HGTV.comHGTV.com

Understanding Oriental Rugs

Get more flooring tips and advice. Back to Fabulous Floors

(Continued from Page 1)
PHOTO

Barbara Jacobs' new line of rugs, Silk Road Weaves, uses wool, Allo (a plant fiber) and silk. Connections is shown.
What is it made of?
Materials: Many Oriental rugs are made from wool and/or silk. As the basis and primary material, wool is the most resilient, comfortable and durable material to use in these rugs. To add variations of color, texture and design, silk is often used as a "highlight" accent. Another interesting and durable material that is used for textural and color variation is the fiber called "Allo," or Himalayan Nettle plant. Oriental rugs often incorporate hand-dyeing and hand-carding as part of the weaving process.

Should I order a rug sight unseen?
Time: As with all custom furnishings, high-quality rugs take time to produce. If you don’t find what you want in stock, you can order a rug and expect delivery in about four months, Barbara Jacobs says. Customizing your rug will take longer and will usually carry a surcharge because with each change that is made a new "graph" or design pattern needs to be made by the manufacturers prior to starting the rug. Additional fees may also apply when you ask a designer to create custom variations and color specifications.

PHOTO

Strikeoffs of Barbara Jacobs' Loopy rugs from the Silk Road Weaves collection being made in Nepal.
Strikeoff: This term refers to a sample size rug, made in order to confirm colors for a custom order. Usually these samples are from one foot square to two feet square. There is typically a fee for creating the samples, since yarn has to be dyed and the piece has to be woven as if it is a miniature rug. The design on a strikeoff, however, is not of the entire rug but rather of a corner piece or other segment to show yarn types, colors, and weaving style.


Pros and cons: Although there is a nominal additional cost, and many weeks added to the production process, you will have an actual piece of rug to see (and keep), that has your custom color selections incorporated in it. This can be particularly helpful if you will be shopping for other furnishings for the same room or adjacent areas.


For more information on Barbara Jacobs’ rugs, contact info@wovenpalette.com .


More on rugs>
HGTV.com
Services Popular Content About
Our Sister Sites

Comparison Shop for Home Decor & Garden Tools at Shopzilla & BizRate

UpMyStreet and uSwitch.com provide UK comparison services.

© 2008 Scripps Networks, LLC. All rights reserved.