How to Buy a Persian Rug - Making the Right Choice

!±8± How to Buy a Persian Rug - Making the Right Choice

People who are familiar with my work, both as a textile designer and as a painter, know that I have a great love for Oriental rugs. They are my passion, my muse, an immutable influence in my work. That's why sharing what I know with you about how to buy a Persian rug, is so much fun for me, and I hope it'll help you to make just the right decision.

First, let's discuss what an Oriental rug is. The term Oriental rug refers to handmade rugs from the continent of Asia, which includes Turkey, Iran (Persia), Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, China, Nepal, Mongolia, Uzbekistan, and Kirgizistan.

A Persian rug is an Oriental rug, but not all Oriental rugs are Persian. Throughout history, Persia has been considered the carpet weaving center of the world. It has been considered to be "the leader" for thousands of years. Until recently, most of the Oriental rugs sold in the United States were from Persia (Iran). People generally assumed that Persian rugs were the finest in the world. If one owned an Oriental rug woven in Iran. it was considered to be of superlative quality. The truth is that while there are Iranian rugs of superb quality, there are also others which range from mediocre to poor. So, in advising you as to how to buy a Persian rug, rule #1 is to deal only with a reputable dealer. Stay far away from "Going Out of Business" sales. Also avoid traveling auctions. They are usually outlets for rejected goods. It is advisable to deal with direct importers of handmade rugs.

My second tip on how to buy a Persian rug is, be sure the rug pleases you aesthetically. Do you like the overall "look" of the rug? Do you like the pattern and color? Is the color rich and luminous? Is the pile at an even height, and sheared properly? Is the size appropriate for the area in your home where you want to place the rug? Remember, you are looking at "one of a kind" rugs and some of the dimensions are a little off-beat. They will not necessarily be in standard sizes. like a programmed rug or a machine made rug. Also, bear in mind that authentic hand knotted or woven Oriental rugs are "perfectly imperfect". The slight inconsistencies are proof that the rug was made by hand, by a human weaver, and not a machine. If the rug is slightly irregular in shape, slightly warped looking, that is also a mark of "made by hand". Many of the looms that tribal weavers use are wood. Wood reacts to heat, cold and dry or moist air. The loom can warp. Hence, the reason for some of the irregularities. When you deal with art, irregularities just make the art more charming. In other words, if the rug is pleasing to you, these irregularities do not diminish the value of the rug.

How can you tell if the rug you are looking at is of high quality? Here are some points to consider:

1. An authentic Oriental/Persian rug is made of natural materials, such as wool, cotton, silk, goat's hair, and camel hair, with wool being the most popular material for the pile of the rug. Your Oriental rug that is made of a natural fiber, such as wool, will way outlast a synthetic broadloom and it's much healthier in that there are no chemical emissions.

2. Another consideration to make is the KPSI or knots per square inch. It is thought that the higher the number, the better the rug. That's true and not true. Why? Because it is a limiting thought. Persian rugs are traditionally made in cities as well as in the country. Each location has a style and characteristics of its own. City rugs are more formal in style and tend to have a higher knot count, as do silk rugs. Because there are more knots per square inch, the effect is finer, with more detailed images. Country rugs have a lower KPSI. They are bolder in design and more rustic, and have a more informal appeal. A lower knot count does not mean that these rugs are not valuable. It just means that they have a coarser, bolder look. Not to worry. These rugs will wear like iron and serve you well for generations. I personally LOVE the more tribal looks. These rugs do not require a higher knot count in order to achieve the bold image, and that's the reason for a lower knot count. In the last analysis, it's all a matter of taste. If the knot count is below 70, I would perhaps advise looking at another rug. Just remember, there are some extraordinarily fine Oriental rugs, which are traditionally executed with a lower knot count.

3. The classical centers of Persian carpet production include: Tabriz, Kashan, Herat, and Kerman. The style traditionally comes in 3 general categories: geometric, floral, or pictorial/curvilinear. Just choose what appeals to you. Take into consideration where you are placing the rug. If it is to be used in a dining room with a table covering a good portion of it, then, choose a more all-over pattern with"border" interest. A center medallion will not be optimal in this case.

4. I advise people to examine the backside of the rug. The pattern should be very clear and you should be able to distinguish individual knots. If it is a handmade rug as opposed to a machine made rug, the knots are not as regular or grid-like. The tiny knots will not always be straight. Also, in a hand knotted or woven rug, the fringe is part of the construction of the rug, and not sewn on. The fringe is made up of the warp strings that come out of the end of the rug. Now, fold the rug in half. If it creases, then it's of poor quality. A quality hand knotted or woven rug can be folded and rolled. It will always lay flat when opened up.

5. Make sure the rug is properly finished. Also, make sure it lays flat.

6. Be sure the dealer is willing to guarantee that the rug is authentic.

I'm always happiest when the rug is the first object in a room. Oriental rugs are like paintings. They need to be showcased, or at least presented well. And it's easier to"start" with the rug. If you already have furniture, then consider your furniture when choosing your rug. If your furniture has a lot going on, in other words, on the "busy" side, then you might need a quieter design in your rug. Also, be sensitive to color. You basically should have 3 big color blocks in your room: the walls, the sofa, and the rug, and all of the other colors play to those three.

I sincerely hope I have given you some good, practical and useful information on how to buy a Persian rug.

HAPPY HUNTING! Enjoy your purchase.

~ Joan S

How to Buy a Persian Rug - Making the Right Choice

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Oreintal Rugs Buying Guide: How to Decorate Your Room with a Persian Rug

!±8± Oreintal Rugs Buying Guide: How to Decorate Your Room with a Persian Rug

Traditionally, oriental rugs were thought of as expensive luxury items affordable only to a select few, but now area rugs have become affordable additions as common to homes as sofas and dining tables. No longer considered expensive accessory pieces, Persian design oriental rugs are now sold as part of the overall decor. Consumers who buy a new dining room or living room set will more than likely purchase oriental rug to complement their selections.

It is important to understand what factors most affect when purchasing an oriental area rug. However, hand-made Persian design oriental rugs have the unique ability to pull an entire room together by offering nothing more than a way to accentuate the furniture itself.

What every rug buyer should know

Oriental rugs can be an intimidating subject to discuss. There are literally thousands of books, brochures, and pamphlets on hand-woven oriental rugs design and construction, so building solid oriental rug knowledge is a life long undertaking. Fortunately every area rug falls into a general design category, a specific type of construction, and contains only a limited number of fibers. If you can develop a good understanding of these basic aspects you can confidently make a decision in purchasing a hand-made Persian design oriental rugs.

Color

Color can set the entire mood for a space and is usually the first criteria on any one's list when purchasing an oriental rug. Each shade sets a different tone and adds intensity to a space. For example, an area rug can open up and brighten a space by using lighter shades, or in contrast, darker shades close in a space and help create a more intimate atmosphere.
Additionally, people who may be looking for an area rug to compliment fabrics or wall treatments. For this customer; the color pallet is specific and may offer limitations; however, oriental rugs are offered in a diverse array of hues. The need for a broad coloration ranges is universally recognized, and hand-made oriental rugs offers a limitless color varieties. This unmatched capability ensures the right color match for any decor.

Designs

Over the past several years the floor covering industry has seen an impressive increase in the installations of hard surface flooring. The durability of these hard surface floors combined with the inexpensive costs of most hand-made oriental area rugs allow homeowners to change the decor of space much more often than in times past. Now, more than ever, design and style play a pivotal role in flooring decisions. Traditional, contemporary and everything in between.

With some of the most fashion forward rugs in the market, today there are designs to fit any lifestyle.

1) Traditional.

Traditional area rugs are typically modern day representations of time
honored European and Asian designs reminiscent of either oriental or
Persian motifs. It is also important to understand when it is referred to
traditional area oriental rugs with Persian designs that we are speaking
about that; the design. True Oriental and Persian rugs are all individually hand knotted of natural fibers made only in the Middle East and far East regions of the world and are priced accordingly.

Traditional designs are sometimes geometric using an allover pattern with lineal components. Traditional geometric patterns are very simplistic and unlike most traditional designs usually have no discernable flow. On the other hand, traditional; designs can be pictorial illustrating elements from nature or from life in general. Floral patterns are also very common traditional designs, utilizing a center medallion of an all over technique. Most floral designs will be framed with a border of some kind and are usually recognized as more Persian Rug than Orientals. Traditional floral designs are also typically considered more formal than most.

Modern day traditional designs rugs utilize color pallets that reflect modern day fashions; however, many still simulate authentic oriental Persian design motifs and utilize natural fibers that provide an antique reproduction appearance.

2) Contemporary.

At the other end of the design spectrum you will find the contemporary
classifications. When describing contemporary area rugs terms such as asymmetrical, architectural, and free form are common. Basically, contemporary designs are characterized by stark contrasts, bold use of color, and often geometric design elements.

One classification with the Contemporary genre is Modern. Modern designs tend to be more architectural in feeling. Many Art-Deco designs fall into this category. They utilize pure geometric design elements along with dazzling variation of primary colors such as blues, greens, and reds. Modern designs tend to be assertive and bold offering a strong statement to a decor. While on the other hand, Retro designs hearken back to styles that were first popular in the 60's and early 70's. They take advantage of the free form concept rarely having any rhyme or reason to the flow of the design.

3) Transitional.

In a nutshell, transitional designs are a blend of contemporary with traditional. Also, sometimes referred to as casual, they tend to be more popular with people looking for the elegance of a traditional design without the formality they often project. Transitional are the broadest classification of area rug design and often the most difficult to recognize simply because they can contain so many elements found in both traditional and contemporary area rugs.

However, most transitional designs are characterized through the use of open spaces containing a sparse assortment of design components; sometimes traditional and sometimes contemporary. You will often, but not always, find a border in transitional rugs allowing for a more traditional element to what would otherwise be a contemporary design. Floral and leaf patterns often fall into this classification.

4) Tribal.

Unlike transitional, tribal designs area rugs are probably the easiest classification of oriental rugs. They are characterized by those design elements common to a specific culture or ethnic group. They utilize earth tone colors such as yellow, gold, red, and brown. Tribal designs oriental rugs combine these elements in very exacting and structured designs offering their own interpretation. They lend themselves well to decor that take on specific themes, offering a way to tie the common elements of a particular space together.

Construction

The construction of oriental area rugs, though technical, is a key element in making decision when purchasing a rug. Many people who are looking to purchase an oriental rug are interested in the quality of the rug they are about to purchase. It is important not to become overwhelmed with these facts; however, explaining how a rug came to be and its role in the quality and design adds to the story of the rug and creates confidence in the product.

There is no need to know everything about each construction process but having a general understanding is imperative.

A) Hand-Knotting (or Hand-Weaving).

Hand-knotting is achieved when the craftsman ties of knots pile yarns around woven backing fibers (warp and weft). The resulting face of the rugs is then sheered to a pre-determined height to give the pile uniformity. In general the value of a hand-knotted rug depends on the number of knots per square inch. The more knots per square inch the more valuable the rug.

B) Hand-Tufted.

Hand-tufted rugs utilize a hand held tufting tool called, simply, a tufting gun. The craftsman will use the gun to fire pile yarns through a primary backing material known as a scrim. This process forms a looped pile. If these loops are left intact the rug is referred to as hand-hooked rug whereas if the loops are sheered off to create a cut pile look, you then have a hand-tufted rug. A secondary backing is then applied to the area rug securing the pile yarn in place and adding extra stability.

Of course, hand made oriental rugs take quite a bit more effort to produce and are made from natural fibers; therefor, they tend to be more valuable. However, the natural beauty and subtle imperfections that make each rug unique outweigh any increased expense.

Fiber

There are dozens of materials used in the construction of area rugs. All of which have unique characteristics that offer its own advantages.

1) Wool

Wool is noted for luxury and softness, wool has a high build and is available in many colors.

- Wool can absorb up to 1/3 of its weight in moisture through cuticle pores and has an ouster membrane that repels water. It can be stretched to 30% without breaking.

- Wool rugs have excellent resistance to compression due to the physical nature of wool fiber. It has a natural crimp with millions of coiled molecules, rather than the artificially induced waves found in man-made fibers.

2) Silk

Silk is used either on its own or in combination with wool. Silk is reasonably hard wearing but it lacks the springiness and suppleness of wool; consequently, silk tend to retain any creases or scuffing in the pile, and far greater care is needed to protect them damage.

Its physical beauty is unsurpassed and silk rugs are normally used as

decorative, rather than functional examples of textiles art, either as wall hangings, or floor covering in rooms that rarely see practical use. Silk is also used as a foundation material; it is extremely strong, keep its shape, and can be spun into very fine strands; however, it is only used when exceptionally fine knotting is required.
Understanding basic design concepts is very helpful in selecting an oriental rug. A few basic principles in design coordination include:

Rugs create mood.

Rugs more specifically their shades, add intensity and relevance to a space. For example, an area rug can open up and brighten a space by using lighter shades or in contrast, darker shades close it in and make it more intimate.

Never try to match the main fabric color. Find a rug that uses its main color the same family of colors found in the swatch you are coordinating. For example, it would be impossible to match the exact red found in a pillow. Rather look to see what second or third colors are used in the pillow and match families of colors not specific colors.

Another factor you certainly want to consider is size. From small scatter rugs to palatial carpets, both the actual room size and specific decorating scheme are critical in determining the size of the rug best suited to your needs. Dining room rugs need to be sized for placement of the chairs and the table as well as for the absolute measurements of the room. Take into account how much of the pattern will be hidden or obscured under the table. Obviously a center medallion design would not be the ideal choice for this purpose.

Living rooms can have a wide array of layouts and elements. Sofas, chairs, occasional tables, and lighting fixtures can be arranged in a single unified configuration or in separate seating or "conversation" areas. In either case your rugs should play a key role in focusing and enhancing the placement of your other furnishings. In effect, they should function as the "foundation" of your design plan for any area in which they are used. The possibilities of decorating with rugs are endless, and with the Persian design oriental rug collection from the rug weaving capitals of the world, you can be assured of the very best in colors, design from Bijan, and quality for every room in your home.

Traffic makes a difference. One critical element in selecting and area rug that is commonly overlooked is traffic. Understanding how much traffic an area rug will be subjected to is not only important in selecting an appropriate design that can hide dirt but also in selecting a rug that can hold up its appearance.

Oreintal Rugs Buying Guide: How to Decorate Your Room with a Persian Rug

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