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high-quality rugs

post #1 of 19
6/17/08 at 12:24pm
Thread Starter 
Can anyone provide a short list of places to look for high-quality area rugs? I have had some bad experience with wool that sheds and wondered at what price point good quality begins.
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post #2 of 19
6/17/08 at 12:37pm
One basic piece of advice, don't buy rugs from places like Crate & Barrel or West Elm or any regular furnishings store. At roughly the same price point, you'd be better served by going to a respected carpet/rug store and talking to them about what you want. They'll likely have a wide variety of offerings including stuff that is less likely to shed.

You can also spend a lot of money on something that will shed, so that is why it is important to discuss your requirements with a knowledgeable salesperson.
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post #3 of 19
6/17/08 at 12:41pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by briancl View Post
One basic piece of advice, don't buy rugs from places like Crate & Barrel or West Elm or any regular furnishings store. At roughly the same price point, you'd be better served by going to a respected carpet/rug store and talking to them about what you want. They'll likely have a wide variety of offerings including stuff that is less likely to shed.

You can also spend a lot of money on something that will shed, so that is why it is important to discuss your requirements with a knowledgeable salesperson.

Yes, I understand. What type of store carries the better products? Are we talking about oriental carpet stores in the US? Should I go to Ligne Roset? I am actually trying to understand what the correct venue is.
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post #4 of 19
6/17/08 at 12:47pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by johnapril View Post
Yes, I understand. What type of store carries the better products? Are we talking about oriental carpet stores in the US? Should I go to Ligne Roset? I am actually trying to understand what the correct venue is.

We ordered an area rug from Ligne Roset. Fortuantely, after about 6 months after the order was placed, they told me they ran out of that wool. The price was well over $5,000, and after living with a throw-away replacement rug in that room, I realized I definitely didn't need to spend that kind of money on a rug. We have a good place in Chicago here called Peerless Rugs that does a great job and has very helpful staff. As for pricepoint, I've felt comfortable with their many offerings right around $1000 for a 5x8, and I'm about to pull the trigger on one. They have rugs up around the Ligne Roset pricepoint, but it's all very bold and wouldn't likely work as a large living room rug.
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post #5 of 19
6/17/08 at 12:59pm
After years of buying carpeting and area rugs and then replacing them I decided to begin collecting antique rugs. I started by shopping at local dealer who is a 4rd generation rug merchant from Iran. I first bought a small , somewhat frayed rug with a wonderful pattern and classic rich colors. I became hooked for about $300. I now have them all over the house. They go with both modern and traditional furniture and wear very well. By shopping carefully I have acquired many without spending a bundle. My son loves them and will no doubt end up with them when I am long gone. Many antique rugs are sold for very little $$$ when the kids clean out their parents homes. Check estate sales, there are bargains to be found.
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post #6 of 19
6/17/08 at 1:06pm
That's interesting, PSG. I guess the issue for someone like me, and maybe the OP, is that, knowing little, we live in fear of being "had" by unscrupulous sellers, and the mom-and-pop type place that you describe, unfairly or not, has a reputation for being a higher-risk proposition than some of the alternatives. I mean, I'd love to find a merchant whom I knew and trusted, but I don't have one, so I would be in constant fear of being ripped off. Perhaps there's no real solution to this.
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post #7 of 19
6/17/08 at 1:11pm
How about getting a nice Aubusson or Savonnerie next time you are in Freedom?
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post #8 of 19
6/17/08 at 1:26pm
There are many basic books on antique rugs that will help you gain some confidence prior to beginning your search. But, you are right grimslade, that a novice undertakes some risk. However, it can be fun and rewarding to take the time to do the research. I highly recommend it.
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post #9 of 19
6/17/08 at 1:39pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by pocketsquareguy View Post
There are many basic books on antique rugs that will help you gain some confidence prior to beginning your search. But, you are right grimslade, that a novice undertakes some risk. However, it can be fun and rewarding to take the time to do the research. I highly recommend it.

It's on my list. Any books in particular that you'd recommend?
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post #10 of 19
6/17/08 at 2:26pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by grimslade View Post
It's on my list. Any books in particular that you'd recommend?

You know, I gave mine away a while ago and don't recall the titles. Maybe someone else here can suggest a good one.

For whatever it is worth, my approach was to visit a variety of dealers on rainy days and quiet weekdays. I would ask them to point out the difference between newer rugs and antiques. Ask how rug makers "age" rugs. I found honest guys willing to talk about this. Guys who didn't want to talk about it seemed to have something to hide.

Another suggestion is that you just need to look at a variety of rugs to get a feel for what looks "right" and to also get a feel for what you like in both color and design.
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post #11 of 19
6/17/08 at 3:38pm
Thread Starter 
Should a well-made rug shed at all?
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post #12 of 19
6/17/08 at 4:39pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by grimslade View Post
That's interesting, PSG. I guess the issue for someone like me, and maybe the OP, is that, knowing little, we live in fear of being "had" by unscrupulous sellers, and the mom-and-pop type place that you describe, unfairly or not, has a reputation for being a higher-risk proposition than some of the alternatives. I mean, I'd love to find a merchant whom I knew and trusted, but I don't have one, so I would be in constant fear of being ripped off. Perhaps there's no real solution to this.

What do you mean by being "had"? If you like the rug and paid a price that you were willing to pay, how can you be "had," unless you are talking about a rug that starts shedding or bleeding or something.
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post #13 of 19
6/17/08 at 7:01pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by pocketsquareguy View Post
There are many basic books on antique rugs that will help you gain some confidence prior to beginning your search. But, you are right grimslade, that a novice undertakes some risk. However, it can be fun and rewarding to take the time to do the research. I highly recommend it.
There's a chance you could get taken even though you think you did a lot of research. The better Persian rug dealers are known through word of mouth in the community and usually they visit you to get a feel for what you like and then come by your home with several options. I wouldn't recommend going to any of those types of stores to anyone. Also, as much as they can rip you off, modern furniture/decoration places selling their pieces are an even bigger ripoff (although I do confess to owning an organic wool cloud rug as I got it for free even though it cost a good amount of money).
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post #14 of 19
6/17/08 at 7:39pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by odoreater View Post
What do you mean by being "had"? If you like the rug and paid a price that you were willing to pay, how can you be "had," unless you are talking about a rug that starts shedding or bleeding or something.

Well, that's exactly what I mean. It could be a piece of crap for which you massively overpaid. Like buying a Hugo Boss suit because you thought it looked nice.
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post #15 of 19
6/17/08 at 8:33pm
I like the '20s & '30s Chinese wool rugs that had nice Deco-inspired Chinese patterns. As well, animal skins are nice.

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