge you have, the better off you will be. Once you know what to look for, you will have a leg up on most of the other people in the audience.

No one at an auction is going to help you measure the value of an Oriental rug. You will have to do this yourself. Rugs can be a wonderful bargain at auction as long as you know what you are doing.

Here is what you need to know about Oriental rugs:

What is an Oriental Rug?

It is a rug that has been hand-made in Iran, China, India, Russia, Turkey, Pakistan, Morocco, the Balkans, Mongolia, Egypt, Tibet, Nepal, Afghanistan or the Caucasus Mountains - the region between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea.

Persian rugs are usually broken out into a separate category under the group heading of Oriental. This is because they are in a class all their own. There is no finer rug than a Persian rug. Not only that, there were more rugs made in Persia than in any other country. Persia is now known as Iran.

What is the Difference between a Rug and a Carpet?

An Oriental carpet is generally considered to be anything larger than 35 square feet. It is considered a rug if it measures anything under this. You may also come across the term "Palace carpet." True palace carpets are usually antique and they measure 14 feet by 10 feet or larger. Years ago they were made in these dimensions so as not to be overwhelmed by the larger size of the rooms found in a palace.

When is an Oriental Rug Considered an Antique?

Unlike most other items that are considered antiques when they reach one hundred years old, an Oriental rug is an antique at 50 years. Rugs that are between 10 and 50 years old are semi-antique and anything under 10 years is looked upon as new. Although most Oriental rugs have value, antique rugs bring the most money and some of them bring huge sums of money.

How Can You Tell if an Oriental Rug is Older?

Determining age can be difficult unless you are an expert. The majority of antique rugs have a design in each corner such as a bird's head. This was quite common back in the day but no longer.

Also, if you separate the rug pile and use a magnifying glass to look at the base of one of the knots, you should see an even and consistent reduction in color all the way to the top of the pile. This is evidence of the fading of the dyes over time. If the reduction in color is more sporadic or uneven, then the color was purposely altered in some way to give the appearance of age.

How to Tell a Hand Made Rug from a Machine Made Rug?

There are many rugs out there that have the look of an Oriental but they are just inexpensive machine made rugs. It is very easy to tell the difference between the two. You can fold an Oriental rug. No matter how big it is, it can be folded like a blanket, although it is considerably heavier and bulkier. Large Oriental rugs can be folded in half and then folded again in thirds for easier moving - as long as you can lift it. A machine made rug has to be rolled up because it has no capacity to bend.

There are two other ways to distinguish between hand made and machine made. The first is to look at the fringe. On a hand made Oriental rug, the fringe is an extension of the rug. It is not sewed on. The second is when looking at the back of a rug, if the pattern on the front is clearly visible on the back then it is hand made.

How do You Judge the Quality of a Hand Made Oriental Rug?

The quality of a hand made rug is determined by how many knots there are in a square inch. The tighter the knots, the more expensive the rug. This rule of thumb is somewhat complicated by another factor and that would be the material used to make the rug. Most Oriental rugs are made from either wool or silk. Clearly a rug maker can get more knots into a square inch with silk than he can with wool. However, there are some wool rugs with a lesser knot count that are more valuable than a silk rug with a higher knot count. Unfortunately that makes quality based on knot count alone hardly foolproof.

All you can do is look at the knots carefully and decide whether or not the knots are extremely close together as it relates to the material used. A knot count of 290 per square inch is considered a fine quality rug. As the count goes down so does the quality. Most antique rugs, which can be pretty expensive, are less than 290 knots but the value of an antique rug is based on age and country of origin as much as it is anything else.

All knots are hand done but there are different kinds of knots. A knot is reflective of a particular area such as a Turkish knot or a Persian knot, also called a Senneth knot. A Senneth knot is usually used on very intricate patterns.

If you are interested, you can do further research on the Internet or you can get a reference book on Oriental rugs. Seeing what these knots look like will further enhance your ability to properly identify each rug you see.

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