Ever wondered how handmade rugs are made? How much they cost? How can I pick a right rug? What is the right way to clean and repair rugs?
If so, This site is for you.






Oriental Rug Education

Buying rug tips
what rug is a right rug for you?

Buying Oriental rug is a big investment, if a quality rug is bought it will last for years to come and you can pass it on to your children even grand children. First step in buy an oriental rug is to purchase your rug from an established trusted Oriental rug store. Today you come across all kind of phony sales and auctions that advertise going out of business sale, estate liquidation sale and so on. We recommend you to stay away from department stores when it comes to buying rugs, you don’t want to invest thousands of dollars on an item that salesperson cannot answer  your basic questions and has no knowledge about that product  what so ever. Knowing your budget is very important, you get what you pay.  It’s never been truer when it comes to oriental rugs like most other products quality rugs are always expansive. If you are shopping for quality rugs you have to pay for it, it doesn’t matter where you shop. We always recommend quality.  

Second you need to pick the pattern and style of the rug you like to have. I would break up handmade rug designs in geometric design, small floral design, bigger floral design and modern or contemporary design. You also need to decide if you like medallion design or all over design.
You can find:

Third you need to decide if you want to go with antique rug or new rug. New rugs are usually less costly than antique rug, new rugs last longer need little care and you have more choices as far as color combination and design goes, on the other hand antique rugs are more costly you have little choice of design and colors. Antique rugs are always more valuable than new rugs, they are collectable and one of a kind. Antique rugs come in unique colors that are very hard to find in new rugs except vegetable dye rugs. But antique rugs are usually associated with some prior repair, misshape, weak foundation and low pile.

what is Oriental rug/ Persian rug

The term oriental rugs or carpets simply mean rugs from east. But it is usually applied to hand-knotted rugs, produced anywhere from southern Europe to south Asia. Oriental rugs are popularly described as “genuine hand-made rugs”. An authentic oriental rug is a handmaderugs that is either knotted with pile or woven without pile. These rugs normally come from broad geographical regions. Persian rugs, Caucasian rugs, Afghan rugs, Kazak rugs, Anatolian rugs they are all part of so called oriental rugs.
In today’s market there are rugs described as “hand-tufted rugs” which are simply machine made rugs because they are not knotted.Oriental-design rugs made by machine, made through hand-tufting or any method other than hand-knotting or hand-weaving are not considered authentic oriental rugs.

What are Kilims, Kelims or Gelims?

The word kilims simply mean flat woven rugs, or rugs without a knotted pile. Kilims are not knotted instead the tread or yearn are woven in flat manner on the warp strings, so they don’t have pile. Unlike hand-knotted rugs kilims have more than just floor covering use.
Kilims are a wonderful way of bringing vibrant colors and patterns to the wall and floors; they possess unusual ability to define spaces, adding warmth and texture.
In countries of origin, making pillows and bugs, hanging on the wall for decoration, using as table-sheets are a few ways to use kilims.Pile in hand-made rugs

Pile in oriental rugs is the raised surface which is made of upright loops or strands of yarn.
When weaver ties the knots the excess of yarn makes the pile of the carpet, after making the rug or during weaving weavers clip the extra part of the yarn.
Height of the pile in oriental rugs does not make the quality of the rug. After weaving the rug it’s up to the rug-maker if they want to leave the pile higher or cut it shorter. Usually shorter the pile means higher amount of knots per square inch.

Handspun Wool
This refers to wool that was processed, twisted and turned into yarn all by hand. This was the original way of turning wool into yarn for hundreds of years. This technique help wool absorbs more dye and preserves its quality and lanolin (natural oil). Today Afghan rug makers make the best rugs with handspun wool and vegetable dye.  Since early 1900 some rugs are made with machine-spun wool, almost all Chinese and Indian rugs are made with machine-spun wool and chemical dye.

Vegetable/Natural dye

Vegetable dye refers to type of dye that rug makers used until late 19th century, vegetable colors are made strictly from roots and leaves of plants, fruit shells or anything related to trees and from natural minerals. In some cases wool don’t have to be colored at all. From late 19th century until today the majority of handmade rugs are made with chemical dye wool; rugs especially from China India… are mostly made with chemical dye. Today only handful of Rug weavers mostly from Afghanistan uses the unique technique that goes back to original tradition of vegetable dying. Wool made with vegetable dye last longer looks shinier and has a great texture.

Antique Rugs

The term of antique or old rugs are referred to rugs from early twentieth century or earlier. Any rugs from 1920’s or earlier considered antique rug, in Oriental rug business any handmade rugs from 1930-1980s called semi antique. Antique rugs usually are much more expansive than new rugs. Antique rugs do not go by amount of knots per square inch or tightness of its weave. The value of antique rugs are based first by its age and then by design, condition, color-combination and origin. In Oriental rug trade antique rugs like any other antique items the uniqueness of the rug sets its value. Almost all antique rugs are associated with at least or some wear and tear, weakness of material, discoloration, loss ends, prior repairs, curvy shape, low pile… if you like the look, feeling, workmanship and value of the antique rugs but do not like the imperfection and flaws in the rug we suggest you  to buy vegetable dye rugs from Afghanistan. 
Today Afghan rug makers make the best possible rugs with vegetable dye, hand-spun wool, unique and vibrant colors and designs. These rugs are made the way the real oriental rugs were made hundreds of years ago, without use of any chemicals, any or very little use of machineries and environmentally friendly.

Afghan Vegetable (chobi) dye rugs

Woven by talented Afghan weavers in ancient method, made of fine natural handspun wool and vegetable /natural dye; finely woven on organic cotton foundation.
This is one of Pamir collection rug that is produced by Noori Co. in Kabul Afghanistan. For over a decade Pamir imports and designs its own fine line of rugs from Afghanistan. This particular rug is designed based on a prehistoric rug with adjusted color combination and design correction to fit today’s market. This is a newly made rug with beauty, texture and value of an antique rug without imperfection that are associated with antique rugs. Cotton foundation (warp) is used to prevent shrinkage during or after washing, handspun wool “weft” is used to increase longevity in the life of this rug. This rug is also prewashed to even out colors and preclude color-bleeding after its use.

Caucasian Rugs

Caucasian rugs come from mountains region between the Black Sea and Caspian Sea.
In 1813 it was conquered by Russians before it belonged to Persia.
In the course of time many different people have settled in the caucuses; Turkoman tribe from Central Asia, Turks, Persians and Armenians.
Part of the effect has been the region to many different tribes and tongues.
 Yet in spite of this, Caucasian rugs have many features in common, whether they were made north or south of the mountains which divides the region to preserve its traditional patterns and colors.
The Turkish knot (Ghiordes knots) is used everywhere, and the rugs are usually knotted on a foundation of wool rarely of cotton.
The dominate colors in Caucasian rugs are red, blue, yellow green and ivory, some brown is also used.
The patterns have a definite geometrical tendency.
The main features of the design from coherent pattern while the minor pattern has no connection with one another.
Stars, squares and swastikas are from large part of decoration.
It is not unusual to come across flowers, animals or human beings.
These are also geometric in design very angular and hard to identify.
Oriental rug Care.
Washing, cleaning and repairing oriental rugs.

Washing your rugs and keep them clean is very important for the life of your rugs. A good quality rug is like a piece of art in use. Your handmade rugs need care and some attention during its use, we recommend you to wash your rugs at least once every three years, On time and professionally cleaning helps your rugs from getting moth damage, dry rot, water damage and unnecessary wear and tear due to moth damage or dry rot. A good cleaning takes about seven to ten days. Dusting, soaking, hand scrubbing, spot removing are just a few steps to name,  A rug must go through a long process of washing by an expert; we do not recommend you wash your rugs if you are not an expert. It is very hard to wash your own rug especially if it’s made out of silk or combination of silk and wool, you may ruin it. During and after washing a professional rug cleaner check for hidden moth damage, tear and even water damage. Repairing a small hole or moth damage on time can prevent further damages and loss of foundation and salvage. We always recommend good quality padding under your rug; it will stop your rugs from moving around and protect your rugs from sand damage, it also protects your floor if something gets between the rug and hardwood floor. Rotate your rug every 12 months so one side doesn’t get too much of sunlight.

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