Vintage Rugs

Vintage Rugs

Antique rugs are known as the lovely Kashans, Kermans, and Oushaks that are so legendary in traditional decor, but in this world of thick pile and intricate weaving, vintage rugs reign supreme in the world of contemporary design.  The time span to constitute a vintage rug is generally twentieth century, from the time of Art Deco to the 1970’s, and they can generally be divided into three main categories: Moroccan, Scandinavian, and the aforementioned Art Deco.  Of course there are vintage rugs which don’t fall under any of those three categories, but for the purposes of this blog post, those are the three categories. 

            Moroccan rugs have been similarly designed and produced for hundreds of years.  The styles differ as each region—stretching from the foothills of the Atlas Mountains to the coastal city of Rabat—have their own distinctive styles.  The traditional designs of the Berbers and other Moroccan weavers appealed to mid-century modernists for their bright colors or neutral tones, simple design, and rustically abstract appearance.  Moroccan rugs were popularized by the likes of Le Corbusier, Alvar Aalto, and Arne Jacobson. 

Vintage Moroccan Rug

            Like Moroccan rugs, Scandinavian rugs also have a long history of traditional design, dating back to at least the sixteenth century.  They are distinct with solid colors and geometric shapes, though in the twentieth century, the designs became more colorful and abstract, yet still nods to the northern weaving tradition.  Marta Maas Fjatterstorm was perhaps the most prolific mid-century Swedish weaver, leaving behind extraordinary creations that are highly valued and sought after today. 

Vintage Swedish Rug by Marta Maas Fjatterstorm

            The Art Deco movement spanned from the Roaring Twenties, through the Great Depression, and to the brink of the Second World War.  It is one of the most definitive styles of vintage rugs, encompassing a large umbrella of styles, origins, and techniques.  During this time, carpet design transitioned from traditional millefleurs and allover floral designs to more angular and abstract styles, whilst maintaining elegance.  

Vintage Art Deco Rug by Emile Jacque Ruhlmann

Antiques: the Environmentally-Responsible Choice

Antiques: the Environmentally-Responsible Choice

18th Century Kaitag Daghestan Embroidery

As an educated and conscientious shopper, you’re probably concerned about protecting the environment. You may take reusable shopping bags into stores, purchase energy-efficient fluorescent bulbs or buy drought-resistant plants that don’t take much watering. Purchasing antiques takes this concern about the environment to the next level. It also communicates to others that you value quality and permanence over cheap, throwaway goods. Here are some reasons why antiques are the perfect choice for those who want to preserve our resources for future generations.

1. Quality antiques won’t end up in a landfill.

Many contemporary designs will be outdated a few years from now. Since most people don’t want to store items in their attics in hopes that they will come back in style, out-of-date pieces are usually carted off to the thrift store or to the dump. Either way, trendy styles typically make their way to a landfill sooner or later.

2. No trees or land need to be sacrificed.

Even renewable materials like bamboo require that many acres be devoted to bamboo farms, often in third-world countries. Those are acres that won’t be used for growing food crops for citizens of those countries.

3. There is no factory waste involved.

Whether a factory dyes fabrics or produces wood products, there is some industrial waste created. Repurposing existing pieces of furniture and accessories helps save the water and air from further pollution.

4. High-quality antiques won’t need to be updated in a few years.

Most people who want their homes to look top-notch replace their furniture or rugs on a regular basis. The current pieces either go out of style or become worn. Antiques are expected to have a bit of wear or fading; it gives the room a feeling of timelessness. You will find, though, that antiques wear far more slowly than contemporary pieces. The materials—hard woods, densely woven fabrics, solid metals—were crafted to last.

The best part is that antiques never go out of style, no matter how many fads come and go. Traditional pieces can also be paired with contemporary accents, giving a look that’s elegant but not too stuffy.

5. Quality antiques can be passed down for generations.

Every antique can be passed down, even if you don’t have antique-lovers in your own family. Since antiques increase in value, very few are simply thrown out over the years. This makes these pieces a valuable investment in the environment—not just for today but for years to come.

So the next time you are looking for rugs, take a look at the collection on the Nazmiyal Antique Carpets Website. Buying Vintage rugs / antique oriental rugs and help protect mother nature!

Buy Antique & Vintage Rugs To Help Save The Environment

Interior design - Decorating with antiques to save the environment

Eco Friendly Moroccan Rugs

The use of antique and prayer rugs and textiles gives a home owner the opportunity to introduce a flare of sophistication to their personal space. By decorating with antiques, a homebuyer or decorator can rest assure that they are not only adding style and personality to their home, but are also doing their part towards living a greener life. Antiques, especially rare and antique textiles, provide their owner with the quality of yesterday that continues to withstand the daily use of today.

Most decorating items that are manufactured today, are not regulated by laws such as eco-conscious practices. In turn, this leads to a negative impact on our environment and jeopardizes our environment for generations to come. By decorating with antiques, you can rest assure that your rare items are being reused in the most efficient way possible. This decreases our carbon footprint dramatically because new items are not being created in nonregulated factories.

Buyers can not denying the quality that comes with antique oriental rugs and vintage rugs (as an example). Manufacturers were definitely held to a higher standard in the past. This is why rare textiles continue to be very sought after decorating items. By breathing life back into an antique rug, you're able to show off your personality and creativity with a one-of-a-kind item while being confident of its eco-conscious sources.

By purchasing antique textiles, you are able to decrease the need for both the new and raw materials that would otherwise be used to create a new piece. In turn, this also helps to reduce the impact that manufacturing has on our environment and the ozone layer. This direct correlation between manufacturers and the ozone layer stems from unsafe manufacturing which emits harsh and dangerous toxins into our atmosphere. As a buyer of rare and antique pieces, you are doing your part to make sure that this danger is avoided.

Antique items are very beneficial to their collectors because they have already done their offgassing because of their age. This ensures that your collector’s piece will not have any impact on your indoor air quality. New items often admit unknown gases and substances into the air without the buyer's knowledge. This creates an unsafe level of air quality and any home or workplace, which has the potential to negatively affect people as well as pets that share the space.

It is a big misconception that newer items are considered to be better when decorating. The purchase of antique and rare items not only gives you a peace of mind when it comes to leading a healthier eco friendly and greener life, but they also provide a much-needed personality boost to your space. This sophisticated and worldly characteristic is very hard to come by in new items.

Vintage Rugs

The Artistry of Vintage Rugs

Vintage Rugs

I had just moved into my first new place and I had no idea where to start with my interior design. I had a clean slate on which to paint all my creative ideas but I was having a difficult time pulling all my desires together. I wanted a cohesive design, not the confusing mixture of old and new furniture in different finishes and styles that my previous home had consisted of. I thought if I found just one piece that spoke to me, I would have my starting point for my entire decor. When my eyes fell upon a vintage rug on display in the window of an antique rug dealer, it all finally made sense.

For me, the word vintage evokes an entirely different feeling than the word antique. Describing something as vintage makes it sound more eclectic and dated, but in a good way. Using the word antique brings thoughts of something older and perhaps more delicate and classic. Antiques tend to have a higher inherent monetary value while vintage objects hold a more sentimental connotation.

I felt such wistful wonder as I admired the beauty of the vintage rug in the store. It appealed to my love of color with its unique mixture of hues and it drew my eye endlessly across its modernist weaving pattern. When I ran my fingers lightly over the fabric it felt both delicate and durable and I was left trying to decide if I wanted to lay it on my floor or hang it on my wall. The artistry of it lent it to being both floor covering and tapestry.

I memorized the colors and patterns of that vintage rug and returned home to do a bit more research on the history of it. Vintage rug designs originated in the 1920's and got their influence from countries such a France, Germany, China and Scandinavia. Most notably known for defining the style of vintage rugs are the countries in Scandinavia, more specifically Sweden. This style of rug even has origins in Morocco and it's fascinating that the combination of colors and weaving patterns is found in so many different cultures.

Vintage rugs are a fitting accent for both modern and contemporary interior design. Their flexibility as a compliment to decor is why they are experiencing new resurgence. With so many different focal points to them, vintage rugs are truly capable of pulling together or launching the entire theme of a room.