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Area Rug
Tips
Remember: It’s not
only the knots that count!
What’s in a name?
Oriental rugs were
originally named for the areas where they were made, or if
nomadic in origin, the name of the people who made them.
In response to
increased market demands, weaving workshops in India,
Pakistan, China, Romania, and Egypt are mass-producing
hand-knotted rugs with traditional designs in almost every
conceivable size, color and quality. Many of these pieces are
beautifully and skillfully woven, but should not be confused
with the ‘originals’. With price and value considerations in
mind, never hesitate to ask about the country of origin.
Knot count affects the
complexity of a design and the number of colors used, but not
necessarily the quality of a carpet. Density of the weave,
materials used (wool, cotton, silk, rayon ), range of color
and quality of the dyes are all to be taken into consideration
when determining the value and quality of an oriental carpet.
What does “Hand-knotted” mean?
Warp threads of
cotton, wool, flax or silk are strung on a loom. Some looms
are horizontal, some vertical, but all function in primarily
the same manner. Wool, silk, cotton or rayon (sometimes
referred to as “art silk”) yarns are tied around the warp
threads to create a pattern. This is where the term
‘hand-knotted’ comes from. There are regional preferences for
designs, colors and materials.
Machine woven or tufted oriental style rugs:
Belgian, English or
American machine woven ( wool and synthetic) oriental design
rugs are also available in a variety of qualities, styles and
prices. It is just as important to ask questions about
material, quality and manufacture of these pieces as well.
Upper Valley Carpet Center carries a quality selection of
these budget-minded alternatives to hand-knotted pieces.
Hand-tufted rugs are
an alternative to machine woven or hand-knotted carpets. Wool
is densely needle punched into a canvas or cotton backing,
then a secondary backing and binding is applied. These rugs
are durable and hard wearing, but usually have a less complex
design. As the process is not as labor intensive or intricate,
they will tend to be a good value
*****Don’t hesitate
to ask questions! An informed and satisfactory purchase starts
with an informed and reputable dealer. Upper Valley Carpet
Center has knowledgeable staff who can answer your questions
and guide you in this important purchase.
Purchasing:
If possible, choose
your rug first. It can be the dominant feature in a room and
is often one of your more important furnishing purchases.
Choose furniture and fabrics that enhance the design and
colors of your rug. Take into consideration design elements,
scale of pattern and tone of color when mixing patterns and
your room will have a cohesive look. The experienced and
knowledgeable staff at Upper Valley Carpet Center can help you
choose the best rug for your colors and décor.
If you are trying to
match existing furniture consider the same elements of
coloration, scale and type of design. A rug should ideally be
surrounded by furniture, not covered entirely. We suggest
laying newspapers out to check for ideal size parameters, this
way you aren’t just eyeballing with a tape measure, but are
actually visualizing something filling a space. Oriental rugs
come in a variety of sizes, so a sense of ‘as much as this’
and ‘no more than that’ are helpful measurements to have on
hand
When using a rug under
a dining room table the general rule is to add approximately 3
feet to the length and width of your table. Average chairs
will take up about 18 inches when pulled out. Sometimes space
restrictions will determine the dimensions of a rug. For
example, in a small dining area, a wide runner just under a
table will add color and softness without interfering with the
movement of the chairs.
New, Vintage or Antique?
Finding a rug that is
right for your space involves not only choices of color, style
and size, but also expectations for performance. For their
greatest enjoyment, antique pieces may need to be placed in
low traffic areas, while newer, vintage, or more densely woven
pieces can be subjected to more traffic and wear. Kilims are
weft-faced materials that are not well suited to long wear in
dining areas or high traffic placement.
The helpful staff at
Upper Valley Carpet center can advise you on the best choices
for your lifestyle and areas.
Under it all- will you need a
pad?
A good underlayment
will help protect the life of your carpet. Non-skid rubber
mesh will keep your rug from sliding on hard wood, vinyl,
ceramic or stone flooring. The mesh design will let air
circulate through as well as allow for sand and silt to fall
to the floor reducing wear on the fibers of the rug.
Felt pad, felt
non-skid and pad especially made for orientals over wall to
wall carpet are also available at Upper Valley Carpet Center.
The sales staff can advise you on the best pad for your needs.
Care
A prompt surface wash
for spills and accidents is imperative for best results. A
mild detergent and water solution, blotted on, then blotted
off with clear water and weighted down with a clean cloth to
absorb the soil is recommended. A more detailed cleaning guide
is provided upon purchase.
In general, any hand
made or oriental carpet should be washed with mild soap and
water by a reputable and experienced professional. Chemical
cleaners, rotary or steam cleaning are NOT recommended and
could cause permanent harm to a fine hand-made rug.
Repair
Your rug will last a
lifetime and beyond with some minor care and attention. If it
is subjected to a specific traffic/wear pattern, turn the rug
occasionally, so that the wear will be more evenly
distributed. Damage, like tears, worn ends, moth damage and
the like should be taken care of in a timely fashion. Don’t
wait for a small problem to become a major and costly project!
Upper Valley Carpet
Center offers thorough wash, as well as expert repair
services. Our staff can advise you about the value of repair
as well as the potential repair options that may suit your rug
and needs best.
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