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Artful Living by Design
I have been asked the question many times inmy career whether the rug should be the first decision in designing a room’s interior. This is a variable and is determined on an individual basis; it is unique to each space and each individual for whom I am designing. Other designers may have a different point of view and may begin the design of each room with a rug. There is no right or wrong to this question. Rugs are definitely an important part of the design of any room.
There is a vast array of rugs in today’s marketplace. The fiber used in their construction varies from natural to synthetic. I prefer natural fibers like wool, cotton, hemp, sisal, banana silk, and a variety of grasses. In addition to the various fibers available, there are many styles, including flat weave or pile. Each of these fibers has specific characteristics and is therefore more appropriate for a specific use or style. Fine wool rugs that are hand-knotted are very desirable and at the top of the price range. A very finewool rug can be more than a thousand days’ work by a highly skilled weaver. A 9 x 12 rug is 108 square feet or 15,552 square inches. If the rug has 800 knots per square inch that equals 12,441,600 knots! A highly skilled weaver can tie up to 12,000 knots per day. Fine rugs truly are a work of art and worth every penny spent.
Rugs can anchor a seating area in a large room, as well as add color and texture and warmth to any interior space. Consumers can be rather confused aboutwhat rug to choose and even whether they should choose carpet or a fine rug. Rugs are woven by hand or are machine-loomed and range widely in price. Oriental rugs are generally produced in Russia, Turkey, India, Iran, Tibet, Pakistan, China, and Nepal. Persian rugs refer to a sub area of the Orient. When referring to a Persian rug, the area referred to is more specifically the “Old Persian Empire” whose borders changed over its thousand-year existence. Iran since 1979 is the modern-day equivalent of Persia. Persian rugs are regarded as the finest rugs of all oriental styles of rugs by collectors. Genuine Persian rugs are hand-knotted and the individual design references specific townships and cities where they are created. A rug produced in these countries is a genuine oriental rug, handcrafted and of course one of a kind. I consider it to be a long-lasting investment that becomes something one would pass along from generation to generation. With proper care, an investment rug will last a lifetime.
A professional interior designer can be of great help in determining the style, color, and size of the rug or rugs that would be right for your lifestyle, design, and budget.
Lisa Samuel ASID, IIDA, is a Santa Fe native and principal of Samuel Design Group, located in the heart of downtown Santa Fe. She is an award-winning interior designer known for creating unique interiors imbued with warmth and elegance. Lisa (info@samueldesigngroup.com) is passionate about good design that supports well-being.