Rugs: They really tie a Room Together
Thursday, 16 June 2011
Aladdin used one to win the heart of a princess, The Dude in The Big Lebowski almost lost one to intruders, and Donald Trump is so attached to his that he wears it in public; for most of us the rug is an essential part of our home. Whether you are a fan of modern, traditional or shaggy rugs, without an appropriate floor covering a room lacks that je ne sais quoi.
A trend in most cultures, rugs come in many different colours, shapes and sizes. The art of rug making is practiced around the world with floor coverings traditionally produced in countries such as Egypt, Turkey, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India and Tibet; while Chinese and Persian rugs have always been in high demand.
Persian rugs have a rich history and the Turks have been making floor coverings for over 800 years. Although there is some concern that increasing material and transportation costs may lead to a doubling of prices for some styles, there is still a large demand for carpets from Western buyers.
A decorative rug can cost thousands of pounds and is considered a sign of status in some Eastern societies. In the West, the value of a rug is no less overstated, and traditionally produced rugs are still very popular, with many adorning walls as well as being shown off at ground level.
Despite a decline in modern weaving techniques and the number of specialist rug merchants on the high-street, consumers now have more choice than ever before.
Modern techniques mean carpets can be mass-produced and sold at specialist markets. Floor coverings are big business, and this is reflected by the variety of styles available to customers.
This demand for domestic rugs will ensure that there is always a range of designs and styles to suit every taste. Sheepskin, lamb's wool and oriental rugs now vie for attention with Alpine Shaggy, Berber and Croc; while there are always alternatives such as Fantasy, Rhapsody and Metallica. The humble rug can even imitate art, with artists such as Andy Warhol immortalised in woven form.
In many ways rugs reflect the current trends and fashions; fusion rugs, for example, are tipped to be a success with people dressing-up their living space with cutting edge rug technology.
These new fusion designs combine specialist fibres to produce a shaggy rug with a fine silky yarn that is soft to the touch and very durable. In keeping with the contemporary method of production, these rugs come in a multitude of colours and are a reasonable alternative to the more traditional and increasingly expensive Oriental rugs.
Not limited in size or shape, Fusion rugs come in a multitude of shapes and sizes. Rectangular rugs have always been popular as they provide symmetry within a traditional living space; however, a circular design can break up a room just as easily.
The rug can even become a centrepiece, something to base the design of a room around, complementing the overall feel of a house.
Carpet designers are always looking to push the boundaries further and the fast pace of the modern world can also be seen in what rug designers are manufacturing. Some fashion brands have dipped their toes into the market, with designers such as Calvin Klein and Jeff Banks providing rug collections as well as clothing.
These new ranges are very popular and retail reasonably cheaply. A lot of the Calvin Klein Home Collection is vibrant and cutting edge; well worth checking out!
Transcending generations, rugs have been around for thousands of years making statements in people's homes and they will continue to do so for many years to come.
Buy your little piece of history today and know that a treasured rug is something you can pass down through your family, making it a truly prized possession.
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