History of Area Rugs

Remember Lawrence of Arabia? A National Geographic moment: drifting, blowing sand, clomping camels, and nomad camps in the background constructed of “Eureka” - area rugs !

Picture a tent covered inside and out with colorful, brilliantly woven compact designs. Some of them are blowing in the gentle breeze…perhaps a flying carpet? Or at the very least spot a carpet bag, the model for early luggage. Well - maybe not Gucci or Louis Vuitton.

These beautiful coverings for housing, floors, tables, beds and more, were originally crudely woven reed rugs and animal hides. As time passed designs evolved and a finely woven, colorful rug often became a family’s proudest possession because of versatility and exquisite detail.

Rugs from Turkey, India, Persia, Belgium and a number of other countries, in both the Asian and Western weaving traditions, are as popular today as they were necessary for the lifestyle centuries ago.

Intricate and elaborate, woven with wool, and some with polypropene for durability, this type of floor covering will last a lifetime and is a wise investment.

You might cover your floors like a Sultan with “Sultanabad” an exotic design from the Turkish Kashmir collection. The Safavieh brands reflect both antique and historical reproductions as well as contemporary and designer rugs.

Say you envy the traditional styles but find your paycheck will only permit the more economical modern classics. No problem. Either selection is readily available today in prices from under $100 to over $1,000.