Area Rugs Blog

Area Rugs in the West

The art of area rug making and the taste for wool area rugs spread across Europe with her contact with Islamic civilization. The earliest European rugs were made in Spain, and some of these pre-date the Muslim invasion. The Synagogue rug, a wool area rug dating from the 14th century, is the earliest extant example of this ancient style. The Armorial carpets, another well-known remnant of this style, has birds and flowers motifs and depictions of Spanish Christian families. This style gave way to the Renaissance style with its silk designs and wreath and pomegranate motifs as the land was re-conquered from the Moors.

The Flying Carpet by Viktor Vasnetsov (1880). Oil, canvas.

In early seventeenth century, France began producing wool area rugs at Savonnerie in the style of Persian rugs. These were densely ornamented with flowers, and were characterized by architectural framing and mythological scenes. The most famous of these were a set of 105 carpets produced under the direction of Charles Le Brun for the palace at Louvre.

Area rug making came to England in late 16th century AD. The 14 extant specimens are called “Norwich carpets” after the town in Northern England where they were produced. These are adaptations of Oriental rug making, especially of the Indo-Persian art. In the coming centuries, the carpet manufacturers Exeter, Moorfields and Axminster became prominent in England. The heart of English area rug manufacture was at Kiddernminster in Worcestershire, where, to this day, a majority of the population is engaged in the industry.

1791 saw the beginning of area rug manufacturing in the United States with William Sprague’s first woven carpet mill in Philadelphia. Other such manufacturers sprung up in New England, and the Beattie Manufacturing Company in New Jersey of that era lasted until 1979.

The revolutionary power loom was invented by Erastus Bigelow in 1839. Area rug making doubled and then tripled in the next few years due to the impact of the power loom. Various enhancements and modifications began to be made, and new companies sprung up based on each such modification. Alexander Smith and sons, which was based on the Skinner powerloom, was founded in 1845 and grew to become the largest manufacturer of area rugs in the world by 1929.

At around the same time, in 1926, Marshall Fields, the well-known Chicago retailer, had a traditional Axminster loom modified to create an unprecedented area rug – a wool rug that was woven through the back like Oriental carpets and with the same sort of color variations as an Oriental. These area rugs were called Karastan rugs, and they are still widely manufactured and fawned upon by carpet-lovers.

Another development took place in Dalton, Northern Georgia, where a young woman named Catherine Evans Whitener invented a new method for weaving wool area rugs – this was called tufting and mainly used for making bedspreads. This became widely popular throughout the US and elsewhere, and Dalton became known as the Bedspread Capital of the World.

Meanwhile, wool area rugs also began to mature as an industry. Various new finishing processes were invented by manufacturers in a bid to give their area rugs a more antique, oriental quality. The creation of a faded, vintage patina, much like the grayed photographs of old days, began to gain a sophistication which made it hard to tell an ancient oriental area rug from a present-day rug manufactured by the likes of Karastan. Using chemical dyes, wool area rugs made in present day USA could be given the same texture and appearance that a fabulously ancient Persian rug using vegetable dye could have. The ancient industry seemed to have come full circle.

August 18th, 2008 | Tags: area rug, Area Rugs, European carpet, European rugs, history, karastan, karastan area rugs, oriental carpets, oriental rugs, rug, rugs | Category: Area Rugs | Comments (1)

Wool area rugs, and area rugs in general, have been with us since the dawn of human civilization. From the first reed and animal skin rugs used by Paleolithic men, to modern machine-loomed wool area rugs decorating multi-million dollar homes, area rugs have been prized possessions of many a household. In the days of Jesus, sheep was reared, their wool sheared and made into wool area rugs, one or two of which He probably might have used; 500 years earlier, it was not unusual for another such man, Buddha, to sit on a coarse woolen area rug and talk to his disciples. Both were eastern men, and oriental rugs were an important part of the life of the Orient.

The earliest area rug was discovered by Sergei Ivanovich Rudenko in a Russian archaeological exploration in 1949. Made of hand-woven wool, the Pazyryk area rug’s exquisite design, texture and its rich colors were remarkably well-preserved in the frozen Siberian burial site where it had laid hidden under the earth for 25 long centuries. This wool area rug is an exceptional example of Saka art, featuring a hand-knotting technique still used in modern times.

Another famous wool area rug from the ancient times is the legendary “Spring of Khosrau,” an enormous and richly decorated hand-knotted area rug belonging to the King of Persia. Made about 550 BC, this area rug was made of wool, silk, gold, silver and gemstones. It had beautiful springtime sceneries woven into its texture, and its “flowers in bloom”, birds, green meadows and other carpet art are wonders of Persian carpentry. No wonder the King spent many a long winter evening wandering along its four hundred thousand square feet area, and admiring the exquisite art of his carpeteers.

Carpetmaking is an ancient household tradition in Turkey as well. A group of eighteen carpets, called the Konya carpets, is the oldest surviving knotted pile area rug in the world. Woven in the 13th century, in the Anatolia peninsula, these wool area rugs were produced under the Seljuc dynasty and had calligraphy borders called kufi, as well as symmetrical geometrical designs repeated at the center field.

The Indus Valley civilization in modern day India and Pakistan shows signs of some of the earliest area rug manufacture. A wide variety of spindles and weaving material has been discovered in these ruins. Four thousand years later, the Mughal conquerors brought to this very same region the art of area rug-making, an art that was developed in India into the exquisite perfection that it has today.

Oriental area rugs first entered Europe with the returning Crusaders. But these were mainly used on walls and table tapestries, and were considered too precious to be actually used as area rugs. With the colonization of the Orient, a large importing of oriental area rugs began to take place.

The earliest known European-made area rugs began to be produced in Spain around the time of the Moorish invasion. A lot of these were wool area rugs. These had the distinct impact of the conquering Islamic civilization; they had the same floral motifs, geometrical patterns, delicacy of color and lack of any human figures as had the Persian and Turkish area rugs and other Oriental rugs.

From Spain, the art of rug-manufacturing spread to France. During the seventeenth century onwards, important battles fought by France were gloriously depicted on area rugs of that era. The art slowly spread to England and other areas of the Continent; in England, the earliest surviving rugs, called the Bayes rug, are to be found in the Cathedral of the city of that name. They have exquisite designs and depictions of battles against France.

August 11th, 2008 | Tags: area rug, Area Rugs, history, oriental rugs, persian rugs, rug, rugs, wool area rugs, wool rugs | Category: Area Rugs | Comments (2)

Ever heard of green rugs? If you are contemplating of replacing your floor covering, then it’s about time you look beyond aesthetics and choose materials that are safe for your health as well as the planet earth. Eco-friendly area rugs that are specifically made using natural fibers, giving you that unparalleled peace of mind especially when you have kids running around the house.

Did you know that recent studies conducted by EPA have shown that the level of pollutants found in most homes are actually two to five times higher than those found outdoors? Truth is, you can easily find these pollutants at a glance on carpets and rugs in the average American homes. Volatile organic compounds as well as other chemicals that are known as carcinogens such as benzene and formaldehyde found in synthetic floor coverings may be easily found floating in your home and in the air you breathe. For many homemakers and residential owners, this is certainly a cause of alarm, especially in view to the fact that it would usually take several years to these harmful substances to dissipate. In addition to that, these flooring materials are also treated with highly toxic chemicals formulated to repel moisture and soil. Just think of the health hazard you unwittingly place your family into!
There are a number of great area rugs available today that you can choose from, all without suffering the guilt of the steep environmental cost it can possibly come along with. Green area rugs do not contain nylon or any other petroleum by-products, thereby enhancing the beauty of your interiors in a healthier way. Eco-friendly area rugs are usually made from natural fibers, such as wool, cotton and bamboo.

Among the top brands of biodegradable area rugs and green carpets are Sphinx, Karastan and Flokati, all have earned an impressive reputation of excellence in the flooring industry through the years. These manufacturers have responded to the demand for healthier alternatives and are currently making great efforts to “go green”, without sacrificing quality and design. Karastan, for one, has an eco-friendly campaign prominently displayed on their website, setting a new standard in the modern rug manufacturing world. With the growing concern on the health hazards of rugs and carpets and the serious environmental threat it poses, more and more companies have created eco-friendly flooring products that are healthier from its creation to disposal.
If you are looking for superior quality rugs, without putting your family’s health at risk, then browse through the vast collection of green rugs from some of the most popular companies at www.arearugsclub.com. A look at the collection of green rugs will convince you that these rugs are stylish, durable and significantly less expensive that the conventional carpets and rugs available today.

Wool area rugs are one of the top choices when looking for healthy non-toxic alternative to the standard olefin, nylon or any other synthetic carpets. Wool is renewable, odor-free, fire-resistant, durable, softer and even air purifying. Now, that certainly offers you real value for your money!
Wool is also known to age gracefully, naturally renewing itself and is develops a rich patina through years of use. So while the synthesized fabrics may gradually dull and deteriorate over time, you can expect your wool area rug to remain supple and vibrant to the eye.

Take your time to browse through Area Rug Club’s vast collection of eco-friendly rugs, available at the best deals you can get online. If you only want the finest quality materials for your family, then don’t settle to anything less. The website features some of the best brands known to offer beautiful area rugs that are meticulously designed and produced to enhance your home in a healthier way.

July 7th, 2008 | Tags: Echo-Friendly, green rugs, karastan | Category: Area Rugs | Leave a comment

Sphinx Rugs by Oriental Weavers

A close look at the impressive collection of Sphinx area rugs at www.arearugsclub.com is definitely a feast to the eyes. With a combination of vibrant colors, intricate designs that tastefully combine traditional and contemporary influences and made of the finest fibers available, Sphinx rugs are among the highly-coveted pieces to adorn the modern American home. Every Sphinx rug is meticulously designed to match today’s lifestyle, offering the perfect fusion of both form and function.

The great thing about Sphinx area rugs is the fact that it is durable enough to last for a great number of years, yet reasonably priced to give you the freedom to redecorate as often as your want. Sphinx is a product of Oriental Weavers, so you can be assured of superior quality product every single time.

Sphinx has a number of lines you can choose from, depending on your personal preferences and design requirements. From selection of traditional, fun, round rugs, casual, modern, floral, tropical, and transitional, you are sure to find rugs that would fit your taste and budget. One of the famous lines is the Andy Warhol Rug Collection, which has taken great inspiration from the artistry of one of the greatest American artists in history. If you want a piece which wonderfully stands out but still complements your interior, a piece of Andy Warhol Collection is definitely a perfect choice for you.

Another stunning line of the Sphinx collection is Kharma that beautifully depicts understated elegance with that striking oriental influence. Whether your flooring boasts the lovely patina of expensive hardwood, or any other material, a Sphinx rug definitely adds just the right touch of class and sophistication, giving your interiors that perfect stage to set off every detail to perfection.

All Oriental Weavers rugs are produced with design, value and color as the top priorities. Since there are a number of colors that you can choose from, you definitely need some advice on how to choose the right shade for your interiors, right? Truth be known, the color of the area rug can easily set the entire mood for a certain section of the house. If you want to brighten up a space and have that open feel to it, then its best to choose lighter colored rugs. However, if you are looking for a rug that would help you create that cozy, intimate ambiance, a darker contrast would add just the right touch.

To help you choose the perfect Sphinx rug, you need to take into consideration a number of key factors. This includes the size of the space as well as the kind of mood that you would want to create. This would normally depend on the room where you want to use the area rug. For instance, an area rug in the kitchen would naturally require a fun and cheery design. You also need to select the accent colors from your existing interiors, such as the wall treatments or fabric swatches. This will ensure that the area rug will blend beautifully and not stick out like a sore thumb in your interior. Last but not the least, you need to pick out colors that would suit your life and lifestyle that you lead. For homes with kids and rugs on high traffic areas, a dark rug is definitely the practical choice.

All these considerations may seem to make a tall order. However, area rugs are essentially an investment, which means you need to take your time in choosing the right one for your household. Still, with the highly interesting designs of Sphinx area rugs to browse from, shopping for your rug is definitely a treat you will enjoy.

June 15th, 2008 | Tags: Andy Warhol area rugs, Andy Warhol Collection, Andy Warhol rugs, Kharma, Kharma II, modern rugs, oriental weavers, Round Rugs, sphinx area rugs, sphinx carpets, sphinx rugs, transitional | Category: Area Rugs | Leave a comment

Dare to Stand Out with Round Rugs

If you are bold enough to think outside the box when it comes to redecorating your home, round rugs actually present the ideal solution for many decorating dilemmas. This is because these particular rugs are versatile enough to complement a variety of interior settings. Whether you want to add a soft contrast against the gleaming hardwood flooring, or break the almost stark and cold effect of tile flooring, round rugs definitely make good choices.
When one thinks of buying an area rug, the traditional choice would be the rectangular-shaped ones. However, if you want to add more interest and an unexpected touch to your décor, a round rug makes a fun alternative. Update, revitalize and enhance the beauty of your living room by creating a focal point or defining a particular area of interest with a round rug.
Area Rugs Club offers an extensive array of superior quality round rugs that you can choose from, showcasing a variety of colors, texture, and themes. Among the popular choices of brands for round rugs include the Karastan Collection and the Andy Warhol rugs that come in vibrant colors and intricate designs you can choose from. Area Rugs Club offers maximum satisfaction by offering their loyal clientele only the finest quality area rugs from the best brands available in the market today.

Design Ideas

Round rugs can serve a number of wonderful purposes in your home. For instance, a soft pink round rug will definitely fit right in to any girl’s bedroom, adding just the right touch of femininity and coziness. If you want to add an understated elegance to your dining room without making it appear too stuffy and stiff, a round-shaped wool rug would definitely be a great choice. Medallion rugs in particular are perfect for the foyer and living room areas with artistic scalloped edging designs that adds a stunning accent to the entrance way. Take a design cue for those plush hotels that expertly use large round rugs on lobbies, complementing them with floral arrangements and decorative tables. Unlike wall-to-wall carpeting, a round rug can easily change with the season, transcend design trends, not to mention durable enough to last several generations.

Color Combination

Like shapes, play an important role in rug choice. Contrasting color combinations such as orange and blue, green and red, violet and yellow definitely make a rug an eye-catching piece. Using related colors can also make a great effect. Among the wonderful combinations are orange and red and green and blue. Keep in mind to blend your rug color with the rest of your existing interior colors for that put-together look.

Care and Maintenance

Area rugs have also been known to be an inexpensive solution to protect your flooring, most especially in areas with high foot traffic. However, a round rug can do more than that. You can group a set of furniture together over a round rug to give you that perfectly set look and feel to it, creating an interesting display without spending a fortune on new interiors.
Most interior experts recommend to use a rug pad under your round rug to keep it in place and promote safety by preventing accidental slips and falls as well protect your rug from the usually wear and tear. Never attempt to use adhesive tapes to anchor your round rug in place since this will only damage both your rug and floor surface. Round rugs only need regular vacuuming and gentle thumping from time to time to preserve its original beauty and grandeur.
With all these, design tips in mind, enjoy browsing through the vast array of selections that you can choose from. Visit Area Rugs Club today and get that spark of inspiration with their strikingly beautiful catalog of round rugs.

May 22nd, 2008 | Tags: Andy Warhol rugs, dining room, karastan, karastan round rugs, pink round rug, round rug, Round Rugs, wool rugs | Category: Area Rugs | Leave a comment

The Momeni New Wave Collection embodies the perfect combination of form and function. These fabulous wool rugs draw inspiration from the 20th Century decorative arts. Momeni New Wave rugs celebrate the intricate tapestry that depicts the influences of Abstract Expressionism, Art Deco and Vienna Succession. Needless to say, these beautiful rugs can easily become the ultimate centerpiece in your home.

Area rugs are largely considered as one of the essential home décor pieces since the beginning of civilization. And why not? These functional pieces have evolved from simple plush floor and wall coverings to stunning artistic canvases that beautifully set the stage for any home interior. Today, modern rugs are now regarded as fabulous conversation pieces that never fail to add interest to any room.

Consistent to the impeccable craftsmanship of all products featured in Area Rugs Club, the Momeni New Wave Collection are exceptional works of art. Made of 100% hand-tufted wool, these luxurious area rugs make ideal floor or even wall coverings for creating that cozy, inviting ambience. If you greatly value quality and durability, then you must know that wools are far superior to synthetic rugs when it comes to both structural and aesthetic advantages. For one, the spring-like properties of wool rugs offers greater density, resilience, comfort and elasticity. Wool is known to retain its original beauty longer than any other rug and carpet materials available today. Of course, maintenance is also one of the primary concerns when it comes to rugs, however, you can breathe easy since wool is known to be naturally resistant to soil and stain! Now that’s a major consideration for any home especially one with kids and pets.

With the creative use of bold colors and keen eye for details, these beautiful rugs present contemporary designs at its finest. Whether you want to add a warm splash of color in a minimalist design, or complement an ultra-modern interior, the Momeni New Wave rugs easily fits right in place. Since these area rugs are available in different sizes to fit your design preference and requirements, you enjoy the freedom of indulging your creative side. You will never run out of nooks and crannies to drape an area rug to lively up a bare spot. Momeni New Wave Collection offers area rugs in different shapes and sizes.

There are a lot of designers that suggest making modern rugs as focal points or the very foundation of one’s interior. With the modern rugs, admiring eyes will naturally be drawn to the bold and unique centerpiece. Area rugs also make the perfect practical accessories especially in high-traffic areas of the house. Large rugs are known to go well in dining and living room areas, while the smaller sizes are ideal for hallways, foyers and bathrooms.
However, the floor is not the only the best spot to showcase an exceptional work of art. Rugs are now enjoying the growing popularity of becoming striking wall adornments. This is mainly because tapestries are larger and bolder in designs, adding a striking addition to any bare wall. With numerous design options, you can now unleash that creative side and think of unique ways put your very own Momeni rug to good use. Many interior designers share the belief that area rugs are the simplest and fastest design element to reinvent or revitalize a room. Offering good sound absorption, floor surface protection, depth and ware, area rugs are simply an integral component to any modern home

With the Momeni New Wave Collection, you do not need to sacrifice between quality and good design – you can easily have both. These beautiful rugs are practical investments when you want to give a room a facelift without having to spend a fortune on new interiors. A Momeni rug may just be the missing piece in your home.

April 23rd, 2008 | Tags: Area Rugs, discount momeni rugs, momeni, momeni carpet, Momeni New Wave Collection, momeni rugs, rug | Category: Area Rugs | Leave a comment

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Wool is one of the oldest textile fibers known to man and because of its unique natural properties it has been treasured from Stone Age human to today’s top fashion divas. Wool has been providing man with shelter, clothing, decoration and floor covering.

But to talk about wool area rugs and carpet I like to go over a brief history of sheep, where wool comes from. Sheep were among the first animals to be domesticated by man. This was a marriage of convenience - man protected the sheep from predators, while the sheep provided man with food and clothing. Domestication of the sheep took place in South West Asia at the foothills of the Zargos Mountains (modern day Iran) around 9,000 B.C. Flocks were a medium of exchange in barter economies. Babylonians, Sumerians, and Persians all depended on sheep. Since then sheep have become an important part of the global agricultural economy.
Sheep also have had a strong cultural presence from ancient times when Egyptians considered ram as sacred, symbol of several gods and mummified them to Mary Had a Little Lamb and the St. Luis Rams.

Wool Characteristics

Wool is a natural fiber given to us by mother nature and no synthetic fibre has been able to combine all wool’s characteristics (see glossary of wool terms). It is truly a nature’s masterpiece of design.

Image Courtesy of Australian Wool Innovation

Wool is Healthy:

Wool does not promote the growth of dust mites or bacteria, it actually contributes to air purity indoors by absorbing polluting gases. Wool resists mildew and mold which are one of the most detrimental irritants to the immune system.
Because it has the ability to insulate against heat and cold, wool protects against sudden changes of temperature. A study conducted by scientists at the Polytechnic Institute of Wales measured the effects of many common fibers on human subjects as they slept. The scientists discovered that the subjects using wool-fill comforters actually had lower heart rates which indicates the sleeper is in a deep, relaxed state.

Natural Resistance To Mildew:

The wool fiber while holding moisture within itself, allow moisture to pass through without retaining any of the moisture in the wool itself therefore it will never mildew.

Wool insulates against heat and cold:

Rooms covered with wool rugs and carpet stay cooler in summer and warmer in winter therefore reducing energy usage. It’s good for your health and your pocket. Wool is commonly used in insulation for buildings, ventilation ducts, pipes, boilers, vehicles, ships and other applications.

Wool rugs wears longer:

Wool rugs wears longer, therefore they retain their good appearance for a long time. The world’s oldest wool rug that is still around was made in Iran in 5th Century BC.

Wool is fire resistant:

Wool is naturally safe and fire resistant. It does not have to be chemically treated to become non-flammable. While it can catch alight, it will not flare up nor support a flame. Because of its fire-resistant attribute, furnishings and carpets in your home are good insurance. In many rural areas, firemen ensure they dress themselves in wool before rushing to fight a fire.

Wool resists static:

Because wool naturally absorbs moisture from the air, the tendency to collect static electricity is reduced. You are less likely to receive a shock walking across a wool carpet and touching a grounded object. Wool clothing are much less likely to cling to the body or generate a spark.

Wool insulates against noise:

Wool absorbs sound and reduces noise level considerably. Wool is used in many places such as home, offices and concert halls to get the best acoustics possible.

Wool is green:

Using wool rugs and carpets in your home will reduce your energy usage. Although there is a close competition for “the greenest” title between wool and cotton, wool production is a lot less damaging to environment than production of synthatic fibers. Wool insulations have been widely used for more than 60 years as thermal and fire protection. Insulation wools make a significant contribution to energy-saving and thus to the protection of the environment.

Wool Rugs and Carpets

Wool rugs came to existence as simple articles of need to protect the nomadic tribesmen from the cold and damp, but their increasing beauty found them new admirers; kings and noblemen who looked upon wool rugs as signs of prestige, wealth and distinction. Wool handmade rugs have been used as a medium of currency in many cultures and just like a fine wine they have increased in value in time. Today wool rugs are rightfully one of the most desired objects in furnishing homes around the world. You can use area rugs to add warmth and colors to any room. Decorating with wool area rugs is easy, probably the easiest way to revitalize a room and tie together your home decor elements. Wool area rugs are highly regarded for their strength, durability, crush resistance, cleanability, comfort, and beauty. Wool is considered the superior fiber for area rugs. Wool has a special oil called Lanolin that stops water and spills from soaking in. That makes wool rugs more practical, easier to keep looking new and clean. Find your beautiful wool rug by browsing Area Rugs Club’s selection of high quality rugs including Karastan, Safavieh and Sphinx just to name a few.

Did you know…

• Australia is the world’s largest producer of wool followed by China.
• There are 13 sheep for every person in New Zealand.
• 60% of New Zealand wool is used to make carpet.
• The majority of sheep shearing is done in spring.
• Wool is comparatively stronger than steel.

Image Courtesy of IWTO

See our selection of Area Rugs. We have hundreds of fine quality wool rugs including Karastan rugs, Sphinx by Oriental Weavers and Safavieh. Your satisfaction means everything to us!

External Links:

• Preparing wool for market
  Wool Processing
  Education and Health for Carpet Knotting Families
  Australian Wool Innovation

March 5th, 2008 | Tags: area rug, Area Rugs, karastan, karastan rugs, rug, rugs, safavieh, sheep, sphinx, wool rug, wool rugs | Category: Area Rugs | Leave a comment