FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT RUGS & KILIMS
1. What is a kilim?2. Why are our rugs and kilims special?
3. What are plant/vegetable dyes?
4. How long does it take to make a handmade kilim or a carpet?
5. What are the meaning of patterns and motifs on rugs and kilims?
6. Why are handmade carpets, rug and kilims rising in value?
7. What are some gift and decoration ideas that rugs and kilims can be used for?
8. Why do hand-woven rugs and kilims have a planned "imperfection"?
9. What are the sizes of oriental carpets, rugs and kilims and what are they called?
10. What is the difference between wool and synthetic rugs?
11. What are some facts on Wool?
12. How to choose a rug?
13. What are some tips for selecting an area rug?
14. What are some proper care and maintenance points for rugs and carpets?
1. What is a kilim?
Kilim is a Turkish word that means flat-woven Oriental rug. It is made like the Navajo rugs, without a pile. Kilims have always been a significant element of the Analtolian culture, people of this old land used Kilims for many different purposes like wall hangings, ornamented storage sacks called "cuval", as well as saddlebags, tent panels, and covers. It is produced by one of several flatweaving techniques, with geometric designs in rich, brilliant colors. Most of the kilims are reversible.2.Why are our rugs and kilims special?
All of our rugs and kilims are hand-woven by native women of Anatolian villages. They are made from natural wool and mostly vegetable dyes. As all the rugs are handmade, you are assured of getting a distinctive, one of a kind classic work of craftsmanship.3.What are plant/vegetable dyes?
Today a carpet is usually made using commercially available chemical dyes. Vegetable dyes are nearly only used by rugs and kilims that are hand woven by the villagers. The paints are produced by natives of the villages. Pine husk and rubia plants are used for the red color, oleander and develik plants are used for green colors. Some other plants used in dye development are Madder root, indigo, St. John's wort, onion, saffron, sumach, camomile, rhubarb, turmeric, sage, poppy, buckthorn, quince, almond, walnut, chestnut and henna. It is said that when using natural dyes one never can achieve the exact same shade of a color a second time. This is one of the things that make every kilim unique.4.How long does it take to make a handmade kilim or a carpet?
This is based on the size of the carpet, the materials used, the knot count, the design, the skill of the weave, and scheduling or time allotted for the item. Some large carpets and high knot count silk carpets can take years to finish. It takes almost a week to weave one square meter of a kilim.Bact to Top
5.What are the meaning of patterns and motifs on rugs and kilims?
Kilims have their own language, each different pattern on a kilim have another meaning that the weavers usually young women express their feelings. A kilim is more than a rug; in ancient times, it said what words could not. Today, the beautiful patterns that adorn these traditional rugs remind us both of simpler times and the hardships our ancestors endured. For example, in ancient Turkish tribes, when a girl loved someone, she could not tell her parents due to her innocence. However, as love overwhelmed her, she would express her feelings knot by knot into a kilim. For example, the "Chain" motif sends the message that she wants to marry her lover soon and have lots of children. You will see that these motifs are still used in kilims today. To learn more about the meaning of these motifs please visit our Symbols on Rugs & Kilims page.6.Why are handmade carpets, rug and kilims rising in value?
As traditions and the number of weavers diminish in the primary carpet making countries it is getting harder to find these beautiful handmade art forms. While more people around the world understand the value of handmade versus manufactured carpets, rugs and kilims and sees them as investments the demand for these unique and valuable cultural heritages are increasing. In conclusion the supply is decreasing and demand is increasing which is rising the value of handmade carpets, rugs and kilims.7. What are some gift and decoration ideas that rugs and kilims can be used for?
Handmade kilims and rugs are original gift choices that the recipients can use for many years while remembering you. They would make wonderful housewarming and wedding gifts, as well as excellent mother's day gift. Handmade kilims and rugs woven from natural materials, such as wool, are great for covering couches or benches. Natural materials on large sofas, couches or benches soften the room and respond to our "touch" feel. Rearranging your furniture will make a difference but you might try an area rug on the floor, or creatively, on your furniture. Using small area rugs and kilims as wall hangings will also change the ambiance of the room significantly.8.Why do hand-woven rugs and kilims have a planned "imperfection"?
As a tradition, a carpet weaver puts a planned imperfection in the design as recognition that "only God is perfect". A challenge is finding this part of the carpet different from the design pattern. Besides this due to the hand woven production style of these kilims an abrash, a slight change of color caused by using a new yarn from a different dye lot by the weaver, can be seen in most of the kilims. Nevertheless, since abrash is the proof of authenticity and uniqueness, some people seek for kilims and rugs with abrash.Bact to Top
9. What are the sizes of oriental carpets, rugs and kilims and what are they called?
Taban:The term 'taban' usually refers to a rug or a kilim larger than 9 X 6 ft. in size. These are used mainly for floor decoration purposes. Amongst collectors, they are generally not as popular as Seccade.
Karyola:
Karyola usually refers to rugs smaller than 9 X 6 ft. in size, but larger than 4 X 8 ft. These are extensively used for both floors and walls.
Seccade:
Seccade, known as prayer rugs, is among the most popular size of rugs and kilims, used for ritualistic prayers. These are typically 2-4 ft wide and 4-8 ft. long. They are often adorned with special religious motifs and prayers written in local scripts.
Runner:
Runner is the term usually applied to a rug or a kilim measuring not more than 2-3 ft wide and about 6-20 ft. in length. These are used most often to adorn narrow areas like hallways and stairways.
Ceyrek:
Ceyrek kilims' dimensions are usually about 3 X 4 ft.
Mini:
Mini kilims are the smallest kilims. These are not more than 2 ft in both width and length. These are used mainly for service tray covers or small table covers.
Yastik:
These are smaller size kilims for pillow covers. Special Types: These are rectangular bags of varying sizes, typically made in pairs. Other terms for similar weavings are torba and mafrash.
10. What is the difference between wool and synthetic rugs?
Synthetic fibers are used exclusively in machine made rugs. One of the greatest advantages of synthetic rugs is a byproduct of the fiber being non-porous. This means that it is inherently stain proof and resists soiling and staining from almost any chemical. Synthetic fiber rugs are also more affordable than a wool rug. Wool fiber is available in both machine and hand made rugs. Wool is the traditional fiber used in fine hand made Oriental rugs. Wool not only wears longer, it also keeps its good appearance and stays new looking longer. Each wool fiber is made up of millions of "coiled springs" that stretch and give rather than break, and so wool is extremely durable. Wool rugs absorb dyes differently than synthetic rugs giving them a more authentic look. Wool, one of the oldest textile fibers known, has survived the test of time because of its unique natural properties. The basic characteristics wool possessed in the Stone Age era, for instance, are still the fundamental qualities that make wool unique in this century. Today there are many other textile fibers, but as yet science has not been able to produce another fiber containing all the natural properties of wool. Wool remains unique; a masterpiece of design.11. What are some facts on Wool?
Wool is water repellent, fire resistant, and naturally elastic. It wears longer, is versatile, resists static and dirt, insulates against noise, dyes beautifully12. How to choose a rug?
Whether you are looking for a way to add those finishing touches to a new room or revitalize a not so new room, an area rug is the fastest way to change the mood or character of a room. In addition to its aesthetics and design characteristics, an area rug can help absorb the noise level in a room with hardwood, tile or other hard surface floors, it can also add warmth and charm. There's an endless array of rug styles and designs to choose from. They vary from Oriental to Persian, contemporary to traditional and European to Native American designs. In addition to the design of the area rug, the next variable is the size of the area rug. There are several common area rug sizes, 4x6, 6x9 and 9x11. The smaller area and scatter rugs can be ideal for adorning smaller spaces, while large sizes work very well for dining rooms, kitchens and living rooms. Most area rugs are rectangular in shape, however you can add flair and make the area rug the focal point of your room by choosing a round or octagonal shape. While area rugs were originally hand made rugs, the term currently refers to both hand made and machine made rugs. Hand made rugs are the benchmark for the area rug industry. Machine made rugs can imitate the patterns used in the most popular of the hand made designs, at a lower price. Hand made area rugs are usually made of wool or silk or other natural fibers, while machine made rugs can be made from both natural and synthetic fibers. The pricing for area rugs is varied and is generally based on several factors; machine made v. hand made, synthetic v. natural fibers, and size. Machine made rugs are not surprisingly sold at a fraction of the cost of hand made rugs. Area rugs made of synthetic fibers are normally less expensive than those made of natural fibers. And of course, the size of the rug will also determine the price.Bact to Top
13. What are some tips for selecting an area rug?
- Remember, the rug has to fit the room and it can do so in more ways than one. You should consider how the room is used, how much traffic the area gets, how it will be viewed and under what light. For high-traffic areas such as hallways and foyers, you may want a durable, patterned rug. · Choose a rug that will perform well, with the right combination of density and fiber. The denser the pile, (with closer tufts or stitches), the better your rug will wear. Synthetic yarns - nylon, polyester, acrylic, and polypropylene "olefin" - and the naturals - wool and cotton - are durable, soft, and easy to clean. · Machine-made rugs often look strikingly similar to the hand made kind, but they're usually much less expensive. And as a reminder, you should consider the fringe. If the rug you like has fringe be careful when using the vacuum cleaner. · A light colored rug makes a room look more spacious, while deeper colors help make a room feel cozy. · If you have the opportunity, you may want to start with a totally empty room, choose a rug first, then paint or paper the walls in colors found in the rug. Choose furniture that will enhance the colors or patterns found in the rug. · If you already have your furniture, choose a rug that picks up the colors used in your furnishing patterns. Patterns can be mixed if they are coordinated by color. Elements of a rug design can be further incorporated into the overall design scheme. · A rug with a bold, overall design can be the focal point of a room, choose a chair or sofa in solid or subdued patterns. · Don't underestimate the value of an underlay or pad. Protect your new area rug with a proper padding. Not only will the pad absorb the impact of feet and noise, it will reduce wear and tear on the rug and make vacuuming easier. A proper rug pad will also prevent the rug from sliding on hardwood or laminate flooring. · Lastly, when buying a rug, make sure to select from a reputable dealer with a wide selection and a guarantee on their merchandise.
14. What are some proper care and maintenance points for rugs and carpets?
Most area rugs will last a lifetime with proper care and maintenance. However, there are four factors that rugs fear the most: grit, moisture, moths and general wear. The suggestions below will help combat these factors and give your rug extended life. Regular, but simple, care on your area rug helps counter the abuse your rug suffers and help it retain its beauty. What other home furnishing is walked all over?Vacuum: Vacuum every few days in high traffic areas, and once a week in less-used areas. Use a well-functioning vacuum cleaner, with an enclosed, efficient, dirt, grit and dust-catching bag. Most rugs today have been treated for stain and soil resistance, but stain resistant does not necessarily mean, "stain proof." Address spills quickly and remove them as soon as possible to afford the easiest spot removal. Act preventively and avoid contact with difficult spots that are hard to remove - makeup, pesticides, disinfectants, iodine, mustard, and plant food products. Have area rugs cleaned on a regular schedule, before it begins to show soil - a schedule of every 1 to 3 years by a professional cleaning company is reasonable for well traveled areas of the home. The frequency depends on the traffic, climate, location and geography.
Rotation: The rug should be rotated once per year, especially in well-trafficked areas. The bright sunlight can damage the dyes used in some rugs. Also, the wear patterns will be even by rotation.
Padding: A good quality pad can extend the life of your rug. It can also prevent slipping and slip/fall accidents.
Moths: Moths and Carpet Beetles can do extensive damage to you rug. They can eat the pile as well as the foundation. Check your rug regularly on the back for signs of damage. Home | Site Map | Contact | Security & Privacy | Customer Service | FAQ's About Rugs
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