by submitting a photo of a room with a rug from NW Rugs!
It's Easy....
1. LIKE the NW Rugs Facebook Page by clicking the LIKE button on our Welcome page
2. Email the photo of your room with an NW Rugs carpet to contest@nwrugs.com OR bring a photo to any NW Rugs Showroom. Make sure to include the rug name/design, purchase date and city, along with your name in the email. We will add the photos to the "Show Your Style" photo album.
If you do not have an NW Rugs carpet to enter into the contest,
you can still be entered into a random drawing to win a $500 Gift Certificate at NW Rugs by voting for one of the photos.
Two easy steps...
1. LIKE the NW Rugs Facebook Page by clicking the LIKE button on our Welcome page
2. To VOTE, Click the LIKE button on your favorite photo.
Leave a comment too if you would like. Tell us why you chose that photo.
People who enter photos can also enter the random drawing by voting - TWO CHANCES to WIN!
Photo entries accepted starting March 3rd, 2012
Start voting March 21st, 2012
You don't want to vote too early in case another fabulous room gets posted after you vote for one already posted.
Show Us Your Style - Enter now and don't forget to cast your vote starting March 21st.
TIPS FOR A WINNING PHOTO
• Photos will be cropped to 576 pixels wide X 432 pixels tall (8" wide x 6" tall). Make sure your photo will display nicely in "landscape" (wider than tall) rather than "portrait" (taller than wide).*Submit a photo up to 2 MB in file size, but not less than 300 KB file size.
•Show the rug. After all, this contest is about how your NW Rugs' carpet enhances your room's overall décor-- Show your style!
The Hadji Jalili workshops were world renowned for producing impeccable Tabriz carpets during the latter part of the 19th Century and into the first quarter of the 20th Century. Their workshops were located in Tabriz, Northwest Iran, and produced fine quality rugs that were characterized by exceptional workmanship. Because of their importance, these rugs were primarily woven for prominent families and elite institutions.
Quality of weave and texture, uniqueness of color, and originality of design are synonymous with Hadji Jalili Pieces. Aesthetically, these carpets are rated among the best on the market. The original Hadji Jalili Tabriz carpets are highly sought by international antique dealers and collectors. Due to the scarcity of these timeless carpets, especially in large sizes, they can command a price into the hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Co-founded by the great-grandson of Masterweaver Hadji Jalili, HJR have revived the Hadji Jalili Tabriz carpets of yesteryear. For over five years, they have dedicated themselves to creating carpets as close to the original Hadji Jalili masterpieces as artistically possible. Accuracy in the weave, the use of signature colors, precision of scale and design have all contributed to the success of this production.
The custom capabilities are endless. Virtually any size, shape, color and design can be produced to exact specifications, including oversized carpets and pieces of unusual dimensions. Hadji Jalili Revivals have created world class carpets that will be the collectible antique of the future, while honoring the original productions.
Key Characteristics of Hadji Jalili Revivals
Only the finest blend of Persian wool is used in the hand weaving of these carpets. Great care has gone into this production to capture the essence of the original carpets but also to suit today's market. The combination of the special weaving technique of the Indian weavers, the hand twisting of the yarn and the choice of Persian highland wool guarantee durability and resilience. These rugs are a beautiful enhancement to any residential setting and are exceptional when displayed in commercial and hospitality settings.
Sizes: 4' x 10' 5' x 7' 6' x 9' 5' x 12' 8' x 10' 9' x 12' 10' x 14' 12' x 15' 12' x 18' 13' x 17' 14' x 17' 14' x 19' 15' x 20' 14' x 22' 15' x 22' 15' x 24'
Nepalese Collection: Hand-woven by artisans on the high mountains of Nepal, the Nepalese Collection is inspired by Art Deco and early modern aesthetic environments. The extra lush pile of the Nepalese rugs feature hand-spun Himalayan wool interwoven with silk accents.
This Tibetan Weave collection brings an ancient weave and fine materials to the present sensibilities of today's interior design. Simple geometric patterns, with muted accents, soft shades and neutral earth tones, are the main visual characteristics of this series.
In a hand-knotted rug, colored yarns are wrapped by hand onto individual warp threads. They are secured by one or more rows of weft. The long pile yarns, which create the design, are sheared to uniform length. Persian and oriental rugs are hand-knotted. All hand-knotted carpets may be generically referred to as “oriental” rugs, regardless of design, because the technique of hand-knotted originated in Asia.
The type of structure familiar to most people is the flat-weave. In a flat-woven rug, colored weft yarns are woven through the warps to create the design. These rugs have no pile. Remember those potholder looms you had as a child? Those potholders were flatweaves. Flatweaves are available at all price points in many different materials - wool, cotton, hemp, etc. Kilims, dhurries, and tapestries are flat-woven.
Tufted or “hand-tufted” rugs are increasingly common. A tufting gun, which works like an oversized needle, is used to punch the yarns through a pre-woven grid foundation. When the rug is finished the back is given a coat of latex to secure the yarns, then covered with cloth or canvas. This is a much faster, less labor-intensive process which does not require any particular skill. These rugs may appear like hand-knotted rugs from the pile side, but are much less durable than hand-knotted rugs.
Another type of rug is the machine-made, in which rugs are woven on mechanical looms. Many of these are made from synthetic yarns such as olefin or nylon. There are some better-quality machine-made rugs that are serviceable in certain applications. Again, they may appear similar to genuine hand-knotted rugs on the pile side, but are not as durable, nor are they unique as they are mass produced.
The short answer is: Quality. An oriental rug is more akin to a work of art than a commodity, and making a hand-knotted rug is an extremely labor-intensive process. (All hand-knotted carpets may be generically referred to as “oriental” rugs, regardless of design, because the technique of hand-knotting originated in Asia, and that is where most of them are made.)
Once a rug’s design and specifications are determined, the design is graphed out on paper (known as a “cartoon”) for the weavers to follow. Yarn is carded and spun, often by hand, and then plied to the appropriate thickness. Next comes the dyeing of the yarn in as many colors as required. Dyeing and drying of the yarn can take ten days or more, depending upon the weather; rain and/or high humidity extends the dyeing and drying times.
The most common material used in creating the pile of an oriental rug is wool. Some are made of silk, or a mixture of wool and silk, and sometimes other fibers as well. While the type of wool used varies from region to region in the rug-weaving countries, it is all derived from descendants of the same ancient breed of fat-tailed Asiatic sheep. Most of these sheep live at high altitudes and/or under extreme conditions, which produces some of the strongest and most resilient wool in the world.
Most carpets are produced on vertical looms, with the weavers sitting in front of the warp threads with the cartoon tucked behind or pinned above. The actual knotting of the carpet consists of tightly wrapping the dyed yarns around a pair of warps, cutting the yarn, then repeating this process horizontally, knot by knot, for the entire width of the foundation. After a row of knots is completed, a weft is passed in and out over the warps and tamped down to secure the knots. As a general rule, one weaver works on a portion of carpet 24”-30” wide; knotting of the carpet occurs at the rate of a few square inches to about 2/3 square foot per weaver per day, depending upon the fineness of the knotting.
When the carpet is completed, it is cut from the loom and sheared to an even pile length, then given a gentle wash to remove loose fibers and any dye residue. Washing and finishing is integral to the process of making a carpet, is again dependent upon weather conditions for the drying of the carpet.
The quality and durability of the hand-knotting process remains technically unsurpassed, which is part of the reason why there are surviving carpet fragments that are many hundreds of years old. The hand-knotting process results in a much denser pile than even the best quality machine-made rug, since the pile is actually knotted to the warp and secured by the weft, not simply interlocked through the foundation. Hand-knotted rugs wear much longer, are more soil- and stain-resistant, and will clean up better than any rug made by machine. When machine-made pile wears down, the visible result is a threadbare foundation. When oriental carpet pile wears down, over many decades, the color and pattern remain distinct because the “collars” of the knots, which form the base of the pile, are still secured to the foundation and conceal the warp and weft.
Oriental rugs have a pleasing imperfection, with each piece varying slightly from the next. Sizes are not exact, and borders may not be perfectly straight. These are not flaws, but important indicators of a handcrafted product. A typical 8×10 rug contains 500,000 to 700,000 hand-tied knots.
A quality oriental rug will never be made by children. Regardless of the “small fingers” myth, children do not have the advanced skills necessary to produce finer-quality carpets. However, many inexpensive orientals are being imported in bulk and sold in warehouse-style furniture stores. There is always a correlation between the cost of labor and materials, and the cost of the finished carpet. If a new carpet is being sold at an unbelievably low price, it is likely that it is either made with inferior materials, perhaps with child labor, or both.
In summary, the labor costs of skilled weavers, and the quality of the materials used, is what makes hand-knotted carpets more expensive than their machined or tufted counterparts. Hand-knotted carpets are simply the best available.
Many thanks to GuildCraftRugs for this informative article.
The art of Tibetan rug making goes through many stages. First, the raw wool is washed by hand to remove dirt and impurities. After the wool is washed and dried in the sun, it is hand-carded repeatedly with two flat combs to straighten and arrange the fibers. When the fiber reaches the desired texture, it is then hand-spun into yarn for weaving.
Tibetan Rug making technique and process
Tibetan rugs are woven on a rectangular, vertical loom. The loom is warped with high-grade cotton from top to bottom. A metal rod is put horizontally across the warp and yarn is looped over the rod, then onto the warp to make a pile. When the whole knot is made, a cotton weft is put across to separate the pile, then combed and condensed with a wooden hammer once the pile is compacted; it is slit with sharp blades across the metal rod to make a pile. This process is repeated until the rug is made. Tibetan Rugs come in 60, 80 and 100 knots, which is 360, 480 and 600, cut ends per square inch.
Hand knoted Rug Variation on the Tibetan knotting system
Density of knotting structure determines the quality of Tibetan rugs. The number of knots refers to the number per square inch. Higher knot counts cost more because it requires more labor, precision and care. Higher knot counts are woven on a finer warp with more tightly spun yarn and produce a finer rug. The beauty of the higher knot count rugs such as 100 knots rugs allow to achieve more articulated and refined designs.
Final Process to complete the Tibetan Rug
When a Tibetan rug is complete, it is taken off the loom and put through a rigorous process whereby all the loose wool fibers are trimmed off by hand to bring uniformity to its surface. Depending on the design, the master cutter trims the edges of the design for it to stand out. After trimming and inspecting, it is washed and sun dried and stretched so to bring perfect symmetry in the rug.
The Tibetan art of weaving has been developed and transformed through time. Its vibrancy, natural harmony and aesthetics are unlike any other. The unique knotting system and the blend of Tibetan Wool and New Zealand wool gives our rugs exceptional visual depth of field and endless color possibilities unlike any other rugs in the world. Visit one of our seven showrooms to experience the exceptional beauty of Tibetan rugs.
Thanks to Shangri-La Rugs in Berkeley, California for this information.
Bukhara (Uzbek: Buxoro, Tajik: Бухоро, Persian: بُخارا, Russian: Бухара), also transliterated Bukhoro and Bokhara, from the Soghdian βuxārak ("lucky place"), is the capital of the Bukhara Province (viloyat) of Uzbekistan. The nation's fifth-largest city, it has a population of 237,900 (1999 census estimate). The region around Bukhara has been inhabited for at least five millennia and the city itself has existed for half that time. Located on the Silk Road, the city has long been a center of trade, scholarship, culture, and religion. The historic center of Bukhara, which contains numerous mosques and madrassas, has been listed by UNESCO as one of the World Heritage Sites. (Wikipedia)
Bokhara rug designs have originated from the Samarkand and Bokhara Region. Bokhara rugs hold a high place in history and compete with the best in the world. Bokharas are a traditional piece of art suitable for any interior decor. Bokhara rug popularity has been on the increase in recent years and the quality are workmanship very consistent with ancient methods. (Rugbiz)
Bokhara rugs have small, repeating geometric designs and are normally fine quality. A popular Bokhara design, the elephant foot and octagonal 'gul' motifs tend to work well in both small and large spaces. Our Design Consultant, Jacque Hubl says of this paricular rug and design scheme...
"Bokhara is a favorite of mine because of its bright, lively vibrant color and its simple repetitive pattern. It instantly makes a space look rich. Also, pairing it with the modern bone leather sectional brought out the contemporary features of the rug even though the design is one of the oldest."
They are made of finely spun, soft wool. New Zealand wool is commonly used, and this can make a shiny, glossy finish that almost looks like silk. Fine examples are often closely clipped (so that their intricate designs are crisp and clear), but some are left especially thick for their quality.Red and rust fields are most common colors, but can have ivory, navy, green, slate, teal, peach, rose or orange backgrounds. (Rugbiz)
The graphic nature of the design makes the Bokhara rug a versitle design element for both traditional and contemporary modern spaces. Their lustre, vibrancy and overall symetry ground a design concept while adding a sense of sublte drama and luxury.
a What makes hand-woven Indian Rugs
as affordable as they are beautiful?
Whether the centerpiece of an elegantly furnished living room or adding style to a high traffic area, a hand-woven rug from India enhances any space. For centuries, all the rugs woven by hand in India and the other rug-making countries were one-of-a-kind. These “unique creations” were priced like paintings and other original works of art, which made them unaffordable to all but the most affluent.
To adapt to changing decorative tastes and trends – and accommodate a broader range of budgets – a few innovative area rug manufacturers began modifying traditional Persian and other classic designs in the early 1980’s. The enthusiastic response to these new interpretations led to the production of an array of designs in a range of sizes, and in a variety of designer-influenced color combinations. However, unlike machine-made floor coverings, these new hand-woven rugs were produced in limited quantities, and in the same painstaking way as the one-of-a-kind carpets, helping maintain their value.
The new production process also offered the option of customizing rugs to meet special size requirements and individual design and/or color preferences. In short, this revolutionary development, along with the emergence of new weaving techniques and materials, not only made hand-woven Indian rugs much more affordable, it also opened up a host of new and exciting ways to incorporate area rugs into homes, apartments, and commercial spaces.
Presented by CARPET EXPORT PROMOTION COUNCIL in cooperation with the Oriental Rug Importers Association. For the complete .pdf of “A Shopper’s Guide to Hand-Woven Rugs from India” click here.
Jaipur Rugs is one of the renowned market players engaged in the manufacturing and export business of superior quality wool, wool-silk, pure silk and contemporary rugs and carpets. Founded in the year 1999, by Mr. Nand Kishore Chaudhary, a person with an experience of 30 years in the carpet business, today Jaipur Rugs has emerged as a name to reckon with in the field of manufacturing of pure Indian high quality carpets & rugs. a a "Jaipur Rugs Company offers exquisite collections of rugs, beautifully handcrafted by the master weavers of Jaipur India. In the true sense, the real credit for delivering mind blowing & stupendous pieces of art work undoubtedly goes to the hard working weavers who come up with imaginative, innovative ideas & designs derived from life. At Jaipur Rugs Company, weavers are given the freedom of expression in the artistic zone. Our weavers have inherited their craftsmanship skills from their forefathers. Generation after generation, the tradition has been passed and our weavers have become experts in their own way. Creative images as flowers, animate objects, motifs, legends, significant stories from the pages of history to name a few, all find a place on the intricately woven surfaces of these rugs & carpets. The uniquely designed home furnishing material showcases the weavers' firm hold on the complicated art." a Design Styles in the Jaipur Handmade Collection Include:
OPUS:Traditional styles with Transitional flare. Awash with lush inviting fields of earth tones, te Opus collection’s rugs literally bloom with all manner of flower that invites all to enjoy the luxurious hand and exceptional artisan craftsmanship. 100% handspun New Zealand wool. The wool is colored to give the yarn an abrash appearance.Sizes: 6x9, 8x10, 9x12, 10x14.
ATLANTIS:Jaipur’s most popular collection. New Zealand wool. Soft, inviting and attractive. Sizes: 4x6, 6x9, 8x10, 9x12, 10x14, 12x15.
ROYALE:Elegance and luxury with intricate, complex designs and rich powerful colors. Unrivaled beauty, clarity and luster. New Zealand wool. Universal styling and appeal works with any décor. Sizes: 6x9, 8x10, 9x12, 10x14, 6’ & 8’ round; 2’6”x8’, 2’6”x10’, 2’6”x12’.
PRESIDENTIAL:Pure, dense, plush. New Zealand wool. Timeless colors.
NW RUGS - So Much More... Service, Selection, Style! We are thrilled that you have taken time to visit today & we look forward to hearing your comments and/or questions.
This is our promise for every customer, everyday. Come and let us impress you with our service, selection and style. We are confident we can make your in-store experience enjoyable and worth your time. Being a 1-stop decor destination, we will save you time because of our vast and varied selection. Many choices made easy, fast and economical.
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NW RUGS - The West Coast Leader in Rugs
NW Rugs has been a leading supplier of area rugs to homeowners, businesses, and designers and their clients for over 17 years. With 25,000+ rugs in stock from many different countries, finding the perfect rug is easy. Our tenured staff of customer service oriented professionals is commited to providing superior service and competitive pricing. NW Rugs stands above the rest as a resource for rugs.
