Throw Rugs

Throw Rugs are a home decorator’s best friend. They’re fun and a snap to use anywhere. They add a pinch of personality and a dash of style to any spot in your home! Whether you’re rolling in dough or budget-minded, you'll find plenty of these kind of rugs ready to make your home a showcase. Beautify your floors and watch your home design ideas come to life.

Image via Wikipedia

Area rugs (also called floor rugs) are great for "seasoning" an entire room with big, wide designs. When your space is smaller, or your room’s bald spot isn’t worth filling wall-to-wall, you need a rug that matches your home decorating project.

Throw rugs are perfect for tight spaces and cramped corners. Rather than cover an entire area, a throw rug can add a burst of color where it’s needed. It can help protect traffic-prone little spots, or subtly complement your furniture.

Whatever your needs, throw rugs may well become your little decorator champions! Use them anywhere and everywhere for instant appeal.

Many throw rugs have the distinction of being two-faced. No, they won’t talk behind your back when you’re at work - but they do lead a double-life. Many work as both throw rugs and throw blankets, so they’re perfectly at home on the floor or on the furniture in areas such as the guest bedroom or the den. And, with machine-washable being a common feature, they’re a snap to clean up.

Their compact size (usually about 1’ x 3’) lets you use them anywhere. They’re sometimes available slightly larger or slightly smaller, but anything much bigger than 3 to 4 feet bridges on becoming an accent rug. Being compact doesn’t sacrifice variety or personality, though. You can select from many different types and styles of throw rugs for your home or office.

Indoor-outdoor styles are strong enough to serve as a welcome mat, patio pad, or kitchen floater. Hand-tufted styles are heirloom-quality, just like their bigger counterparts, featuring artisan skill and timeless looks. Flat woven varieties lay smooth and comfy for hallways, doorways, and corners. Braided ovals bring a taste of Americana and are comfortable in every décor. Children’s rugs are bright and peppy, adding "cool" in a flash.

Buying Area Rugs

You can explore the fascinating history of rugs or simply find out how to make the right choice for your home or office.
But, how do you go about selecting the right rug(s)?

What kind of material is best for your situation?

Which style is best for the look and feel you want?

Does each type of rug have different guidelines for care/cleaning?At first, that might seem like a lot to think about.
No need to fret...  We’ll help answer those questions, and more!


There are tons of area rug tips, and you'll find them in easy-to-understand sections that make the topic more enjoyable as well as informative and certainly less perplexing than other sites about rugs.
Image by tray via FlickrWe’ll take an in-depth look at the materials used to make area rugs, both natural and synthetic. Natural materials include wool, cotton, jute and sisal. Synthetic materials are things like polypropylene/olefin and nylon. You can find out more about the different methods used to make area rugs including hand-knotted, flat-woven, hooked and machine-made.

We’ll show you lots of useful tips for decorating with area rugs as well as valuable information on their care and cleaning.

There's also a section about the terminology used when discussing rugs and rug making.

When the time comes for you to pick an area rug (or more than one), ask yourself these questions:

• How much foot traffic will the area rug get and will there be children or pets on the rug?
• Do you want a rug to fit in with your existing furniture or furnishings or will you get new furniture and/or furnishings to go with the area rug?
• Do you want the rug to draw attention to some part of the room or to create a theme?
• Will the rug be used for artistic expression or to personalize your environment?
• Do you want a rug that will last for decades and become a family heirloom?

Some of these things may not apply in your situation while other items may deserve some consideration before making the final decision about picking the right area rug(s). You’ll be able to see for yourself what is best for different circumstances.

Tuduc Fakes

Image via WikipediaA book about Tuduc fakes edited and written by Stefano Ionescu has just been published. The book is entitled “Handbook of Fakes by Tuduc” and includes 76 images of Tuduc fakes and images of authentic examples used as models for Tuduc.

Stefano Ionescu’s handbook presents a framework for identifying suspect carpets which involves examination of technical and stylistic characteristics of Tuduc’s workmanship.

“Alberto Boralvi has kindly contributed biographical notes and a portrait of Teodor Tuduc and also provided valuable information about fakes” says Stefano Ionescu to Jozan Magazine.

Theodor Tudoc was a Romanian master weaver which forgeries and “reproductions” of Anatolian, Caucasian and Persian carpets from the 15th 16th and 17th centuries, fooled many museums and famous collectors and scholars as J.F. Ballard, M.S. Dimand, Kurt Erdmann, Joseph V. McMullan, Ulrich Schürmann and many others.

European and American collections harboring these fakes include the National Museum of Art, Bucharest; the Brukenthal Museum, Sibiu; the Art Museum, Brasov; the Museum for Islamic Art, Berlin; the Victoria and Albert Museum, London; The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York; the Textile Museum of Canada, Toronto; The Nickle Arts Museum of Calgary, and others still undiscovered.

“The book was presented during the recent talk tour in the US involving major museums, rug societies and collectors, from coast to coast” says Stefano Ionescu.

This tour was organized by ACOR and included talks about Ottoman rugs in Transylvania, Romanian kilims and Tuduc fakes in Philadelphia, Washington DC, New York, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Antique rug mini-fair at Motel Capri

Image via Wikipedia

An antique rug & textile “mini-fair” will take place at Motel Capri 8-14 February concurrent with the San Francisco Tribal Arts Show 10-14 February 2011.

Michael Craycraft, DeWitt Mallary, Bertram Frauenknecht, Ed Koch, Craig & Nina Hatch, Patrick Pouler, and James Cohen will trade and exhibit in their rooms at the Motel Capri.

Image via Wikipedia

Types of Rug Construction

Hand-knotted Rugs
In a hand-knotted rug, wool yarn is hand tied around the warp threads of a weaving loom to form the pile of the carpet. It can take many months to produce one rug. First developed in Persia, it is the same process that has been used for hundreds of years. These rugs are “programmed rugs” which means there are similar designs and colours available in different sizes. The designs are generally variations on classic designs, and are often carved by hand for an embossed look. The rugs are made using a variety of weaving and knotting techniques that are dependent on local customs. The Persian knot is the most common. Alexanian's carries hand-knotted rugs from India and China. 


Hand-knotted, Persian Rugs and One-of-a-Kind rugs
Unique rugs that are one-of-a-kind. These rugs are made using a variety of weaving and knotting techniques that are dependent on local customs. The Persian and Turkish knot are the two most common. Alexanian's carries hand-knotted one-of-a-kind rugs from Iran, China, Nepal, India, and Pakistan. 


Machine-made Rugs 
Machine-made rugs are woven on electronic computer assisted looms. The pile is created through a sophisticated machine process. Synthetic yarns are most common, but some of the finest machine-made rugs are wool, and are often difficult to tell from handmade rugs. Colour and design variations are often programmed into the designs, and hand knotted fringes can be added for a more handmade look. Designs range from traditional Persian reproductions to contemporary and modern designer rugs. Alexanian's carries machine-made rugs from Egypt, Bulgaria, Belgium, Turkey and the USA. 


Braid and Sisal Rugs
Braided rugs are rugs in which bands of solid or variegated braided material, usually cotton, form a pattern which is consistent from rug to rug. 


Sisal, Seagrass Rugs 
Sisal has been used in rug making for thousands of years. It is a tough, durable, natural fiber, that stands up well to traffic. Sisal is finer, and easier to bleach and dye than seagrass, making it a good choice if you're looking for a more neutral rug. There are also synthetic sisal rugs available. 

Antique Rug Fair in London

Image via WikipediaA new antique rug and textile fair, the London Antique Rug and Textile Fair (LARTA) has just been announced, and will take place 31 March – 3 April 2011.

The organizer of this fair is Aaron Nejad, an antique rug dealer from London, who started in rug business in 1990. Aaron is also a frequent writer and contributing editor to Hali.

“We will have a stand at the show” says Hali’s David Young to Jozan Magazine.

The exhibitors in this new London fair include at this moment Joss Graham Gallery, Hali Magazine, Anthony Hazledine, Christopher and Angela Legge, Andy Lloyd, Aaron Nejad, Oxianna Books/Ed Stott, Owen Parry, Pars Rug Gallery and Persian Carpet Studio.

LARTA will coinside with KARMA ( 1-4 April ) and Bonhams auction “Oriental and European Rugs & Carpets” ( 5 April ) so there will be several reasons for ruggies to visit London in this period.

“Two fairs at the same time will probably make it even more interesting for the customers to visit London” says Karma exhibitor Sarah Haberkern to Jozan Magazine.

Location and more information: LARTA, The Showroom, 63 Penfold St, London

An Article About Oriental Rugs

Image via Wikipedia

Image via Wikipedia

In Search of Quality Amid a Glut of Oriental Rugs

By KATE MURPHY from The New York Times

ORIENTAL rugs have long been valued for their artistry and durability, not to mention their association with taste and gentility. But these days you don't need to be a Brahmin to buy one. There is a glut of affordable Oriental rugs on the market, thanks to the end in 2000 of a 20-year embargo on Iranian textiles and an expanding range of other floor covering options.

Discerning quality can be tricky, because of the many subtleties in materials, design and craftsmanship. But if you use your senses, you can find a rug that not only suits your style but is also a sound investment.

But before you let a dealer unroll a single rug for you to examine, keep some basic guidelines in mind. Decide how much you want to spend and where you want to put the rug. If it is destined for the dining room, you'll want it to be bigger than the table, and you may want a dark color that camouflages spills. And just so you don't come across as a rug rube, call the rug a "carpet" only if it is more than 6 feet long.

Your next decision is whether to buy a modern or antique rug. Though there are exceptions, the best-quality rugs are either very old or very new but made in the old tradition, most dealers and collectors say. "There has been an effort in the last few years to return to the way rugs were made a century ago," said Mark Hopkins, president of the New England Rug Society, a group of rug scholars and connoisseurs.

That was before the widespread use of chemically treated wool, synthetic dyes and mass production techniques discouraged weavers' creativity. "Some of the new rugs are like the antiques in that they are unique, one of a kind, works of art," said Mr. Hopkins, a retired advertising executive who has a large collection of Oriental rugs.

Prices vary according to design, provenance and condition, but you can get comparable antique and new room-size Oriental rugs for $2,000 to $10,000. Rare collector's rugs, like a 12-by-14-foot Sultanabad circa 1870, may go for $100,000 to $200,000.

New rugs have the advantage of no wear, but an antique rug that is well made and well maintained will outlast your grandchildren - and hold its value or even appreciate. "I like to use the analogy of antique furniture," said Carol Piper, an Oriental rug dealer in Houston. "You buy a beautifully made new sofa, and it's just a used sofa the day after you bought it, whereas a valuable antique will still be a valuable antique."

When evaluating a rug, look for warm colors that change hue when viewed from different angles. Avoid rugs with brash, one-note colors, like taxicab yellow or mailbox blue, as those can indicate synthetic, chemical dyes rather than natural dyes derived from plants and insects.

"The naturally dyed rugs are more aesthetically pleasing and more valuable," said George Anavian, a rug dealer with showrooms in Santa Fe, N.M., and Manhattan who also teaches a rug appraisal course at New York University. And natural dyes do not run the way some synthetic ones do. Dampen a white handkerchief and rub it over the pile to check for color fastness.

Next, turn the rug over. Don't worry about counting knots per square inch because the weave's tightness does not always indicate value. More important is that the weave has some irregularity in the knotting. If it's flawless, it may not be handmade; machine-made rugs are anathema to collectors.

"Often the most valuable and charming rugs are ones that have imperfections" - when the top and bottom border designs don't match, for example, because the weaver could not see across to repeat exactly what had been done at the other end of the rug, Ms. Piper said.

Historically, the great carpet-making areas have been Iran, Turkey, Turkestan and the Caucasus. But you can also add Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, India and China to the list.

Look at the back of the rug to check for repairs - and to see if the rug may have been cut down from a larger size. Tip-offs are lines that look like seams running through the design, or obvious overstitching. "It's not necessarily bad if the alterations are well done, but you want to know what you are getting," Mr. Anavian said, because such modifications can reduce the value.

Check whether the colors on the back match those on the front. If not, it may have been chemically "aged" to appear antique. You can also check for such aging by separating the pile and looking for dark roots - like those of a bleached blond overdue for a hair appointment.

THE most durable and valuable rugs are usually made of wool and should feel soft, springy and lustrous. If a rug is frizzy or coarse, the wool has probably been scalded and mechanically spun, which strips away its protective fibers and lanolin, said George Jevremovic, president of Woven Legends, a rug importer in Philadelphia. "If it's spun by hand, the wool keeps its natural Scotchgard against stains and wear," he said.

You should also feel for uneven or thin areas in the pile - signs of wear or moth damage. These may not be apparent to the eye because they are often painted over. Fold the rug back and forth and listen for any creaking or cracking, indications of dry rot. And give the rug a whiff. A funky smell can signal rot or mold.

Dealers and appraisers say well-made Oriental rugs increase or at least hold their value over time, and collectors say that some rugs are worth 10 times what they were 20 years ago. But nothing is certain.

"You can't predict how much a rug will be worth in 10 years any more than you can predict the value of a stock - look at Enron," said Ms. Piper, in Houston, who has sold several rugs consigned by former executives of that company. More important than the potential return on investment, she said, is knowing "that you really love the rug, it pleases you and you want to live with it."

More on Rug Hanging

There are several ways to hang antique weavings, rugs and tapestries, and limitless ways to mount fragile or fragmentary textile art.

Casings

On some sturdy weavings, rugs and tapestries, casings of heavy cotton, linen, or even cotton twill rug binding can be hand sewn across the top of the back, stopping just short of each side. Heavy cotton button-hole thread is good for this. One should catch at least two warp threads in each stitch for the best support. A metal rod slightly shorter than the width of the weaving can then be inserted in the casing. This rod can be supported on two slightly angled nails or two screws in the wall; alternately, the rod can be suspended from above with monofilaments. None of the hanging apparatus should be visible on the textile's front.

With this method, the casing must bulge on the back if the front of the textile is to be flat. Although the top edge of a handwoven rug or textile may be uneven, it is essential that the casing be perfectly straight. If it conforms to the irregular textile shape, the piece will hang unevenly.

Velcro

Image by Getty Images via @daylifeIn a method currently favored by many museum conservators, a strip of Velcro is hand-sewn to the top back of the textile or rug. The soft, fuzzy Velcro part goes on the weaving; then the stiffer, matching Velcro strip is stapled or glued to a wooden board. The wood is then mounted on the wall wherever studs are located. The textile is simply pressed into place. Some individuals prefer to machine stitch Velcro first to a buckram or hair-canvas strip, then hand-stitch that canvas to the rug. If the textile is soft and flexible, this stiffens and supports it a bit. I occasionally secure a slit-tapestry kilim by stitching at staggered intervals straight through the center of the Velcro, as well as along its edges.

Mounting on Stretchers
Really heavy fabric may be stretched and stapled or tacked over a wooden frame, canvas stretchers, or painted plywood for a rigid mounting. If a lightweight silk is the desired mounting surface, such a fabric can be stretched over a sturdy canvas, with an intermediate layer of soft cotton flannel. The weaving is then hand sewn to the stretched fabric(s), leaving the desired border. Heavy, unbleached Utrecht linen canvas was used in the example shown.

Most textiles need to be sewn not only along their edges and also in other areas, so that the weight is evenly supported. Usually large staggered stitches that go completely through the fabric and cross several warp or weft yarns (or both) are best. Stitching is not obvious on the front if thread colors are carefully matched to the textile.

If more protection is desired for delicate pieces, a frame can be attached to the stretchers. Either glass and plexiglas should be held away from any textile, however. A standard museum-type presentation consists of plain, natural-colored linen mounting, with an austere shadow box frame or plexiglas box. The construction should not be tightly sealed, but rather should allow for some air circulation, to discourage mildew. This elegant presentation should be for both residential and commercial interiors.

Hanging Egyptian Tapestries
The miniature Egyptian cotton tapestries from Harrania are best mounted on stretched linen, as described earlier. I have usually tucked fringes underneath the tapestries, leaving only the overhand warp knots on the surface.

Larger, heavier wool tapestries can easily be hung with Velcro, with casings and rods, or with Vincent's casing-and-board method described above. In Egypt, mural-sized pieces have traditionally been mounted on painted, fabric-covered plywood with the edges folded over the sides and covered with simple strip molding frames. Selvage irregularities are thus obscured. Sometimes simply hemming a piece instead by attaching fabric facing or twill tape to enclose the fringe works fine. A rod can then be slipped through the facing. The photo here shows a facing attached along the lower back of a small tapestry. A thin metal rod was inserted in this hem for a little extra weight and stiffness. Sometimes irregularities in a shape of a shape can be modified slightly with this kind of method.

Kinds of Rugs

Image via WikipediaRugs are either machine produced or handmade.

Machine-made Rugs
These are power loomed on machines and are mass-produced. Best way to tell whether a rug is machine made or handmade is to look at the fringe. On a machine made rug, the fringe is usually just attached or sewn at the back, while a handmade rug is made with the fringe as its foundation and it is a part of the rug. Secondly, machine made rugs will be perfect, while the handmade rug will show many flaws including slight crookedness, inconsistency in the design and other mistakes. Machine made rugs are usually made of synthetic materials but there are wool rugs also available.

Handmade Rugs
Amongst the handmade rugs, there are two basic types: Flat weave and knotted. Other categories of handmade rugs are gun tufted, hooked, soumak, needlepoint, and chain-stitched rugs. The best rugs are either hand woven or hand knotted.

IMPORTANTIf a rug is listed simply as "hand made", make sure you know more about how it was made because hand tufted, or hand hooked rugs are hand made, but they are not as finely made and durable as the hand knotted or hand woven rugs. So just the "hand made" label is not enough to make your decision. A tufted, stitched, or hooked rug may be the right one for your needs, but you must make that decision with the exact knowledge of what you are buying, and it must cost only a small fraction of the hand knotted rugs. The tufted rugs usually have a cloth or canvas type material on the back to hide the glue they use to hold the fibers in place.

Handmade versus Machine-made Rugs
Machine made rugs do not have most of the advantages that fine handmade rugs have. For example, a good handmade rug should last for a century or even two if properly taken care of. Handmade rugs can be repaired, even entire portion re woven or knotted and almost any damage can be fixed. This is not the case in their machine made counter parts. A fine handmade rug will age beautifully and usually appreciate in value over a long period of time. Machine made rugs do not enjoy such longevity or appreciation.

Advantages of Handmade Rugs
No furnishing or decor can match the value, functionality, durability, and beauty that fine handmade rugs give their owners. A good handmade rug will last for generations, age beautifully, appreciate over time, become an heirloom, be a magnificent combination of function, beauty and value. They are true works of art.

How to Take Care of your Rugs

Image via WikipediaThe beauty and life of handmade rugs depend largely on cleanliness and care. They can last for centuries in good condition, give remarkably long service, and age beautifully with proper care. Following recommendations will help you in taking good care of your fine rugs & carpets.

Moths
Moths are best controlled by frequent moving, handling and regular exposure to light and air. If rugs must be stored, regular inspection at intervals is essential. A rug in use is rarely in danger from moths. Moth crystal and Cedar wood balls are good repellants of moths.

Dampness
The water is the best thing to use for carpets cleaning and general stain removal for most wool that are colorfast. But leaving a rug wet is dangerous for any rug. Even the most colorfast rug may bleed colors if left wet. This does not mean that you have to be scared of using rugs in an environment where they may get wet, like the kitchen or the bathroom. Just make sure that you dry them when they get wet. You can air dry them or even use a hair dryer, on cold setting. When drying a rug that is really wet, comb the wet part in the direction of the overall pile of the rug.

Damage
A competent expert should deal with the damage as soon as possible if any mechanical damage is sustained, such as a cut or burn, because such damage can worsen over time. Any place in the rug that is locally worn or damaged can be re-woven - even large holes can be restored to make the rug almost as good as new. Look around for a local expert that has repair facilities available.

How to Buy Rugs

Image by globevisions  via Flickr
Rug making is a tradition for 3,000 years. Here are some guidelines to help you choose your quality carpets to treasure for a lifetime.

It's in the Details


A good rug lies flat and straight on the floor and is reasonably regular in its shape. It has lively, lustrous wool or fiber. The colors are in balance - neither faded nor bled. It has been intelligently "finished" so that it is not washed out, unnaturally shiny, or unpleasantly bright and harsh. Most important of all, the rug should have a certain sophisticated quality, an evidence of having been made by skilled artisans.

Buy Rugs Made By Adult Artisans

Rugs of exceptional quality are the least likely to have been made with child labor. The rugs that are likely made from illegal child labor are the cheapest Indian, Nepalese and Pakistani rugs. Look for the GoodWeaveTM label for assurance that your rugs aren't made by child laborers.

How to Find a Quality Rug

The best rug dealers will encourage you to take rugs home on approval without obligation. They are very concerned about child labor in the rug industry and carefully avoid rugs made under suspect conditions. Trust your instincts. If you feel uncomfortable with a dealer, move on.

Do Prep Work

First, measure the area the rug will cover. Remember, you should probably have a border of flooring all the way around the rug. Allow for a range of sizes; the greater the range, the more choices you will have. Consider whether you prefer traditional rugs or those with contemporary designs. To guide your decision, one option is seek an interior designer. Designers can be wonderful allies in finding the right rugs. But remember, they usually focus on "the look"  while the rug dealer focuses on quality. Yours will be on what you like. Listen to all, but the last say is still yourself.

In addition, there are also questions that are more controversial, more subjective or more difficult to answer.

Are Finely Knotted Rugs Better?
Rugs are available in myriad densities, typically ranging from up to 30 knots per inch (very coarse) to 290 knots per inch (very fine). Finely knotted or finely woven rugs are usually the most desirable. Curved lines in a rug’s design can be "drawn" more smoothly and gracefully in a rug with many knots per square inch, just as a lot of pixels in a television screen allow for more natural looking lines. And rugs that are very finely knotted have such dense surfaces that light is attractively reflected from them.

Modern or Traditional?
If you are thinking about a traditional Persian or Tribal rug designs, you may consider getting your antique rug purchase through a respected dealer. However, you may also find new rugs that look old, at a lower price. Contemporary designs are widely available, many of which have been adapted from old techniques and styles.

Hand-Knotted, Hand-Tufted or Flat-Weave?
Hand-knotted rugs is usually higher in quality because of the intensive labor required. Hand-tufted rugs, that involve stenciling a pattern on the backing of the rug and then threading yarns into the design, are lower in price. Flat-weave rugs are also less expensive because they require less labor.

Natural or Synthetic Dyes?
In antique rugs, natural dyes are more desirable than synthetic. Natural dyes add roughly 30 percent to the cost of a rug,also add to its charm and its value. But, the synthetic dyes used today are available in a wide array of colors and shades and hold their color well over time. It is impossible without expensive laboratory analysis to be certain whether a given dye is natural or synthetic.

Hand-Spun or Machine-Spun Wool?
Most collectors and connoisseurs value the effect produced by hand-spun wool, though some prefer the uniformity of machine-spun wool. When spun by hand, yarn absorbs more dye where it is loosely spun and less dye where it is spun tightly, producing pleasant variegation in the colors of a rug.

Can You Judge Quality by Height of the Pile?
Sometimes, inexperienced rug buyers mistake a thick pile for quality. The truth is, the finest rugs often are the thinnest. Still, if a rug is going to take significant traffic, it should have plenty of body.

Persian Carpet

Image via Wikipedia
The Persian carpet is an essential part of Persian art and culture. Carpet-weaving is undoubtedly one of the most distinguished manifestations of Persian culture and art, and dates back to ancient Persia. In 2008, Iran’s exports of hand-woven carpets was $420 million or 30% of the world's market. Today, there is an estimated population of 1.2 million weavers in Iran producing carpets for domestic markets and international export. Iran exports carpets to more than 100 countries, as hand-woven rugs are one of its main non-oil export items. The country produces about five million square meters of carpets annually—80 percent of which are sold in international markets. In recent times Iranian carpets have come under fierce competition from other countries producing reproductions of the original Iranian designs as well as cheaper substitutes.

The designs of Iranian carpets are copied by weavers from other countries as well. Iran is also the world's largest producer and exporter of handmade carpets, producing three quarters of the world's total output. Though in recent times, this ancient tradition has come under stiff competition from machine-made products. Iran is also the maker of the largest handmade carpet in history, measuring 60,546 square feet (5,624.9 square meters).


Persian carpets can be divided into three groups:

• Farsh / 'Qālii' (sized anything greater than 6x4 feet)
• Qālicheh (meaning rug, sized 6x4 feet and smaller)
• Gelim or Kilim, (including Zilu, meaning rough carpet).