Living in Oregon for all these many years, I have come to realize that being warm and dry during the winter months is a top priority. Cold tile and wood floors make for early morning excitement as I dash from bed to bath, bath to breakfast only to realize that if I had a couple of well placed rugs, my heating bills — as well as the chattering of my teeth — would be greatly reduced. But where do I start? Portland, per capita, has the most rug/carpet stores in the entire country. Do I want a traditional Persian or a contemporary design, subdued or striking color, synthetic or natural fiber…ugh…
I haven’t even begun my search, and already it is daunting. Truly, though, it’s not as bad as it seems. Here are some handy rules to consider when wanting to warm up your floor with color and design.
Trust Your Retailer
Too often we hear that clients have had unpleasant experiences with retailers who either wouldn’t allow rugs to be checked out, or were less than exemplary in allowing returns after purchases. The companies that take the time to explain the details of the varied qualities and their pros and cons, as well as allow the client to see the rug at home prior to purchase should be valued over those who do not.
If you have children and pets, should you be spending $4,000 on an 8’x10’ for a room that is actively used, or should you perhaps look towards buying a synthetic for a fifth of the price? Qualitative questions from the retailer and simple honest answers from the client insure that the rug purchased fits the utilitarian needs required…and certainly, there are so many varied qualities that a rug can be found to fit every situation and budget. Those retailers who try to force clients into “what’s hot” and invariably ignore their clients’ needs should be avoided. With hard- surface flooring so preeminent, the rug market has broadened to include a huge range of qualities and price points that fit every budget and longevity requirement.
Hand-Knotted Rugs
Even within the hand-knotted genre of rug weaving/ tufting, the knotted rug is still the most durable, and, therefore the most expensive. There are exceptions of course, but as far as quality goes, you would be hard pressed to find a better constructed and longer lasting rug. The qualities of the higher end of the spectrum include the majority of Iranian (Persian) knotted pieces; while some Indian and Chinese pieces also merit consideration, as well as some of the Tibetan 100 knot qualities.
Within each genre however, lies the same broad range of qualities from low to high. Knot count is important, but with tribal pieces and Gabbehs, rarity also plays a part in what you should expect to spend. For the most part, hand-knotted pieces, regardless of region of origin, should last longer than any machine-made or hand-tufted/loomed piece. Accordingly, their price should be higher as well. If you have the time to wait (generally, 6 to 13 months), you can also have a custom-made hand-knotted rug to any pattern, color, and size. But for the most part, with the abundance of knotted pieces, you should be able to find a size and color scheme that works without having to resort to the custom. Unless of course you are tired of shopping for the exact color and size that you desire.
Research Online and Locally
There is not one store in the entire world that has every rug in stock, so spending time on the Web searching for brand names, styles, and sizes will cut down a great deal of time. Identifying what colors and designs appeal to you prior to visiting a “brick & mortar” storefront will cut down on time and travel. Be careful buying from on-line companies, as most will charge to restock items that don’t meet your approval. Most local companies will offer a “checkout” policy, where rugs can be taken out on approval without purchase so that you can make certain of the look and feel before actually buying the rug. Buying online certainly eliminates that luxury, and since most local shops are intelligent enough to follow online pricing structures, the disparity in price for that service is minimal.
In the next issue I discuss the latest innovations in rug production and design, like hand-tufted, power-loomed/machine made, and custom rugs.
David Michael Ball was the co-owner of Pearl Rug Co., Portland, OR.
