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The recent Taliban take-over in Afghanistan has led to some uncertainty among the country’s rug industry. Although the supply is currently holding steady, that may not be the case in the upcoming months. Due to the unfortunate events, Afghanistan is on the verge of a humanitarian and economic crisis. Because of this, many factors are involved in the future of the country’s citizens, including those who hand make the unique and beautiful rugs. These challenges include a lack of world banking exchanges, isolation of jobs and money, vacant government offices and workers, not to mention little law and order. The result is a mass exodus of citizens and weavers from the country, which has many people wondering, what becomes of the rug weavers?

The Future of Afghan Rug Weavers

To truly understand this, we need to take a look back at 20 years when the U.S. invaded Afghanistan. At that time, Afghanistan rug weavers left the northwest territory in Pakistan and returned to their homeland to weave more rugs. In many ways they came back more knowledgeable than ever and did a great job of improving colors, designs and ramping up production. They needed work and pay and improving the handicraft of Oriental rug weaving and the industry fit perfectly into their plans.

Life Under the Taliban

If Afghanistan’s new Taliban government does not improve its economy and human needs, then its citizens and weavers will have to make their livelihoods elsewhere. For many, this means a return to neighboring countries including Pakistan to resume hand-knotting Oriental Rug weaving. In fact, this shift is already beginning.

What this Means for Consumers

The move towards setting up new lives in neighboring countries is not an easy one for any. The result could be a possible lag of Afghanistan rugs in a years’ time and possible cost increases of rugs. Yet, it is too early to know what is to come. Fortunately, Afghanistan weavers are so talented and highly skilled, that they have the ability to produce beautiful rugs in a short period of time. That’s their past history!

An area rug is so much more than a soft carpet under your feet. It naturally adds dimension and texture to any room and can easily be considered artwork. The bold or bright colors, intricate design, and various sizes are all part of the unique features of quality area rugs. If you are considering the purchase of a new area rug for your home or office, keep reading to learn more about how it can be considered a work of art.

The Multifunctioning Area Rug

Anyone who has ever purchased an area rug has most likely considered the colors and design of it to ensure it is a good fit – both logistically and aesthetically – for a room. While a rug helps to keep feet warm and adds softness to a room, it holds a purpose that can do so much more. Whether layered over another carpet or rug or placed over hardwood, vinyl, or tile, an area rug artistically adds warmth and sophistication.

Size is Important

Going too big or too small is often a mistake people make when considering an area rug as artwork. While a small rug is easier to maintain, it may not fully serve the function of both comfort and art. If a rug is too small, it can appear misplaced or worse – go unnoticed! When an area rug is too big, furniture, beds, desks, and sofas may cover it to the point it becomes nearly invisible. A larger rug can get lost fulfilling a purpose, which means the pattern and art will be missed. You can avoid this blunder by considering your furniture arrangement and where each fixture is placed on the rug. Be sure that the furniture does not hide the pattern and the colors complement each other. If a rug is too small, think about hanging it on the wall. Displaying your area rug as a wall hanging can transform a room with a pop of color and add an interesting pattern on an otherwise blank wall.

Choose Colors and Patterns Wisely

The beautiful colors and intricate patterns of premium area rugs can be very intriguing. In fact, some may buy an area rug for its beauty without knowing where they will put it only to have it remain rolled up until a decision has been made. Instead, choose the color and patterns of your area rug so it seamlessly accompanies the design of the room. Area rugs are artwork on the floor, so they don’t need to match exactly. Simply infuse them into the interior design with a bit of playfulness. Check out Pinterest or Instagram for inspiration and ideas about size, patterns, colors, and location. This is particularly a good idea if you decide to hang the area rug on the wall. You may choose to frame it, add a backing, or simply clip it up. There are plenty of ideas to inspire your own creativity!

Maintain Your Rug

Unlike a painting or sculpture, you will need to maintain your area rug on a regular basis. If it is on the floor – especially in a high traffic area – you will need to vacuum and spot clean at least once a week. If it is on the wall and displayed as artwork, you may be able to reduce cleanings to once every other year. Most area rugs should be deep cleaned at least once a year to maintain the beauty and integrity of the artwork. 

If you have any questions about how to choose an area rug as artwork or questions about maintaining your gorgeous artwork, contact us. Our experts are happy to help!

Hand knotted area rugs come in many sizes, shapes and textures making them versatile for a variety of in-home uses. Shapes vary from rectangular, round, oval, and square, to long rectangle hall runners. Some of the most common fibers are wool, silk, and a variety of synthetic fibers. Styles consist of pile rugs, flatweaves which can be reversible, rugs with fringes, without fringes, rugs with borders, and those without borders. The best thing about rugs is they are so versatile and can help you show your own personality through your home decor.

Since we have been in business for over 100 years, we thought we would share how we have seen some of our imported area rugs used. Here are a few examples of how we have seen our hand knotted area rugs used throughout our customers’ homes.

Common Places Our Customers Use Their Area Rugs

Since most people think of rugs as floor covering, the larger rugs are commonly laid in homes’ main areas; ie, the main living room and dining rooms, family rooms, etc. These would be areas that see a lot of traffic and maybe even a vocal point in the owners home. Our One-of-a-kind area rugs are great examples of area rugs used for a statement piece.

Rugs however have other uses throughout your home. Some of them being hallways, entrances, bedrooms, kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms. This is why our imported area rugs come in a variety of sizes, and our room of rugs has collections so you can implement the same color/style theme throughout your whole house. We have seen quite a few customers purchase multiple sized rugs to use in different spaces in their home.

Indoor/Outdoor area rugs have been seen on customers porches, decks, and around swimming pools. These area rugs help add a touch of style and also serve a purpose to establish an outdoor “living” space. Outdoor rugs are durable, yet come in a variety of fun styles and colors.

Small rugs such as 2×3 are used in front of sinks, in bathrooms, on the sides of beds and in between large rugs to serve as transitional pieces. What is a transitional piece (not to be confused with the transitional style)? It helps you go from one room’s decor to another in an eye pleasing way. This is when our room of rugs comes in handy, so you have one style/color scheme throughout your home.

Other Way to Use Your Area Rugs

Sometimes our imported area rugs have been used for other things besides in customers homes. We have seen some of our smaller area rugs used as car mats, these would be sizes 1.5 x 2.0. What a great way to customize your vehicle.

There is however the art (antiques) or textile purposes where rugs are used as wall hangings, tabletops, draped over banisters or railings. Other creative uses are imported area rug headboards and rugs turned into pillows. These hand knotted rugs are truly a piece of art, some of them created with hand dyed wool and spun into beautiful images.

As you can see, handmade rugs can be used in so many different ways it is almost unbelievable, use your imagination next time you are looking for a new area rug for your home and come visit our showroom to find the perfect size, style, and texture for you.

There are a lot of decisions when it comes to redesigning our homes. Most people start with their color palette and style, and go from there. When it comes to your area rugs there are three main rug designs; contemporary, traditional, and transitional. But what are the differences between the three? And how can you choose which one to put in your home? Read further to learn more about these area rug designs and how they can help accentuate your home decor.

Contemporary linear designs started years ago with Frank Lloyd Wright. His design and architecture was the start of a new industry. Since then, the evolution of contemporary designs are:

• Contemporary has many forms and colors.
  • There are numerous custom colors and modified designs.
• Some designs are inspired by nature that includes clouds, stars and animals.
• Other designs are more man-inspired such as paint splatter, florals and geometric elements.
• Rug designs run both vertically and horizontally, however, typically designs run vertically or up the length of the rug.
• Fewer colors are used, but are more wisely chosen that harmonize well together. 
• Contemporary designs are becoming increasingly popular with consumers and designers.
• Open floor plans are common in new home construction which lends itself well for contemporary designs. 
• Most contemporary design rugs have no borders or fringes.
• A handful of countries produce these designs and colors in several qualities and prices. 
• Fibers such as wool, silk, viscose and polypyrene are used.

Transitional Rug Designs

Transitional rug designs originated about 25 years ago. What makes them different, but similar from “Contemporary” and “Traditional Design” rugs, are as follows:

• Designs are traditional, the colors are contemporary.
• Contemporary colors are referring to soft, and sometimes brighter colors. 
• Traditional designs have borders and fringes.
• Creative textures, finishes and designs for both contemporary and transitional rugs are continuing to evolve. This evolution is new to the rug industry.
• Transitional rugs are purchased for both contemporary and classic architectural home styles.   
• Quality and prices along with fiber content will vary as it does with contemporary rugs. 
• A handful of countries produce these designs and colors in several qualities and prices. 
• Fibers such as wool, silk, viscose and polypyrene are used.

Traditional Rug Designs

Traditional rug designs (hand knotted Oriental rugs) originated centuries ago in the Near, Middle and Far East. Every region, city, and tribe distinguished themselves with their own unique styles and colors. Today these designs make up approximately 40-50% of rug sales in the United States in various sizes and shapes. Features of “Traditional Designs” are:

• Normally found in period, classic and older architectural homes. 
• Rug colors are more varied
• Designs more complex and interwoven
• Rugs contain borders and fringes 
• Primary Design categories include:
  • Florals
  • Geometrical
  • Prayer rugs
  • Tree of Life
  • Hunting designs
  • Dating signatures
  • Poetry
• In recent years there have been changes and modifications in designs.  These are considered secondary designs or sub categories of traditional designs.  Examples of these changes include:
  • Erased designs
  • Egyptian Mumluk designs
  • Abstract designs
• The origins of these designs are primarily from Persia, India or Turkey. 
• There are several qualities and prices. 
• Fibers such as wool, silk, viscose and polypyrene are used. 
• Production takes from several weeks up to several months to create.  The time is dependent upon the fineness of the weave, complexity of the design, and number of colors used.

Not sure which one to go with? Don’t worry, Kirishian Rugs has a huge showroom with all of these designs and more!

For help deciding which style area rug is best suited for your home, contact Kirishian Imported Rug Co. We can walk you through our wide selection of traditional, contemporary, transitional, and tribal area rugs so you can feel comfortable and confident in your decision.

When it comes to decorating the interior of your home, you may consider the area rug to be more of an afterthought. Instead, you spend your time focusing on the ideal couch, coffee table, end tables, and other furniture pieces that pull together your desired home aesthetic. But your area rug plays an integral part in tying together every element within your space, which is why it should be at the forefront of your interior decorating process!

If you want the entire room to come together beautifully, you should start with the area rug and work your way up to other furniture pieces in the space. Follow along as Kirishian Imported Rug Co. shares everything to consider when selecting the ideal area rug for your home.

Lifestyle

Along with the appearance of the rug, you need to determine a rug that matches your lifestyle. For instance, if you’re looking to add a rug in a room with heavy foot traffic, you may be better off selecting a rug in a darker color palette that doesn’t show as much wear and tear. Think about whether you have pets, children, or foot traffic that aren’t compatible with area rugs made of certain materials or in specific colors.

By keeping these considerations in mind on your rug buying journey, you’ll find the ideal rug that seamlessly integrates into your space and ties together all the elements in the room.

When in the market for a new area rug for your home, you may find yourself questioning the difference between a hand-knotted imported rug versus a machine-made rug. What makes these two types of rugs different? Why does the price vary so much between hand-knotted and machine-made rugs? To understand the difference between these two options, we’ve broken down what to look for on your area rug search and what factors are the most important.

What Is a Hand-Knotted Rug?

Telling the Difference Between Hand-Knotted and Machine-Made Rugs

Although a machine-made and hand-knotted rug may look similar at first glance, there are a variety of ways to tell the difference between the two. If you’re in the market for a hand-knotted rug, look for these signs indicating it’s a one-of-a-kind hand-knotted rug.

Backside

The backside of a hand-knotted imported rug will also be more vibrant and display the rug’s patterns and design versus a machine-made rug that will have a latex or linen backing to hold the weave in place.

Fringe

The fringe on the end of a hand-knotted rug is in place to hold the rug together. Each knot in the rug is secured to a warp thread that creates the beautiful fringe on the outside of the rug. Instead of being woven within the rug, a machine-made rug often secures fringe on by sewing it in place to give the appearance of a hand-knotted rug.

Knots

Because hand-knotted imported rugs are individually woven, you’ll notice slightly uneven knotting on the backside of the rug that isn’t perfectly uniform. In comparison, a machine-made rug will have extremely consistent “knotting” since they are not created by hand. Machine-made rugs aren’t composed of actual knots, but instead, the power loom secures the rug fibers to the base using heat and high pressure. This is why a hand-knotted rug is more durable than a machine-made rug.

Strength

Since a machine-made rug attaches the rug fibers to the base using heat and pressure, the fibers are more likely to be pulled out from the base. With a hand-knotted imported rug, the fibers are woven together in tight knots that will not pull out or lose their shape over time. Hand-knotted rugs are also made from higher quality materials such as wool or silk which are known to be more durable than the synthetic materials used for machine-made rugs.

For high-quality, hand-knotted imported rugs, look no further than Kirishian Imported Rug Co. for all your area rug needs.

If you’re in the market for an area rug, you’re probably looking for a durable option that can withstand your family’s natural wear and tear. The last thing you want is to invest in a rug, only to have it fall apart in a few months because of regular foot traffic through the room. While the area rug may seem like a last-minute decorating touch, it’s something that will impact your daily life! Unlike the decor on the walls, you and your family are going to feel the plush rug underneath your feet every day.

When you’re looking for a durable area rug that will be worth the investment, you need to consider a wool rug. Here are a few of the many benefits you’ll experience by investing in wool rugs for your home.

Safe

Safety is likely a huge concern when it comes to your family. Wool is a great choice for a rug because it is naturally flame-resistant, making it an extremely safe option in a family-friendly home.

Appearance

Because rugs see a lot of foot traffic, it’s easy for them to show their age as they become dirtier and dirtier. Wool is a great rug option because of its ability to look clean, even when it isn’t! Wool has tiny pockets within the fibers which hold the dirt instead of having it sit directly on the rug’s surface. This hides the dirt more effectively between cleanings.

Hypoallergenic

If anyone in your family suffers from allergies, you know how miserable it can be. You have to be mindful that the fabrics and materials you’re introducing into your home won’t aggravate their allergies as well. Wool fibers contain pockets that help to absorb dust, making it easier to breathe within your home. Wool can also resist dust mites, mildew, and bacteria growth as well — creating a cleaner environment in your home.

There’s something about the look and feel of hand-knotted Oriental rugs that can completely transform a space from drab to fab. But not all Oriental rugs are created equal, which is why it’s important to know what materials offer unmatched durability and where those materials should be sourced from.

The Best Material for Hand-Knotted Oriental Rugs

The highest-quality material for a hand-knotted Oriental rug is wool, which comes from nature. Wool is known for its durability and resilience which are two qualities that are needed for rugs since they are often subjected to ample wear and tear over time. Because of wool’s natural properties consisting of natural fat, the wool fibers protect against dirt, moisture, and wear, ensuring your rug will continue to look its best for many years to come.

The Best Source of Wool for Hand-Knotted Oriental Rugs

For the highest-quality wool on the market, you’ll want to source it from High Mountain sheep located in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Turkey. The sheep in this area produce the best lanolin-rich wool because of their nutrient-dense diet and experience facing harsh climates. Harsher climates strengthen the wool, making it ideal to withstand normal wear and tear when used as a rug. The best wool comes from the sheep’s neck because of its soft texture and high-fat content, but other areas of the sheep also offer high-quality wool for hand-knotted oriental rugs.

By selecting a hand-knotted Oriental rug made from high-quality wool, you can have peace of mind knowing it will retain its beauty over the years.

Finding a dining room rug that matches your desired aesthetic is difficult enough. But you also need to factor in determining the ideal size rug for your dining room! When the dining room rug is too small, you and your guests may find themselves getting their chairs caught on the rug. If it’s too big, it can overwhelm the space and hide your beautiful flooring. Instead, you need to determine the best size area rug for your dining room.

Kirishian Imported Rugs has compiled a quick guide to help you find the perfect fitting dining room rug.

How to Measure for Your Dining Room Rug

When decorating your dining room, you may be considering adding an area rug underneath the table. But how do you know what size rug to choose? Should the rug be the same dimensions as your table? Should it be larger than the dining room table? There are two factors that you should consider when determining the appropriate size — the size of the room and the size of your dining room table.

Follow these steps to determine the proper dimensions of the dining room rug:

1. Measure the length and width of your dining room.
2. Subtract 3 to 4 feet from the width of the room and 5 to 6 feet from the length of the room.
3. Use these dimensions as the size of your dining room’s area rug.

If you’re unsure about these measurements, consult your qualified Oriental rug dealer for a second opinion.

Dining Room Rug Sizing Tip

Along with properly measuring the space where the rug will be placed, you also need to factor in the size of your dining room table. Your rug should be approximately 4 feet longer and wider than your dining room table to allow ample space for chairs to slide in and out comfortably.

Voila! Your dining room will look beautiful with the new rug.