Blog
showing 1 - 15 of 173 post(s)
Brass Revival in the Design World: Finding the right Antique Rugs or Vintage Rugs to Pair
Brass is back and it’s better than ever. Resurfacing from the bold facades of 1970s decor, brass has been steadily gaining popularity with its new sense of sophistication and richness. Its textured and warm metallic tones have been a favorite among designers this year who are incorporating both new and old brass pieces into their work. The connection between antique rugs and the timelessness of brass is easy to spot but modern rugs also complement the finer details of brass. Whether you’ve got a beautiful brass chandelier as the centerpiece of your living room or a pair of matching brass reading lamps in your bedroom, we can show you how to pair the perfect rug with this ageless metal.
If your design includes highly polished brass pieces, an antique rug, specifically Turkish or Persian rugs, would be a great pairing. Antique rugs have more subtle and blended tones that will support the illuminating texture of shiny brass. Antique rugs from Persia and Turkey tend to have more traditional designs that integrate into the aged presence of brass.
If you’re hoping to incorporate more textured and darker brass accessories, contemporary rugs are an excellent fit. These rugs tend to be more color-saturated and have distinct lines and patterns to highlight the rustic quality of darker brass finishes. An over-dyed distressed rug with its punch of bright color would allow a quieter brass piece to command a room.
Brass can also bring new life to the everyday details of a room such as light fixtures, door knobs, and cabinet handles. A glint of brass can infuse the room with a sense of strength and solid character that only accompanies an ancient metal. Vintage modern kilims work well with spotlighting the finer nuances of crafted brass details. These rugs are handwoven and pileless allowing the brass features to take center stage within a room.
Vintage Oushak rugs are filled with shades of warm earth tones and work well to catch the gold highlights from brass decor. Dating back to the Ottoman period, these rugs not only include a tangible sense of antiquity but soft hues of saffron and apricot colors to connect with brass tones and textures. Red, light blue, and ivory shades are also popular in vintage Oushak rugs which serve as great complementary colors to metallic gold.
The classic look of brass can transform any space into a refined and energetic room. To gain some inspiration in pairing brass with antique and modern rugs, browse through our extensive collection and be sure to take a look at the brass items we carry from Howe London’s line of antiques and custom furniture, lighting, and curiosities.
Join 1stdibs & Woven Accents May 9th at 3pm: LEGENDS 2013 Keynote
Join us on Thursday, May 9th at 3:00 pm as Anthony Barzilay Freund, Editor-in-Chief of 1stdibs' Introspective Magazine moderates an exciting discussion during the Legends of La Cienega design event. Panelists will include art-world insiders and top interior design talents Peter Fetterman, Cliff Fong, and Richard Shapiro, who will discuss the nexus of art and design in today's interiors.
You can RSVP for the event at http://lcdqla.com/legends-2013/.
Here more info about the 5th Annual LCDQ Event:
TIME CAPSULE:
THE PAST, PRESENT
AND FUTURE OF DESIGN
May 9 - May 10, 2013
with a gala on Wednesday, May 8
Mark your calendars for the 5th anniversary of LEGENDS, a three-day design event that has drawn more than 10,000 designers, media and design enthusiasts from around the world. Today, LEGENDS is a prominent fixture on the national design event calendar. A fusion of art, fashion, design and culture, LEGENDS provides unique combination of education and entertainment for those who appreciate design.
Highlights from the Milan Furniture Fair 2013 and Antique Rug Pairings
The Milan Furniture Fair, officially known as Salone del
Mobile, is the much anticipated annual springtime showcase for high-end
furniture and product design and some modern rugs. Attended
by some of the biggest names in the business and drawing international crowds
each year, the event delivers an inspiring look into the new work of
established and emerging designers. The
2013 edition took place April 9 - 14th and did not disappoint. While it was brimming with innovative work in
furniture, lighting, and accessories, some of the most notable features
included furniture lines by major fashion houses, a growing trend in
sustainable construction, and even an incubator for young talent to get
feedback from some of the industry’s most powerful players.
Yoko Table Lamp
The Ro Chair
Unfortunately, we didn’t make it to Milan in person this year but we did stay connected to the highlights in this year’s show. We’ve included three pieces shown at the Milan Furniture Fair that caught our attention and got our imagination spinning with possibilities. Let us know what you think!
The Cowrie Rocker by Made in Ratio
Made in Ratio is a new design brand born out of the creative partnership between designers Brodie Neill and Theo Theodorou. This Cowrie Rocker is constructed solely of a single piece of plywood that has been expertly molded into shape. The uncompromised linear lines and innate lightness of the piece are a testament to the focus on craftsmanship and the strong influences from the worlds of art and architecture. We would love to see the simplicity of this piece paired with the complex colors and patterns of our antique kilim rugs.
Yoko Table Lamp
The elegance and fragility of the Yoko Table Lamp captured us immediately. Created by the award winning Norwegian design group Anderssen & Voll, the Yoko lamp is inspired by the diffused glow of the Northern lights. The two intersecting globes give the emitted light a more ambient tone and project a tangible atmosphere into a room. The designers refer to the outer sphere as a soap bubble which is available in clear as well as slightly tinted shades. We think this would be a great fit for rooms that offer a quiet evening refuge to a whirlwind day.
The Ro Chair
The Ro Chair is a collaboration between Republic of Fritz Hansen and Spanish designer Jaime Hayon. While billed as a modern day easy chair, the main concept behind the Ro was about creating a space to unwind. It’s a 1½-seater that offers up an easy solution for shifting sitting positions, relaxing with a laptop or having your little one climb up for storytime. The design itself has a sculptural feel with a slight wave in the back and strong curves farming the deep seat. “Ro” is Danish for tranquillity and the translation feels literal. We envision this new easy chair as a great fit for the simple, spacious designs of our antique Khotan rugs.
Celebrating Our New Rug Showroom with Kathryn Ireland and Howe, London
We are honored
to be joined by two renown creatives from the world of interiors, designer
Kathryn Ireland and the unique furniture collection of Howe, London.
The team at Woven Accents has been enjoying our new showroom conveniently located in the heart of the Los Angeles Design District and directly across from the Pacific Design Center. The bright and spacious 2-story glass building is a perfect fit for our diverse collection of antique and modern rugs. The space comes complete with a 50-foot-wide by 20-foot-tall front gallery and a more intimate inner gallery for smaller gatherings and displays.
The team at Woven Accents has been enjoying our new showroom conveniently located in the heart of the Los Angeles Design District and directly across from the Pacific Design Center. The bright and spacious 2-story glass building is a perfect fit for our diverse collection of antique and modern rugs. The space comes complete with a 50-foot-wide by 20-foot-tall front gallery and a more intimate inner gallery for smaller gatherings and displays.
Woven Accents is the exclusive showroom in the U.S. to
carry the Howe,
London line of antiques and custom furniture, lighting, and
curiosities.
A trained sculptor, Christopher Howe is known for his curated collection of antiques and personalized pieces that expand across genres and time periods. The range of design in the Howe, London collection is wonderfully unique with a strong emphasis on timeless craftsmanship.
The collection includes
such treasures as hand stitched horsehair upholstered sofas and handmade lanterns. There is also a marine and industrial
lighting collection that has been created using traditional manufacturing
methods and the option for made-to-order chairs, sofas and lighting.
Bravo “Million Dollar Decorator” Kathryn M. Ireland curated Woven Accents’ front gallery space for the March 5th event with some pieces furniture and fabrics from her line including items from the Howe, London line.
Ireland has
been named by House & Garden
magazine as among the “10 to Watch: Architects and Designers Expected to
Influence 21st-century Style” as well as being named one of the top 100
designers in the United States by House
Beautiful. Her talent extends into many areas of the design world including
writing multiple books on interiors and producing her own line of fabrics and
furniture.
Our move into the new showroom marks a milestone for Woven
Accents. What began as a small antique
rug business in Iran in 1965 now serves top-list clients throughout the world
including Ellen DeGeneres, Kelly Wearstler, Nate Berkus, Jennifer Aniston and
Will Smith. Our new showroom is a
testament to the dedication and passion our team has for providing beautiful
artisan textiles to our clients.
2013 Fashion Week Rug Textile Inspirations
The whirlwind schedule for fashion designers to present their looks for Fall 2013 is upon us. From the big name fashion houses to the scrappy new designers trying to carve their way into one of the most competitive industries, Fashion Week is the time for their visions to launch from sketchbook to runway. New York, London, Milan, and Paris all have their own week long (or a bit longer) Fashion Week between February 7 - March 6th. For those of us that gather inspiration from color, texture, and patterns, Fashion Week is a much needed creative infusion during the last lap of the winter doldrums.
New Yorks Fashion Week just wrapped up and we saw a lot of design connections between upcoming trends and our favorite antique and modern rugs. We put together an inspiration board to capture a few of the highlights from last weeks runway shows.
1 - Famed design house BCBG Max Azria presented a series of looks described by Vogue as inspired by the architecture of Istanbul. With its relaxed structure and medallion patterns, we spotted distinct similarities to the world of antique textiles such as our Bakhshaish Antique Rug. http://bit.ly/UIr32g
2 - This Bakhshaish Antique Rug from our collection contains a simple, bold pattern with more complex details in the border and inner designs. The matching medallion shapes ground them both in the traditional style of antique Turkish textiles.
3 - Marc Jacobs surprisingly simple collection was heavily focused on stripes and contrasting colors for a greater sense of depth and pattern without any distractions. Departing from his normally ornate design, this jump into straightforward style without losing the beauty of minimalism reminds us of our collection of contemporary rugs.
4 - This striped rug with contrasting shades of pale blue is one of our Naziri Persian Modern Rugs. Its clean and calming palette is a perfect centerpiece to a room with heavily textured patterns or multiple color schemes.
5- Fashion royalty, Diane von Furstenberg, called her collection Glam Rock with its soft 1970s curves and captivating prints. Her runway show was touted as energetic and liberating.
6- The mix of active patterns and the spirit of past generations reminded us of our Antique Recreation collections. This popular line of rugs successfully merges the patterns of the past with the textiles of today. This is one of our most personal collections with custom sizes and colors available for the perfect fit.
2013 Fashion Week
New York: Schedule
February 7 - 14
London: Schedule
February 15 - 19
Milan: Schedule
February 20 - 26
Paris: Schedule
February 26 - March 6
2013 Antique Rug and Textile Shows
With January winding down already, the excitement of the new year is still going strong over here at Woven Accents. We are looking forward to not only the new developments in our store and inventory but also in the antique and textile world at large. We recently sat down to sketch out our year ahead and found that it was packed with a full calendar from a wealth of antique shows happening in 2013. The team at Woven Accents gathers inspiration from the one-of-a-kind treasures and handcrafted heirlooms at these renown events. Antique Rug and textile shows not only supply creative fuel but offer unique opportunities to spend one-on-one time with top dealers and collectors asking questions and observing the fine art of developing a personal collection. Whether you are interested in a hand carved turn of the century drop-leaf table or the intricate weaving patterns of a century old antique Persian rug, we wanted to pass on our picks for the year's big antique and textile shows.
Los Angeles International Textile Show
February 25, 26 & 27, 2013
California Market Center (The CMC)
9th & Main | Downtown LA Fashion District
http://bit.ly/byZNGa
The Los Angeles International Textile Show offers a great opportunity to get personal with new textures, weaves, and designs. This energetic event offers hundreds of fabric collections from the US and abroad. One of the highlights of this show is the amount of resources packed into the three-day event. With a focus on modern design, there will be a trend forum and various seminars to ignite the creativity of a new year of design.
The Spring Show NYC
May 2 - 5, 2013
Park Avenue Armory, NYC
http://www.springshownyc.com/
The Park Avenue Armory in NYC is a hot spot for some of the most anticipated antique shows of the year. The annual Spring Show is definitely on our radar. It is produced by the Art and Antique Dealers League of America, Inc. which is the oldest antiques and fine arts organization in America. This is a vetted show which means that every item in the show is examined by a selected panel for authenticity and quality. There's something for everyone at The Spring Show from textiles and needlework to nautical art and objects. Not only is there a schedule of top notch lectures happening but there is even an app available for the show!
Art Antiques London
June 12 - 19, 2013
Albert Memorial and Kensington Gardens
http://bit.ly/XByKmo
Art Antiques London has a reputation as a glamorous event. It is held in a pavilion opposite the Royal Albert Hall and brings collectors and dealers from across the globe. This is also a highly vetted event with separate Honorary Vetting Committees for each category in the show. A few of the categories include paintings, furniture, jewelery, clocks, textiles, silver, ceramics, rare books and contemporary art with a worthwhile lecture schedule from industry experts.
Los Angeles Antiques Art + Design Show
October 9 - 13, 2013
Santa Monica Air Center
http://www.losangelesantiqueshow.com/
Right here in our own backyard at the Barker Hangar at the Santa Monica Air Center, the Los Angeles Antiques Art + Design Show features 60 national and international exhibitors. The pieces in the show range from antique furniture to contemporary art with a broad collection of history represented from ancient times to modern day. The opening night party kicks off on October 9th and benefits the Decorative Arts and Design Council at LACMA.
The International Fine Art & Antiques Dealer Show
October 25 -31, 2013
Park Avenue Armory, NYC
http://bit.ly/Yt15SI
The International Fine Art & Antiques Dealer Show is known as one of the world's most prestigious art and antique fairs. The many categories represented at this show include arms and armor, bronzes, rare books, carpets, furniture, glass, jewelry, maps, manuscripts, pictures, porcelain, pottery and sculpture. The Epoch Times has described this antique show as an experience equivalent to "shopping tens of the world's finest museums all at once."
Let us know which shows you have your eyes on in the comment section below!
2013 Rug Color of the Year
Say goodbye to Tangerine Tango, Pantones 2012 color of the
year, and get ready for a gem-colored 2013 with the new color of the year: Emerald 17-5641. Pantone is touting this glamorous green as
the color of renewal and rejuvenation. We think its a powerful hue with a lot to offer the world of design. Emeralds vitality is energizing, adding a
refreshing burst of color and life to almost any space.
Emerald conveys a sense of elegance and refinement that goes hand-in-hand with antique rugs. Pairing the two together creates a layered sense of sophistication. One of the fears people have about a jewel-tone like emerald is its capacity to overpower and clash. Mixing emerald with antique and vintage rugs is a beautiful solution to balance out this bold choice for 2013.
The crew at Woven Accents has gathered up some of our favorite
emerald design items and matched them with a few of our antique rugs to
highlight the harmony between this impactful color and the refined grounding
effects of a well-aged rug.
1. This well-crafted malachite finished consul chest is from the collection at Century Furniture. With a cove trim and a black base, the emerald color adds a definite sense of confidence to this powerful piece. http://bit.ly/URIyhI
2. We have paired this emerald chest with one of our Antique Khotan Rugs. The longevity of this rug has allowed the earth-toned colors to gently age and soften. The complex patterns add a sense of movement that lessen the heaviness of the large chest. We think the darker shades of brown and blue in this antique rug create a generous stage to showcase the lively emerald of the consul chest.
3. The emerald green glass table lamp is handcrafted from Lamps Plus. This piece packs a punch and is sure to get noticed in any room. We think this lamp would be a welcome addition to a large room with high ceilings to create an exciting sense of levity. http://bit.ly/WV9RT7
4. With the emerald lamps bold glass base and matching patterned shade, we teamed it up with one of our Antique Turkish Oushak Rugs. The distressed style of this rug is a perfect anchor for the active emerald tones. The rugs center medallion is open and expansive allowing its soothing autumn colors to easily flow through a space with a sense of calm distinction.
5. This stunning emerald
vase comes from the renowned French glass company, Lalique. This particular piece was created to honor
the 150th anniversary of founder Ren Laliques birth. As part of the Hommage Ren Lalique
collection, the emerald color and leafy shapes harken back to the landscape of
the south of France. http://bit.ly/VOHpp4
6. We paired this delicate vase with another Antique Khotan Rug. We chose a more colorful rug to complement the highly textured appearance of the vase. Orange, grey and gold tones weave a sense of unity between the fragile emerald glass and the ancient pattern of blossoming branches surrounding a center medallion.
New Beginnings, New Rug Design
The new year is a great starting point. It offers us a time to reflect, to set goals,
and a fresh beginning from which to take action. Resolutions abound as the calendar turns but
they are usually forgotten as February closes in. Many people make statements of self-dedication
to create change in their lives but wonder how to sustain it as the months move
forward. One of the most direct ways to
foster change in your life is to change your surroundings. Your home is, most likely, where you spend a
good portion of your time and its the perfect place to initiate the change you
want to see. Perhaps you want to create
a meditation or yoga space in your home, update your living room, or finally
taking a chance at being your own interior designer, Woven Accents can help you
identify your style, needs, and logistics for incorporating the beauty of an
antique, vintage or modern rug into your daily life.
The resolution to stake out real change in your living environment shouldnt be complex or unmanageable. It needs to be accessible and goal oriented. So we have broken down the road to change in three steps.
1. Identify Your Style
Whether you know exactly what changes you want to make in
your home decor or you are feeling completely overwhelmed, a good place to
start is Pinterest. For those of you out
of the virtual loop, Pinterest is an easy to use social network based on
sharing images by pinning them to personal pinboards. There are so many interior design images on
Pinterest from powerhouses like Architectural Digest to average apartment
dwellers with a love for interiors. Just
create an account and start a board titled by the room you want to design. Then start scouring the network for images
that inspire you. They dont even have
to be design related photos. Fashion,
art, colors, and textures are all great ways to build a solid outline of the
changes you will be making.
Feel free to
start by finding us on Pinterest! http://pinterest.com/wovenaccents/
2. Send Us Your Images
Once you have a Pinterest board of inspired images for your
new room or living space, send us a link to the board. The team at Woven Accents will take a look at
your tastes then begin to start pulling rugs from our collection that would be
a great match for your style. Whether
youll be stopping by our Los Angeles store or conferencing with a team member
over the phone, we will make sure we have a wide variety of rug types,
patterns, and weaves for you to consider.
We offer a wide range of antique
and vintage rugs from Turkey, Persia, India, and Europe.
We also carry a huge selection of contemporary
designs.
If youre looking for
a style that bridges both worlds of antique and modern, we also have a stunning
collection of antique recreation rugs for a traditional look
with a newer quality feel.
3. Small or large, we want the changes you make in your home to matter. If your design changes for 2013 are satisfied by just adding an antique runner to your hallway or whether they require a complete overhaul of flooring, furniture, and lighting, Woven Accents wants it to be the right fit. We encourage our clients to choose a rug for their new space and take it home for a trial. If its not a perfect match, we can substitute it for the another rug, carpet or kilim from our collection. Once you have updated your home, office, or studio with a rug from Woven Accents, please send us a photo of your 2013 changes. Have a happy, healthy, and well designed New Year!
Holiday Design Rug Inspiration Board
The holidays are already here and inspiration abounds! This
season is filled with sparkle, shine, and a comforting coziness regardless of what climate you live in. The team at Woven Accents has
created an inspiration board featuring some of our favorite rug designs that
remind us of the festive energy of these end-of-year celebrations. Be sure to visit us on Pinterest to see more of our
favorites in antique rugs, interior design, and objects of beauty!
1. The icy blue color of this stonewashed rug from our collection offers a soft Nordic inspiration that is perfect for the holiday season. As part of our Antique Recreations collection, these rugs are the product of newer transformations that mimic the century-long aging process of antique rugs. Custom sizes and colors are also available for the perfect fit to your home and decor.
2. When lifting your glass this holiday season, do it in style with the stunning Northern Hemisphere Flute by Marc Blackwell. These clear glass champagne flutes are hand-detailed with gold metal-enriched paint and the long stem gives a nod to the classic elegance of the season. http://bit.ly/125FXRF
3. These throw pillows
have a clean, minimalist design that will compliment all your holiday
decorations. The screen printed pillow
case of black firs on a stark white background invoke a modern and rustic
sensibility reminding us that winter has a style all its own. http://www.shop.finelittleday.com/textiles/gran-black
4. Even in the perpetual warmth of Southern California, a fireplace evokes a kindred sense of slowing down and enjoying the moment. This raw whitewashed wall space with industrial lighting and a fresh stack of firewood are a great juxtaposition of simple structures with a powerful purpose. This image comes from the Scandinavian style blog Nordic Bliss. http://bit.ly/12jjpfC
5. This antique Persian rug from our collection is known as Dorokhsh and features a centered medallion pattern. Measuring at a width of 79 and a length of 12, this beautiful rug will bring a lively and refined feel to any room it calls home. Also, a great gift idea for the interior design aficionado or antique lover in your life.
6. This textile design is the product of a collaboration between designer Marc Thorpe and textile manufacturer Jos Pelders. Based on Thorpes Blur sofa design, this fabric gains its highly textured color fading look through a layered knitting technique. The result is a flawless line of fabrics that includes this impressive shade of Christmas red. http://bit.ly/X6yEnE
7. From the mastermind of holiday decor, this winter flower arrangement by Martha Stewart includes a vintage and modern collection of vases with white spider mums, eucalyptus, and blue Atlas cedar branches that have been subtly sprayed with silver floral paint. http://bit.ly/12jkT9F
The Rugs and Art of the Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman Empire lasted over 600 years and produced some of the most complex and influential art pieces, including rugs. At the height of its development, the Ottoman Empire was one of the most powerful forces in the world. With Constantinople at the center, the Empire merged the cultural and arts scene between the eastern and western worlds. Music, architecture, and textiles, were just a few of the emerging artistic forms that gained a signature style during the Ottoman Empire. Specific ornamentation, weaving practices, and pattern designs became the global calling card for the highly crafted items coming out of the Ottoman Empire. [M1]
Those on the east coast have the opportunity to catch a
glimpse of the Ottoman legacy as the Textile Museum in Washington D.C. pays
homage in their current exhibition, The Sultan's Garden: The
Blossoming of Ottoman Art.
The exhibit examines the stylized work of the ancient empire
through the modern lens of branding. The Sultans Garden looks at the signature images used to identify
Ottoman art, especially rugs, as early elements of style branding.
The exhibit explores how the popular floral
images of tulips, carnations, hyacinths, honeysuckles, roses, and rosebuds
became signature styles of the Ottoman court beginning in the mid-16th century.
It follows the growth and circulation of
these images and allows viewers a chronological view of techniques and design
development. The exhibit includes 58
works curated from both the museums permanent collection as well as loans from
private and public collections and includes rugs, clothing,
equestrian gear, and home furnishings.
Rug weaving held a specific importance in the Ottoman Empire. Rugs often merged the three important realms of art, home, and religion. Much more than floor coverings, rugs were also used as decorations on walls, during daily prayer, and as an easily moveable item that traveled with its owners during nomadic times. The power of the designs that formed during the Ottoman Empire still resonates through the textile culture. The emblems and symbols that were used centuries ago are still important signifiers of the Middle East region and, specifically, the area around modern-day Turkey. Floral patterns and religious iconography used in textiles and rugs are classic designs whose identity still shapes a region of highly skilled craftspeople.
The Sultan's Garden: The Blossoming of Ottoman Art exhibition will be on view at the Textile Museum until March 10, 2013. For those in the Los Angeles area, stop by our store in the design district for a firsthand view of antique handwoven rugs and kilims as well as our extensive collection of historical tapestries from Europe and Asia.
Modern Minimalism and Design Inspirations
Modern minimalism, you love it or you hate it. For those who love bold colors and textures, minimalism can conjure up visions of creative scarcity. Yet followers of minimalism tend to believe that the bare bones approach allows for a greater appreciation of form and an energizing reunion with simplicity.
Woven Accents has put together a design board with some of our favorite inspirations in the world of minimalism. From whitewashed walls to hourglass teapots, these designs lend an elegant calm to our busy lives.
Be sure to leave us a comment and let us know how you feel about modern minimalism.
1. This rug from Zoe Luyendijk Studio is part of our modern rug collection. The muted tones
and abstract design make it a versatile piece for minimalist designs and it also compliments
more intricate design patterns and room colors.
http://www.wovenonline.com/zoe-1.htm
2. This hourglass shaped tea steeper by designer Pengtao Yu embodies the stunning simplicity
of minimalist design. The double wall construction is connected with a timer in the center to
regulate the steeping of the tea. This design received the 2011 Best of the Best from Reddot
Design Awards.
http://www.pengtaodesign.com/pages/tea_time.html
3. With subtle shades of gold and ivory, this stonewashed rug from our recreation
collection is the perfect merging of minimalism and technology. The accelerated aging process
of recreation rugs uses vintage rugs in combination with stonewashing techniques to develop
the look and feel of an antique rug without having to wait for decades of gradual aging.
http://www.wovenonline.com/11532.htm
4. This minimalist bedroom by designer Oliver Peake was a customized project for a client who
wanted a sunken bed with hidden storage and invisible heating. The floor was raised and the
bed and storage bins were built into the solid maple wood design.
http://www.oliverpeake.co.uk/japanese3.htm
5. A beautiful example of minimalism in fashion. The simple shape of this coat by Calvin
Klein delivers a feeling of delicate luxury.
http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/calvin-klein?before=1341597132
6. These sculptures by famous minimalist artist Donald Judd are located on 340 acres of land
at the Chinati Foundation in western Texas. Chinati features works by Judd as well as other
minimalist artists such as 25 sculptures by John Chamberlain and an installation by Dan Flavin.
http://www.chinati.org/
7. The Wishbone Chair was created by Hans Wegner, a well-known designer of Danish
furniture. The lightweight design highlighted with gentle curves strikes a minimalist tone that is
easy to incorporate into many design concepts.
http://www.danishdesignstore.com/products/wishbone-chair-wegner-wishbone
8. Our Gypsy Maturin rugs are part of the Woven Accents modern rug collection. Made with all
natural materials, these rugs are created through a variety of techniques including hand
embroidery and looming using mohair and hemp textiles. The clean and refined design of our
Gypsy Maturin rugs are highlighted by a classic palette of ivory and black.
http://www.wovenonline.com /15234.htm
Starting an Antique Rug Collection
Starting an Antique Rug Collection
Antique rugs have a powerful beauty. Whether its their colors, textures, or history; every owner has their personal motivations for gravitating towards particular rugs. If youre ready to start building an antique rug collection of your own but have no idea where to begin, we have put together this three point guide for the basics of starting an antique rug collection.
Start With Your Gut
The best place to start developing a personal antique rug
collection is by examining which rugs you are instinctively drawn to. You can
visit dealers, showrooms, or even skim through interior design magazines to
find the patterns and weaves that you connect with. You can focus your search on visual
components, cutting out images and photos for reference or you can historically
research antique
carpets. Is there a region or time period that
fascinates you or a type of craftsmanship that you connect with? Perhaps you are interested in rugs that
originate from a location within your familys lineage or maybe there is a
certain tribal group whose work you especially admire such as Navajo rugs. Let your personal interest be your compass as
you begin to build the foundational structure of your collection.
Discover a Dealer
Discovering and working with a reputable and knowledgeable antique rug dealer is the key to learning what and when to buy. A worthwhile dealer will have a diverse collection of rugs spanning time and place. At Woven Accents, we travel the world handpicking the pieces in our collection of antique carpets. One of the many benefits of this practice is that we get to know the history behind the individual rugs including the textiles, the design patterns, and the artists. Begin to establish a relationship with your rug dealer, letting them know you are beginning a personal collection and the areas you are interested in exploring. If youre in the Los Angeles area, we can personally create a portfolio of antique rugs for you to view before you come into our store. We even ask our clients to try the rug out in their home or office before purchasing it.
Caring for Your Collection
Antiques rugs have as much longevity as they do beauty. Building an antique
carpet collection
is an investment that grows over decades and we want your rugs to
become one of your greatest heirlooms. At Woven Accents, we emphasize proper care and storage of your rug
collection. Before purchasing an antique
rug be sure to inspect both sides of the rug closely. Be on the lookout for loose threads on the
edges or fringes and any repairs that have been done. Ask your
dealer about
the age and previous owners of the rug. Once you bring a rug into your collection, be mindful of placement by
avoiding direct sunlight and heavily trafficked areas in your home. As your collection grows and more pieces are
added, rotate rugs out of the collection by storing them in cool, dry locations
by rolling and wrapping them in cotton cloth. Its wise to periodically have your antique rugs professionally cleaned
especially before storing them for extended periods of time.
Woven Accents is passionate about helping beginners start an antique rug collection. We believe the wonder of antique rugs adds artistry to daily living and a strong collection can be a part of your family for generations. For more info on starting your collection, please contact Woven Accents at 1.800.222.7847.
The Versatility of Vintage Rugs
The Versatility of Vintage Rugs
Vintage can be a vague term often referring to an elusive time in the past. When it comes to rugs, vintage has a distinct meaning. Rugs produced between the 1920s - 1970s are classified as vintage. This time period in the arts was an explosion of style, color, and experimentation. The results were an eclectic mix of beauty, sophistication, and playfulness which reflected the influence of major art movements throughout the world including modernism, minimalism, and surrealism. Rugs and textiles were a part of this shift in artistry and, in turn, a broad range of styles is conveyed by vintage rugs. Their versatility in interior design is outstanding. From sleek, subtle designs to complex patterns and bright colors, the expanse of vintage rugs complements many home and office styles.
Whether your space is minimalist modern or boldly traditional, there is a vintage rug that would be a great fit. Lets take a look at some of the popular types of vintage rugs.
Moroccan Vintage Rugs
Moroccan vintage rugs are as diverse as the region itself. A central feature in Moroccan vintage rugs is the use of geometric designs that can range from intricately complex to delicately simple. Diamond motifs, decorated borders, and one-of-a-kind patterns are identifiable traits of these rugs. Because of their beauty and adaptability, vintage Moroccan rugs have had a dedicated following amongst well known designers and architects including Charles and Ray Eames, Le Corbusier, and Frank Lloyd Wright.
Vintage Kilims
Kilims are a handwoven, pileless rug created by using tapestry techniques. Typically associated with regions in Anatolia, the Balkans, and parts of Iran, kilims were often produced by nomadic tribes or within villages using regional materials and cultural designs. While kilims have been around for centuries, there are also vintage kilims that were created in the last fifty years. Vintage kilims reflect a high level of craftsmanship with weaving techniques that have been passed down through generations. These textiles are truly artisan rugs that are often lightweight and durable.
Over-Dyed Vintage Rugs
Over-dyed distressed rugs are in high demand right now. These types of rugs can be created by taking a vintage rug and accelerating the aging process through a series of dyeing and washing cycles. Using vintage design elements as the foundation, bold colors and organic blending creates a new rug deeply influenced by its beginnings. The textures of over-dyed vintage rugs are reminiscent of antique rugs and have a great sense of depth while the colors are infused with fresh, modern shades.
Vintage rugs are an exploration outside of the classical
boundaries of antique rugs. Their colors, patterns, and textures explore new
depths while their craftsmanship remains of the highest quality. A wonderful melding of tradition and
creativity, vintage rugs are a beautiful addition any space.
The Vibrant Colors of Antique Rugs
The Vibrant Colors of Antique Rugs
The intricacy of antique and vintage rugs are part of the reason we feel so connected to them. Whether its their tightly woven patterns reflecting the life and land of past centuries or their representative medallions and borders telling the stories of a long lineage of skilled weavers, these rugs deserve a spotlight on their sustained vibrancy. One particular detail worth celebrating is the beautiful, vivid color found in antique rugs. While a rug may have been created hundreds of years ago, the colors of the textiles often thrive and become enhanced through lifetimes of blending and fading.
Rug making is truly an artisan craft and many antique and even modern rugs are dyed by hand. Dyeing, like weaving, is a lengthy, labor-intensive process and one that involves melding chemical solutions with precise timing and temperatures. Antique rugs were often dyed with materials found in the natural world. Plants, animals, minerals, and earth were the sources for creating the strong colors in antique rug textiles. Some reports claim that the oldest dyes can be traced as far back as the Neolithic era but even the oldest rugs can maintain a bright vibrancy due to high quality durable fibers and master weaving techniques.
When choosing a rug for your own space, color will be a primary factor. In a recent interview with Elle Decor, master colorist Donald Kaufman gave away an interesting fact: Warm neutral colors represent represent 90 percent of the paint sold. This is great news for rugs. Neutral colors allow for rugs to display their bold hues and patterns without a lot of competition from strong wall colors.
If youre adding a rug to a room with a powerful design element already in place, we suggest exploring antique rugs known for their more subtle palettes. Oushak rugs, a type of antique Turkish rug, were often dyed in calming shades of gold, saffron, apricot, ivory, and light blues. These color combinations tend to support more bold design aspects while also adding elements of softness and comfort to any room. Our stonewashed Antique Recreations are also a great fit for smaller spaces or rooms with an existing, strong design. During the stonewashing process, the textiles are faded and the colors are subtly blended to create a rug that is finely detailed and elegantly aged.
Of course, the best option for coordinating the colors of a rug within a room is to experience the actual rug in the space. Fortunately, Woven Accents can curate a collection of potential rugs and schedule a presentation in your space. By supplying the details to one of our showroom specialists, we will use our decades of knowledge and expertise to hand-pick a selection of antique,vintage, or modern rugs based on your descriptions and style. This will give you a unique vantage point for understanding exactly how the colors and textures of the room integrate with the patterns and shades of particular rugs. We understand that buying an antique or vintage rug is an investment in the beauty of your home and we want it to be a perfect match. Contact us today to arrange for your personal presentation.
Autumn Design Board By Woven Accents
With the days getting shorter and the nights getting cooler, it can only mean that autumn is preparing for its entrance. The warm oranges, browns, and golds of falls palette have long been a source of inspiration for designers and a common theme in the colors of antique and modern rugs. The team at Woven Accents put together a roundup of some of our favorite fall colors and designs to usher in the start of the new season.
- The Apollo Modular Light System by International was the winner of the [D]3 Contest Interior Innovation Award Winner IMM Koeln 2012. The warm harvest hue of this light shade is created from spun aluminum and can be combined with various accompanying light shades for a customized design.
http://www.dailyicon.net/2012/08/apollo-modular-light-system-by-international/ 
The Stile BK Modern from our contemporary rug collection is a rich amber color with a modern circular design pattern. This rug merges antique weaving techniques with a contemporary design to contribute a fresh feel to any room without sacrificing any of the quality of traditional vintage rugs.
http://www.wovenonline.com/stile-bk-10.htm
A fun and festive dish towel from the seasonal collection at Crate & Barrel. The beautiful colors of autumn squash remind us that our time at the beach may be ending but a season of kitchen creations is waiting.
http://www.crateandbarrel.com/autumn-squash-dishtowel/s234683
This Antique Oushak rug from our Turkish collection represents the intricate design techniques and the vitality of colors that Oushak antique rugs are known for. From the captivating geometric patterns to the vibrant fall tones, this antique rug keeps improving with age.
http://www.wovenonline.com/13761.htm>
We love this color palette by Benjamin Moore. The soothing orange color is beautifully contrasted with the cool steely grey and balanced by the neutral cream to create a color combination that is truly aligned with the fall season.
http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/orangeparrot
This Antique Chinese rug from our collection follows the traditional structure of a wide border with intricate design work and the warm palette of yellows, apricots, and light blues. The intense dye techniques used to create this rug are the result of a highly skilled artisan rug maker and a keen understanding of textiles and craft.
http://www.wovenonline.com/11203.htm
The Andreas Sofa from Anthropologie brings together the function of a sofa with the art of rug making. The sofas textiles are created from a vintage wool rug and highlighted with leather arms. The perfect coupling of texture and color for celebrating the start of the harvest season.
http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/product/home-new-furniture/A25148891.jsp
