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Persian Rugs
To anyone with a small working knowledge of antique rugs, the idea of a pile rug is closely linked with the cultures of what used to be called ‘the Orient’, Persia and Turkey in particular. Floor coverings that were flat-woven, wither tapestries or plain-woven, were in fact ubiquitous in their time. What is now called the Middle East certainly may be have been the epicenter of creation of these rugs (patterns of the Persian Rugs in particular) but it was by no means an exclusively “Middle Eastern” art.
These old rugs in themselves were likely adaptations and improvements upon old animal skins and furs, for keeping dwellings warm and moisture absorption. The entrance to a home may once have been graced with a sheepskin- but between 1,000 and 500 BCE, these slowly became replaced with woven textiles. Shearing animals and weaving rugs out of the material made it possible to harvest the wool yar after year, instead of killing and skinning the animal and basically wasting the resource.
It’s ironic that the intricate artistry of these creations was almost secondary. Once dyes become more widespread, development of patterns using different colors emerged. Variation in density, texture, pattern, and quality emerged.
Persian Rug Categories
Although infinitely varied and often shifting, Persian rugs are traditionally categorized into three main groupings:
1) Farsh or Qálii, which is anything that is larger than six by four feet
2) Qálicheh, which means literally rug, which is anything smaller than that, and
3) Gelim, nomadic carpets, which tend to be rougher and differ in style.
From there, further breakdowns can be made by geography, style, and technique. Further subdivisions can be made by patterns, images, and colors used, and what purpose a rug is meant to fulfill, and what material was used to produce it. (these materials range from the softest silk to the roughest woolen materials.)
The major places where these rugs have been produced over the course of history are scattered throughout Iran, where 3/4ths of the world’s rugs are made. Major classical places of carpet creation in ancient Persia were in Kashan, Tabriz, and Heart, and Kerman. Tabriz rugs are known for their quartered corner medallions, which are usually reated over a field of scrolling vines, and sometimes interspersed with animals, or animals fighting. Kashan is known for its creation of silken products, and generally ones featuring animal hunts. Heart rugs are the most numerous in more Western collections, with a lot of red background and more scrolling vines, with lots of palm patterns in green or blue.
Modern-day carpet production, while often machine-drivne, is still inspired by the ancient patterns and traditions first laid out in the Persian empire. Persian rugs tend to use a single looping knot, repeated over and over, which is different from how many other places weave carpets.
More sensitive categories of Persian rugs, over forty of them, have been defined based on locality, weave, colors, designs, and period. It is an incredibly complex system, but rich with culture and the history of technology.
Oriental Rugs in the Age of Obama
This week has been marked by intensive negotiations between President Barack Obama and Hu Jintao, the President of the People’s Republic of China. Obama has made several statements declaring that human rights are a fundamental American ideal, that they are “core views” and non-negotiable. Hu admitted that the Chinese government has a long way to go but is making progress in the human rights department.
Obama also explained that he and his administration (and the American people) are pretty well pleased with a 45$ billion new export sale for the United States. Certain important business negotiations were cemented during this meeting of the world’s two biggest economies. Obama has explained in press releases that these deals with help produce more than 200,000 jobs in the U.S.
What better way to celebrate this union of two great (and very different nations) than with an oriental rug? Although the term “oriental” is outdated to describe Chinese people and Chinese things, it definitely describes a certain aesthetic of East Asian, old rugs that goes well with this new era of west-east union.
So if you’re looking for something that’s ahead of the curve, going to be popular soon, pick an old school chinese rug for your living room.
Obama also explained that he and his administration (and the American people) are pretty well pleased with a 45$ billion new export sale for the United States. Certain important business negotiations were cemented during this meeting of the world’s two biggest economies. Obama has explained in press releases that these deals with help produce more than 200,000 jobs in the U.S.
What better way to celebrate this union of two great (and very different nations) than with an oriental rug? Although the term “oriental” is outdated to describe Chinese people and Chinese things, it definitely describes a certain aesthetic of East Asian, old rugs that goes well with this new era of west-east union.
So if you’re looking for something that’s ahead of the curve, going to be popular soon, pick an old school chinese rug for your living room.
Antique Rugs for Winter
Although those of us who live in Southern California may not feel it, winter is upon us. Mid January in most places is frigid and all white and gray. The sky becomes a heavy cloud, building get obscured in the fog and sleet and snow. The ground is slushy and icy, trees become dendritic branchings of ice and condensation. Droplets of water hover on window panes. People's cheeks get red and cold, noses freeze, gloves come out. At noon the sun is still low in the sky, the light is always slanted and weak and golden.
So even though the SoCal experience may not be as vivid, there is still a lot of inspiration for decoration to be derived from the idea of winter, cold, and seasons changing. If you're thinking of buying a new antique rug this season, you might want to go with a winter theme- something warm and relatively soft, with rich red and gold patterning, or deep forest green. A more modern look might include a white shag rug in front of the fireplace, or something with geometric patterns that echo snowflakes.
And winter doesn't necessarily need to mean depressing. Winter has it's own particular beautiful quality that is under appreciated and underutilized in decorating. Pure whites and off-whites can be very fetching, especially in conjunction with cold glass or silver. Dark forest greens are one of the most naturalistic colors on the palette, and the gentle sparkling and shining that is so characteristic of natural snowfall can be replicated around a living room. Winter is also the season for detailed workings on accessories- baroque and rococo is very January, and this can be incorporated in Persian rug selection.
So if you want an original look that few are sporting, try out a nice winter solstice, moonglow snowlight look.
So even though the SoCal experience may not be as vivid, there is still a lot of inspiration for decoration to be derived from the idea of winter, cold, and seasons changing. If you're thinking of buying a new antique rug this season, you might want to go with a winter theme- something warm and relatively soft, with rich red and gold patterning, or deep forest green. A more modern look might include a white shag rug in front of the fireplace, or something with geometric patterns that echo snowflakes.
And winter doesn't necessarily need to mean depressing. Winter has it's own particular beautiful quality that is under appreciated and underutilized in decorating. Pure whites and off-whites can be very fetching, especially in conjunction with cold glass or silver. Dark forest greens are one of the most naturalistic colors on the palette, and the gentle sparkling and shining that is so characteristic of natural snowfall can be replicated around a living room. Winter is also the season for detailed workings on accessories- baroque and rococo is very January, and this can be incorporated in Persian rug selection.
So if you want an original look that few are sporting, try out a nice winter solstice, moonglow snowlight look.
Romantic Rugs
There are different styles of rug for different kinds of rooms and different types of people. Everyone's tastes vary. Some people will do for a classical Persian rug every single time. Minimalsts only want smart, modern geometric designs. Artsy folks might go for a bold color, and classicists might want a good classic look. Other people simply want a nice beige or brown rug, nothing fancy. On the other extreme, I have a friend who only buys carpets that look like Jackson Pollock paintings. I think they make the room look cluttered, but of course he never listens to me.
But what about the romantics among us?
Any romantic worth his salt is going to want a super soft rug in front of the fireplace- something that one can walk over, barefoot, to get that wonderful fuzzy sensation, or sprawl out on to snuggle up with a blanket. A new rug that will allure the sense of touch, making you run your fingers over it again and again. Something that will catch the candlelight, soften the room, make hearts flutter. It may seem like a silly idea, but an incredibly soft floor cover can completely change the dynamics of a room, and of a rendezvous. Guests who come over and find comfortable seating on the floor will be disarmed, lower their barriers, feel more at home.
There are plenty of carpets that match that description! Plus, soft carpets are always a win with small children, who, spending more time closer to the gorund and gamboling around in general, appreciate a soft surface on which to do so. And their little heads will thank you, too, because when an inevitable trip and fall occur, the soft cushioning of the living room Romantic rug will soften the blow.
But what about the romantics among us?
Any romantic worth his salt is going to want a super soft rug in front of the fireplace- something that one can walk over, barefoot, to get that wonderful fuzzy sensation, or sprawl out on to snuggle up with a blanket. A new rug that will allure the sense of touch, making you run your fingers over it again and again. Something that will catch the candlelight, soften the room, make hearts flutter. It may seem like a silly idea, but an incredibly soft floor cover can completely change the dynamics of a room, and of a rendezvous. Guests who come over and find comfortable seating on the floor will be disarmed, lower their barriers, feel more at home.
There are plenty of carpets that match that description! Plus, soft carpets are always a win with small children, who, spending more time closer to the gorund and gamboling around in general, appreciate a soft surface on which to do so. And their little heads will thank you, too, because when an inevitable trip and fall occur, the soft cushioning of the living room Romantic rug will soften the blow.
The Evolution of Rugs
Rugs and carpets date back almost further than does history itself. Our primate ancestors had been using materials to bring warmth to the hearth and home for generations before the idea of history came to be. Ostensibly, the original rugs were simple skins and woven reeds, and non-decorative. But the idea of decoration and art also came into existence before recorded history did, and suddenly these items had both utility and aesthetic value.
And once agriculture was invented, materials could be harvested to create floor rugs made of textiles. Suddenly, aesthetic characteristics became much more variable, and more creativity could emerge. Weave patterns were developed, blending of materials became common practice. Around this time, pigmentation came onto the scene. It is generally thought that red was one of the first pigments to be available to early settlements, and perhaps ochre (deep yellow).
As purples and, most advanced, blues became possible, what we now consider antique rugs became incredibly varied, sought after pieces of art instead of just furnishings. As civilizations become more complex and production and commerce and trade began to emerge, these items became hot commodities almost instantly. As time went forward, technique advanced. Geometric patterns turned to lush scenes, curves and twists became more intricate, stories were told. Persian rugs, especially, emerged as the top-of-the-line, but rugs were honored in all the major empires and civilizations throughout history.
In fact, antique rugs are one of the oldest forms of creation, along with body decoration and cave paintings. Having an antique rug in your home can bring a glorious sense of history to your home. You are placing an item in your home that is the result of thousands of years of evolution, imbued with tradition, but that are still essentially the same as their earliest form. Not many items in your home can say that.
Antique Rugs in Ancient Egypt
Antique rugs have been priceless commodities since ancient times, serving as a measurement of wealth and influence. Monarchs and great conquerors' plunder included the artful rugs of other cultures, especially in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Northern Africa, and Asia.
Cleopatra herself, the last Queen of Egypt arrived back in her home city in a rolled up Persian rug, after having been exiled by her scheming brother Ptolemy. In a scene that has been rehashed countless times in popular culture, the sultry, charismatic, highly intelligent princess unfurled herself before Julius Caesar to plead her case. Capturing his imagination and appealing to his common sense, Cleopatra convinced the Roman ruler to aid her in her quest to reestablish herself on the throne of the richest kingdom in the Mediterranean. The quest was achieved, and she became both a political powerhouse and a cult icon in her time across Europe and Asia.
By the end of her rule, which we will discuss later, Cleopatra is estimated to have been worth at least 95.8 billion dollars. Fabulously wealthy and completely unafraid to show it, she was the owner of countless pieces of priceless artwork: gold statues, rich textiles, precious marbles, lush paintings, and of course, well-woven rugs. It is said that her procession up the Nile was accompanied by wafts of incense, ships glinting with tortoiseshell, and the sound of strumming lyres. She hardly walking anywhere without having her path paved with expensive old rugs or carpets. She ushered in a new era of high fashion in textiles and cloths, bringing color to the previously greyscale world of the Romans.
However, the story of one of the richest women on Earth does not end well for her. Her skillful negotiating and cutthroat scheming come back to bite her, ending in tragic and spectacular catastrophe.
Cleopatra herself, the last Queen of Egypt arrived back in her home city in a rolled up Persian rug, after having been exiled by her scheming brother Ptolemy. In a scene that has been rehashed countless times in popular culture, the sultry, charismatic, highly intelligent princess unfurled herself before Julius Caesar to plead her case. Capturing his imagination and appealing to his common sense, Cleopatra convinced the Roman ruler to aid her in her quest to reestablish herself on the throne of the richest kingdom in the Mediterranean. The quest was achieved, and she became both a political powerhouse and a cult icon in her time across Europe and Asia.
By the end of her rule, which we will discuss later, Cleopatra is estimated to have been worth at least 95.8 billion dollars. Fabulously wealthy and completely unafraid to show it, she was the owner of countless pieces of priceless artwork: gold statues, rich textiles, precious marbles, lush paintings, and of course, well-woven rugs. It is said that her procession up the Nile was accompanied by wafts of incense, ships glinting with tortoiseshell, and the sound of strumming lyres. She hardly walking anywhere without having her path paved with expensive old rugs or carpets. She ushered in a new era of high fashion in textiles and cloths, bringing color to the previously greyscale world of the Romans.
However, the story of one of the richest women on Earth does not end well for her. Her skillful negotiating and cutthroat scheming come back to bite her, ending in tragic and spectacular catastrophe.
No more crime
FBI reports that violent crime dropped by 6.2% in the first semester of 2010, with a 7.1% drop in homicide, and even robberies were down by 10.7%.
They say the way the year starts has a great impact throughout the whole year and they hope it will be the same in 2011, or even a bigger drop.
Even though we are going through difficult economic periods, it is great to know that at least crime is going down, they cannot explain the main reason for such, but they claim that it could be the increase of law enforcement, or even the fact that people are getting older and more responsible.
According to FBI reports, they see a better improvement in the South, where their statistics show a drop of 12% in homicide, there were great drops in the West and the Midwest as well, but not so much in the Northeast, where the numbers show an increase of 5.7%.
You might have more reasons to enjoy the outdoors, and it is great to know that your indoor is secure and your fine rugs will be there when you return home, so you can enjoy your family and friends for an afternoon tea or even a Christmas delight.
Whatever your reasons may be, a fine rug in your living room will definitely lift up the spirit of your house, lighting up the ambiance and providing beauty and comfort you desire.
In 2011 do not let your spirit drop, lift up your house with a tapestry that will open the door to a great beginning.
Do you prefer natural or synthetic rugs?
Rug materials will define its durability, comfort and most importantly the look of your rug, choosing the right material will ensure its heirloom. You can go natural, choosing from animal or plant fiber, bamboo, cotton, jute or even seagrass all made with natural materials or you can go synthetic, using acrylic, nylon, polypropylene or even rayon or viscose, you name it.
Somehow wool seems to be widely chosen by many people around the globe, most wool comes from alpaca, goats, llamas and sheep, it is considered a very resilient material with great durability when compared to synthetic ones. Wool is easily dyed, it resists stains, water and even fire, a lot of people with allergies prefer rugs made of wool, they say it is very resistant against dust mites, which is one of the main causes of allergies.
Once you decide on the best material for your rug, it is important to maintain your rug so you can extend its life and keep its original appearance for longer. There are several tips on how to keep your rug in good shape, you can rotate it, it is recommended to rotate your rug at least once a year, this should help the rug to wear evenly, avoid sunlight if you can, it causes the rug patterns to fade, you can vacuum it as well, you should never fold your rug, try to roll it and always put on top of your furniture, do not place anything heavy on top of it, it will damage its fibers. Depending on how much you spent on your rug, you should consider hiring some experts to do the job, this way they will not only maintain your rug, but also repair it whenever necessary.
Rugs have been used since the very early days of mankind and it shall continue to generations to come, so you should always consider a professional when cleaning your rug, and keeping it in good shape.
They can decorate your house and give the warmth we all need on a chilly night, some rugs provide more than that, they are considered one of the most valuable possession and its maintenance is a great concern for these families.
Does your carpet have some blood stains?
Well, maybe after watching the Fighter your rug will also have some specs of blood on it, even though critics gave the movie a B and says that it can surely lands some punches still far from delivering a knockout.
When you put together Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale you will surely see some action, the Fighter is based on a true story, Dickie (Bale) plays a welterweight on the opposite side of the tracks and is consider a pride of the working class Massachusetts, and his half-brother Micky (Wahlberg) follows his foot-step. Dickie began his nightmare after losing a fight for Sugar Ray Leonard, he starts his addiction with crack, violence and crime. His family is devastated and Micky tries to save his family from despair by winning fights. His brother ends up training him.
Despite his working-class clan, Micky is the only sane guy trying to make better, while his mother is always trying to scam cash and his older brother is a crack-addicted he keeps on going.
The ends is a bit sad, they try to pull a version of Rocky, as his family expects him to win the final fight, while Micky uses all his strategies of winning fights, even a rope-a-dope that he must have learned from Dickie, who copied from the Italian Stallion.
Mark says that he had to go through intense training for this picture and it was not an easy task, he didn't want a stunt and took real punches that almost broke his nose, it took him nearly four years of intensive training to achieve the physique to play Micky and Bale had to lose weight to play his character, he has done it before back in 2003 he lost 63 pounds to play The Machinist so it is no surprise that Bale could do it again.
Either you want to have some specs of imaginary blood on your rug or not, it should be interesting to see Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale working together.
Are you ready to go skiing on the West?
While many people on the East coast are stranded on the roads due to bad snow fall, people on the West coast are taking advantage of many feet of snow by going skiing and snowboarding on the mountains.
Many innovative programs have been introduced by resorts despite their economical situation and many millions of dollars were spent to improve their resorts facilities.
Mammoth Mountain offers a large variety of winter activities, you can choose from, skiing and riding, cross country skiing, snowmobiles, snowcat tours, scenic gondola, which offers the highest lift service in California, they can take you up to 11,053 feet high, and on a clear day you can see 400 miles in all directions, they have their own ski and snowboard team and their race department can give you all the tips you need to be safe and have a wonderful time there.
Mammoth Mountain has seven parks, 3 pipes, the unbound terrain parks there are considered California's favorite, sunniest, biggest, snowiest playground of a mountain, it has been among the top ten parks in the US for over eight years in a row, with 90 acres of terrain, the park is one of the first things you see when you get to Mammoth Mountain.
Lake Tahoe is another good choice, right now they claim they have perfect weather conditions for skiing and it looks more like mid-January then December, they say they had about 10 feet of snow just a few days before thanksgiving, making this November the snowiest in decades.
And choices do not stop here, you can check the Alpine Meadows, Northstar-at-Tahoe, Squaw Valley USA, Homewood Mountain Resort and many others to name it.
As hard as it seems to leave your comfortable bedroom, and your feet wondering what could give you more comfort than your warm rug, take advantage of the weather conditions and enjoy a weekend way, skiing in one of the most beautiful mountains in the USA.
Looking for the latest rug designs in the world?
You don’t have to participate in the “Home Textile” exhibition to find the finest and latest design rug in the world, you can save time and money relying on experts to do the job for you.
While such experts will go all the way to the fairgrounds-Syria to attend the first exhibition in the field of carpets and rugs, you can rest assure they will find the latest designs and modern rugs for you.
Arabian Group for Exhibitions and conferences believe that this conference will have strong presence of most major local businesses operating in this sector, some of the companies expected to be there are: Ulaby Tex, Almkusi, Safe Linen, Carpet Sidon, Al-Alskmani company, the world of carpets, around 92 foreign brands and major local Arabic companies will take place in one of the most prestigious exhibitions in the Middle East, it will be a fierce competition among 14 countries.
The industrial minister from Syria says that in order for them to compete in the foreign market, they must find the uniqueness of the carpet world and keep their rugs to the highest level, he also believes that Persian and Turkish carpet companies participation is vital as well as companies from Syria and the gulf, emphasizing the importance to meet the needs of households around the world by delivering a wide variety of high quality rugs and carpets for different tastes and classes.
While you might consider going there to experience the world of rugs, there is not need in doing so, experts from Woven accents will take the trip for you and bring the best variety combine with the greatest designs from all over the world to your door.
Woven accents understand that your home is not complete without the elegance a fine rug can give to it, not to mention the warmth it will bring to your home.
Are you dreaming of a white Christmas?
Are you dreaming of a white Christmas?
In case you are dreaming of a white Christmas, dream no more, your wishes might come true soon. Some will get much more snow than what they had wished for, especially if you are on the Eastern side of United States.
While some folks are experiencing a bit of a heat wave in California lately with a few days as warm as a summer day, people on the East side might be freezing to death with a bitter cold weather with two or more feet of snow in some parts of New York and Pennsylvania.
The National Weather service says that this bad weather will continue on the East side and even on the Northwest as well, where another blinding lake effect snow is expected soon. A large number of motorist were stranded last Sunday and Monday when they had more than two feet of snow.
Meteorologist Jennifer Delgado from CNN predicts more freezing bitter weather soon, according to her the Eastern United States will be covered with cold arctic air by Tuesday this week and even Florida temperature will range from 5 to 23 degrees.
The so called lake effect snow happens when moisture is picked up by cold air passing over warm lake waters, this water freezes and becomes snow.
Although the storm is on its way to Canada, the National Weather Service expects parts of upstate New York to have this lake effect snow with about another two feet of snow by Wednesday.
Despite the fact that many want a white Christmas, nobody wants to face the problems that a bitter cold weather brings along, and freezing rains that can coat roads and power lines.
Luckily most people can enjoy the freezing cold weather from their warm houses, where they have a cozy living room with a fine rug so they can provide shelter for their friends keeping them warm where they can appreciate a beautiful white Christmas from indoors.
Iranian foreign minister is removed by their president
With no apparent reason, foreign minister of Iran has been removed while he was in Africa. A letter sent by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad thanked Mottaki for all his service but he doesn't state any reasons for doing so.
Conservatives there wanted him out for more than two years and UN imposed his dismissal since last June. They all claim that this move will help President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad with their external affairs where the former Foreign Minister was challenging the President.
In the interim the Iranian president has appointed Ali Akbar Salehi the head of Foreign Ministry, who is also the current nuclear chief and the Supreme National Security Council Secretary.
The nation's nuclear program is also monitored by Salehi, who is in charge for the International Atomic Energy Agency there, Iranians claim that it is a peaceful program, but the rest of the world express their concern about them producing nuclear weapons there.
Salehi went to the American University of Beirut and received a doctorate in technical sciences in the US, he was also a chancellor and an associate professor of Sharif University of Technology.
Mohammad Ghanadi Maraghei is likely to take his place as nuclear chief once he is the current head of the Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute there.
While Manouchehr Mottaki must be extremely disappointed, he must be glad that nobody is going to his house to remove his Iranian finest rug collection.
Well-known rug designers and their collections
Well-known rug designers and their collections
Gypsy / Maturin by Kathleen Clements is truly a unique work of art, either made of textured hemp out of plush mohair or hand embroidery vintage Turkish Kilim, each rug has an exquisite design and it is a unique blend of European and American antiques.
Clements' portfolio has been featured in many magazines, such as: Southern Accents, Food & Wine Magazine, House Beautiful, Design Times, Metropolitan Home and Elle Décor. Her work can be seen in different projects around the country: Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Malibu, Manhattan, Sewickley and Fox Chapel, PA, Lexington, KY, Chicago, Southhampton and Barbados to name a few.
Emma Gardner was born in Kyoto, Japan and moved to Connecticut at an early age, then at the age of eleven moved to New York City. She won an award for JOY, a colorful rug with flowers, vines and butterflies, with a Chinese cut-out effect.
Before becoming a successful rug designer, she had a career as an illustrator and editor, she has appeared in leading fashion and design magazines, and her showrooms are available through 21 U.S. markets and Toronto.
New Moon designs by John Kurtz, are hand-crafted rugs from Nepal without any child labor used, they are made from 100% Chinese Silk and Tibetan Wool, a large variety from antique to traditional rugs, contemporary and modern to oriental and transitional designs. They produce fine rugs and promote a positive environmental framework.
All of these designers and many others such as: Asha Carpets, Retro Shag, Zoe Luyendijk Studio, Sahar Gabbeh, Florence Broadhurst can be found at Wooven accents.
Woven accents carries large collections of the finest rugs in the world.
