MY FAVORITE RUG

FLOKATI RUGS

Facts:

A handmade shag wool rug. Making flokatis is a long-time tradition of the Vlachs in the Pindus mountains.

The natural color of a flokati rug is off-white, but they may be dyed different colors. The entire rug is wool, including the backing from which the tapered shag emerges.

After the rug is woven, it is placed in the cold water of a river to fluff the shag. They continue to be handmade in the mountains of Greece and are regarded as desirable in American modern decor and children's rooms.

Flokati rugs have a long and rich history with roots starting from the early years of the ancient Greek civilization, the fifth century to be exact. From good and trusted providers of warmth to dowries to give to the brides for marriage, the almighty Flokati has been through a lot and has been a part of history – to your household.

Back in the era of the 1970s, or the retro era, Flokati rugs made its name by providing warmth, comfort and style to any household it might belong to. From the simplest, plainest monotonous design, to the loudest, vibrant and pattern Flokati rug, it has been part of the family for several generations. The Flokati rug is well-known for its comfortability and durability – given the proper care for the rug, of course.

Originally flokati rugs were pain-stakingly handcrafted in the Pindus Mountains in Greece where they were washed in the mountain’s waterfalls which made the once hard and rough yarn ends into fluffy wool and then dried out under the sun afterwards.

Nowadays, flokati rugs are made from 100% New Zealand wool. Since the wool itself is undeniable of its high quality, it is naturally stain-proof.

The rug depends solely on your needs as there are many variations of different sizes and wool length on the market. Whether you like the rug itself small or large and long or short, it is manufactured in different sizes – and not to mention, in wide array of colors as well! But the most common one would be white, since it is its natural color and a common choice amongst buyers.

Opinion:

Flokati rugs are especially appealing to me since it has a fluffy and elegant touch to it. It is usually handmade and allows an environment to prosper in comfort and delight. 

One of the highlights of this rug is perhaps its history dating back from the classic Greek. The Greeks has a marvelous history of magnificent art and architecture thus the Flokati rug is indeed a one of a kind work of art.

YU, WINONA

References:

Flokati rug. (n.d.). Retrieved January 27, 2017, from http://group4materialsofdecoration.blogspot.com/

Rug Critic. (n.d.). Retrieved January 27, 2017, from http://rugcritic.com/flokati-rugs/

ARRAIOLO RUGS

Arrailo rugs are hand-embroidered accent rugs made in either bright or pastel color, inspired by Oriental style Persian carpets. They are hand embroidered wool on a cotton, jute or even linen cloth, usually made of jute. Arrailo rugs, which are found in Portugal, are used not only to be part of the decoration when lying on the ground, but can also be put on the wall.

What I love about this rug is its beautiful designs and colors. Its designs are very flowy, intricate and unique. Most of it usually resemble vines and it amazes me how the designers of the rug came up with so many variation of designs; with each having its own distinct feature. What i also love about this rug is its beautiful and eye-catching colors of bright and pastel. It does not stick to a 2D design. It also plays with depth by having some shadows in its design. It makes the rugs really stand out and make them look better. My respect for the makers of this kind of rug has grown; knowing that it is hand-made, making it is not an easy task. The makers pay close attention to detail. Not only that, they have to pay attention to their consistency in making them. Each shape and size has to be the same all throughout their piece. The amount of hardwork that the makers put into the rugs are really remarkable and should not be put aside.

Seeing the different designs of this rug, now I know why this type of tapestry is highly valued throughout Europe and also in some countries in the Middle East. Their designs may just be as simple as vines, but later on, a person will be able to see the elegance in its simplicity. It may not be as detailed as other kinds of rugs from different parts of the world, but it is not only the design that makes the rug outstanding; but also its colors that are very pleasing to the eye. It really matches with the flowy concept of the rug that surely brings a relaxing and calm feel to any part of an interior; may it be in the living room or bedroom. It may actually also just serve as a display on the wall since its craftmanship is highly remarkable and really deserves to be shown in alot of the world's interiors.

ATIENZA, BETTINA ANNE V.

References: 

Arraiolo Rugs (n.d.). Retrieved January 27, 2017, from

http://group4materialsofdecoration.blogspot.com/

AUBBUSON RUGS

Aubbuson rugs are made of wool, linen and cotton. Weave resembles needlepoint. It usually has a pale cream ground with floral designs & arabesque in pastel shades of rose, blue, lavender, green and beige.

The origins of Aubusson rugs and tapestries are shrouded in mystery. Historians have speculated that tapestry weaving could have been brought to France by members of the Saracen army who stayed behind after their defeat at the battle of Poitiers in 732. What is more surprising is that that Aubusson rugs and carpets are still being made by hand 1281 years later in the small village of Aubusson on the River Creuse, a four hour drive from Paris.

Nature is depicted realistically in the Summer Aubusson rug combining the art of depth perspective invented by 15th century Renaissance artists and the weaving inventions of 18th century Aubusson rug and tapestry weavers.

OPINION:

Aubbuson rugs caught my attention while I was reading the other types of rugs because of its design and colors which are in pastel shades of rose, blue, lavender, green and beige. I really like pastel colors that's why I consider this my favorite rug. It is pleasing to the eye and it gives me the "relaxing" feeling. I also like its floral and arabesque designs which reminds me of the Rococo period - it is feminine and elegant.

It is amazing that this type of rug - which is made of wool, linen, and cotton - is made by hand. I am also amazed at how Aubbuson rug designs started and how the French artists that were familiar with creating depth perspective in painting introduced this technique into their carpet designs. Though the technique is very difficult and intricate, they somehow made it possible to wave patterns that look three dimensional. This type of rug along with several European rugs should be shown in interiors because of its wonderful colors and beautiful floral designs. 

GONZAGA, JASMINE C.


References:
Aubbuson Rugs. (n.d.). Retrieved January 28, 2017, 
from http://group4materialsofdecoration.blogspot.com/

ANTIQUE SILK CHINESE RUG
 Circa, Late 19th Century

Chinese history is rich in culture, as well as in the textile industry. China is a rich country due to the trading routes known as the Silk Road where many goods were traded, including carpets and rugs. It is a fact that the first carpets and rugs were made in the Central and South Asia or the Middle East. We can see similar designs on the rug and carpets on china which is heavily influenced by other neighbouring countries. But unlike with the nomadic design, Chinese art has a unique and oriental feeling. Amalgamation of floral forms, such as lotus and chrysanthemum, appear repeatedly in the design while the same simple devices of frets and swastikas are common in the borders. There is a lavish style of mythical animals and scrolling vines and more styles of the repetition of simple geometric figures. Chinese rugs commonly feature white, red, blue and fawn. Yellow was reserved for royal use, such the nobles, the court and temples, while red was for gift rugs exchanged between other aristocrats. Rugs were abundant in the area of steppes land in China where many animals such as yaks and sheep are livestock and use their hairs as wools. Others are woven with the combination of silk which makes them more Chinese in origin. Many rugs were made for many purposes, such as the Ningxia rugs used for prayer by the monks in Tibet and Northwest China. Some were essentially ornamental for those of high stature and wealth. So many types of rugs were made, from woven made to needle felt. Sophisticate designs is the distinct style in Chinese rugs but does not create any perplexity which is not hard to decipher and is well and gracefully made. They uniquely flexible and can be good to make any rooms feel at home for its oriental design.

Chinese rug is my favourite kind of rug for its austerity and its focus is clearly elaborate Chinese art to its product. This type of rug is used during ancient times. Its composition of Chinese art made this rug in demand for its culture. Its uniqueness made it more useful not only for domestic or internal consumption but also for deco, ornaments and table top. Some Chinese rugs that are antique are profitable and is expensive. Other rugs are collected for museums. Thus, Chinese rugs are  great for its design, originality and usage. This rug is my favorite because these types were meaningful for chinese culture

JUDILLA, JAN MARIE AMADELLE

References:

Tea and Carpets. (n.d). Re: Why Chinese Carpets, Born On The Steppes, Have Classical Chinese Designs Web site. Retrieved from http://www.antiqueorientalrugs.com/Classic%20designs%20in%20Chinese%20Rugs%20article.htm

http://materialsandthoughts.blogspot.com/2017/01/brief-history-carpet-weaving-was.html

SARABAND RUGS

Persian rugs often are referred to interchangeably but they are very different. Persian rugs are created by fine craftspeople only in Iran. Persian rugs can be identified by their very thick pile of up to 160 to 200 knots per square inch for an average quality rug and 1,500 and higher for higher quality rugs. 

They are also known for their exceptional and unique designs and rich combination of color. The beauty of Persian rugs comes from the balance and harmony of the rugs’ colors, the intricacy and clarity of their designs, their texture, and the patina of their yarns and workmanship of weaver. Persian Rugs are so long as they are truly hand-made and made well will increase in value over time.

A kind of Persian rug is the Saraband rug. It is noted for its sturdiness and unobtrusive charm, they have a characteristic pattern known commercially as the mīr design. They are of small, complex leaf (boteh) or leaf forms in diagonal rows, their tips pointed alternately in opposite directions. A geometric vine with similar leaf forms usually occupies the principal border stripe. There may be geometric cornerpieces or perhaps a small, similarly geometric central medallion.

What I like about this rug is its complex design. It amazes me how small and tiny little details such as leaf forms make up a beautiful and characteristic pattern. What I also like about the Saraband is that there is an incorporation of directions in its designs. It does not stay with just mere pattern designs but it also incorporated with it movement. It combines the beauty of geometric patterns and leaf forms to create something timeless in rugs. It also contains interesting other designs in its borders strips and has a pure lush of the color red that makes the rug all the more beautiful.

BALLESTEROS CHRISMARIE

Reference:

Saraband (n.d.). Retrieved January 28, 2017, 

from http://materialsofdecour2.blogspot.com/