May 16 2006
Buying Old Rugs
We have a few tips to make the process easy, and enjoyable. If at all possible, start the design of a room by first finding the rug. There are many fabric swatches that will complement a fabulous rug. While not impossible, it is more restricting to find rugs that will work with fabrics.
To begin the adventure of buying a rug two things must be established before we have fun. We need to know size, and you need to establish a budget. Measure your room; determine the minimum and maximum size you can use. Determine the use of the room. Are your purposes and/or aesthetic sense served better by one large rug, or several smaller rugs?
Now you have established the size; lets move on to the budget. You want something that you truly love; you want to get the best piece you can afford. Antiques, undoubtedly, are the most beautiful. Therefore they tend to be more expensive than new. For a 9×12 antique rug, you need to figure on spending at least $15000. If this is beyond your budget, do not despair, some of the new productions are fantastic. Naturally the 9×12 that costs $3000 will probably not be as interesting, or as pleasing as the one for $7500.
Once you have determined the size and budget, the adventure of finding the right rug for you can begin. If you have already picked a color scheme, or are buying a rug for an already furnished room, make sure you bring swatches with you.
Once you have selected a rug, or rugs, most reputable dealers are happy to have you view the rug in your home, before finalizing the sale. Usually the moment you see the rug in your space, you will know if it is the right one for you.
The end product, the purchase, should be as enjoyable, educational and fulfilling as the search itself.
