Rugs: Finding The Perfect Oriental Rug For You!

Rugs: Finding The Perfect Oriental Rug For You!

Oriental vs. Persian
What is the difference between Oriental and Persian rugs? Oriental rugs are flat woven or hand knotted consisting of natural fibers like wool or silk. The location of where the rugs are made is also important; that is the main difference between Oriental rugs and Persian rugs. Oriental rugs are made in Asia which includes the Near East, Middle East, Far East and the Balkans. Persian rugs are made only in Iran (formerly known as Persia). Along with Oriental rugs, Persian rugs are hand knotted. Now that we understand the difference between Oriental and Persian, we can determine what the different styles are. Persian rug designs were named after the city in which they were created. As time went by, those patterns were made in different cities but kept the name from the original city it was created in. Some of the popular patterns that CSNRugs carry are Bokhara, Tabriz, Kazak, Kashan, and Sarouk.

Top 5 Oriental Rug Patterns

Bokhara Rugs - Bokhara (Bukhara, Bocara, Bokara) is located in Uzbekistan and the location of trading for Turkmen tribal carpets. Since that is the case, people usually categorize Turkmen rugs as a Bokhara design. A geometric motif or Guls (Persian for flower) woven on a red background is the pattern most associated with the Bokhara design.

Tabriz Rugs - Tabriz is located in Northwest Persia, a major weaving tradition dating back to the 15th century. It was at this time that weavers from Tabriz introduced the curvilinear design. The structure of a Tabriz rug is double wefted, the Turkish knot is dominant, and warps and wefts are of cotton. The design usually includes medallions, hunting patterns, prayer and pictorial rugs.

Kazak Rugs - Kazak (Kazakh, Kasak, Gazakh) is located in Northwest Azerbaijan. You can distinguish a Kazak rug by the design and weave. The weft is always red or brown while the warp is natural. The design usually includes a central medallion or multiple medallions.

Kashan Rugs - Kashan is located in central Iran (Persia), an important and famous center for carpet production. Kashan rugs are made with very high quality wool with fine weaving and beautiful colors and designs. They are among the finest Persian rugs. Typically Kashan rugs are woven on a cotton foundation, are double wefted, and have about 200 knots per square inch. Their primary design includes a diamond shaped medallion with pendants at top and bottom.

Sarouk Rugs - Sarouk is located in the Farahan region, central western Iran. Sarouk is famous for the production of floral rugs. Some typical background colors are burgundy or dark pink, and sometimes blue. The designs usually consist of a central medallion or patterns of detached floral sprays.

Other Oriental Rug Patterns

Ardebil Rugs - Ardebil is located in Azerbaijan, almost on the border between Europe and Asia, just above the Silk Road. Two famous rugs were made there; their homes are now in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, and the Hampton Court Palace in the city of Los Angeles. Turkish patterns and techniques are strong influences on what makes up an Ardabil rug. Typically there is a central medallion and 16 pendants on a field of swirling tracery. The colors are bright and made out of silk with the Turkish knot.

Bakhtiari Rugs - Bakhtiari, which roughly translates to 'the lucky ones' is a nomadic group migrating in central and southwestern Persia. Smaller rugs are woven by the nomadic Bakhtiaris, while large carpets are woven by settled tribe people. A classic Bakhtiari pattern consists of a garden design of repeated squares or diamonds each of which encloses a tree or floral motif. These rugs are either single wefted on cotton foundation (made from settled tribe people) or double wefted on wool foundation (made from nomadic people).

Bidjar Rugs - Bidjar is located in northwestern Persia which is inhabited by a Kurdish population. Antique rugs were woven on wool foundation and had three wefts between every row of knots. This made the rugs extremely heavy, stiff and almost impossible to fold. Contemporary rugs are woven on a cotton foundation with a double weft. These rugs have unbelievable durability.

Hereke Rugs - Hereke is located in western Turkey, known for finely woven rugs having designs of classic Persian motifs with curvilinear lines. Silk is frequently used in making these rugs, along with wool.

Isaphan Rugs - Ispahan, a former Persian capital and one of the most famous cities in the production of Persian rugs is located in western Persia. The designs include intricate floral medallions or animal pictorial rugs.

Kerman Rugs - Kerman (Kirman) is located in southeastern Persia. It is well known for weaving some of the most beautiful and detailed rugs in the world. Kerman rugs can be identified by curvilinear patterns; some include a large medallion in the center, or a pictorial theme. Some common colors are richer shades of red, beige, orange, turquoise and blue with pastel shades of blue, pink yellow, ivory, and lime green as their floral border colors.

Mahal Rugs - Mahal is located in the Arak region. Typically these rugs have a medium weave and knot count, woven on cotton foundation, are double wefted and use the Persian knot.

Nain Rugs - Nain is located in central Persia. Many Nain rugs resemble Isfahan rugs, but their unique colors differentiate them. Common colors of these rugs are blue and beige with white silk outlinings, along with light brown, and gray with occasional fields of red, orange, yellow and green. Nain rugs usually have a very detailed curvilinear pattern of flowers and an arabesque style with forked leaves, or an animal motif. A motif called Islimi made up of star medallions, is also seen frequently. Nain rugs are usually made with wool and silk with a cotton or silk foundation.

Oushak Rugs - Oushak (Usak, Ushak) is located in west central Anatolia, about 100 miles south of Istanbul in Turkey. Oushak has been a production center of Turkish rugs since the 15th century. Typically they are made from 100% wool and of very high quality.

Qum Rugs - Qum is located in northwest central Persia. Qum is famous for very finely knotted rugs. Typical designs include floral medallions, all over designs, trees of life, botehs, and compartment designs. Qum rugs are usually made of silk and woven with an average knot count of 300 asymmetrical knots per square inch.

Sultanabad Rugs - Sultanabad is located northwest of Persia. Typical designs include bold floral designs, wide borders, and all over large scale lattice vine patterns. Colors include dark red, blue, soft green, gold, and ivory. Sultanabad rugs are made with cotton warp, wefts, and foundation, and the pile is wool.

French Rugs based on Persian Patterns

Aubusson Rugs - Aubusson is a term used to describe modern rugs that use similar designs and colors. These rugs are fine flat carpets woven in France.

Savonnerie Rugs - Savonnerie rugs are made in France. The designs included floral arrangements, military and heraldic references and architectural motifs. Warps were made out of linen and the woolen pile was woven using the symmetrical knots.

Rug Pile Height Guide

Should pile height affect your rug purchases? This guide offers information on how pile height affects a rug's performance so that you can make the most informed purchase decision possible. Use this article to learn about pile height and know exactly what you're getting!

What is pile height? Pile height is the measure of the length of a rug's pile from the top surface of the backing to the top of the pile. The length of the backing is not included in this measurement. The pile is simply the visible surface formed by the cut ends of the knots. The most common procedure for measuring pile height is the use of a small ruler or measuring stick.

Why does pile height matter? Pile height affects a rug in a number of important areas, including: durability, ease of cleaning and cushioning. No length of pile height is considered to be of superior quality over another. In general, a customer's preferences should determine choice of shorter or longer pile.

Advantages of Shorter Pile (Less than 1/2 inch): Rugs with shorter piles tend to last a bit longer and are considered more durable than rugs with longer piles. Along with this increased durability, a lower pile is less likely to catch an object and be pulled, making shorter pile rugs better suited to last in a house with small children. Furthermore, a short pile rug can be vacuumed thoroughly. A shorter pile allows a vacuum to reach dirt at the very bottom of the rug without the risk of ruining it.

Advantages of Longer Pile (Greater than 1/2 inch): Rugs with longer piles are considered more luxurious and soft on the feet. Although generally not as durable as rugs with a shorter pile, long pile rugs provide plusher cushioning and, with proper care, can still last for generations.

Buyers guide to italian charm bracelets

Buyers guide to italian charm bracelets

Shopping guide to where to buy Italian charm bracelets on the Internet and at jewelry stores, different styles and designs, and how to choose.
The charm has been around in varying formats for centuries. Whether carried in the pocket, around the neck or on the wrist, the charm makes for a definite statement. Making that statement has numerous possibilities and the Italian charm is just one of the latest ways to let people know what you believe, who you are, and what you are passionate about.

THE LOOK AND FEEL OF AN ITALIAN CHARM
Italian charms will come in all kinds of "looks" and that is what makes them so great to collect. You can change them up according to whatever mood you are in by building your own Italian charm bracelet. An interchangeable charm bracelet allows for a new look to be added to your wardrobe by the minute.
Italian charms are not the typical dangling, shapely charm of the past. No, Italian charms are anything but dangly or shapely, they are flat and create a flat link that can pop on and off a stretchy bracelet of your choosing. Do you see the possibilities here?
Yes they are the latest trend and you will see young and old alike sporting their own personal creations. How could they not be popular with the endless choices available? Adding charms is as easy as locating one to pop on your bracelet. Building them to make a personal statement about your family, your hobbies, your pet(s), your favorite sport, holiday destination, art or music is as quick as locating the charms on the web or in your local jewelry store, or in your jewelry box and popping it right on your bracelet. Italian charm bracelets are just plain fun.

WHERE TO START? Look for quality when shopping for your charms. Don't be fooled by the cheaper quality charm made to look like the Italian charms. Italian charms are made with high quality, hypoallergenic stainless steel bases. The charms themselves are usually 18k gold and are soldered to the link base. Cheaper quality charms might not have the stainless steel in the base and are definitely made with gold plate and not 18k gold.
Sizing is as easy as small, medium, or large. A small sized Italian bracelet will have 17 charm links. A medium will have 18 charm links per bracelet and a large sized bracelet will have 19 links. Of course you can size them anyway you see fit making them smaller than 17 charms and larger than 19 charms. Most women will have wrist sizes that fall into the small, medium, or large category.
Choosing a brand may seem like a concern. Fear not, the major Italian charm makers all use a standard size to create their charms, which makes them interchangeable with any bracelet. The cheaper charms may not interchange well so beware if you get caught up in their particular brands. They may not work on your Italian bracelets but who would want a cheaper quality product to begin with, right?

BUILDING A CHARM WARDROBE
Pricing that charm bracelet is as easy as pricing individual charms. An Italian made charm will start its pricing at around $15 and top out at about $50. Enamel charms will price at around $18 and stones at about $22 each. Most jewelers offer specials on a starter bracelet if you buy multiple charms at one time.
Need some ideas on what Italian charms to purchase first? The top sellers start with hearts, mom, and the American flag. If that does not work for you or the person the gift bracelet is for then move on to the other possibilities. Explore a hobby, a favorite historical era, or even a favorite stone and you are on your way to creating your first Italian charm bracelet masterpiece. A meaningful message or keepsake is another flexible choice for this bracelet. If you are going to give this bracelet as a gift check and see what the receiver already has. You may be able to top off an existing bracelet with a pricey charm that the owner may have never considered.

Self-expression and diversity is what fashion is all about and Italian charm bracelets fit the bill.