for the woman in every mom M 85

BRUCE ANSWERS SOME common questions for f irst time rug purchasers.

Why are handmade rugs so expensive?

Handmade rugs are meant to last for generations and it’s actually the least expensive form of f loor covering available today. We have 8 x 10 rugs that we sell for less than $2500. In comparison the cost for a well-known machine made rug will be much more than that.

How are rugs priced?

The are several major factors that play a role in the expense of an oriental carpet. Since all of our rugs are hand knotted the major expense is labor. The longer it takes to make the more expensive it will be. We determine this by knots per square inch. The more knots, the more time. The more time, the more money. This shouldn’t be confused with quality. Knots per square inch determine price and intricacy of design.

What country makes the best rugs?

I wouldn’t say that one stands out above the rest. If you compare the best that

every country has to of fer, they would all be close in standards. After all they are hand- knotted so it’s really the quality of the wool that they use that’s important.

Why do rugs have color change throughout them?

This is known as abrash. Originally all rugs were woven with natural dyes. Since the wool is not dyed all at the same time there will be an inconsistency in colors. This is very common and most clients like this change especially when trying to match colors to fabrics.

What’s the dif ference between Natural dyes and Chromium?

They both have their advantages. Natural dyes over the years acquire a soft patina, which is dif f icult to achieve in new rugs. Though there are not as many colors to choose from and they are

usually more vibrant and have a distinct feeling when seeing the rug. These dyes are much more subject to sun fading so make sure you rotate your rug to achieve even exposure. Chromium on the other hand is much less subject to sun fading. They do not change colors over the years, which again has its advantages and disadvantages. They are usually many more colors to pick from in chromium dyes.

The Oriental Carpet is family run and a direct importer of the f inest quality rugs from around the world. If you have additional questions, do not hesitate to call of come by.

M H O M E E X P E R T oriental carpet

YOUR RUG

don’t sweep this under

Located on the San

Francisco Peninsula for

over thirty years, Bruce

Good of The Oriental Carpet

in Menlo Park has helped

discerning homeowners &

designers achieve the look

and feel that a truly beautiful

carpet can bring to a room.

With more styles, sizes

and colors to choose from,

plus some very competitive

pricing, The Oriental Carpet

offers the most extensive

collections of fine rugs and

carpets available on the

Peninsula today.

THE ORIENTAL CARPET707 Santa Cruz AveMenlo Park,California 94025650-327-6608

650-328-8715 Fax