Here are some guidelines to use for purchasing a handmade rug. I know, finding a handmade rug can be daunting, yet those who succeed in buying beautiful rugs are richly rewarded. So how can you choose well? Here are some checklist to do:
1. The Portrait of Excellence
a good rug lies flat and straight on the floor and is reasonably regular in its shape. It has lively, lustrous wool or fiber. Its colors are in balance, having neither faded nor bled. It has been intelligently "finished" so that it is not washed out, unnaturally shiny, or unpleasantly bright and harsh. Above all, the rug has a certain sophisticated quality, an elan that speaks of its having been designed and woven by skilled artisans.
2. How to Find a Good Rug
Perhaps the single most important step in buying a good rug is to find a rug dealer you can trust. Some of the finest, most ethical dealers in the country can be located on this site. The best rug dealers are born educators who love to share their knowledge with you and guide you without bullying. They will encourage you to take rugs home on approval without obligation. They are very concerned about child labor in the rug industry and carefully avoid rugs made under suspect conditions. Trust yourself. If you feel uncomfortable with a dealer, move on.
3. Do Prep Work
First, measure the area the rug will cover. Remember, you should probably have a border of flooring all the way around the rug. Allow for a range of sizes; the greater the range, the more choices you will have. Consider whether you prefer traditional rugs or those with contemporary designs. To guide your decision, one option is to retain an interior designer. Designers can be wonderful allies in finding the right rugs. But remember, their focus is likely to be on "the look." The rug dealer’s focus will be on quality. Yours will be on what you like. Listen to all, but mostly to yourself.
Read more about Handmade Rugs
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Handmade Rug Buying Tips
7/17/2011
News Staff
