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| Woven |
By Allison Hanrahan, The Nest
Everything you need to know about sourcing and buying an antique or vintage rug you’ll love.
Just like an old pair of Levi's or a plain white tee, a vintage or
antique rug will always be in style. The tricky part is actually finding
one you love that
also works for your space. We chatted with the CEO and creative director of Woven, Sam Moradzadeh, for tips on all things rugs so you can find one you'll have forever.
Discover Your Style
Take the time to think about what patterns, materials and colors will
work in your room and with your personal aesthetic. Whether you're
looking for an eye-catching statement piece for your sitting room or a
classic neutral option for your foyer, consider these factors before
taking the plunge.
Think Motif
When it comes to styling your space, the overall motif of a rug is the
most important factor, no matter if you're buying a rug based off what's
already in the room or plan on designing around one. If you're looking
for an ornate statement piece, consider
Persian rugs—probably the most popular of all antique rugs. Vintage Scandinavian rugs have a bolder, folky vibe that feels more simple, but just as impactful. Moroccan
rugs—which are having quite a moment—vary in color depending on which
tribes weave them, but what we've seen in homes lately tend to be more
muted and geometric.
Know Your Materials
Rugs differ in construction and look depending on where they're made.
Before you buy, think about where you intend to put your rug and how you
want it to feel. Most are made with either wool or silk, but other
materials can be used. Sheep bred in colder countries of higher
elevation (think Afghanistan) yield wool that's thicker and denser,
producing more
lushly woven rugs. On the other hand, some regions of Persia, like in Kashan, Iran, use soft and ultra-rare camel hair in their rugs. For high traffic areas, consider a durable yet soft wool Persian or Turkish rug or pileless Kilim. For something more decorative and luxurious-looking consider silk Chinese, Persian, or Samarkand rugs.
Start Sourcing
Know its age. Moradzadeh explains that antique rugs are more than 100 years old and vintage rugs are over 50, but less than 100.
Check the knots. To determine if a vintage rug is authentic,
look closely at the knots of the rug. “A good indicator of quality is
the tightness of the knot—rugs with a tighter weave generally last
longer," Moradzadeh says. If you're still unsure, it's best to speak
with a reputable rug dealer in your area.
Confirm its origins. Before 1960, you could generally place a
rug based on the knots used to create it, but after that things changed.
“Many countries looked to one another for inspiration and adopted
designs and knots from other locations, so it has become much more
difficult to specify the origin of a rug," he says. Consult your dealer
for information on where your rug is from.
Care
Consider fabric types. If you have children or pets, or plan
on putting your rug in a busy area of your home, opt for a wool rug.
They're durable, soft and generally less expensive than other materials.
If you're looking for a more decorative piece, think silk. “Silk makes
for a very beautiful, luxurious look. However, silk rugs require
professional cleaning, so it's not always the ideal choice for families
with young children or pets," Moradzadeh says.
Cleaning is easier than you think. “Cleaning a vintage rug
should be approached the same way as cleaning any other type of rug,"
Moradzadeh says. “The care depends on the pile height of the rug, but we
generally recommend that you vacuum the front of the rug once a week,
the back of the rug once a month and professionally clean it once a year
depending on the traffic it receives," he says.
Wear and tear is totally OK. When you buy a vintage or antique
rug, it's always going to come with a story, and with that rich history
comes some wear. “The beauty of vintage rugs is that they've lived
amongst so many different families and homes," Moradzadeh says. Clean it
regularly and enjoy the story behind your rug for years to come.
Time to Style
“Most people jump to the conclusion that antique rugs can only be
paired with other antiques for picture perfect results," Moradzadeh
says. Woven introduced their
Studio Woven
series, a line of rugs to complement vintage or antique rugs just for
this purpose. Consider layering your vintage piece with a neutral jute
or sisal rug to save a few dollars (a 4x6 antique Persian becomes a
10x12 statement piece with an inexpensive jute underneath). Try out a
smaller rug in your kitchen or hallway first and see if you like the feel before committing.
