RUGS
THE KILIM’S origin lies in Anatolia where nomads had access to two things that helped create these unique woollen carpets: lots of wool and time. Kilims are nomads’ hand-woven carpets, each piece one of a kind, a people’s carpet versus the typical Persian carpet, where artists where paid to draft fancy patterns. Quality and value depend on the wool used (sheep’s wool from neck, shoulders or back differs in quality). All coloured threads used in antique Kilims (woven before the invention of aniline in 1834) had been dyed with natural colours. Some nuances which nowadays are widely used, such as a deep orange, clearly characterise modern Kilims.
A WORLD OF ITS OWN... FLOKATI area rugs are soft and very durable. The-
se hand-woven rugs have been made in Greece for centuries. They were an essential item for early Greek shepherds, who used the woven wool creations for clothing and bedding as well as a floor covering. In recent years, Flokati rugs have been used in casual and contemporary settings, often to provide a Mediterranean look. They are cosy and have a great texture with a pile that is three or four inches (seven to 10 centimetres) long. One big advantage with Flokati rugs is that they offer several options for cleaning, one of which is that they can be washed in commercial size washing machines.
TIBETAN RUGS that follow the traditional designs
SHAG RUGS, a popular look in the
1970s, are making a comeback as a rug of choice for many people. The new shag rugs are made of better, longer-lasting materials. The soft, thick fibres offer great insulation from cold floors, and help to absorb noise when on hard surfaces in a room. Bright colours and unusual shapes are common characteristics of contemporary style rugs and can be designed specifically to match or to enhance the upholstery, soft furnishings or wallpaper in a room. Or it could be a one-of-a-kind design based on an artistic whim, limited only by the designer or rug maker’s imagination!
Photo: antiques.com
have a square “tiger” pattern. The Tibetan people have been weaving rugs for centuries and using them as bedding, saddle blankets and meditation mats in monasteries. Tibetan rug production in Nepal became that nation’s second leading industry during the 1980s. This was after political turmoil in 1959-1960 that caused thousands of Tibetans to flee their homeland and make a long trek through the Himalayan mountains and then settle in the Katmandu valley of Nepal.
Photo: nanimarquina.com
stylish living
ORIENTAL RUGS have warmth and beauty and add an interesting touch and a sense of luxury to any room. They have excellent qualities of resiliency and durability and are able to hold up in high traffic areas as well as a more subdued environment. Oriental rugs woven from silk are the most expensive, while those made from wool are more affordable.
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Photo: galeriasailer.com