“To spread roughly,” is a surprising definition of a name used to identify stylish and beautiful handmade carpets - Kilim rugs. According to experts, the origin of the term can be traced to the Persian word “gelim’ which is translated as such. This once lowly flat-woven Oriental carpet has found its way in many modern homes and is one... Read More
If you’re in the market for a handmade area rug, there’s a big chance you’ve seen photos of Oushak rugs online and on interior design magazines. And if you follow the world’s top home designers on social media, there’s no doubt you’ll see more than a couple of them sing praises for the gorgeous #oushak wool carpet. There are... Read More
Hamnoy, Norway Scandinavian rugs are rarely mentioned in the same breath as Persian and Oriental rugs but they’ve been around since the fourteenth century AD. They not only rival the beauty of old carpet favorites but also played a significant role in the cultural evolution of Scandinavian countries such as Norway, Denmark, Finland, and Sweden. Turkish Influence Like all popular things in... Read More
Istanbul, Turkey Turkish rugs are among the finest in the world and its history will reveal how it has evolved from being an essential nomadic household implement to being a highly sought after piece of art that collectors and homeowners are willing to shell out a fortune for. Origin of Turkish Rugs While it’s clear that rug weaving was already present in... Read More
Bukhara, Uzbekistan Uzbek carpets are well-known products of Uzbekistan, carpet weaving is inseparably tied with other arts and crafts in the Uzbek tradition. In Uzbekistan almost all homes are decorated with rugs, some pieces even replace furniture and cover walls. Today, these will often be factory-made synthetic rugs, however, traditionally they would have been handwoven in each village locally. Each... Read More
Mongolian landscape. Mongolian Rugs have a long history going back to the Mongol period in China. Unfortunately, very few if any early antique rugs of this kind are actually conserved. Yet we can find evidence of their existence embodied in Chinese manuscripts, where they appear familiar style that is still produced and represented to this day. Mongolian carpets are unlike many other countries that have their... Read More
Harewood House in West Yorkshire, England English rugs began production around the late 16th century and early 17th Century. Central areas for their creation were located in Axminster, Wilton, and Kidderminster. Characteristic patterns on these antique rugs include deep golden colors, asymmetrical schemes, coat of arms designs and adaptations of blossoms and vines. The English love of flower gardens is... Read More
The wool rug has been around in Morocco since the Stone Age but it wasn’t until the mid-20th century when top designers from the West discovered its ‘primitive’ beauty and began using it in prestigious projects. It not only sparked the ‘Moroccan’ style interior design movement but also spawned a copycat industry of cheap Morocco rugs. Understanding its origins... Read More
Custom-made rug creation by Jürgen Dahlmanns. Available in Dallas via Arsin Rug Gallery (Photo courtesy of Rug Star Rugs) Persian rugs can liven up any space which is why many interior designers love using them for their projects. But unlike furniture and other home decors, it’s more challenging to change a rug. For one, all handwoven carpets are one-of-a-kind so... Read More
Cotopaxi Province, Ecuador The Andes Mountains separate Ecuador into three sections: humid lowlands, temperate highlands, and tropical rainforests. Among the regions, half of the population lives in the coastal lowlands. Typical Industries accounting for Ecuador’s economy are oil, fishing, coffee, bananas, textiles, and metalwork. Ecuador is not well known for its rug and carpet weaving industry; however, textiles have been present... Read More
Al Ahram, Egypt Early Egyptian rug weaving can be separated into two ages: the Mamluks and Ottomans. Egypt's supreme period of rug weaving was during the rule of Mamluks from the fifteenth century until the early sixteenth century. Mamluk sultans were known for their abundant supporters of the Islamic arts and the era of their reign was reflected to be... Read More
Fars Province, Shiraz, Iran ( Photo by Steven Su on Unsplash) Every rug trader in the world knows for a fact that without Persian rugs, the entire carpet industry will not exist, especially in the United States and Europe. It’s therefore paramount to any historical discussion about rugs and carpets to trace its origins to Iran or what was known in the ancient... Read More
Gosainkunda, Nepal ( Photo by Sergey Pesterev on Unsplash) Nepal and Tibet are so close to each other geographically that most people think they belong to one country. In reality, Tibet is a territory of China while Nepal is recognized as a sovereign nation in South Asia. But the difference stops there as both places share a long and deep cultural history especially... Read More
Staircase runners add color and texture plus an extra layer of protection to your stairs. Each part of the home is as important as the other. Attending different purposes, each space in the home must be given adequate consideration when it comes to design and development. However, we often overlook some hidden spaces, assuming the style must be more present in areas such as... Read More
Laos Mountain Temple (Image by igormattio from Pixabay) Laos has one of the most diverse cultures in Southeast Asia which is a product of landlocked geography, colonization and decades of conflict with neighboring regions. But despite all these struggles and challenges, the country continues to thrive thanks largely to a booming tourism industry that promotes Laos weaving and textiles. Laos Women... Read More
Handmade wool and silk rugs are organic and eco-friendly. (Photo by Lonely Planet on Unsplash) Modern-day parenthood can be a minefield when it comes to figuring out what’s safe for your child and what’s not. This is why many couples who are having babies for the first time are willing to spend extra for eco-friendly nursery rooms. They want to have a... Read More
The Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design in Jerusalem was founded based on the Bezalel School art movement that started in Palestine.(Photo by Sander Crombach on Unsplash ) Jewish-made rugs have existed for centuries but were never recognized in the industry as having an identity of their own like carpets made in the Middle East or Africa. Conflict and persecution have forced... Read More
Image by MBatty from Pixabay Persian rug selection for design professionals goes beyond color and design. They also consider the type of raw material used which helps them decide what kind of area rug is best for a project. These factors are essential to know and remember if you want to get the most out of owning an authentic one-of-a-kind... Read More
Image by IMS68 from Pixabay DIY area rug cleaning can be a challenge but if you take the time to learn how to do it right, it will not only save you money but also help prolong the life of your beloved rugs. Handwoven carpets made from organic materials such as wool and silk are known to last for ages. In fact, it’s the... Read More
Burren Way, Clare, Ireland (Photo by Leighton Smith on Unsplash) If you like handmade rugs, you probably know there are many places on Earth where they’re made and not just in the Middle East. There are several carpet designs that would give Persian rugs a run for its money and one illustrious contender is the Irish-made Donegal rug. How Donegal Irish... Read More
The city of Agra has become synonymous with India's top tourist attraction, the Taj Mahal. Unknown to many, it was also one of the centers of Mughal carpet production, which is one of the finest rugs ever produced. (Photo by Fahrul Azmi on Unsplash) Agra rugs may look and feel familiar to many Persian rug owners. Like most carpet producing... Read More
The first French-made rugs were designed after works of art by painters who were inspired by the beauty of their surroundings. (Photo by Sascha Sturm on Unsplash) French rugs were born out of a necessity. Persian rugs became so popular in the West in the 17th century that King Henry IV of France had to intervene with the buying frenzy... Read More
The historic neighborhood is no longer just a hub of upscale designer-only showrooms. It’s transformed into a place for people who love the vibe of modern living and eclectic mix of products from all over the world. (Photo taken from Dallas Design District website) Antique shopping is big in Texas. Every year, thousands flock to visit various cities and towns... Read More
Colombian weavers inherited the skills to craft colorful rugs even to this day. (Photo by Ricardo Gomez Angel on Unsplash) Colombian rugs are made by weaving plant and animal fibers into fabrics which have been a part of Colombia’s rich Andean heritage since the beginning of human civilization in South America. It’s not surprising that textile is one of the... Read More
