As anyone familiar with the tribes of North-West Africa will guess, the Berber carpet is named after the nomadic Berber tribes found in this region of the world. These people have used these particular weaving techniques for thousands of years and for a very good reason. By the day, the deserts of North Africa are scorching hot but by night, the temperature can plummet and the air becomes very cold. The tribe’s people thus made use of this fabric to wrap themselves up in during the night and still do to this day.

The Berber tribe mostly used camel hair or wool but nowadays, Berber carpets can be found in a variety of materials including olefin and nylon. Most carpets of this type are found in lighter colors and tones such as off-white and cream and this is the traditional style the carpet is found in. However, there are more modern designs which make use of darker colors.

The main benefit of Berber carpets, apart from their attractive appearance, is their ability to withstand wear and tear. A carpet of this type placed in an area where people often tread, will stand up to the test of time very well. The same goes for the onslaught that is vacuum cleaning. Some rugs can be damaged by the vacuum process, but this isn’t the case with the sturdy Berber rug. That said, if you buy the cheapest type of Berber, then don’t expect it to be as strong as the mid-priced and expensive versions. This is usually the case with any item you buy.

The main drawback of a Berber carpet is the fact that it doesn’t stand up well to stains. You can find stain-resistant Berber carpets and these are ideal for more messy areas of the home but in general, the rug will need to be taken to a professional cleaning service if damaged in this way. The dense fibres also mean that any dirt that finds its way into the carpet will be relatively difficult to get out again. If you have cats, it’s also likely to be highly attractive to them as a scratching post due to its particular weave and thus at risk of being unravelled.

There are pros and cons to every type of carpet and the benefits and risks need to be weighed up in relation to your home and lifestyle. That said, a Berber carpet is very beautiful and comes to a lot of cultural history behind it. It’s hard to imagine this type of carpet not being a good fit into most styles of home décor.

Tabriz Persian rugs are named after the city and region from where they originate. Tabriz is the fourth largest city in Iran and is situated in the West of the country in the East Azerbaijan Province which is close to the Turkish and Azerbaijan border. The city has been recognised as the most prolific of Persian rug making centers and is famed worldwide for the quality and ultra-high standards of the rugs made there. It’s interesting to note that most people in the city of Tabriz are considered Azeris, a Turkic-speaking ethnic group, rather than Persians.

There are a wide variety of Tabriz Persian rug designs but most usually share common characteristics apart from their city of origin. The majority feature dense floral patterns like the one showcased in this post which in composed of a multitude of purple and red flowers and similar decorative attributes. Geometric designs and medallions can also be seen in many Tabriz rugs and again, these are also present in the example above. Other rug designs include images of hunting scenes, vases and pictorial motifs of objects common to the Persian and Azeri region of the world.

Buy here: Purple and Red Tabriz Persian Rug.

This particular 6′ 10 x 9′ 9 Tabriz Persian rug is one of a kind and has been aged so as to provide a classical and old-worldly look to your interior. You can read about the materials, colors, condition and purchasing details on the product page above.

The comfortable synthetic carpeting comes with secure rubber backing which grips to the underlying floor. Each set comes in just one color but when purchased with another one or two sets, the jigsaw rug arrangement possibilities become a lot more interesting. There are thirteen different colors available and these include, to name but a few, beige, fuchsia, ivory, pink, red and turquoise.

The jigsaw puzzle rug segments can be ordered in any which way you so desire. One can make a long line of them to highlight a long room or arrange them in a more regular rug style to sit beneath a coffee table. This type of fun jigsaw carpet is also great for children’s rooms where they can form the basis of a play area which can then become toys in themselves.

Students will also find these an attractive accessory to take with them to College where they can bring an impressive and much sought after flooring style to a dorm room. The jigsaw carpet pieces are ideal for people of all ages and tastes, plus with the color variety and design variations on offer, there are a wide range of possibilities to be explored.

You can buy these segment floor covering sets here: Imperial Jigsaw Puzzle Rug and Carpet.

Prize: $99

The novelty Santa rug is designed to last a long time and has been developed using special (and safe) chemical solutions which protect against stains and soiling. Premium nylon fibres ensure durability not seen in many a rug one can find. For functionality and festive aesthetics, the Christmas themed rug which shows Santa placing presents into a stocking, is right at the top of its league. This is why America’s Milliken Rugs are world renowned for their excellence too.

You can buy this novelty rug here: Milliken Winter Santa’s Visit Novelty Christmas Rug.

Here’s another picture showing what this Santa rug may look like in your own home.

By the way, if you’re trying to decide on what gifts to give family and friends this Christmas, the following page with hundreds of ideas for festive presents will be of great help: Christmas Present Ideas.

The fuzzy look is similar to the thick and soft appearance of chenille rugs and related decorative home accessories. When in the yarn format, the chenille looks very much like a long caterpillar. Cotton is the primary fabric pile used in the creation of chenille but other fabrics such as acrylic, olefin and rayon are also applied. The material is named after the particular process of creation rather than for a particular fibre with which it is made.

See also: Chenille 9 x 12 Area Rugs.

Chenille has hit the heights of popularity only very recently and this can be dated to the 1990′s. Production of the material increased and improved methods of making it developed. Over the 20th Century and particularly in later decades, chenille was used for a variety of housewares including bedding, carpets and also in some garments. Chenille rugs have become a much sought after home accent piece which can compliment an interior both visually and texturally.

Rather like with many items you seek to purchase, it is wise to check and indeed, trust, their brand’s reputation. In this case, the location of where the sheepskin originates is the important factor. Traditional sheep rearing nations like New Zealand, Australia and United Kingdom will certainly be the highest quality as compared to more local and newer makers. The many centuries of sheep rearing tradition means these nations know the ins and outs of gaining the best quality sheepskin.

Generally, sheepskin rugs should be soft and pliable with the piling neatly combed and little shedding. The back should also be free from artificial backing which can detract from the overall feel of the rug and is a good indicator of a lower quality make. In most cases, the rugs can be washed in a regular home washing machine with minimal non-biological detergent but if you want to play it completely safe, you can also have then professionally dry cleaned.

Sheepskin rugs can be used in just about any location in the home interior. In most cases they are placed in the main living room as a decorative accent to the fire place and sofa area. Some stores and manufacturers will also allow customisation of rugs which include personalised colors, sizes and even shapes. The extra large versions can even make large area rugs. Dyes can also be used to make the rug match with the room’s color scheme.

If the sheepskin rug becomes crushed after a period of use, the best method to bring it back to it’s plush look is to run a wire dog brush through the rug with a few strokes.

Check out a vast range of rugs and carpets.

A tapestry throw blanket can be placed in nearly every and any room in the home. Many people use throw blankets to drape over chairs, sofas or tables. This can be particularly suitable if your furniture is a little worn and you want a temporary but attractive throw blanket to use when guests visit. They can also be used as wall hangings in much the same way as the traditional Medieval tapestry.

If you are a birdwatcher or someone with a natural interest in Ornithology, then this birdhouse tree tapestry throw blanket will make a very suitable decorative accessory for your interior decor scheme. It’s positive for the mind to have visual representations of your hobbies and interests in your home and this colorful and attractive throw blanket with a bird theme is just such an example. The throw blanket also has a slight fairy-tale ambiance to it which I believe only enhances its appeal.

A birdhouse themed tapestry throw blanket like this will also be much loved by young children who will delight in the rich colors and intricacy of the design. During the Winter months it can be used as an extra layer on their beds to keep them warm.

Price: $49.99

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 black and white musical notes rug can be placed in a room which perhaps comprises of one or more instruments that are regularly played. A musical themed rug will add an extra decorative feature to an interior where music is created and enjoyed. This style of musical notes rug is also ideal for a kid’s room especially one who is beginning the process of learning a musical instrument. I remember as a child learning to play the flute and the long hours involved in perfecting my playing of the instrument and understanding the musical notations.

Regardless of which room this black and white musical notes rug is placed in, the contemporary look will add an extra musical ambiance to that room. Black and white décor items for the floor can suit a variety of settings especially those of a classical nature.

You can purchase this music rug from this location: Black and White Musical Notes Rug.

Did you know?: The earliest form of musical notation was discovered in a cuneiform tablet from around 2000 B.C. This was discovered in Nippur, in what is now modern day Iraq.

Most commonly, Afghan rugs are made in the Bukhara print, also known as the octagonal elephant’s foot which usually comes in a deep red or tan coloring, like in the rug images shown in this very post. By the way, Bukhara is in fact a city in Uzbekistan and not in Afghanistan but an Afghan rug does not necessarily have to come from Afghanistan itself. Many surrounding nations have adopted the style and ways of Afghan rug making.

These two Afghan rugs are in fact available to purchase online. The first picture shows the Kashimar Afghan Rug whilst the second shows the more geometric Gem Multi Border Afghan Rug. Both of these deep red rugs will make attractive and sophisticated decorative additions to a variety of rooms in the home. They can be used in a number of ways including as wall hangings and floor rugs.

If you have a traditional setting which will compliment these deep red Afghan rugs, especially with matching Middle Eastern furniture, then these will definitely make an interesting purchase. One thing is for sure, the craftsmanship that goes into these intricate and impressive Afghan rugs is of a very high quality. You can read more about both Afghan rugs as well as see larger pictures of them via the two links noted above.