Choosing a Rug

Lighting Conditions

Some fibres are naturally more reflective than others, so rugs can appear lighter or darker in a photograph than they do in real life. Similarly, the lighting of the space where the rug will be used can affect the appearance of its colour. This is particularly true of fibres like viscose, where the natural sheen is more evident under brighter lighting conditions.

On-Screen and Printed Images

Colours can vary from screen to printed page to dyed fibre. So while Jaipur’s website and catalogue are great for getting a feel for a rug’s appearance, we recommend that actual rug samples be used to make a final decision.

Dyeing and Colour

Rug dyeing is a traditional art that allows artisans to create decorative effects. To obtain different colours, artisans use either natural dyes (derived from plants and naturally occurring mineral compounds) or synthetic dyes (the product of chemical processes). For both types, the process of dyeing is the same. First, the dye is added to boiling vats of water, followed by the yarn. The yarn is left in the boiling water until the desired colour is reached, after which it is removed from the vat and left to dry in the sun. Once it is completely dry, it is stored until it is needed by weavers.

Abrash/Antique is color variations sometimes seen in hand-made rugs and is caused by factors such as subtle differences in dye lots, wool ageing and raw material preparation. These are not seen as defects, but part of the character of the hand-made process and contributing factors to the individuality of each rug.

Bigger is usually better

A small rug can make a room look small and its elements disconnected. When in doubt, go for a bigger size to help tie everything together.

The 18-Inch rule

Most interior designers will tell you to leave around 18 inches of bare floor around a rug to get the right proportions. For small spaces you can tweak this, however.

Don’t be afraid to experiment

You’re allowed to bend the rules a bit when choosing a rug – they’re only guidelines after all. shed. These are either trimmed or untrimmed (or sometimes a combination of the two) to produce the required designs in a rug.

Wool is the most common rug material and its durability extends generations. It is an incredibly resilient natural fiber that comes from the shearing of sheep (and sometimes other animals like alpacas, goats or llamas). The fibres are cleaned, segregated, carded and spun into yarn. It is graded by the length of individual hairs and where that hair comes from on the animal’s body. The best wool often comes from the neck, belly and sections under the legs of the sheep, where it tends to be finer, softer and longer. Climate and habitat also contribute to the quality of wool, and most of Jaipur’s stock is sourced from India and New Zealand.

The carding and spinning can be done by hand or machine. Machine carded and spun makes even and thinner fibres that are less durable, while hand-carded and hand-spun make uneven, but durable yarn and gives better character to the finished rug.

It gives a classic matt look, and texture varies from source to source. Blends are made to create the desired texture, durability and costing.

Wool absorbs moisture and dust, keeps the room safe from allergens and is even fire resistant!

Why Choose Wool?

• Most high quality wool is strong and durable, while still soft to the touch
• Resistant to water, dirt and stains, so easier to maintain than other materials
• Absorbs moisture and dries out without developing mold or mildew – ideal in humid climates
• Easy to dye and holds colour well
• It is an elastic fibre, marks from foot traffic can be easily brushed out
• An excellent insulator
• As a natural fibre, harvesting wool is more eco-friendly than synthetic fibres
• Great at hiding dirt and looks cleaner and better for longer than other fibres

Other Considerations

• Wool is comparatively more expensive than many other fibres
• Some people are allergic to wool
• New wool rugs shed loose fibres for the first few months of use
• Care must be taken when storing wool rugs to prevent them from being eaten by moths

Silk is considered one of the finest material for a rug, famously associated with royalty. It is a natural protein fibre harvested from the cocoons of cultivated or wild silkworms.

It is used for intricate detailing since the fibres are even and thin, requiring great skill to weave and is most desirable for its aesthetic and legendary softness. Silk rugs are maintained as collectibles for their high value, and are recommended to be used more as décor, perhaps even as wall art, as it withers easily if kept in high traffic areas.

Why Choose Silk?

• Silk rugs are often the softest you will find, and have an elegant finish
• Relatively durable and can last a lifetime with proper care
• Natural lustre and shine in the finished rug
• Silk takes dye very well, which allows for beautiful colour variation

Other Considerations

• Silk is a relatively expensive fibre
• Because it is less elastic than wool, footprints and furniture marks show easily
• Silk is not as stain resistant as other fibers, so care needs to be taken around the rug