Tuesday 3 June 2014

The silk road from Gaziantep; rugs to riches


 Rugs to Riches

There is something about the phrase ‘the silk road’ that conjures up a picture of trains of camels, walking in line across the burning desert with their backs laden with fabrics, rugs, perfumes and rare spices. When this picture was actually how the priceless objects reached the West, Gaziantep was already in business, providing the merchants who used the road with their stock. Although the silk road is no longer an actual route, the products it once bore are still very much in evidence in the retail outlets in the West, especially the Wilton carpets, now woven in Gaziantep, the Wilton weaving capital of the world.

Wilton rugs


Wilton rugs were originally hand-knotted in the town of the same name in the UK but production is now almost all overseas. Modern technology means that a Wilton-style rug is now within almost everyone’s pocket and Rug Zone has a fabulous range in both traditional and modern styles. Wilton rugs are recognizable from their dense, short pile and this lends itself very well to traditional designs as a lot of detail can be included. If you need a really hard-wearing rug for high-traffic areas, a Wilton rug will be just the thing for you; if anything, they get better looking with time.

Traditional designs

Carpets and rugs many years old change hands for large sums in antique auctions, both live and online. The designs on these very old rugs are still being reproduced today in Wilton rugs available brand new and in a variety of sizes from the Rug Zone. Buying an antique rug is expensive and few people actually use them on the floor, but by choosing a traditional rug made new in Gaziantep gives you the best of both worlds.

Match the period

If you have a traditional interior, a traditional rug looks wonderful and it doesn’t jar as too new-looking. For a room with antique furniture, a deep red traditional design embodies the style of the nineteenth century. For furniture from the French Revolutionary or Regency periods, neutrals and pale blues and greens echo the colours used in decor at the time. A Deco interior isn’t left out either – modern designs made to the old Wilton method give a modern rug that will fit with the angular shapes of Deco.

Sunday 1 June 2014

Shagtastic 70s decor is here to Inspire you


Shaggy rugs don't just wow with their texture, they come in an amazing range of colours as well. Sticking to the Seventies theme, you could go the whole hog and decorate in the style, with the iconic one wall with different wallpaper, perhaps something crazy with an animal print that will really make your guests’ eyes pop. Unless you are a real retro collector, it might be best to keep your back to the Seventies look to just one room – it can be a little bit too much if you spread it around too much. Whatever you decide to do, Rug Zone’s enormous range of shaggy rugs will really make a splash.

Invigorate you

A shaggy rug from Rug Zone is a really brilliant way to make a quick style change in a room. If you are feeling a bit stale but don't have the time or the budget for a complete makeover, a shaggy rug in a bright colour can really give you a quick lift. If you want to run a theme around the whole house, a shaggy rug in the Seventies style will be happily incorporated into any room and it is a very amusing way to dress your floors. Often people don't realise what you have done until they notice the third or fourth shaggy rug and then it is fun to watch them as they start looking out for the next one. Shaggy rug style cushions complete the look, as well as being a really cuddly way to make your sofa super-comfy.


Stay!

Shaggy rugs have never really gone away but happily new technology from rug makers now means that they don't shed all over the house like they used to. In the Seventies, you could always tell if there was a shaggy rug in the house because the people who lived there were always covered in fluff. Not only that, but the rug soon looked rather the worse for wear, with bald bits soon developing. All rugs from Rug Zone come with care instructions and so a shaggy rug bought today won't end up all over the house, trodden into the rest of the carpets. A great improvement and a welcome one for anyone who enjoys the cosy and yet rather crazy Seventies look in their house. With bright colours as well as naturals, a shaggy rug from Rug Zone will really look a million dollars, but without the price tag.