Dan's Papers - June 20, 2008 - On the Prowl for Rugs? Know What You're After

An antique rug is one of those classic things that will last for generations and complement almost any design scheme. Not only that, it can actually look nicer over time, as it develops a patina. From the uber-traditional dining room with an antique French Aubusson to the modern library with a semi-antique Moroccan, it's the rug that brings it all together.

When shopping for a rug there are a few basics to consider. An antique rug is one that is 100 years or older, while a semi-antique rug is between 40 and 70 years-old. There are also newer reproductions of classic designs availible. These vary in quality, with handmade rugs done with natural dyes being the most desirable. An antique rug will typically be the most valuable (i.e. expensive) of these mentioned.

"Oriental" is a term for rugs that are Caucasian (from the region between northwestern Iran and eastern Turkey that includes Armenia and Azerbaijan,) Chinese, Indian, Persian (now Iran) and Turkish. Within each of these categories there are a variety of unique traditional designs that are named after the people or places where they were developed. For example, the types of Turkish rugs include Anatolian, Hereke and Oushak. Persian rugs include Tabriz, Heriz, Sultanabad, Serapi, Sennah and Sarook. Indian rugs include those from Agra, Amritsar, Kashmir, and Srinagar and the different types of Caucasian rugs include Karabakh, Kazak and Shirvan. Each of these has a typical style and color palette.

When it comes to the pattern of a rug, there are two main styles, a central medallion or an all-over pattern. There are also rugs, such as many new Tibetan rugs, which are a solid color. Some of these play with texture by having silk and wool mixed together.

"Whether you choose a rug with a central medallion or an all-over pattern is really a matter of personal preference," said Mark Anthony, of Mark Anthony Rugs in Wainscott.

In addition to Oriental rugs, there are many other choices. Aubusson rugs, originally made in the town of Aubusson, France, have a flat weave and are usually quite ornate. Antique needlepoint rugs originated mostly in England, France and, to some extent, Portugal. Any rug in good condition is a great find. Tibetan rugs are hand-knotted, usually new and come in rich colors. Bessarabian rugs are from the western shore of the Black Sea. These often have floral motifs and are woven, meaning they have no pile. And kilims are hand-knotted rugs with a flat weave that usually have geometrical patterns and bold colors.

With so many choices, where do you begin? "Always buy wool or silk rugs that are handmade," advised Anthony. "Handmade looks nicer and nicer with use. It develops a patina that brings it to life." He suggests rugs made with wool or silk, opposed to synthetic fibers. There are also attractive rugs made with cotton that are summery and have a perfect look for the Hamptons.

Another good place to start is just going to shops and looking at the different options. Perusing books and magazines for rugs you like and making note of what type they are would also be helpful.

The colors and patterns that you choose depend on how a space will be decorated. Many interior designers will start the scheme of a room with the rug as an anchor. The colors of the furniture, paint and window treatments are then pulled from the rug to bring the room together.

In the Hamptons, designs tend to be more casual, than, say, Manhattan. Anthony says that on the East End designers and regular buyers often gravitate towards Oriental and Oushak rugs. "People also love Tibetan rugs," he says, "because they work well with Hamptons design."

There are also basic sisal and seagrass rugs that are synonymous with Hamptons design. In the workshop at Mark Anthony Rugs, sisal and seagrass area rugs can be cut and bound to custom sizes. Also, there are blue and white cabana stripe rugs made with woven cotton.

The design and size of the space, the budget and your personal preferences will be your guide in sorting through the seemingly endless options when shopping for a rug. And the best part can be the thrill of the chase - older rugs all have a story. The colors used to make traditional rugs are from the dyes that were available in the region before trains and planes could easily ship these things around. The patterns are what the local rug makers thought were attractive, and each knot was likely to have been made by a person who sat there making knot after knot until the rug was finished. The hand and eye of the craftsman can be seen in every handmade rug.

And one last piece of advice: "Rugs wear from the bottom up, so it's important to put a good padding under it," said Anthony. "A rug will last three or more times as long with a good - not a cheap - layer of padding under it." And, if it's already too late, Mark Anthony Rugs also does repairs.