Decorating with Oriental rugs is a colorful solution for almost any room and home, but with so many designs, colors and price ranges, how do you know when you’re receiving the red-carpet treatment or being taken for a less-than-magic-carpet ride?
“Buying an Oriental rug can be as complex as playing the stock market,” says Frank Eways, executive director of the Oriental Rug Retailers of America (ORRA), a trade association based in Gordonsville, Va. “Look at as many rugs as possible before making a purchase. And buy the best rug with what you have to invest.”
An estimated 2,600 Oriental rug retailers around the country have plenty of product to choose from, so seeking recommendations and calling organizations such as ORRA (540-832-3353) can help you find reputable dealers in your area.
“Check the reputation of sellers, because rugs can be altered,” says Wadsworth resident Irene Drizin, who owns one Persian rug and is shopping for another. “I have an inexperienced eye, so I always ask my friends and acquaintances for store references before I shop.”
Many factors determine the value of Oriental rugs and contribute to their beauty. Ranging in price from hundreds to tens of thousands of dollars, there are rugs to fit any budget or home.
One key factor to consider is whether you want a hand-crafted or machine-made rug. Handmade Oriental rugs hold their value much longer than their machine-made counterparts. One-of-a-kind creations, these rugs generally have a better resale or trade-in value over time. Since handmade rugs can take years to complete, depending on size and complexity of design, it stands to reason they command higher prices. But not by too much more, according to experts.
“For about 10 to 15 to 20 percent more,” says Jamshid Soomekh, owner of Caspian Oriental Rugs in Chicago, “you can get a handmade rug.”
Oscar Tatosian, who operates Oscar Isberian Rugs in Evanston, agrees. “A good 8-by-10-foot handmade rug can be purchased for about $2,000 to $3,500. A good machine-made rug of similar size can range from $1,200 to $1,800.”
And how do you tell them apart? “It’s like looking at the difference between a handmade versus a machine-made sweater,” says Tatosian. “Similar to handmade sweaters, a handmade rug will have variations on the reverse side. The knots will not be as square and as uniform as in machine-made rugs.”
Country of origin can also dictate an Oriental carpet’s value. Many Oriental rug designs illustrate the traditions, religions or philosophies of the areas in which they originated. Rugs created by native weavers often have more appeal than design copycats made in other countries.
“About 90 percent of the designs found on classic Oriental rugs are Persian,” says Soomekh. “Every rug you see in a store should be labeled with the name of the country of origin and not just the name of the rug (design).”
Many rugs derive their names from the villages or towns in which they were first produced. For instance, Bijar is the name of a certain type of rug as well as the area in Iran where this thick, durable rug originated. However, other rug-producing countries also make carpets bearing this name. Most reputable stores should be able to provide written certification of a rug’s authenticity, according to Soomekh.
Wool and silk are the most common materials found in the pile of Oriental rugs. For rug foundations, weavers will often use cotton or wool. An Oriental rug’s fiber content can literally make or break the carpet, because wool, for example, is more durable than silk. And it can make a difference in what you will pay, because silk generally costs more than cotton. To ensure you are paying a fair price, always check a rug’s fiber content label, which, by U.S. federal law, all retailers are required to provide, before taking it home.
“There are opportunists who specialize on dumping goods on the retail public,” cautions Dee Nahigian, co-owner of H.C. Nahigian & Sons in Skokie. “They will tell you a rug is made of silk when it’s cotton, it’s an antique when it’s new, and it’s of investment quality when it’s not.”
Rugs dating back 100 years or more usually fall into the antique category. Those that are 50 to 100 years old are considered semi-antique. Like other rare or uniquely hand-crafted items, antique and semi-antique rugs in good condition come with high price tags. If the rugs are authentic, the prices may very well be warranted. If not, buyer beware.
Rug producers can make new rugs look older through chemical washing. Using faded colors in the weaving process can also add “years” to a new rug, according to Nahigian. “As long as these rugs aren’t being sold as antiques, they can be of good value,” he says. “They offer an antique look without paying four times the price.”
To check if a rug has been chemically enhanced, Nahigian suggests running your thumb over the rug’s nap and looking closely at the pile. If the color of the pile appears more brilliant near the base of the rug then it does at the top, bleaching may very well be the cause.
Other valuable tips for smart rug shopping include:
– Home trial/approval. Seeing an Oriental rug on your home’s floors will either seal the deal or leave you looking for another. “Different lighting, higher ceilings and colors of other rugs are all distracters when you are in a store,” says Soomekh. “If you’re in doubt about a rug, take it home on approval.” Most reputable stores will allow home trials on credit or for a deposit.
– Certified appraisal. Many retailers offer appraisals of their own inventories as well as of rugs from other dealers. However, if you are uncomfortable with a rug’s price and/or its seller, experts recommend seeking a second opinion. “There are no set rules about when or at what price level you should obtain a certified appraisal,” says Eways. “Most consumers don’t have a problem (or seek an outside appraisal) with anything under $3,500.”
– Bargaining. Rugs with price tags provide a good frame of reference before any money exchanges hands, says Soomekh. Yet, the marked price isn’t always the final price.
“Bargaining is part of the fun of rug shopping,” says Reza Ekhtera, owner of La Maison Floor Covering in Evanston. “Discounts will often depend on a dealer’s overhead or market conditions. I don’t usually go past a double digit, but sometimes I’ll discount padding, installation, cleaning or repair.”
Although discounts can be a bonus, experts caution that drastic reductions or going-out-of-business sales may be too good to be true.
“A 10 to 40 percent discount can be reasonable for newer or fashion rugs,” says Soomekh, “but when you get to finely made, antique and semi-antique rugs, there are few discounts. These rugs are unique and difficult to find and buy.”
