A fascinating thing to note about this red animal themed Persian rug is the location which influenced its style. For the last few decades, tensions between the United States and Iran in the political arena have clouded what was before a close relationship in culture and the arts. This is mirrored by the fact that the Hamadan Mehraban type of Persian rug is influenced by the recommendation of a certain Mr. S. Tyriakian of New York who suggested Americans would prefer rose-field carpets with blue borders and detached floral motives. The style would later be called the ‘American Sarouk’.

This red animal themed Persian rug is an example of an ‘American Sarouk’ made in Mehraban, a district of north Hamadan in Iran. The rug shows animals native to Iran such as goats and what I believe are lambs. Whilst Western influenced, the Persian rug is still richly in the style of traditional Persian rug designs which have gained popularity worldwide. In fact, the English artist and textile designer William Morris was a great admirer of Persian weaving and much of his work was inspired by Persian art.

The colors of Persian rugs are beautiful and this is the case with this animal themed Persian Mehraban rug. A deep red acts as the background whilst accent colors such as blue, beige, green and reddy-brown merge together to form what can only be described as ‘eye-candy’. If you have a fondness for Persian rugs and admire, like I do, the rich and beautiful colors that comprise Iranian art and design, then this animal themed red Persian rug will make a wonderful addition to your home interior.

In most cases it will look best on the floor where it can be admired such as in a living room, bedroom or hallway. It can also be attached to a wall or placed on a large table as a decorative room accent.

You can see a larger picture of this red Persian rug as well as purchasing details and further information at the following location: Animal Themed Red Persian Mehraban Rug Made in Iran.

Price: $175

The city of Gorgan is famous for the Great Wall of Gorgan but the Fruit House has its own wall which surrounds the property. The barrier provides both security and privacy, the latter of which is the main reason for the family’s desire to spend the weekends in peace and quiet away from the busy and bustling life of Tehran. It’s due to the family’s 13 year-old son that the house was given a fruit theme which can loosely be seen in the style of the interiors.

The family commissioned well known Iranian architects to design the property. Apart from giving the instructions that the house must have two bedrooms and be of a rustic nature, pretty much everything else was up to the young architects Mohammadreza Ghodousi and Parsa Ardam, the founders of ZAV Design & Built Company based in Tehran. There was an added request made by the wife which was to make the interior white and with a lot of natural light.

It took three years to complete Fruit House and cost the family $20,000. The home impressed a panel of judges in Iran and they gave it third place in a competition for residential work in 2008. The family were also delighted with the results, the husband stating: “We left everything up to them, I think it’s the best decision I’ve ever made.”

Across the living room walls are lines from an 18th century poem which have been written in Arabic calligraphy. These are quite common in Persian homes and are something that can be considered for your own homes in North America or wherever you reside. The calligraphy in your case doesn’t have to be Arabic. It can be in any font or language you decide upon. The Arabic calligraphy in this Iranian home is very elegant and this contrasts well with the rough hewn style of the wooden dining room table made from pine wood.

One notices in the hallway, a circular skylight which is another feature common to Iranian architecture and style. This provides further access for natural light to filter into the open plan space of the Fruit Home in the city of Gorgan.

In the kitchen area, beside the dining table, there is a three-layered bench also made from wood which was specifically designed to hold fruit. A coffee table is also present which was once a munitions box from the war between Iran and Iraq in the 1980s. This has been covered in decorative cloth.

Little niches in the wall offer places where dishes, textiles, urns and ornaments can be kept and shown. These are carved into the wall. Small incandescent lights that have been recessed into the ceiling contribute to the swathes of natural light that fill the interiors during the day time.