Deco Rugs - A Touch Beyond the Oriental

When was the last time you thought of buying a rug for your living room and decided not to since you were short of money?

Ever heard of deco rugs? That's right! An elegant blend of beauty and richness, these rugs are affordable and easily available, whichever part of the globe you are.

So what are deco rugs? Where did they spring from?

Deco rugs are manufactured in factories and are cheaper than the Oriental rugs. They changed the very concepts of rug making and designing at the World's Fair Exhibition of Modern and Industrial Decorative Art that was conducted at Paris in 1925. Nobody could predict that it would be creating a revolution in the arena of decorative art. Among those who got inspired by the event were designers, weavers, craftsmen, etc. As they created a major contrast and provided a change from the Oriental rugs in pattern, design and colours, they soon became the favourite of the masses.

Art deco rugs were a major eye-opener to the interior designers all over the world. For the first time in history beautiful and colourful rugs and carpets could be afforded by the common man. Till then, the meaning of rugs was the elegant and rich Oriental rugs that could be afforded only by the rich and famous.

Deco rugs are different from Oriental ones in many ways. Here are a few characteristics of deco rugs that make them stand apart.

o If you want a lively ambiance you'll get rugs that have bold colours like bright red or blue, emerald green, canary yellow, royal violet, etc.

o If your requirement is a modern and subdued interior you'll get monochromatic colour schemes like gray, pale blue or beige.

o Another sign of a deco rug is one with black and white colour combination that gives a zebra appearance. This is a very modern pattern suitable for modern interiors.

o Geometric or angular patterns are common designs on these rugs. They are a total contrast from the floral designs of the antique rugs. The rare floral designs on the them are almost often asymmetrical.

o Egyptian signs and symbols are another characteristic pattern of the rugs.

o They are normally very plush and thick unlike the thinner and harder Oriental ones.

o Repeating patterns like lines or squares is also one of their peculiar features.

o These rugs are normally made of wool or silk, sometimes a combination of both.

Deco rugs are very much sought after now as they suit the modern ambiance and culture. Those woven around mid-1920s to 30s (also called the Machine age) reflect the style precisely. Jean Michel Frank and Emile Jacques Ruhlmann are two French designers who could be considered the most creative of Art deco rug designers.

Though the art met with a temporary fall during the Great Depression of 1929, it revived very soon. The genuine are very rare now and therefore highly expensive. However, you could get pieces of the revival age that were made as homage to the authentic rugs. They are a clear result of bold steps where different genres are blended beautifully, contrasting styles are used to accentuate diversity, simultaneously creating harmony.

Deco rugs are now highly in demand since they go well with many corporate buildings that are blooming in every part of the globe. The rug industry of today owes a great deal to the these rugs as they served to bring rugs and carpets within the reach of common man.

To get more information about high quality and most beautiful deco rugs and carpets from a wide range of antique as well as custom made contemporary designs. Log on to - http://www.dorisleslieblau.com

Antique rugs – What adds value to them

Antique rugs are the beautiful reminders of those ancient civilizations that gave us the grandeur and elegance of art and culture. They come mostly from countries where such early civilizations were present like Turkey, Persia (present Iran), China, India, etc. Centuries back, they were made in these countries to be exported to the Western countries. Today, they are the favourites of the whole world and are bought at high cost. 

The oldest rugs from Persia dates back to 500 B.C. They were hand woven obviously as there was no equipment to weave until sometime back. Antique rugs vary in colour, size, material and designs. However, there are a few factors that are common to all of them like soft fibres and bright colours. They were either made with wool or silk with cotton backing.

Antique rugs provide a rich look and cosy ambience to a room. In olden times they were the symbols of wealth and good taste. Now they are used in private homes, 5 star hotels, museums, etc. to make the same impression on people. The current trend in antique rugs is to use neutral colours that looks washed out so that the rugs would match any room.

One major factor regarding the antique rugs is that they should match the remaining items in a room. To put it in a different way, when you add an ancient rug in a room, make sure that your room is adequately matching the rug. For example, in a room that is decorated in a modern way with all contemporary designs and decorations, an antique rug might look out of place. Similarly, you need to ensure that you are using the right rug for a room as there are different rugs for living rooms, dining rooms, prayer halls, etc.

Taking proper care of an antique rug is as important as taking pride in possessing one. You are spending a fortune for the rug, which means you need it safe and undamaged for a long time. This calls for different safety measures taken for the rug. Keeping it away from sunlight, padding it and hanging it on the wall are some ways in which you can secure it from getting worn out or damaged easily.

An antique rug is a big investment, and therefore you need to make sure that you are getting a genuine one. It is better to get the help of an expert while purchasing one if you cannot make out the original from the fake on your own. However, an antique rug with bright colours and beautiful patterns can make a big difference to your home, adding grace and richness to it.

To get more information about high quality and most beautiful rugs and carpets from a wide range of antique as well as custom made contemporary designs.

Antique Rugs: Bring Class and History to Your Interiors

Who doesn’t like antique pieces? Think antique furniture, rugs or jewellery, and you imagine bringing not just richness and elegance but also tradition and history to your living rooms. However, assimilating an antique object to a contemporary interior calls for daring and wit.  Without some amount of imagination and creativity buying an antique can never create the ambience you want.

Antique rugs have always been in favour, especially for the higher strata of society. Though they originated both in the Asian and Western countries, the ones from the Oriental world caught more of the fascination of people than those from the Western world.

The terms like “carpets” and “rugs” were initially used only for the coverings meant for furniture parts like beds and tables. They came to be used as coverings for the floor only since the early 18^th century. Of the two major traditions of antique rugs, the Western and the Oriental, the latter has been most preferred and has also always been an important import item in the Western countries.

Antique rugs are a result of the handwork of many skilled craftsman and designers. The intricate designs and patterns you normally find on these carpets have a history of unending toil and hardship behind them. And this is why they became an equivalent of the currency itself and still withstand the test of time. Its rising monetary stature and value have created a huge demand for many centuries.

This appeal spread antique rugs beyond the individual houses of the rich and famous. Luxury hotels, palaces, museums, and resorts have all made antique rugs a part of their decor. Sometimes, antique rugs are selected based on their use. Some are meant for the living room, some for the dining room, some for the prayer halls, etc. Whichever be the purpose of the rugs, you may need to remember is that they have to match the remaining furniture in your room. Normally, they have floral designs and bold patterns. Make sure the pattern and the colours go well with your room and furniture whether the overall style of your house is modern or ancient.

When you have decided to own one, connoisseurs can help you pick the right antique rug for you. Usually, an experienced antique rug collector makes note of different things. He/she checks for wear and tear on the carpets, makes a note of the dimensions and is knowledgeable enough to make good bargains. He has to be quite a savvy about the history of these rugs, their origin and making. His collection should never be about the number of items in hand. Instead, it should be about the value of each item. In the case of antique rugs, what is important is not how many you have but what you have and of what quality.

A favourite with many interior decorators and designers, antique rugs have to be chosen very carefully. They might not match with all the houses. Or, to put it in a different way, all the houses may not go well with antique rugs. Which is why you need to seek the help of an expert while buying. Apart from the high cost of these carpets, they have to be taken care of and maintained properly. Buy them only if you are ready to take that effort. However, they are a very precious investment, being rich in their price as well as age.