Area Rugs 101: Cognitive Rug Therapy for the Decoratively Challenged

After reading an article on consumer trends for 2010 in one of my design industry trade publications, I learned that one of the most popular products for 2010 will be area rugs. This inspired me to create this next blog series Area Rugs: Cognitive Rug Therapy for the Decoratively Challenged.

Let's start the first entry off  by featuring one of my favorite type's of rugs: the Kilim rug. Kilims are flat tapestry-woven carpets or rugs produced from the Balkans to Pakistan. Kilims can be purely decorative or can function as prayer rugs.

According to Wikipedia, because kilims are cheaper than pile rugs, beginning carpet collectors often start with them. Despite what many perceive as their secondary (or inferior) status to pile carpets, kilims have become increasingly collectible in themselves over recent years, with quality pieces now commanding high prices.

What some sensed as inferiority was actually a different nature of rugs woven for indigenous use as opposed to rugs woven on a strictly commercial basis. Because kilims were not a major export article, there were no foreign market pressures changing the designs, as happened with pile carpets. Once collectors began to value authentic village weaving, kilims became popular.

Kilim rugs are great for those who tend towards the bohemian, eclectic, tribal or wordly look for their interiors. To see Kilim "in action" check out this Flickr slideshow below:



Designer's Note: Rugs are often a great source of inspiration for a color palette for your room or your entire home. If you're not sure where to begin in choosing a paint color, start with a rug and keep in mind the 60-30-10 Rule when choosing your hues.

For great deals and resources on Kilim rugs check out:

Geometric Kilim Runner from World Market

The Oliver Kilim Rug from Pottery Barn

Kilim Rugs on Overstock.com


If you've got a rug-related design dillemma, simply click here to Ask Dr. Dotty, Interiority Complex's very own resident Design Therapist!



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