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Hand Knotted Versus Hand Tufted

Nina Waldock: Posted on 19 October 2018 15:13

There seems to be some confusion regarding hand made rugs; what's the difference betweenhand knottedand

hand tufted? For hand knotted rugs the warp is first woven, and then wool (or silk) pile threads are knotted onto

the vertical warp threads.

The price of the rug depends on the number of knots due to the time taken.

For hand tufted rugs the wool is fired into a backing fabric by means of a hand held gun. When the design is

complete, another cloth is glued to the back of the rug, which secures the wool and hides the ends.

6 Comments

End of the Heatwave?

Nina Waldock.: Posted on 28 July 2018 14:06

Perhaps we can get back to thinking about textiles now that the too hot weather seems to be over. Wool is not the first choice of fabric in a heatwave, not even if you, like me, love woollen rugs! In the past five weeks the thought

of walking on marble floors has seemed enticing. However, before we know it, Autumn will be upon us, and a warm

and welcoming house will be desirable once more. A beautiful rug can really make your living room complete.

30 Comments

Oriental rugs as investments.

Nina Waldock: Posted on 19 July 2018 15:06

Unlike any machine made rug, a good hand made Oriental rug will prove to be an excellent investment, providing

good care is taken of it. Obviously one should never buy anything purely in the hope that it will appreciate in value,

but should the time come when you fancy a change, selling should not leave you too much out of pocket, and may

even provide a profit, should a reasonable time have elapsed, as rug prices are constantly on the rise. So, compared

to a fitted carpet, which has no resale value, or a machine made one, however attractive, which will be devalued

10 Comments

Antique rugs

Nina Waldock: Posted on 18 July 2018 14:26

It may seem surprising that old rugs can be vastly more expensive than new ones; after all they are bound

to show signs of wear - with the pile worn down to the knots in some cases. As with antique furniture, so

with rugs. A modern version of either will still be hand made, assuming we are talking about items of great quality. It pretty much boils down to what is perceived to be a a copy of earlier designs. Add to that an acquired patina from usage, and maybe the greater subtlety of colours.

14 Comments

Sun is the enemy of textiles!

Nina Waldock: Posted on 06 July 2018 15:23

Preserving your Textiles

Do as the Georgians and Victorians did, and protect your precious rugs (and upholstery) from the sun.

During the day keep your blinds down and if they are Venetians, with the slats angling the sun away.

Much as we like to see a blue sky and sunshine, unfortunately the sun's rays can not only fade the colours,

but actually rot the fibres. Silk is especially susceptible.

Of all the colours, blue is the most transient.

41 Comments

Rugs as Art.

Nina Waldock - Rugs: Posted on 12 June 2018 14:33

I get as much joy from looking at a beautiful rug as I do from looking at pictures, ceramics or sculptures.

I'm talking about hand made rugs of course.

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Orange is the new taupe?

Nina Waldock Rugs: Posted on 29 May 2018 15:11

I'm glad to see thatColouris coming back into our homes. Obviously Oriental rugs tend to

be colourful, and of course beautiful! This Afghan Chobi/Ziegler is a gorgeous tawny

marmalade colour.

Many Persian rugs are indeed red and blue, but Zieglers

although following traditional designs, are in more subdued colours, to suit the European market.

I stock a wide variety of rugs, some subtle, some vivid, but in my opinion all are beautiful, it just depends where you are going to place them.

3 Comments

Tripping hazards?

Nina Waldock - Rugs: Posted on 04 May 2018 14:07

Moroccan Beni Ourain rugs are all the rage at the moment. Every interior design spread features them. Why? Because

they are monochrome, usually off white with a sparse and simple design in black, which fits well in today's interiors.

However I shall not be stocking them as they have a very loose construction which means that they ruck up, and I for

one would hate to add to the various tripping hazards in the home!

4 Comments

Curating?

Nina Waldock: Posted on 23 February 2018 16:03

So, everyone now is a curator? In as much as I personally choose each item I stock, and cherish them, I hope my

shop is not an exhibition! However much I love these things, they are all for sale...The same cannot be said of a museum or art gallery. Still I suppose it sounds grander than "shop keeper".

4 Comments