Oreintal Rugs Buying Guide: How to Decorate Your Room with a Persian Rug

Traditionally, oriental rugs were thought of as expensive luxury items affordable only to a select few, but now area rugs have become affordable additions as common to homes as sofas and dining tables. No longer considered expensive accessory pieces, Persian design oriental rugs are now sold as part of the overall decor. Consumers who buy a new dining room or living room set will more than likely purchase oriental rug to complement their selections.

It is important to understand what factors most affect when purchasing an oriental area rug. However, hand-made Persian design oriental rugs have the unique ability to pull an entire room together by offering nothing more than a way to accentuate the furniture itself.

What every rug buyer should know

Oriental rugs can be an intimidating subject to discuss. There are literally thousands of books, brochures, and pamphlets on hand-woven oriental rugs design and construction, so building solid oriental rug knowledge is a life long undertaking. Fortunately every area rug falls into a general design category, a specific type of construction, and contains only a limited number of fibers. If you can develop a good understanding of these basic aspects you can confidently make a decision in purchasing a hand-made Persian design oriental rugs.

Color

Color can set the entire mood for a space and is usually the first criteria on any one's list when purchasing an oriental rug. Each shade sets a different tone and adds intensity to a space. For example, an area rug can open up and brighten a space by using lighter shades, or in contrast, darker shades close in a space and help create a more intimate atmosphere.
Additionally, people who may be looking for an area rug to compliment fabrics or wall treatments. For this customer; the color pallet is specific and may offer limitations; however, oriental rugs are offered in a diverse array of hues. The need for a broad coloration ranges is universally recognized, and hand-made oriental rugs offers a limitless color varieties. This unmatched capability ensures the right color match for any decor.

Designs

Over the past several years the floor covering industry has seen an impressive increase in the installations of hard surface flooring. The durability of these hard surface floors combined with the inexpensive costs of most hand-made oriental area rugs allow homeowners to change the decor of space much more often than in times past. Now, more than ever, design and style play a pivotal role in flooring decisions. Traditional, contemporary and everything in between.

With some of the most fashion forward rugs in the market, today there are designs to fit any lifestyle.

1) Traditional.

Traditional area rugs are typically modern day representations of time
honored European and Asian designs reminiscent of either oriental or
Persian motifs. It is also important to understand when it is referred to
traditional area oriental rugs with Persian designs that we are speaking
about that; the design. True Oriental and Persian rugs are all individually hand knotted of natural fibers made only in the Middle East and far East regions of the world and are priced accordingly.

Traditional designs are sometimes geometric using an allover pattern with lineal components. Traditional geometric patterns are very simplistic and unlike most traditional designs usually have no discernable flow. On the other hand, traditional; designs can be pictorial illustrating elements from nature or from life in general. Floral patterns are also very common traditional designs, utilizing a center medallion of an all over technique. Most floral designs will be framed with a border of some kind and are usually recognized as more Persian Rug than Orientals. Traditional floral designs are also typically considered more formal than most.

Modern day traditional designs rugs utilize color pallets that reflect modern day fashions; however, many still simulate authentic oriental Persian design motifs and utilize natural fibers that provide an antique reproduction appearance.

2) Contemporary.

At the other end of the design spectrum you will find the contemporary
classifications. When describing contemporary area rugs terms such as asymmetrical, architectural, and free form are common. Basically, contemporary designs are characterized by stark contrasts, bold use of color, and often geometric design elements.

One classification with the Contemporary genre is Modern. Modern designs tend to be more architectural in feeling. Many Art-Deco designs fall into this category. They utilize pure geometric design elements along with dazzling variation of primary colors such as blues, greens, and reds. Modern designs tend to be assertive and bold offering a strong statement to a decor. While on the other hand, Retro designs hearken back to styles that were first popular in the 60's and early 70's. They take advantage of the free form concept rarely having any rhyme or reason to the flow of the design.

3) Transitional.

In a nutshell, transitional designs are a blend of contemporary with traditional. Also, sometimes referred to as casual, they tend to be more popular with people looking for the elegance of a traditional design without the formality they often project. Transitional are the broadest classification of area rug design and often the most difficult to recognize simply because they can contain so many elements found in both traditional and contemporary area rugs.

However, most transitional designs are characterized through the use of open spaces containing a sparse assortment of design components; sometimes traditional and sometimes contemporary. You will often, but not always, find a border in transitional rugs allowing for a more traditional element to what would otherwise be a contemporary design. Floral and leaf patterns often fall into this classification.

4) Tribal.

Unlike transitional, tribal designs area rugs are probably the easiest classification of oriental rugs. They are characterized by those design elements common to a specific culture or ethnic group. They utilize earth tone colors such as yellow, gold, red, and brown. Tribal designs oriental rugs combine these elements in very exacting and structured designs offering their own interpretation. They lend themselves well to decor that take on specific themes, offering a way to tie the common elements of a particular space together.

Construction

The construction of oriental area rugs, though technical, is a key element in making decision when purchasing a rug. Many people who are looking to purchase an oriental rug are interested in the quality of the rug they are about to purchase. It is important not to become overwhelmed with these facts; however, explaining how a rug came to be and its role in the quality and design adds to the story of the rug and creates confidence in the product.

There is no need to know everything about each construction process but having a general understanding is imperative.

A) Hand-Knotting (or Hand-Weaving).

Hand-knotting is achieved when the craftsman ties of knots pile yarns around woven backing fibers (warp and weft). The resulting face of the rugs is then sheered to a pre-determined height to give the pile uniformity. In general the value of a hand-knotted rug depends on the number of knots per square inch. The more knots per square inch the more valuable the rug.

B) Hand-Tufted.

Hand-tufted rugs utilize a hand held tufting tool called, simply, a tufting gun. The craftsman will use the gun to fire pile yarns through a primary backing material known as a scrim. This process forms a looped pile. If these loops are left intact the rug is referred to as hand-hooked rug whereas if the loops are sheered off to create a cut pile look, you then have a hand-tufted rug. A secondary backing is then applied to the area rug securing the pile yarn in place and adding extra stability.

Of course, hand made oriental rugs take quite a bit more effort to produce and are made from natural fibers; therefor, they tend to be more valuable. However, the natural beauty and subtle imperfections that make each rug unique outweigh any increased expense.

Fiber

There are dozens of materials used in the construction of area rugs. All of which have unique characteristics that offer its own advantages.

1) Wool

Wool is noted for luxury and softness, wool has a high build and is available in many colors.

- Wool can absorb up to 1/3 of its weight in moisture through cuticle pores and has an ouster membrane that repels water. It can be stretched to 30% without breaking.

- Wool rugs have excellent resistance to compression due to the physical nature of wool fiber. It has a natural crimp with millions of coiled molecules, rather than the artificially induced waves found in man-made fibers.

2) Silk

Silk is used either on its own or in combination with wool. Silk is reasonably hard wearing but it lacks the springiness and suppleness of wool; consequently, silk tend to retain any creases or scuffing in the pile, and far greater care is needed to protect them damage.

Its physical beauty is unsurpassed and silk rugs are normally used as

decorative, rather than functional examples of textiles art, either as wall hangings, or floor covering in rooms that rarely see practical use. Silk is also used as a foundation material; it is extremely strong, keep its shape, and can be spun into very fine strands; however, it is only used when exceptionally fine knotting is required.
Understanding basic design concepts is very helpful in selecting an oriental rug. A few basic principles in design coordination include:

Rugs create mood.

Rugs more specifically their shades, add intensity and relevance to a space. For example, an area rug can open up and brighten a space by using lighter shades or in contrast, darker shades close it in and make it more intimate.

Never try to match the main fabric color. Find a rug that uses its main color the same family of colors found in the swatch you are coordinating. For example, it would be impossible to match the exact red found in a pillow. Rather look to see what second or third colors are used in the pillow and match families of colors not specific colors.

Another factor you certainly want to consider is size. From small scatter rugs to palatial carpets, both the actual room size and specific decorating scheme are critical in determining the size of the rug best suited to your needs. Dining room rugs need to be sized for placement of the chairs and the table as well as for the absolute measurements of the room. Take into account how much of the pattern will be hidden or obscured under the table. Obviously a center medallion design would not be the ideal choice for this purpose.

Living rooms can have a wide array of layouts and elements. Sofas, chairs, occasional tables, and lighting fixtures can be arranged in a single unified configuration or in separate seating or "conversation" areas. In either case your rugs should play a key role in focusing and enhancing the placement of your other furnishings. In effect, they should function as the "foundation" of your design plan for any area in which they are used. The possibilities of decorating with rugs are endless, and with the Persian design oriental rug collection from the rug weaving capitals of the world, you can be assured of the very best in colors, design from Bijan, and quality for every room in your home.

Traffic makes a difference. One critical element in selecting and area rug that is commonly overlooked is traffic. Understanding how much traffic an area rug will be subjected to is not only important in selecting an appropriate design that can hide dirt but also in selecting a rug that can hold up its appearance.

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How To Dress Up Your Old Chandelier

If you have an older chandelier that you need to dress up there are many ways to do it without having to spend a fortune.

If your chandelier is old and worn looking, trying adding some paint to finish it up in a brand new color. If your looking for that "shabby chic style" look - try a soft pink, white, ivory or blue. You may have to sand it first for the paint to be able to hold, and you may have to use more than a couple of coats. After the paint has dried, you may want to sand the edges a bit to give it a sort of "vintage" look. If you want to restore it's original appearance, there are many finishes you can match with your existing chandelier metals at your local hardware store. Try adding some beads and drop crystals for an elegant appearance. You can find many crystals in unique colors such as pink, green, blue, lavender, amethyst and many other shades.

Chandelier shades are becoming a new trend. There are many different varieties of chandelier shades out there to choose from: plain, beaded trim, embroidered, roses and many more. These shades usually come with an easily attachable bottom that can be clipped onto the candelabras of the chandelier.

Are you tired of looking at that boring chandelier chain? Try a slip on chain cover. These chain covers come in materials such as cotton or satin and are long enough to be slipped over your chain to give it an elegant touch.

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How to Incorporate a Coastal Interior Design Theme

Fabrics

Striped patterns are a distinctive attribute found in coastal decorating. Thin stripes or thick, multi-colored monochrome furnishings, upholstery, bedding, and pillows in the coastal theme are all probable contenders for materials using this pattern. While stripes are attractive, in order to keep them from overpowering a room, solid fabrics should be integrated into the furnishings as well.

Solid fabrics in colors ranging from dark and light blues to neutral beiges and ivories are great colors to begin with. Another fantastic decorative item to consider including is metal wall art in ocean-esque colors. Laser cut metal wall art or cold rolled steel wall art can bring an amazing spectrum of color to any room.

One simple method to get your furniture looking beachier, without actually having to purchase an entirely new couch, loveseat, recliner, etc. is to use slipcovers. Bigger items such as the couch and arm chair can be reasonably veiled under slipcovers, which have numerous advantages, such as their ability to be easily cleaned, the option to change them out to match particular occasions or seasons, the furniture will be kept safe from spills and wear and tear, and finally, if the covered furnishings have become aged or damaged, no one will be the wiser.

Windows are characteristically lightly covered, particularly if you happen to have a view of the sea. Rather than cover the windows up completely, consider drop down linen or bamboo blinds, Venetian blinds, or plantation shutters, all of which have the ability to be tucked up or away to wholly let the surroundings inside. Lastly, carpet, floor, or tile covering mats made of sea grass and palm thatch will naturally fit into the coastal or beach theme, and are particularly functional as they are simple to preserve and do a superior job of keeping sand isolated to the doorway and entrance areas.

Plants

Big, flourishing plants that are reminiscent of the seashore are a vital element to coastal-themed home decor and with numerous types to pick from; these plants will add life, color, and a certain appeal to a coastal themed room or home. The neighboring nursery as well as online plant vendors will be able to help you choose which plants to include and where they are typically grown in order to be geographically accurate. Keep the following suggestions in mind as you are perusing plants:

o Banana plants
o Mini palm trees
o Golden Pothos o Heart Leaf Philodendron
o Bougainvillea
o Striped Dracaena
o Orchids
o Plumeria
o Bromeliads

Accessories

Organic resources found from in and around the ocean is the best place to begin when decorating your home. Extra allusions to nautical life such as boating, fishing, and sunbathing will be an ideal starting point. There are countless different laser cut metal gifts and metal wall décor you can purchase that have beachy looks to them. The following will give you some ideas on what kind of items you could consider using to incorporate a coastal atmosphere in any room:

o Brass or copper lanterns or items reminiscent of sea life
o Weathered, battered looking nautical equipment, such as anchors, a ship wheel, compasses, brass bells, or a barometer
o An antique looking brass or copper telescope
o Replicas of boats and artwork of ships navigating through rough waters
o Decorative items depicting fisherman, sailboats, and images of lighthouses or piers, including lanterns, clocks, collectibles, dishware, and paintings
o Big, green potted plants or miniature trees
o Coral, seashells, rocks, pebbles, sand dollars, starfish, and driftwood exhibited in clear or blue tinted jars, in decorative bowls or baskets, or simply as standalone objects
o Driftwood furnishings, artistic items, frames, and lamps
o Ocean inspired laser cut gifts, metal wall art, or metal gifts
o Neutral and blue colored candles and oil lamps with seashell and/or sea life depictions
o Fish tanks or fish bowls with unique or exotic looking fish
o Straw baskets to hold beach towels, books or magazines, seashells and starfish, or potted plants and flowers
o Seagull, crane, and pelican statues or figurines

Lighting

The diverse nature of coastal decorating truly enables the decorator to climb an imaginative ladder and follow any decorative path they like. Interesting options include wrought-iron lanterns or chandeliers, ocean-scented, blue and white pillar candles with holders, hurricane lamps, and wicker or rattan lamp shades. Keep a special eye out for lighting that portrays themes such as palm trees, sand dollars, seashells, star fish, exotic fish, lighthouses, ocean piers, sailboats, fishing equipment, and general nautical accessories. Lighting can be rustic, with driftwood and wrought iron, or go with a more modern route with large, neutral colored chandeliers.

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How to Make You Own Chandelier

Budget DIY has become more popular in recent times and homeowners across the UK have started to make their own features to include in their homes. Some people would say that making your own features is tacky, however if done correctly and with some style it can be an affordable way to create a unique feature for your home. This article is going to focus on making your own original light feature for your house, in particular making your own chandelier.

The first step to making your own chandelier is to decide what design you want to go for. Do you want a modern chrome chandelier for your dining room or a pink chandelier for your daughter's room? There are so many different materials and styles that can be used when making chandeliers and you should think thoroughly about what will best suit the room in which it will be hanging.

The next step in creating you own chandelier to go out and buy the appropriate materials. The best places to look are your local DIY stores such as B&Q and your local craft shops. You will need to find appropriate materials for the main components of the light feature. For the arms of the chandelier PVC piping is a great option, it is lightweight, can be formed and once coated is easy to apply paint to. You will need adhesive to join all of the arms to each other or the shaft of the fixture. A great adhesive to use is plumber's putty which can be found in most DIY shops. The final parts needed to make the chandelier are the parts that are needed for it to be functional and to make it truly unique, the bulbs, the sockets, wires and all of the accessories you wish to add.

Now comes the difficult part, the assembly of the fixture. Only you can know how exactly you want the chandelier to look and therefore it is hard to give exact advice about how to construct it. To help you along here are a few tips which will make the process easier. The first tip and thing that people often forget about is to ensure you do not join the arms together before threading the wire through each arm and connect it all up, it's much harder or sometimes even impossible to do once the main body of the chandelier is assembled. The next tip is not to over complicate the design; you may find that your original design was way too complicated, in this case just try to minimize unnecessary features. The final tip is not to have too many lights on the chandelier and not to make the feature too large. Too many lights can make the electrical work complicated and on an overly large feature any small mistakes you make will be more noticeable and you run the risk of the feature looking tacky or cheap.

So there you have it the simple guide to making your own chandelier. Remember keep it simple, make it appropriate to its environment and most of all have fun.

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Make Your Home Shine With A Crystal Chandelier

Crystal chandeliers are usually large and ornately-designed lighting fixtures, and these are most often the centerpiece of a large room.

Since these fixtures can be very expensive, no matter what their styles, it's important to choose one that properly accents your home. Crystal Chandeliers make for an elegant and appealing lighting piece at home. These chandeliers truly light up a dining or living room with their glow.

As in the past, crystal chandeliers were exclusively used for the decoration of the very wealthy; however today, it has become more common for crystal chandeliers to be seen and utilized in the decoration of ordinary homes, as well as in upscale hotels and restaurants.

Crystal chandeliers are valued for the warm light they give off and the sparkle they add to every room. Crystal chandeliers today come in varied sizes and styles, and regardless of the kind of space you are looking to light up, you are sure to find a crystal chandelier that suits your needs.

A Chandelier Is More Than Just A Lighting Fixture

It's worthwhile to note that a chandelier is more of a room decor than a functional lighting fixture. An ordinary lighting fixture doesn't need a thousand light bulbs just because the room is wide or very cavernous; let other lighting in the room complement or add to a more restrained chandelier.

Carefully Choose One That Complements Your Living Or Dining Room

In getting the appropriate chandelier for your home, choose a fixture that can hang at the correct height when a table will be centered beneath it. Remember to consider both the chandelier and the room you're lighting.

If the crystal lighting fixture has bare bulbs, it will probably need to be hung high enough to avoid glare. If ever you have an 8-foot ceiling, you would want to avoid hanging a chandelier too high, or else it will look sawed off and stunted. Choose a chandelier that blends well or complements with the mood and style of the other furnishings in the room.

Take note of the type of wall sconces, furniture, wallpaper, window treatments and other accessories in the room. If an elaborate, large chandelier would stick out in the room, consider something more muted so that the chandelier can be seen for its beauty rather than its girth.

A Chandelier Is A Proven Dust Magnet

Chandelier owners should take note that these types of lighting fixtures are potential dust magnets, and would sometimes need to be carefully cleaned. Verify potential purchases for ease of cleaning and always bear in mind that simpler designs are generally easier to clean.

Tips To Avoid Glare

Avoid dealing with glare issues by buying a chandelier that is outfitted with tiny shades, or mini-shades, or try adding tiny shades to bare candle-type lighting.

Stick With Classic Designs

Always try, whenever applicable, to stick with the classic looks. Take note that a colored chandelier will become dated in another 5-10 years. Match the chandelier to the room and the mood you want rather than with the times. In addition, check on whether a potential purchase uses specialty bulbs or standard bulbs. Specialty bulbs may be a bit hard to find and could be quite expensive.

Crystal Chandeliers - http://crystal-chandeliers.xon.us

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Chandelier Shades - The Basics

Chandelier shades are a simple way to update a lighting fixture or to create a new look for a room in your home. Choosing a new shade design is an easy way to make a dramatic impact in any room you want. They add beauty to your light fixtures while at the same time casting a softer glow in the room.

Options range from fancy beaded chandelier shades to a more neutral look of natural linen. You can dress a room up, or down, depending on the occasion, with just a change of a shade. Shades come in various styles such as beaded, silk embroidered shades, woven, metal, faux leather, pleated, Victorian, paper, cotton, ruffled light shades, and floral patterned shades. They usually come with an easily attachable bottom that can be clipped onto the appropriate parts of the chandelier.

One advantage of chandelier shades are the dazzling array of moods and designs that can be created just by changing the shades. It's a relief to know that there is no need to dismantle the entire chandelier frame to do this. The lampshade can also be in different colors, so instead of just a clear light you can have a diffuse tinted glow.

Harmony is a key to a beautiful lamp; the lamp base and shade should compliment each other. The shape of the shade should follow the contour of the fixture. For example, a more square-shaped lighting fixture should have shades with straight lines.

Style is really a matter of personal taste. Of course you would want to match an elegant light fixture with an elegant shade. If one has a very decorative lamp that looks just fine with a more plain shade, then certainly you may use it.

Light shades might have traditionally been white or off-white just to let plenty of light through. If you feel a shade is a bit plain, consider keeping the style but getting a different color. Colored chandelier shades can play a role in making the décor of a room. You can even match colored shades with the walls in a room. Whatever your taste might be, don't be afraid to put a little color on your fixtures - after all you might love it.

One very important thing to always keep in mind when shopping for these shades - pay attention to the maximum wattage allowed and the way that the shade attaches to a fixture because certain ones are manufactured to only accommodate certain shade styles.

No matter what your style is, different sizes, shapes, and colors offers something for every design theme; from very modern to rustic. Have fun with your decorating.

To read more about interior design ideas and lighting fixture ideas, visit the author's website at Hanging Lamps

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Vintage Chandeliers

A chandelier is undoubtedly an indulgence that can be seen used through history. Museums all over the world showcase exquisite pieces of intricately made chandeliers used by royalty. So, when in today's times one opts to give his home decor a vintage touch, it is the thought of a chandelier that first enters the mind. But then just any chandelier will not add a vintage touch to your home. The chandelier itself has to bear a distinctly vintage visage.

The best place to look would be antique shops. Spread the word that you are on the lookout for a vintage chandelier and if you are lucky, someone you know may have an unused one in their attic. As to why it is in the attic and not hanging in the living room, there is just one answer- tastes differ.

Vintage chandeliers are generally ornate pieces with intricate carvings. Candle chandeliers are a good bet as they have an antique feel to them. But they might not be a practical acquisition unless they have been modified to accommodate electrical fittings. Other materials that vintage chandeliers are made of are crystal, wrought iron, brass or antlers. Do remember that vintage chandeliers are rarely, if ever, shiny in appearance.

If you do not find a suitable piece of vintage chandelier on the market you have another way of procuring it. Buy a wrought-iron or a brass type of chandelier and work upon it to age it. This is possible by the application of an antiquing glaze on the chandelier. This process will impart a suitable authentic antique feel to your brand new chandelier. When the glaze is still wet, rubbing the metal with a soft cloth gives the metal a worn out look, and, your vintage chandelier is ready.

Take care to alter the decor of the surroundings also in a suitable manner. The vintage look must be enhanced by a vintage ambiance.

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