Among the various categories of high-quality rugs that are available on the market,  none raises as many questions as distressed rugs. What are they and how can you use  them in your home? Let’s unpack both of those questions today. 

Are distressed rugs also antique? 

Initially, one might be inclined to think a distressed rug will also be considered to be  antique. However, this isn’t exactly the case. An antique rug may have a distressed  look, but that doesn’t mean it’s a distressed rug. Likewise, a distressed rug may look  old but this doesn’t automatically mean it’s antique. 

So what makes a rug antique? 

As we’ve stated elsewhere, an antique rug is highly desirable. These rugs are hand made, using hand-knotted techniques that have been around for centuries. Some  definitions apply a specific timeframe for an object to be considered antique. Most  commonly, this is at least 100 years, with the term “vintage” being used to describe  items less than 100 years old but older than 50. 

Then what makes a rug distressed? 

Within the rug industry, there are several other categories to keep in mind when  defining the term “distressed rug.” The first is modern: while often used to refer to an  aesthetic, a modern rug is one that was crafted by a skilled weaver relatively recently. 

The second category to remember is vintage. Again, as we mentioned these rugs are at  least 50 years old but less than 100. 

A distressed rug falls within this range: older than a modern rug, younger than an  antique, and possibly old enough to be considered vintage. In addition, to be  considered distressed a rug has had various “distressing” techniques applied to it,  giving it an aged look and feel. 

As far as using them in your home, distressed rugs come in a wide variety of colors  and patterns. They can fit in with just about any decor and space. As with other styles  of rugs, pairing it with your existing room colors, layout, and style is vitally important to  making the rug work for you. And more often than not, even with the applied  distressing techniques, their high-quality, hand-woven nature will help them last for  decades to come. 

One final note: while a distressed rug can also be a vintage rug, not all vintage rugs are  considered distressed. Remember, distressing is an intentional process to give the rug  a worn look. If properly cared for, a vintage rug can look virtually brand new. 

If you’re looking for a distressed rug, look no further than Rug Source
A distressed rug can add a special vibe to just about any space, whether you’re using it  in your living room, dining room, or one of your bedrooms. Their unique attributes help  to set them apart from anything you can buy at a big box retailer and add a distinct flair  to your home.

If you’re looking for a distressed rug for your home, let us know! You can give us a call  at 980-422-4080, visit our showroom at 7215 Smith Corners Boulevard in Charlotte, or  contact us HERE.

When it comes time to buy a new area rug for your home, there are a lot of factors to  keep in mind. In the end, however, it comes down to a single, overarching desire:  whether or not the rug is high-quality. With a high-quality rug, everything else from the  design to how it fits into your room will naturally fall into place. Here are six ways to tell  if a rug is high-quality. 

The weaving technique 

The first thing to look at when determining if a rug is high quality is the weaving  technique. Hand-knotted and hand-tufted rugs will reflect the skill of the weaver. No  machine-made rug can compare to the design, craftsmanship, and detail than a rug  that was made using traditional weaving techniques. 

The materials 

Another consideration when comparing a high-quality rug to other options is the  materials used in their construction. When a rug is high-quality, it’ll use corresponding  materials such as cotton, wool, and silk. In contrast, a lower-quality rug will often use  synthetic fibers such as polyester. Over time, the latter will break down quicker and  show wear faster. 

The type of dye 

In the rug industry, there are two primary types of dye: vegetable and chemical.  Vegetable dyes are a better choice, not only for the rug but for both the environment  and your family’s health. Vegetable dyes come in a variety of options and can create  some truly amazing color combinations. 

It’s age 

Is it true that an older rug is always higher quality than a newer rug? Not necessarily.  However, rugs that were made before the advent of machine-based assistance will  always be of higher quality. By extension, an antique rug will often follow these tried  and true techniques and therefore be better made than something you purchase at a  big box store retailer. 

The design 

Although of a lesser impact on quality, the design can still help you determine if a rug is  high-quality or not. Why is this the case? Because a rug that is made with thought  behind it also means that the weaver will have taken the time to produce something  they’d be proud to own themself. Machine-made rugs, while sometimes nice looking,  will lack the character that makes them stand out from their typical brethren. 

Its geographic origin 

Finally, the geographic location can also help you determine if a rug is high-quality.  Traditionally, Persian, Oriental, and Turkish rugs are made by weavers following  traditional methods of construction. While a rug from a geographic origin outside of  this region does not necessarily make it lower quality, you can be confident that rugs  from this part of the world will be of the highest possible quality.

Rug Source is your destination for high-quality, authentic rugs How can you be absolutely certain your rug is high-quality? That’s easy: be sure to buy  it from Rug Source. We have a massive selection of  

authentic Persian, Modern, Turkish, Oriental, and more that are made with the highest  quality materials. From hand-knotted to antique, we carry them all and more! 

Contact us HERE to learn more or visit our showroom today!

While you may not think about it, the dye used in the construction of any type  of Persian, Oriental, or Turkish rug has to come from somewhere. In traditional rug  weaving, they often utilized vegetable dye. While synthetic dyes are an option, there is  a general bias within the rug industry toward natural dyes. So what are vegetable dyes  and are they better than their artificial counterparts? 

How does a weaver use vegetable dye? 

Once a sheep shearer removes the wool from his or her flock, the wool is then sent to a  facility to be cleaned. In this state, it has an off-white color. Some have even described  it as an ivory tone. 

Regardless, at this point, the weaver will mix various types of materials with water to  create a dye. In the past, bugs weren’t unheard of (and if that sounds odd to you, look  up how traditional Red Velvet Cake gets its color). Vegetables are what we’re talking  about today, however, and plant matter such as saffron or indigo are common elements  in vegetable dye. 

What makes vegetable dye rugs more “desirable”? 

Ever since artificial dyes were introduced, there has been a steady interest in “old  world” techniques. Therefore, some equate the idea that vegetable dye rugs make a  rug worth more. This, in turn, translates into a higher level of desirability for rugs using  vegetable dyes, especially if the purchaser has an affinity for history. 

Does this mean artificial dyes are poor quality? 

Before we answer this, let’s first talk about artificial dyes. Did you know that they are  not modern inventions? Of course, by modern we mean in the past few decades. In  terms of the history of Persian, Oriental, and Turkish rugs then yes, artificial dyes are a  relatively recent creation. 

It’s believed that artificial dyes were first introduced to artisan rug weaving in the late  1800s. This was a direct result of the lack of permanence of some vegetable dye  colors. With age, they would fade or rub out. This meant that the story — the weaver’s  creative thought behind the rug’s design — would eventually be lost forever. 

Remember, antique rugs are desirable because of their age, the story, and their  handmade nature. Rug quality comes down to how the rug is made and the materials  used. Quality is often a collective evaluation, and we’d be hard-pressed to say  universally that all artificial dyes are poor quality. Rather, it’s the entire work that would  make that kind of determination. 

What are the most common vegetable dye colors? 

Vegetable dye rugs produced a wide range of colors. It all depends on the type of plant  being used in the dye. Some types of plants will produce striking reds and bold  oranges. Other types of plants, such as the aforementioned saffron, will produce bold  yellows. Using indigo is a great way to create blue. The options are relatively endless, 

as (just in the color wheel) you can blend types of vegetables and other materials to  produce various options. 

Do you have a specific color of rug you’re looking for? Then let us know! Regardless of whether you’re looking for vegetable dye rugs or simply are looking for  the right color, the team at Rug Source can help. Browse our online inventory HERE or  send us a message if there’s something specific you’re looking for. We look forward to helping you!