Buying a Carpet
After shopping for some time, you will likely find one of two main types of carpets: Handmade and machine made.
Handmade rugs cover many types of and forms of rugs. The major handmade rugs are hand tufted, hand woven, hand knotted to name a few.
All of the above mentioned rug types, with exception to chainstitch, would be considered Oriental rugs by definition, which are: Hand made floorcoverings made often made using natural fiber woven upon a warp and weft originating in the near, mid, or far east.
Between handmade and machine made, the real consideration is whether you want an authentic handmade item with character and charm of a unique item. The general rule of thumb when it comes to investing in a rug is buy what you like, in the highest quality you can afford. Other major questions and concerns are tradeoffs relevant to your own taste. Perhaps a machine made rug looks "better' and costs less than a handmade rug of similar design, however, consider the fibers: Over a period of time, especially in the first few months after being made, synthetic fibers such as those commonly used in machine made rugs are known to release off-gases. Such decomposition of synthetic materials are known to contribute to VOC's in home, as well as exacerbate allergies and or asthma. Often you will find purchasing high quality wool carpet from a trusted name in the business will save time and effort down the road when your carpet looks newer for longer.
Lastly, always purchase from a trusted resource. In a relatively unbranded market such as hand knotted rugs, it's important to buy from a company with a reputation. While there are many vendors of handmade rugs online, know that an in-person purchase guarantees you will see what is going into your home.
The art and technique of making a hand knotted or handwoven Oriental rug has remained relatively unchanged for centuries upon centuries. In fact, high quality rugs made today are often made using the same fundamental techniques as one of the oldest carpets ever recovered, which was woven nearly 2,000 years ago. Even some of the finest hand knotted rugs found in Museums around the World woven during the Safavid period are nearly identical in knotting. While rugs are relatively an unbranded item there are names which have been manufacturing since the mid-1800's, take for example the Dilmaghani Company, a New York based company with roots in fine hand knotted rug manufacturing dating back to Persian 1850.
In purchasing a carpet, consider buying one of natural materials, and forgo many stain retardant chemicals which are often applied to carpets post production. Among the best hand knotted rugs are those which are made of fine quality wool and cotton. Silk is another good, viable option, although often comes at a significantly higher price point, and from a wear-and-tear standpoint, has less foldwear longevity than that of wool fibers.
Trusted resources and highly specialized companies include:
Large Rugs Carpets
After shopping for some time, you will likely find one of two main types of carpets: Handmade and machine made.
Handmade rugs cover many types of and forms of rugs. The major handmade rugs are hand tufted, hand woven, hand knotted to name a few.
- Handtufted rugs often include hooked and looped rugs, as well as tufted carpets with a cut pile.
- Hand woven rugs often includes soumac, kilim, and chainstitch.
- Hand knotted refers to cut pile hand knotted rugs using senna (Persian) knot, ghiordes knot and jufti.
All of the above mentioned rug types, with exception to chainstitch, would be considered Oriental rugs by definition, which are: Hand made floorcoverings made often made using natural fiber woven upon a warp and weft originating in the near, mid, or far east.
Between handmade and machine made, the real consideration is whether you want an authentic handmade item with character and charm of a unique item. The general rule of thumb when it comes to investing in a rug is buy what you like, in the highest quality you can afford. Other major questions and concerns are tradeoffs relevant to your own taste. Perhaps a machine made rug looks "better' and costs less than a handmade rug of similar design, however, consider the fibers: Over a period of time, especially in the first few months after being made, synthetic fibers such as those commonly used in machine made rugs are known to release off-gases. Such decomposition of synthetic materials are known to contribute to VOC's in home, as well as exacerbate allergies and or asthma. Often you will find purchasing high quality wool carpet from a trusted name in the business will save time and effort down the road when your carpet looks newer for longer.
Lastly, always purchase from a trusted resource. In a relatively unbranded market such as hand knotted rugs, it's important to buy from a company with a reputation. While there are many vendors of handmade rugs online, know that an in-person purchase guarantees you will see what is going into your home.
The art and technique of making a hand knotted or handwoven Oriental rug has remained relatively unchanged for centuries upon centuries. In fact, high quality rugs made today are often made using the same fundamental techniques as one of the oldest carpets ever recovered, which was woven nearly 2,000 years ago. Even some of the finest hand knotted rugs found in Museums around the World woven during the Safavid period are nearly identical in knotting. While rugs are relatively an unbranded item there are names which have been manufacturing since the mid-1800's, take for example the Dilmaghani Company, a New York based company with roots in fine hand knotted rug manufacturing dating back to Persian 1850.
In purchasing a carpet, consider buying one of natural materials, and forgo many stain retardant chemicals which are often applied to carpets post production. Among the best hand knotted rugs are those which are made of fine quality wool and cotton. Silk is another good, viable option, although often comes at a significantly higher price point, and from a wear-and-tear standpoint, has less foldwear longevity than that of wool fibers.
Trusted resources and highly specialized companies include:
Large Rugs Carpets
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