New Zealand has become the largest producer of wool in the world and is second only to Australia in wool exports, so it is not at all surprising that a lot of wool area rugs are made with New Zealand wool. Much of the wool found in exotic carpets, even Persian rugs, Chinese rugs and carpets from many other countries, get their wool from New Zealand due to it’s renowned high quality.

(Photo courtesy of teara.govt.nz)

Many contemporary wool area rugs manufacturers, and Persian rug dealers, advertise this fact because people are aware of the rigorous inspection and grading system used in New Zealand as well as the high standard of how sheep are cared for, the climate, the abundant vegetation, the manner sheered, the length of the hair and many other factors that wool associations like New Zealand Wool monitor.

However, since this wool is of such high quality and so well tested and controlled, it is naturally the most expensive and therefore commercial wool area rug and carpet companies, as well as the small hand knotted area rug makers and weavers will often use a blend of their own local wool and give it strength and softness and added quality with a percentage of the better New Zealand wool yarn.

Note: If you are searching online for 100 % wool, you may see a lot of companies advertise 100 wool area rugs. This simply means 100 % and does not refer to the knot count, the quality of the wool or it’s price. Blends of wool from different places are still wool, and may be accurately labeled 100 % even if only a portion is from New Zealand.

It’s hard to imagine when you look at large wool carpets, but individual sheep’s hair is assessed, measured, selected or rejected based on the length of the hair and the place on the sheep’s body from where it is cut before it has been selected for use in a rug.

For example, sheep have fine, long and very soft hair on their necks, bellies and underarms and shorter or coarser hair in other areas. This hair is called qurk or kork Wool and is considered to be the finest wool which is used for weaving and also found in Isfahan and Nain Persian rugs. However, wool, when used to label clothing, weaving, tapestries, rugs and carpets may be labeled WOOL and you might naturally think of sheep, but it can also mean goat (like the Mohair from the Angora Goat) or camel hair (most commonly used in Serab rugs).

It is still wool, however New Zealand wool will be exclusively sheared sheep wool unless otherwise stated. If you are buying your accent rug from a modern area rug distributor that is well known in your region or if you are purchasing products through a reputable online dealer you can ask about what wool and what quality was used and where it came from and expect an honest answer. However if you are buying in a market or from an independent trader or importer who has select pieces that interest you, you may need to perform some simple tests to check quality before buying.

Testing Wool and Things to Check for when Buying Wool Area Rugs

• Just to make sure wool is wool and not a synthetic imitation, burn a little piece. If it smells like burnt hair it’s natural, if it smells like an acrid chemical it’s not.
• When testing your oriental carpets, give mohair rugs an extra look because sometimes the dyes used on this wool will de uneven or may have run one color into another. Small area wool rugs will look cheap if the dyes have run, especially after they have been walked on a while and begin to show their imperfections. They may also present a problem at the time of cleaning.
• When looking for the exclusive handmade Gabbeh rugs, check that there are not white cotton fringes that will be a clue to their being copies and not true gabbeh from the women of the Zagros region.

Beware of Dead Wool Rugs

Not all pure wool is good wool. For instance in cheap or discount wool area rugs, and many wholesale oriental area rugs distributors that deal in bulk, know it is common for the makers to use the hair that is left over after the long stapled hair is selected.

They may be made into hand tufted wool area rugs in unique designs, yet the second rate hair (that is short and of poor quality) used in making such inexpensive carpets and area rugs will not last.

They may look as nice in a showroom as other more expensive pieces, but in fact will shed quickly and wear poorly. In the industry, wool that remains after the long hair has been removed, is termed Dead Wool.

Gazni and New Zealand Wool

The wool that is often blended or used in Persian or Oriental rugs is sometimes called Gazni wool and is also of high quality because it comes from Afghanistan high mountain sheep who graze naturally on the slopes.

This wool has a sheen, is strong and of high quality. If you see a label on an area rug that says it is a blend of gazni and New Zealand wool you know you have a rug of excellent quality.

Worsted and Semi-Worsted Wool Accent Rugs

To get the long strands and separate it from short hairs, wool is combed and this process is called worsting. You may see rugs that say things like: made from worsted or semi-worsted wool. Semi-worsted will be a blend of high grade long worsted wool and shorter hair.

The top grade would be worsted wool since this means only the longest, strongest hairs have been selected in the combing process and all the rest has been discarded. Modern rugs of high quality should be labeled as to their quality, be they worsted or semi-worsted, and if a carpet doesn’t say, it’s probably of inferior quality.

Pashmina Wool

The wool that is very fine and delicate that is derived from Himalayan goats is called Pashmina and is well known in Pashmina scarves. It is an excellent quality wool, soft and fine and long, but is very rarely used in carpet making or area rugs because it so expensive. It is primarily reserved for high end clothing and very fine scarves and perhaps tapestries. There are some very exclusive designer rugs made from this wool, and they are often used to double as bedspreads or throws and not just floor coverings. In any case, you will be hard pressed to find very large rugs in this wool.

Some companies are mixing New Zealand wool with viscose, or simply using 100 % cotton, and creating what many call a soft Pashmina Shag rug, but this is not really Pashmina – it’s become just a word used to indicate SOFT when it comes to shag area rug collections.
Manchester Wool

Another wool term that is thrown around in the carpet and rug world is Manchester Wool, which despite it’s name is used primarily in Iranian rug weaving. The main use is for a rug called the Manchester Kashan and comes exclusively from Merino sheep which are native of Australia. The use of the word Manchester is because the yarn was at one time processed in Manchester from the wool of Australian Merino sheep and later exported to Iran for use in rug making. Despite this wool having to travel a great deal around the world it is in fact of very high quality, with luster, long staple fibers, and found in excellent quality Iranian or Persian hand knotted rugs.

Testing for Shedding and Quality

Some things to watch for when selecting a wool area rug are poor quality wool rugs that have been later chemically washed to appear to have a better sheen. This will cause the rugs to shed very quickly. The way to test the quality of wool to see if it has been artificially enhanced is to agitate the rug and see if hairs come lose easily. Good quality wool area rugs that have long sheep hair and have not been overly washed will not shed into your hand. Poor quality ones will lose some hairs and this is never a good sign.

Although you may not be able to perform an extensive test of quality in a showroom (especially if selecting a large area rug), you may be able to request that a dealer do a test for you, or you may do so at home immediately after buying, when you can still return the rug should it not be up to standard.

Here is what to do: Vacuum the rug and hen immediately agitate the pile with your hand, back and forth, about a dozen times, then see if there are loosened fibers. Roll this material into a ball and see if the dimension of the ball is larger or smaller than the height of the actual pile. If it is larger than the pile of the carpet it is likely poor quality wool.

Also when you touch a rug, really feel it. Is it course and wiry? Does it feel dry and brittle? If so it is not high quality. Good wool area rugs will feel soft, have a sheen and almost give an oily impression to the touch. This will indicate that the sheep were healthy and it has not been overly chemically treated.

Don’t be deceived by cheap imitations and poor quality because it’s not just about how lovely the rug will look and what patterns and colors have been used, but about how well the rug will wear. Will the shedding cause the knots to loosen? Will the loosened knots weaken the carpet overall? Will vacuuming cause it to shed leaving bare patches, rendering your carpet or area rug unusable for high traffic areas.

So choose high quality new Zealand worsted wool or Merino wool or a blend of Gazni and New Zealand wool (even in oriental rugs styles) and enjoy your traditional or contemporary wool area rugs for a very long time to come.

If you are looking for: Round area rugs, Oval area rugs, Rectangular or Square area rug choices, or if you hope to find exotic Chinese rugs, Tibetan rugs or unique southwestern rugs, please continue reading the articles you’ll find within this site.

Stair rods hold your stairway carpets in place and add a decorative final touch. The most popular brass stair rods in the US can be found through online shops like Stair Crazy. For stair rods UK residents can have delivered easily and quickly there are also online options like Stairrods UK where a wide selection of designs are available. Let’s look first at the products available in the US, then we’ll explore the options in the UK.

Brass Stair Rods in The USA by Stair Crazy

Woburn is a name you can keep in mind because their stair rods are solid brass. They are sold in 3 different widths and have 7 different finishes and 3 bracket options. All the sets are sold complete with rods, brackets, screws and finials. Choose between solid rods, hollow rods, triangular rods and clips.

Another brand name to keep in mind is Akeman, which also have solid brass stair rod designs with hand turned finials. You can select from 4 widths, 6 bracket styles and 8 different finishes.

The first is the ball stair rod, the second is called the beacon design, the third is the castle design and the forth is the oval solid brass stair rod. The fifth end design is a turret style, and there is also a finial available in the antique brass stair rods collection by Akeman.

Homepride Stair Rods are a hollow design, but also have brass finishes as well as gold, silver and antique models. Homepride are very cheap stair rods which are made from 12mm aluminium tubes and come in standard 36″ lengths that can be altered by cutting either at the time you order or by the professionals who will install the carpets and rods.

Another option that is very decorative, are the Royale stair rods that are triangular and made from hollow brass.

The most popular design is the Beaumont which has a decorative runner and ending, and is available in 7 different finishes, including a very elegant lacquered antique brass stair rod that is ideal for plush antique style carpets and will accent wood or marble flooring that may show along the sides of the carpet or stair runner.

Another beautiful option, instead of full rods, is the stair clip, which can be had in the Victorian style that is solid brass with a variety of finishes, including antique pewter and black wrought iron. These antique brass stair rods can be a final touch that gives a wooden stairway a classy accent, or may even be used to accent a rustic country cabin theme. They are very versatile and affordable, and easy to install.

If you have a modern designed home with a crisp white or grey or even black carpet that’s a minimalist design, these clips are just the thing, and since they come in what appear to be white and chrome stair rods collections, they can be modern elegant without necessarily having a total antique look.

Zoroufy Stair Rods

Some of the most famous stair rods are crafted by Zoroufy. Their neest collection is called Stair Jewel™ , which is a high-end line that has intricately carved motifs and a patented interlocking bracket for a smooth clean-line style without ugly screws that show. They have four basic styles called the ball the acorn, the urn and a pineapple style. They are all solid polished brass stair runner rods of the finest quality.

About Zoroufy

Zoroufy has been creating decorative stair rods and improving the design of stair rod brackets since 1970 due to Hassan Zoroufy who was first a fine oriental rug and tapestry trader. However, in the 80’s, wall to wall carpet and stair runners became popular and therefore the Persian and oriental carpets needed to be fixed in place by stair rods and stair clips that would accent the excellent carpets.

The fine designs that were innovated became very popular and Zoroufy began delivering stair carpet rods to many retailers n the floor covering world and soon expanded to offer products not only in the USA, but in Canada and even to the European market. The Zoroufy stair rods are of the finest quality, used in elegant homes as well as hotels and other commercial settings.

Stair Rods UK

In the UK, one of the places to get chrome stair rods and antique brass designs, as well as cheap stair rods for a limited budget, is Stairrods UK. They offer all the best brands and styles like Royale, which has the triangular styles called Eastern and Promise which are thick hollow stair rods that are very ornate finials and may be suited for grand staircases. They also have the Premier line which is a solid traditional country range with machined finials, or the Vision line that is contemporary including crystal tipped stair rods that come in 7 different finishes.

If you need antique designs the Tudor and the Blacksmith collections are ideal. The beautiful Blacksmith line is all hand beaten rustic and may be ordered in 3 different finial accents.

They also carry the cheap Homepride hollow stair rods that come in different finishes for those who are on a very limited budge.

For those who want to order the Victorian stair clips in the UK, there are the solid brass Stargrip and the aluminium clips.

For information on carpet underlay in the UK and the US, and for ideas on where to buy large rugs, runners, Persian and oriental carpets and even wool area rugs or the popular shaggy shag rug and zebra styles, please continue browsing our related topics.

If you’ve been looking for the top brands like 828 International or even the famous Karastan rugs from American Classics, then you need to shop direct and benefit of savings that are between 15% and 50%. You can even shop for the brand name items like the ones from KAS Oriental, American Cottage Rugs and even the popular Kathy Ireland area rugs for up to 10% off regular prices.

If you’re looking for designer area rugs from Learning Carpets, like the Andy Warhol collection, you can save between 15% and 20% just by ordering your rugs through rugs direct instead of shopping at a showroom.

Have you had your heart set on a Liora Manne or an Angela Adams creation but just couldn’t afford it? Then try buying direct and save. It’s just a click away.

How about a Liz Claiborne or a natural rug from Anji Mountain Bamboo?

You can select the same beautiful natural designs just that you will pay about 25% less. And for 15% savings on the Martha Stewart collections and 20% savings on the famous Bob Timberlake designs, go to rugs direct and stop yourself from paying too much.

What about Calvin Klein originals and the fabulous Memeni designs?

Yes, they are also discounted when you buy factory direct rugs online.

If you’ve been browsing the pages of Nourison carpets and rugs and the Couristan collections and finding them out of reach because you have a limited budget, then get a discount of as much as 10% or 20% on select pieces, or try to Rugs Direct collections of their own that come at about 30% savings.

What about Oriental and Persian rugs, round area rugs, wool rugs and shag?

Yes. You can get a discount on the beautiful Studio by Karastan, Jaipur Rugs and even the gorgeous Surya carpet collections, up to 30% off.

And how about domestic brands like Trans Ocean carpets and United Weaver?

Yes. Discounts apply, between 15% and 20%, on specific carpets and area rugs and runner rugs when you order through Rug Direct dealers online.

How to place an order with Rugs Direct

It’s really easy.

1. Browse their collections.
2. Order online using a credit card
3. You may also choose to fax your order if you feel more secure
4. A toll free number will allow you to place an order or receive service and advice

At this time the services of Rugs Direct do not include international delivery. You may only take advantage of these remarkable savings on carpets and rugs if you reside in the United States or Canada.

For more information on ordering indoor and outdoor rugs, buying carpet underlay, selecting bathroom sets and even choosing stair rods for runners and stairway carpeting, please consult the related topics specific to your needs.

Interactive children’s floor rugs; alphabet and letter squares for building customized kids floor rugs; large bilingual designs and international map and globe style childrens floor rugs to stimulate imagination and discovery; fun game center rugs and carpets that help teachers and parents educate and entertain; durable rug flooring designs crafted specifically for children and for use in high traffic areas; cute baby floor rugs that are ideal in the nursery or playroom – that’s what this weeks rug review is all about, plus suggestions on durable, easy to clean kitchen floor rug designs for families with children and recommendations on where to shop for discount floor rugs online.

The latest area floor rugs for kids are not just decorative pieces that keep kid’s toes warm, but are also educational, interactive and activity centers and game boards, designed to educate and entertain in fun and unique ways. The large floor rugs that re available through a company called Kids Carpet are colorful and well crafted pieces that stimulate children’s imaginations and may be ideal for bedrooms, nurseries, baby rooms, play areas and even daycares and schools where children can interact with each other and with the carpet they sit on. Let’s take a closer look at the kids floor rugs that are interactive and versatile.

Foam alphabet squares are nothing new, but woven carpet squares that are cozy to sit on and yet easy to play with are a new concept. Each carpet square has a letter and an image to help children learn phonetic sounds that match a letter. The pieces are large enough, 1 square foot each, to be an individual mats and are great for playing games with groups of children. These pieces may also be placed on the floor all together to form a carpeted area, and since they are very durable, will work even in high traffic areas or commercial centers like daycares and childcare facilities within stores or offices. They are rated as fire safe even in commercial applications. They are sold in sets of 26 for just under $150. If you’re planning on using these squares to cover a floor, that is an excellent price for a 26 square foot kids floor rug.

There are dozens of ABC and alphabet children’s floor rugs that are practical, but some of the newest incorporate games, like the ABC Caterpillar design that can be used as a game board to play while children sit on the carpet in a circle. The ideas for using the carpet are only limited to the teacher’s and children’s imagination.

One of the most innovative ABC floor rugs for kids is the Feelings Bold Colors design that is sold through Kids Carpet. It is a fun, colorful design that has large squares with images of feelings that can be used a means to communicate difficult emotions, open communication between adults and children by using the pictures to discuss their feelings and offer a means for young children to express themselves even by pointing to the images and in that way creating a means to breach a gap between parent or teacher when vocabulary of a child may be limited. It can also be a teaching aid for learning about self confidence and a way to play games with other children in a healthy open way that brings emotions and feelings into the open.

Another fantastic innovative childrens floor rugs concept is the one that incorporates alphabet and seasons and has interactive pieces that match the images on the carpet. With shapes, seasons and letters, children can play a variety of games, alone or in groups, at home or in a more formal setting.

A scientifically engineered carpet for kids that is said to aid the development of both left and right brain activity is the labyrinth alphabet rug. The concentration required to navigate a labyrinth can help to calm children as they play quiet games that lead them to the central star. This carpet is recommended for a space that is either for reflection, quiet-time or placed in an area to reward a child for good behavior. The activities and games that can be developed around this carpet are numerous and the design that is colorful and inspiring is at the same time designed to sooth and calm, not excite.

Large floor rugs that stimulate sports are another innovation that has come to the world of carpeting, like the Baseball Field Rug, which is the largest baseball carpet that’s commercially for sale. Kids floor rugs that can serve as a complete covering for a recreation room or playroom are few, but this 7 foot rug is large enough for a game or simply as a decorative enhancement to an area with a children’s sports theme.

But not only are there area floor rugs for sports and alphabets and games, but also to stimulate global ideas and understanding of other cultures and languages, like the Bilingual Town Rug.

Children can have fun while learning about the areas and buildings that make up a town, but not just any town, but a bilingual one, where all the words are in both English and Spanish. Learn about culture, about geography, about town relationships, right and left, directions and expand English vocabulary and practice Spanish.

Another rug flooring option that’s ideal for children’s playtime activities is the Cruisin’ Around the Town Road Rug that allows children to add cars or other toys to pretend to travel and interact with each other and their environment. It may be a means to teach directions, right and left, accept instructions, learn about traffic signals or just have fun. Even if these carpet floor rug ideas are just used as part of a decorative theme, they will still be a unique addition to a children’s bedroom, playroom or childcare facility, since they are colorful and high quality pieces suitable for high traffic areas and even commercial spaces.

If you like the items that you see here, you can save a lot of money by buying from discount floor rugs centers that operate online, like Kid Carpet, where you pay only for the rug and not for the middlemen or showrooms or sales clerks. The unique floor area rug designs we have suggested in this article, when ordered online, will be delivered free of charge within the US.

Kitchen Floor Rugs

One of the things that is often impossible to own when you have children is a rug in the kitchen or dinning room because kids spill things and drop food and drinks and therefore most families opt for tile or easy to care for flooring solutions that will not be ruined by stains. However, there are options for having a dinning room or kitchen floor rug that is designed especially with families in mind. One such fun and versatile piece is the Latitude Aztec design, that’s designed for high traffic spaces and is crafted so as to be easy to clean and not show stains. It may be used in a kitchen, living room, dinning room or even a playroom since it’s very colorful and matches a multitude of décors. It’s also very affordable starting at just under $150 for a large 3′ 10″ x 5′ 4″ rectangle, but can also be ordered in sized up to 10 feet.

There are also colorful area rugs that suitable the heaviest traffic areas, like theaters, which would make a kitchen or home dinning area seem simple by comparison. The patterns being wild and fun make spills and stains invisible, and the carpet itself is so durable that it can be cleaned more frequently than many other cheap or discount floor rugs that will become matted and worn looking. The beauty of this design called Lava, is that it’s not very expensive. For example a large 6 foot by 12 foot rug will cost under $250. This is industrial strength, commercial grade high traffic area rugs at home carpet prices.

Another really great solution to having rugs in the kitchen and high traffic areas in a home with children is the Prism Carpet Tiles. These are not only fun and funky by design but very practical since they can be installed individually, and also removed piece by piece if one should be stained or damaged. Replace sections of the carpet without having to pull up your entire floor should such a need ever arise. These pieces of rug have sticky backs so they won’t move around, but are not so difficult to remove like the ones that glue. These carpet tiles are ideal for kitchens because they can be vacuumed or wiped with a damp rag to keep clean. And you don’t need to worry if you have to replace one or two pieces, your entire carpet pattern will not be ruined because each tile is a complete pattern of its own. Each piece is 36 inches square, so you can cover quite a large a surface for a very affordable price. Individual tiles start at just $32 each and they come in 6 fun contemporary colors. Mix and match or choose one or two that can be created into a checkerboard or design of your choice.

Baby Floor Rugs

In a different category are baby floor rugs, in part these floors rugs must not be so durable and high traffic resistant, but more about softness and design. Used to decorate and give warmth to a nursery or a space where a newborn can lay or play without too much movement and usually with few spills and stains. Designs that are subtle and delicate, yet still child-like are ones like the Fancy Fiddler, which has a gentle pattern spread over the carpet that is not too overpowering even for an elegant nursery that is mostly neutral tones. It gives just a touch of whimsy and fantasy without it being too bright.

There are also fanciful little rugs to add just a splash of color or to give a theme, like the Mary Had a Little Lamb faux braided rug that’s a soft place for baby to play or rest or for mommy to sit while reading a bedtime story. These delightful baby floor rugs are ideal to decorate in small spaces, since they come in oval and round shapes that can be placed in front of a crib or beside a rocker or at an entrance, or placed as a focal piece in the center of the room. A 3 by 5 foot round rug like this one costs just under $150, so it’s reasonably priced. It’s also easy to order online from the Kids Carpet shop and will be delivered free in the US.

There are many other designs to choose from that are braided rugs and wool or cotton chenille for softness, and you may also want to consider shag rugs for a baby’s room. If you would like more information on where to buy sheepskins, round area rugs, wool rugs, large rugs and even get help with carpet underlay suggestions, please browse related topics that suite your specific flooring needs.

The best and most affordable bathroom rug sets and accessories are available online at the Bed Bath Store where you’ll find all the top brands and latest designs in soft cotton chenille shag and microfiber and all the top brand names like Mohawk Mills.

Bathroom sets are no longer just the old drab pastel colors and crumbly rubber backed mats in crunchy synthetic fibers that feel stiff and unnatural, but about soft, cozy natural and new manmade fibers that are snuggly and beautiful.

There are vibrant contemporary colors and shapes as well as traditional designs, but the latest innovations make even the little retro pink bath mats have new life by being softer and more flexible than ever before. If you’ve been reading home decorating magazines and dueling over the rich textures and colors that are shown in the pictures, but disappointed when you go to the bath shops and find they are priced way beyond your budget, take heart. You can have the newest products and the latest designs without spending a fortune if you shop online and cut out the big department store and bath boutique markups.

Let’s take a look at what’s available and what prices you can expect to pay for the most popular styles of bathroom rug sets, bathroom accessory sets and even those luscious thick bathroom towel sets that will bring your bathroom to life.

We understand that bathroom décor is primarily undertaken by the ladies, and often the color choice is the first and most important factor. So let’s start with some color swatches so you can decide the general scheme or theme and then we’ll go into textures and measurements and shapes and finally specific items and their prices.

First, the soft rich colors of shag and chenille are anything but drab or dull. The bathroom rug sets you can buy through the Bed Bath Store come in pinks you never dreamed existed, rich wine colored pinks and maroons and burgundies. They also come in delicious caramel and rich espresso, or even a luscious russet auburn tone that’s really hot with decorators this season. If you want an elegant, neutral or understated minimalist look, then you can select ivory, linen or pure white. For natural sea and beach themes that are still as popular as ever with bathroom decorators, try a sea glass shade of shag to bring the ocean to your toes, or go with a classic country look with clean green ivy. Match the bathroom mat sets with tank covers, shower curtains, towels and other bathroom accessories to give the room a pulled together look that’s all in a similar tone.

In the beautiful Tiffany Bath Rugs collections by Mohawk Mills the colors are just as vibrant or as neutral as you desire. They range from a soft rose hue to the deep red of garnet. Your bathroom accessories sets can be soft and cool fog blue or Indian spice in orange or rich cocoa. For contemporary bathrooms there’s deep black, and for classic looks there’s sage with it’s subtle hint of green and neutral beige to blend seamlessly with stone or tile flooring.

And if you wish to drape your bathroom in wall to wall carpet instead of just bath mats the choices are rich and soft in textured designs from the collection of Madison Wall To Wall Bathroom Carpet available also from the Bed Bath Store. The Madison wall to wall bathroom rugs are not only great for decorating but are durable since they’re made from olefin pile, which is soil and stain resistant, won’t fade and is resistant to mildew and also comes with a skid free backing. Best of all it’s washable in any large or commercial sized washing machine. The rugs come in large 5 feet by 6 feet or 5X8 dimensions and all you have to do is cut the holes you need t accommodate all your bathroom fixtures and quickly and easily have wall to wall carpet in your bathroom. The colors hat you can choose are really modern and elegant like Franklyn blue which is soft, or deep navy. In the most modern colors that are really trendy, there’s also soft peridot green and sand. In the jewel tones there’s rich burgundy and hunter green, and for classic pink there’s a delicate dusk rose. Naturally there are the neutral grey and whites and blacks, but there’s also the chocolate brown, which has become the decorators new black for 2010.

Remember that all these swatches apply to many of the bathroom shower curtain sets, towels and other accessories, so if you go with one or two of them you won’t end up hunting all over town for the items that match.

You can put together complete bathroom sets once you know the color or design you want, and the best place to start is with the carpet or rugs or bathroom mat sets that will lay the foundation for the room.

Aside from the color you paint the walls, the color of your flooring is what will determine all other aspects of the bathroom design.

If you want texture or a pattern or motif, you can also select rugs and a bathroom accessory set that all combines. One of the collections that is tasteful, has some texture, but isn’t too busy with patterns or complicated motifs is the Homestead Bath Rugs collection that is also by Mohawk Mills. The texture is subtle to add just a touch of dimension without taking over the space. You will be able to use these bathrooms sets even if you choose plain or other patterns for the rest of your bathroom vanity sets, shower curtains or even towels. As you can see in the swatches, the waves or lines in each rug are just slight variations of the deepest color, which allows decorating options, like bringing out the softest color or the darkest and that way not having a monochromatic color scheme. The light mahogany is well suited to bathrooms with classic wood cabinets and brass or gold accents, perhaps even antique style taps and faucets. The chocolate truffle design is luscious and rich for the newest modern bathroom concepts that use brown instead of black.

Soft sage and toasted almond can be incorporated into Asian minimalist looks by using bamboo or palm tree bathroom set motifs on the vanity or as accents wherever needed. Seascape and serene blue work very well for the more traditional bathrooms that have a water or beach theme and may even be accented with deep navy tones or teal colors to bring out some richness, or can be accented with the softer pastels for a more classic bath. Lavender blossom is one of those very feminine shades that can be used in a French country or rustic bathroom theme. It needn’t be girly or floral, but it can be accented with white or even wood and brass accessories to give a light homey country feeling.

Naturally there are the retro hot pink toilet covers and tank covers and complete bathroom sets that have a slight vintage feeling, which are a very hot trend for 2010, but you needn’t feel you have to go with pink bathroom sets to get that vintage or retro look. You can choose the fluffy toilet and rug or mat sets in a variety of fun retro colors like vintage basil green or laurel green that’s actually a grey variant. Choose antique white for a more classic look or go with simply taupe for a touch of antique elegance.

For a fun vintage or retro blue go with the stargaze blue or Excalibur for a platinum or steely grey that can be accented with chrome. For an 80’s theme try the wild vibrant purple mysterioso, and for a 70’s retro that is back in vogue go with the coffee bean brown. Get inspired by the past and then bring your bathroom into the future with bathroom shower curtain sets and rugs and accessories that make it a place you want to be.

But how much will complete bathroom sets costs?

Complete bathroom sets cost a lot less than you might think. Here is a list of the top selling products we have discussed and what they cost:

• The Madison Wall To Wall Bathroom Carpet sets start at $49.99-$59.99
• The Royale Wall To Wall Bathroom Carpet By Mohawk Mills starts at just $11.99and goes up to about 89.99

• The Cotton Reversible Bath Rugs that come in 25 beautiful colors start at just $29.99 and for really large sizes are around $120.
• Gorgeous soft Egyptian Cotton Bath Rugs that have none skid backs are just under $30 and go up to about $120 for the largest sizes.
• Small Tweed Bath Accent Rug sets tart at just under $20.

• The luscious Tiffany Bath Rugs that are made by Mohawk Mills start at just under $15 and go up to about $30.
• The beautiful Frieze collection of Bath Rugs and sets also by the famous Mohawk Mills, which are all made in the USA, start at just under $13 and go up to about $20.
• The collection called Soho, which is a richly textured high pile rug starts at just under $15 and goes up to just over $30.

• The textured and subtly colored Homestead collection starts at around $14 and goes up to about $45 for the largest bathroom rugs.
• The Royale Bathroom Rugs that are nylon and very easy to care for are really cheap at just under $12 for the small ones and just under $30 for the largest versions.
• The cheap bathroom set designs by Carlyle, which are cotton loop bathroom rugs, start at just $11.99.

• Lucious high-tecj microfiber bath mats by Verto that are about 17″ x 21″ in size cost only $17.99, and the larger 21″ x 34″ are priced just under $30.
• The newest trendy shaggy shag rugs in rich cotton chenille that come in the luscious chocolate brown, white and natural cotton colors start at just $11.99 and go up to around $30
• Gorgeous thick spa microfiber mini bath mat sets are very affordable at just under $18 and come in all the fabulous colors we’ve discussed above.

• The larger spa microfiber tub mat versions are just under $18, as are the blush pink designs, but the white and linen colors are about $23 and come in round shapes.
• The largest natural microfiber bathroom sets are about $30 and come in beautiful shades of water blue, aloe green and gray, as well as chocolate and natural linen tones.
• Fun yellow poppy cotton bathroom rugs with delightful patterns start at just $18 and go up to about $21 for large sizes. And you can choose yellow, red or green poppy motifs for the same price.

• Some other patterned bathroom accessories sets that are fun and stylish include the Croscill Spa rugs that have leaf designs and cost just under $35, and the other Coscill rugs that also come in soft chenille are just under $25.
• Light and summery designs like the sunflowers bath accent rug or the funny outhouses rugs or the kids bathroom sets, like the Just Duckie designs, are all under $30, with some being under $17.

• Breezy designs like the Tropical Seashell Bath Rug are just under $26 and other seasonal speciality bathroom sets with Chrsitmas and animal motifs are between $12 and $27.
• Cool bamboo bathroom sets are priced really cheap at under $12 to $14.
• And the retro or classic pink bathroom sets that we showed you by Mohawk Mills start at just $14.99and go up to just under $30. The Regency designs which are similar bathroom tank sets that include toilet covers and floor rugs, and are nylon, also by Mohawk Mills, cost just a little more, between $17 and just under $35.

For more detailed information of indoor and outdoor rugs, as well as carpet underlay, large rugs, Persian carpets and even unusual round area rugs and shaggy shag rugs for any room of the house, please browse other related topics.

If you’re in the UK you’re going to love the large rug selection at a place called World Rugs Emporium. Extra large rugs come in up to 3m X 4m and you can choose from Persian, wool, oriental, shaggy and contemporary designs or round rugs and hall runners.

Funky Large Area Rugs from World Rugs Emporium

Let’s have a closer look at what large area rugs they offer and see what prices you can expect to pay. One fun contemporary collection that’s really affordable is called the Patina rug collection that costs just £64 for a large 170cm x 230cm piece. That price includes mainland UK delivery.

All the large contemporary rugs in the collection are not just big and cheap but are very durable and good for high traffic areas because they are machine woven and crafted entirely from resistant polypropylene. These pieces can take a beating and will retain their color and texture and are also much easier to care for than wool. They are easy to maintain and may even be used where normally you may not place an expensive wool rug for fear of damaging it, like in a kitchen or under a dinning table.

Modern Large Floor Rugs

There’s nothing more modern and chic than large shaggy rugs from Innovation Range. These large floor rugs that are truly shaggy are all machine woven but have a wonderful soft shag pile. The most modern collection has a variety of unusual designs and contemporary black and white and red, as well as beige and grey.

The sizes range from 80 x 150cm to 290 x 200cm and there are also long hall runners that measure 60 x 230cm. Prices start at about £49 and go up to about £160. These are great value for your money because the rugs are durable, modern and varied in design, offering a variety of design possibilities, and are also easy to order and include free delivery.

If you have a large space that has hardwood flooring, it is very possible that you need very little to decorate the room if you have a large area rug that sets the theme. If you find that a geometric design is too dramatic, but you want a contemporary shaggy rug design, then select a plain color or a white or being shag design that will blend better while still being modern and chic. The most popular colors are white, cream, green and teal blues. At the World Rugs Emporium, shaggy shag rugs start at just £79, which is very affordable, and come in all the popular colors just mentioned.

Large Persian Rugs For Less

A large Persian rug is not a small purchase and often they are very expensive, so much so that many people simply cannot dream of owning a small one, never mind a large masterpiece for a living room that is very large. But, we have really good news for you. The Royal Palace rugs collection sold through World Rugs Emporium start at just £149 and come in all the Persian designs and colors you dream of. In fact they are so affordable that a 3 meter long large Persian rug need only cost you about £399 instead of thousands. There are even some designs like the Murat and the Noble Art styles that start at just £65 to £69, and come in up to 4 meter lengths. Runners are also available.

Affordable Large Oriental Rugs

If you’ve been dying for an Oriental rug but can’t afford the ones you’ve seen, then have a look at what we suggest. Large oriental rugs from the Afgan Rug Range which are machine made but are in fact 100% wool cost just £239 at the World Rugs Emporium. They are beautifully crafted and look like the real thing and are really large and soft. They are available in the 2 meter size and also in long runners. You’ll be hard pressed to find a better deal on a round 2 meter Oriental rug that is delivered right to your door for that price.

Ideas for Large Bath Rugs

Large bathroom rugs are not only difficult to find but often ugly and expensive. If you don’t have a wet room style bathroom, but a sealed or enclosed shower area and a dry space where you have a mirror and perhaps some shelves for towels and other items, you may consider a Persian or Oriental rug or a shaggy rug or even a polypropylene piece that’s good enough for indoor and outdoor use. If it can be tossed on the porch and left in the rain, it can surely be a bath rug.

Try being creative and get away from the usual rubber backing bath mats that come in pink and blue and go for something that adds to the personal décor and yet is still functional. Most machine made polypropylene outdoor rugs will work for a bathroom, and most regular rugs can be used as well so long as you have ventilation and the room is basically dry. You can also add a little piece of carpet underlay beneath large rugs in the bath so protect them from moisture.

Beautiful Trans-Ocean Terrace outdoor polypropylene rug designs starting at $14; elegant yet durable Couristan Five Seasons polypropylene outdoor rugs starting at $20;
discount designs in contemporary and classic styles from top manufacturers; all weather creations that look like indoor rugs; traditional outdoor braided rugs starting at $32; specials for online shoppers – all the information you need to decorate indoors and outdoors with alternatives to wool area rugs.

Trans-Ocean Terrace Outdoor Polypropylene Rug Designs

If you’re looking for affordable wool area rugs alternatives that are great for indoors or outdoors, you need to see the Trans-Ocean collection that has fashionable carpet and rug solutions that can really take a beating while looking great.

These outdoor area rugs are all machine woven from 100% polypropylene pile, which makes them ideal for outdoor usage, especially for porches, decks and front entryways that take a lot of abuse. But they are far from being your average doormats. You can select small 23” X 35” sizes for $14 to $19 or large rugs 39” X 59” for $43.

There are also matching runner rugs that measure 23”X7′6” also for just $43. The largest sizes are 4′ 11” X 7′ 6” that cost about $91, and the same designs in a large size that measure 7′ 10” and are square for $159, or the largest sizes that are like carpets measuring 7′ 10” X 9′ 10” for just under $200.

These are not some ugly green indoor/outdoor plastic, crunchy-feeling rugs that will detract from the look of your outdoor space, but elegant carpets that could just as easily be in the living room or dinning room. Many have pile, are soft and comfy to sit on, and even have elaborate patterns and motifs. Some are contemporary and others have classic designs. There are even the popular zebra rugs, floral patterns and outdoor leaf and flower designs, as well as beach and exotic themes to match almost any décor.

The zebra rugs come in natural black and white, tiger colors, black and orange and even in wild red and white. They start at about $19, but some of the color and texture and pattern variations are $39 to $99, like the hot pink and red zebra pattern that’s 3 feet 6 inches by 5 feet 6 inches, rectangular.

The amazing thing about these outdoor rugs is that have a ½ inch pile, so there’re really a lot more than a mat on which to wipe your feet, but warm cozy places to sit outdoors and read a book or to have underfoot when you’re barefoot on the deck or under a patio table and chair set, even as a floor covering inside a garden gazebo.

Couristan Five Seasons Polypropylene Outdoor Rugs

If you’re impressed by the outdoor patio rugs we suggest so far, then you will be equally delighted to see what Couristan rugs are all about. From ultra modern graphic designs in stripes and geometric shapes to classic neutral tones and beachy fun, the Five Seasons collection is power-loomed in Turkey, with a flatwoven construction in 100% polypropylene by Courtron. These are not indoor rugs that you can drag outside on nice days, but genuinely designed outdoor rugs that are really durable and made to resist the elements without being difficult to care for. They have a UV stabilized so the sun doesn’t effect their color and they have been crafted in such a way that inclement weather will not cause them to disintegrate either.

The price will depend on the design you choose, but mostly on the size. The smallest ones are 1′ 11” X 3′ 7” and cost just $20. The matching entryway or stair runners measure 2′ 3” X 7′ 10” and cost just under $50. For large rug options like the 3′ 6” X 5′ 5”, you’ll pay just under $60 and matching larger runners that are almost 12 feet long cost about $75. The rugs that are large 5′ 3” X 7′ 6”, great for patios and decks under benches and tables, cost around $110 and the ones that are over 9 feet long are just under $150.

The two largest woven outdoor rugs in the Couristan Five Seasons collection that are made from polypropylene are 7′ 6” X 10′ 9” and sell for about $230, and the huge 8′ 6” X 13′ all weather outdoor rug that could fill an entire porch or deck is just under $320.

There’s a really fun collection called Taos Lodge, also by Couristan, that is bright and colorful and has Native American motifs and Southwest motifs that are a wonderful way to brighten up an outdoor area. They come in outdoor rug runner sizes and even extra, extra large rectangular shapes to fairly cover a deck. Just add a cactus a clay pot and your patio is all done.

These Taos Lodge pieces are also excellent for indoor high traffic areas in cabins, lodges and retreats or even on the floors of a small country B & B. They are casual elegance with a contemporary feel that creates a warm atmosphere of rustic frontier without roughing it. Yet the carpets themselves are designed to endure since they are power-loomed heat-set polypropylene with a dense weave of over 500,000 points/ square meter.

For nature lovers choose the blues and yellows and terracotta hues, and for the more geometric contemporary look choose the ivory and dark neutral tones with diamond and triangular geometric shapes. The large outdoor rugs in the Taos lodge collection are a little more expensive starting with the one that measures 2′ 7” X 4′ 11” and costs $89, and moving up to the long runner designs that measure almost 8 feet for about $120. The other rectangular shapes are 3′ 11” X 5′ 3” for around $140 or the 5′ 3” X 7′ 6” for about $270.

The two largest sizes of outdoor polypropylene rug designs in this collection are 7′ 10” X 11′ that costs about $580 and the really large 9′ 6” X 13′ 2” piece that is about $850.

Other Cheap Outdoor Rugs

If you want a zillion different styles that are unique, from round outdoor rugs to the ever popular natural varieties of treated outdoor bamboo rugs and the super durable sisal outdoor rugs, you should take a look at what Rug Studio have in their collections. Aside from having all the above suggested items from Couristan and Trans-Ocean, they also have some rare finds like polypropylene outdoor braided rug styles that look just like the ones from wool that are used indoors.

For a country cabin look, these outdoor braided rugs from a company called Rhody Rug in New England, braided and hand sewn and come in the Pilgrim rug designs that are classic. Although they are not wool, they are finely crafted texturized polypropylene and can be purchased alone or with matching chair pads for outdoor seating. The colors are almost endless and the designs are as a braided rug should be – wound around and around in a mix of coordinating hues and tones as if made from strips of rag.

Here are the prices for the braided outdoor rugs and matching chair pads:

You can have a set of four pads that measure 15” around for just $32, and a matching rug that’s 2′ X 3′ for just over $40. The larger seat covers that measure 8” X 28” , also sold in a set of 4, are just over $43, and the matching 2′ X 4′ rug costs about $55.

The larger braided rugs that measure 3′ X 5′ start at just over $100, and the beautiful 4 foot round design is just under $120 and the 6 foot round are $256, and the 8 foot round outdoor rug costs $455. The 10 foot braided round outdoor rugs are priced at just over $670.

The oval 4′ X 6′ ones are about $163, and 5′ X 8′ are about $277, while the larger 7′ X 9′ costs just over $400. The largest oval ones are 8′ X 11′ and costs about $540 and the 10′ X 13′ are around $910.

For more information on round area rugs, cheap rugs, Persian rugs and wool area rugs from around the world, as well as beautiful shag rugs, please select related topics.

Where To Use Cloud 9 Foam Carpet Underlay

When you buy carpet underlay that’s foam like the Cloud 9 product, you will use it primarily in homes and for light contract or commercial usage, but where a higher comfort level is desired.

The Cirrus underlay is often used in homes and offices due to its thermal insulation and acoustic properties. The product can be purchased by the square meter for small areas or for complete room coverage it also comes in 15 meter square rolls. The Cloud 9 carpet underlay choice is a recommended product since it is lightweight, affordable and comes with a lifetime guarantee when properly installed in areas that Ball & Young recommend as ideal for their products.

Why Choose PU foam Carpet Underlays

Most carpets will require an underlay of some kind, and PU foam carpet underlay like the Cloud 9 product line, offer a level of comfort, support and durability that other foam products don’t offer. If you choose wisely you will also be protecting your carpet investment to ensure it will have a longer life, since it will not rest directly on the raw floor surface, and it will therefore last longer, feel better and be protected. Carpet underlay, in general, offers the added benefits of heat insulation and sound muffling, adding to good acoustic engineering of any home or office.

Carpet Foam Verses Rubber Underlay

Why will you choose foam over rubber carpet underlay or even felt?

The appropriate product will depend on the use the area will receive, however PU foam underlays are being chosen over rubber and felt for several important reasons such as the fact that they are extremely lightweight and much simpler to manipulate and install. They also offer much better insulation and acoustic enhancement than other varieties. However one of the most important reasons that foam is better than rubber or felt is that it is springy and soft underfoot and does not become flattened or matted as easily. It will remain bouncy a lot longer. The other factor is price. Simply put, foam PU is very affordable because it is manufactured from recycled material. Rubber and other types of underlay are created new from raw products, not recycled.

What if my carpet already has a built-in underlay?

Even if the carpet you have selected comes with underlay attached or built-in a foam underlay is still recommended. Select a lesser thickness, perhaps an 8mm or a 9mm thickness instead of an 11mm underlay as you might for a regular carpet that has a hard back. This will give a little added cushioning, protect the carpet back, insulate and absorb unwanted sound.

What About Other Brands?

We can recommend another brand used in the UK called Tredaire Dreamwalk and is perhaps top of the line in luxury carpet underlay. It is also the most expensive.

We do not recommend Cosi or Blue Heaven although they are cheaper because they are low density and do not stand up as well to use as the better quality Cloud 9 line that has three products that are very affordable and yet will last and offer value for your money. If you can’t afford the Dreamwalk, then choose Cumulus, Cirrus or Nimbus from Cloud 9 and you will have a superior quality product that is cheap but not poor quality. Remember that carpet underlay may not be seen everyday but will be felt with every step as long as the carpet remains on the floor.

If you are considering the waffle rubber underlay that has been used traditionally for many years, and is available under a variety of brand names, you must remember that most brands come from a few of the same manufacturers and are basically all the same product just marketed differently to make consumers believe they must have a specific product for a specific carpet. In fact the only real difference between rubber underlays is the 5 different weights from which you can choose. The five weights are 60lb, 80lb, 100lb, 130lb and 150lb, which in essence will dictate how much softness you have underfoot. In general, the higher the weight the softer it will feel, however, there is one exception to this rule, and that is with the 150lb weight. It is not the softest, in fact it may feel quite hard, so if you need a cushiony effect, you will be best to select 130lb or go with foam.

Where to Buy Carpet Underlay

If you want the best price you will want to buy from carpet underlay UK dealers who operate online. Why? Because they operate via a mail order system, they can offer the discounts to the public much as a wholesaler would. They buy in bulk and sell direct without showrooms. If you are leery about giving personal information over the internet to buy a large amount of product, most online underlay shops offer a telephone ordering option within the UK so you can speak to a live person and feel more secure.

How to buy underlay?

If you are doing the purchasing yourself you will need to know the dimensions of the area to be carpeted. Measure the length and width and times that by 2 to get the square meters. That will be how much underlay you need to order.

Is Cloud 9 really the best underlay for noise reduction?

The two top noise reduction underlays are the Cloud 9 Cumulous and the Tredaire Dreamwalk. However, the question of noise reduction is complex because there is impact sound and airborne sound. Impact sound is the most commonly used measurement when deciding acoustic properties of insulation and underlay. If you are concerned with airborne sound as well as impact sound reduction, you will want to consider combining underlays to get the desired effect. These are high-end products you will need and perhaps you can check into products by Kensington that have deluxe combination acoustic underlay products that offer absorption of airborne sound as well as muffled impact noises.

What if I just need a little underlay for under a small area, must I buy a full roll?

No. You can buy foam underlay by the meter from most of the online retailers.

What if I have a heated Flooring system, can I still use foam underlay?

No. You will need a special kind of underlay like Heatflow or other brands that are specially designed for heated floors, perhaps Heat King also. Never use foam underlay. You may also choose Cloud 9 radiance that is specially designed for under floor heating systems and carpet.

What are the different kinds of Cloud 9 Carpet Underlay?

1. Nimbus – this one has red paper and is the 7mm thickness and is the cheapest and used only for homes or low traffic areas.
2. Cirrus – this one has red paper and has 9mm thickness and is very soft and durable. Good for homes and light office or commercial purposes. Offers good sound reduction and insulation.
3. Cumulus – this one has green paper and has 11mm thickness and is the softest and best for sound reduction, insulation and springiness.

There are Contract varieties as well that are specific for higher use or commercial areas. One is 8mm thick and has green and silver paper and can also be used be used in homes. There is a 10mm underlay as well, which is labeled with orange and silver paper and is designed for very high traffic areas, commercial use and also for places where you desire extra softness and high durability.

For more information on wool area rugs, outdoor rugs and even bathroom sets and shag rug options to decorate your space, please continue reading related topics.

Chinese Rugs

While some Chinese area rugs may resemble Persian rugs, there are some very distinctive styles like the carved Peking or Beijing designs that feature areas with raised or high pile and others that are low shorn pile to create a multidimensional effect. This is especially true for the Chinese floral rugs that are usually pastel, however there also stark red, black, navy, and emerald greens that form part of the 1930’s Art Deco patterns that remain popular and also the French Aubusson designs that the Chinese have perfected for export.

The Chinese have much more silk carpet and area rugs than the Persians and also than the Tibetans, in fact large wool carpets are not thought to have been an integral part of Chinese culture until quite recently, since there were no looms for wool rug making until the mid 1800’s.

Chinese wool rug making has really only flourished since the 1930’s, and mostly after 1949 when Hong Kong and other centers began more vigorous international trade. There are very few records of Chinese carpet or rugs, but it is thought that most rug activity was centered in the north-west area of Xinjiang, however, what is known is that the nomads created Chinese area rugs mostly from a kind of heavy felt, or a soft silk or a tough camel wool and borrowed from Mongolian and Tibetan motifs and expertise.

Nowadays, the Chinese rug and carpet industry is large because they manufacture all the styles that are traditionally Oriental, which include Turkish, Persian, and middle Eastern Islamic designs. They also tend to incorporate their own Chinese, Buddhist and Taoist symbols into area rug creations because in general motifs to the Chinese are not purely decorative, they are emblematic and propitious often depicting symbols of longevity, prosperity and luck.

Floral motifs are reminiscent of those used traditionally in Chinese art in the hopes of the early arrival of spring, and animal renditions of symbols from Chinese Astrological signs, like the tiger, the dragon and the phoenix, may lend a traditional note to carpet design.

Also there are many rugs that depict horses, bats and fish since they have meaning beyond their mere decorative appeal. Red, imperial yellow, jade green and Ming vase blue are some of the colors to be found in these wool carpet creations.

There are also many round area rug choices in Chinese carpet designs, more so than square and rectangular ones because a round rug to Buddhist may symbolize the eternal circular motion of life and cycles and also have fewer edges that would be in keeping with feng shui that does not obstruct or inhibit the flow of energy.

If you are looking for cheap rugs in contemporary styles, art deco, red area rug designs, or even modern abstract concepts, the Chinese contemporary rugs manufacturers have a lot to offer.

Discount area rugs are the specialty of many Asian dealers, and they need not have traditional motifs. Some very modern area rugs at some very affordable prices await you online.

Tibetan Rugs

What makes Tibetan rugs incredible is their color, their knotting, their unusual motifs and high mountain Himalayan wool.

Similar to the Chinese carpets and rugs, Tibetan rug making is an ancient art form that seemed to not have needed mentioning in ancient texts. However, unlike the Chinese, there is extensive evidence that traditional Tibetan rugs have been made for thousands of years from changpel, the Tibetan high mountain sheep’s wool. What also differentiates these rugs is the way in which they are made with a uniquely Tibetan hand tied knot that is not the same as the knotting used in Persian or other Oriental or Asian area rugs.

Although there are machines who now do much of the work, rug making is one of Tibet’s main industries that continues to this day. The looms and weaving and rug workshops were most notable in Gyantse, and the monasteries throughout Tibet were weel known for making and using rugs. It is sad that many of the Lhasa rug factories are now exclusively dedicated to tourists and Chinese dignitaries or to be sent to China. There are however some uniquely Tibetan rugs such as the sitting rugs known as khaden.

Tibetan Wangden rugs from south of Shigatse, may have a large fringe and some are runners that were once used on long benches where the monks sat.

Today it is difficult to buy TRUE Tibetan handmade wool rug that are lanolin oily and of high quality because there are primarily Chinese government run factories in Lhasa that make classic designs for the tourists in cheap area rugs that imitate the real thing. There are also a few foreign run factories that are trying to re-established ancient methods and traditional vegetable dyes and use hand techniques for authentic natural rugs, but just can’t make a large scale profitable enterprise from it yet and are far from being known internationally.

If you are searching for true hand made, genuine natural area rugs from real Tibetan weavers, then take the time to find a real one instead of supporting Chinese factory Tibetan knockoffs.

There are wool area rugs online that support these small Tibetan entrepreneurs (sometimes in conjunction with Nepalese dealers) and offer to send you their creations anywhere in the world you may be.

The ultimate contemporary area rugs you can buy are those that support a weaver’s life today and allow them to expand their techniques and designs for tomorrow.

Consider having your next rugs runner be a long one made in a monetary in the style of those that covered their benches, or decorate your home or office with area carpets and rugs that sustain a people who struggle to maintain their heritage and their arts even while they may be in exile in Nepal.

You may find something at a place called karmacarpets, or perhaps you can try tamarian or tibetrugcompany or toranahouse, or artelino amongst others who support the Tibetan wool area rug trade and have some magnificent traditional and contemporary rugs in many shapes and colors touched by the fingers of the talented Tibetan people.

Photo of Bazaar by Joel Meadows

The carpet and rug bazaars themselves are places where classic, ancient and new, contemporary come together; classic being the barbars who are bent from carrying rugs on their backs, and ancient are the designs and motifs that mimic great Islamic architectural patterns, and new is the fresh wool and the dyes, and contemporary are the colors that illuminate piles of rugs spread out on platforms for viewing or draped on walls, and spilling out into the walkways…rolls and rolls of carpet and miles and piles of wool area rugs from every dealer’s stall or shop or office where international rug trading is as ancient an art as it is a modern industry.

Photo of Grand bazaar by Fabien Dany

The scent of these market places is one that any rug lover knows without looking – the aroma of musty wool, the earthy smell of the bowls of liquid dye, mixed with the scent of narghile sheesha tobacco from hookah pipes, perhaps a simmering pot of sweet Persian tea or cardamom-scented coffee on a coal fire, some incense, and a distant whiff of kebab.

A Persian Rug

Here, in a bazaar in Tehran or Tabriz, is where you will find the Heriz design wool area rug, brought from other cities, like the famous Ardebil, with its distinctive geometric pattern, different due to straight lines and jagged edge motifs like the Kazak rugs of southern Azerbaijan – more modern than what you’d expect from a Persian wool area rug. The Heriz (or Hariz or Heris) wool area rugs are thick, tough, and often less expensive than the more classic Tabriz carpets.

Although in the bazaars it can be tough to wade through the piles of rugs that have been loosely woven, or that have a low knot count, and are of poor quality, it is certain that by the time they have been inspected and reach a boat or a plane and are imported to a distant country, only the best and strongest rugs have survived the rigorous scrutiny of dealers and merchants trained in carpet buying.

Quality control is to some extent what an importer is all about. The carpets that are collected by the initial buyer with an eye for color, texture and design, will then be passed on to be thoroughly examined by experienced carpet inspectors who spend of their lives on their knees.

When buyers select carpets, more than half of what they see is rejected quickly by the first inspector. Subsequent inspection may reveal an odd dye tone or a warp or a crease or a crinkle that no amount of stretching will fix, so the next ones are eliminated, and so on, until only a few select area rugs and carpets are chosen for shipment overseas.

Mehraban runners or Mehriban area rugs, which use the Hamadan weave, are often decorated with flowers and medallions on dark (often blue) backgrounds. These fantastic and historic rugs come from a place west of Teheran, between Sarouk and Hamadan, and are considered sturdy wool rugs having one heavy cotton weft and then thick, high quality wool, coarsely woven into fine and durable rugs, perfect for hallway runners and high traffic areas.

Another great area rug from the region is the Bakhtiari area rugs and carpets tinted with vegetable dyes, and although sometimes the yarn is spun by machine, they are fine carpets made from symmetrical knots single or doubled wefted. The single wefted rugs may be similar to Hamadan except that Bakhtiari tend to have larger wefting.

Karadja carpets, although similar to Hamadan, and can also be decorated with hooked medallions (somewhat like the Lambaran), but are in fact different because the wool is coarser and therefore the rugs are heavier. Karadja rugs are primarily runners or small area rugs, rarely large carpets.

Although the word ‘Persian’ or Oriental carpet or rug may instantly conjure in western minds the idea of an ancient, old or traditional rug, this is not at all the case for the rug makers or their dealers. Since carpets are constantly being designed, woven and knotted, each piece is new, and motifs that may appear traditional may actually be variants of the original patterns, and the coloring or dyes may be in keeping with modern trends, and therefore considered very contemporary.

The other thing is that ‘antique’ to those who make carpets may simply mean something that was not made this year or last. When you live and work and sell your wares amidst buildings with walls and arches that are truly ancient, in a land that has a history as old as man, then perhaps the words modern and contemporary versus antique and traditional have a very different meaning indeed.

It is interesting to note that about 5 million weavers in Iran create carpets and a million of those are for export alone. Needless to say there are styles created that mimic both old and new flooring styles. The most common sizes are the Farsh or Qalii which are anything over 6×4 feet, the Qalicheh is anything under 6×4, and the famous Kilim rugs of the nomads are all much smaller in general (usually prayer rugs) and used abroad as toss rugs or small area rugs.

Speaking area rug sizes, one really, really big area rug, perhaps the largest on record is the one in the Grand Sultan Qaboos Mosque in Muscat which is 4,343 square meters in size. (Photo of Sultan Qaboos Mosque courtesy of Iran Carpet Co.)

When seeking wool area rugs, Persian and oriental rugs are almost all made of wool. Cotton is only for the foundation, wool is what creates the pile and what receives the wear. Some of the wool is Kork wool, Manchester wool, and even Camel Hair wool, while silk may be softer and finer it is also more expensive and less durable. Oriental silk carpets are most often wall tapestries and not intended for heavy traffic on the floor.

When it comes to Persian rugs motifs and designs, weavers often create patterns from memory since most rug makers are born into the trade from childhood the designs become second nature, however many patterns are just variations of similar classic designs and are not replicas anything but the creations of the weavers as they work. This is true of geometric shapes more so than the designs of area rugs that are curved or vine-like or floral or have medallions. The truly elaborate motifs that are traditional have now been put onto computer and these create perfect antique replicas. Fortunately the hand woven and knotted rugs are still the ones most prized and the most expensive. The motifs that are most well known are the Boteh, Gul, Herati, Mina-Khani, Rosette and Shah Abbasi

The boteh design for area rugs is the Farsi word for flower bud or palm leaf or cluster of leaves that can also include shapes that we see as a flame or a teardrop or pear and yet is most widely called the paisley pattern because the Scottish town of Paisley imitated the pattern that was found from a Kashmir shawl with a boteh design. I used to think it had been the other way around. But next time you see a carpet with paisleys you might be inclined to give it a second look.

Gul area rugs come from the Farsi word for flower and therefore it is common area rug motif, but it is argued that the word gul is also the Turkish word for tribe, and therefore a family emblem and not a flower. That would explain why not all gul rug patterns are floral!

Herati area rugs are elaborate patterned rugs that come from the Farsi word for fish –
Mahi, however there are many gorgeous motifs in this category that are flowers centered in a diamond with curving leaves that stretch beyond the diamond shapes. Many of these area rugs are made in Heart, Afghanistan and therefore the name we know today.

Mina-Khani area rugs use a type of pattern that is repeated over a rug and often has a central palmetto and vines and eight flowers in a lattice design that might also be described as the way you might see flowers or fruit if standing above them. The rugs from Tehran, Belouch and Tabriz often have this design.

Rosette area rugs will commonly have a circular pattern of designs that are based round a focal or central medallion or motif such as those found in the Nain area rugs.

Shah Abbasi is a common pattern of the Tabriz area rugs derived from the word for men’s cloaks which is Abaas that were woven in the city of Nain where these rugs originated. The cloaks didn’t do very well, so weavers switched from cloak making to rug making and used the same motifs – usually vines and curvy shapes of flowers and animals intertwined in complex layered patterns.

How are these Persian rugs made? Well, the weft is passed through the bottom warp to form a base and then loosely piled knots of wool are tied around adjacent warps to form the area rug designs. It’s very time consuming because a knot count can be up to 550 knots per square inch. It’s almost a crime to walk on such a rug!

There are looms for weaving rugs also and the main function of the loom is to provide tension. There are horizontal looms which are used by nomadic peoples and produce small area rugs vertical looms that can produce unlimited lengths of rug, which is where runners are often made. In Iran, the Tabriz loom, which has a fixed upper beam and a moveable lower one, is the most common. Tension is created by adding wedges into slots along the sides and weavers position is raised as the rug is woven.

Many of the carpet styles and motifs and knots and patterns as well as the overall rugs themselves are derived from the names of the cities where the technique or the motif originated. That is why carpets are named Abadeh, Ardabil, Herat, Heriz or Hariz or Heris, Nain, Shiraz, Tabriz, Veramin or Zabol just to name a few of the most well known centers from which Persian come from.

Another famous floor covering are the Gabbeh rugs, which are traditional tribal carpets made in the Zagros region of northwestern Iran, and are considered natural fiber carpets since the term gabbeh is exactly that – natural.

These wonderful wool area rugs are great for any home that is looking for new contemporary area rugs because each carpet is unique depicting women’s lives, emotions and stories of what surrounds them but translated into geometric and asymmetrical patterns that are akin to modern styles and avant-garde designs. These are artistic and individual masterpieces woven with thick pile wool although the knot count is low, they are of high quality and very coveted in the western world.

These gabbeh rugs are often seen being sold by discount wool area rugs sellers and they are not genuine from the women of the Zagros area.

Many of these fakes are made in India or China and may be immediately identified because they are not good quality wool, have been dyed with chemicals and not the natural tints used by Zagros women and usually have a white fringe that the originals don’t have.

If you want a genuine gabbeh wool area rug then a good place to find them online is gabbeh.com. there are many expensive varieties that appear original, but if they say made in India they cannot possibly be originals no matter how expensive they are.
However a true Gabbeh area rug will cost no les than about $1,000 and most are closer to $2000, $3000 or more.

Here are some Gabbeh to choose from:

• Amalehbaft
• Basic Gabbeh
• Kashkoli
• Kelim
• Luribaft
• Oushak
• Shekarlu
• Sumak

Each rug is handmade and unique and there are no two alike, but to give you an idea of size and price:

• Gabbeh-Amalehbaft Wool Area Rug – 10′ 2″ x 15′ 4″ –$13, 200.
• Gabbeh-Amalehbaft Wool Area Rug — 10′ 2″ x 12′ 5″ — $4,980.
• Gabbeh-Amalehbaft Wool Area Rug — 9′ 8″ x 12′ 10″ — $4,260.
• Gabbeh-Amalehbaft Wool Area Rug — 9′ 8″ x 12′ 4″ — $5,640.
• Gabbeh-Amalehbaft Wool Area Rug — 9′ 5″ x 12′ 7″ — $6,860.

If you seek hand tufted wool area rugs in a modern, geometric or contemporary pattern you will probably be able to find it in a Persian carpet style. These oriental rugs can be large enough to fill a room, or simply be hallway runners or accent rugs. Because of their strength and durability they are sturdy enough to be kitchen rugs in a modern home with lots of foot traffic.

Contemporary area rugs, made in villages and cities in Iran and Afghanistan and Turkey and many other parts of the world, are natural rugs, created by men and women who have made wool carpet weaving and knotting, not merely a profession, but their life. Most Persian area rugs online have come from the hands that have perfected the art of creating area carpets and contemporary rugs that blend well with any modern décor.