Persian rugs are pieces of handmade floor art and enhance the atmosphere of your home. Simply selecting a rug just by size can limit your options.  There are some other important aspects you can take into account that will ensure finding a rug that is the perfect fit for you and your home. The most important things to determine before going hunting for a rug are these: desired size range and shape, style, colors, material, and type of construction.

Thinking about color can be confusing and complicated. We like to recommend that you choose a rug that will set the pallet of your room from the floor up. Paint hues can be chosen from the rug, and it can be paired with furniture that will blend or contrast. Other accessory pieces such as drapes, pillows, and vases can accent using the color pallet of yarns.

Allowing the style of the rug to set the tone and overall mood of a room is also a valuable approach to interior design. We have found using chobis and traditional geometric and floral designs in the dining room or living room helps elevate the formal feel. Family rooms and bedrooms begin to have more informal and cozy atmospheres from the use of gabbehs and other types of rugs with more solid colors and pictorial patterns. In kitchens and bathrooms, a small colorful gabbeh will add warmth, texture, and style.

Once you have decided on your criteria of size, shape, style, and color, you can set off on your search! The internet is great resource, see our selections at www.truckeerug.com. There is the possibility that a garage sale or estate sale may yield a treasure find. But perhaps the best way is to visit our store in person. In our showroom, you can browse through many options in person and even take a rug home right away for a seven-day free trial.

The value of Persian rugs is equated with their utility and long life span. We hear of rugs often that have been left by relatives that are over 100 years old. Their natural materials of mostly wool and hand-knotted construction allow them to be cleaned regularly where as a cheaper, machine-made rug with some use of glues may fall apart more quickly if not maintained well. The larger a Persian rug the more expensive it becomes because creating it is very labor intensive. The true value of these serviceable artworks is their flexibility, joy, and longevity. Remember, you’re not just buying a rug for yourself; you’re buying for future generations as well. 

frequently asked questions

Q: What is a Gabbeh?

A: Our most popular type of rug, Gabbehs are hand-knotted and hand-dyed rugs by the nomadic tribes of Iran who raise their own sheep for wool and gather the ingredients for the natural dyes from the lands they migrate through. The patterns and colors of Gabbehs have been passed down through the weavers for many generations and are inspired by the animals and landscape around them.

Q: Why are Persian rugs considered so special?

A: The type of wool, the natural dyes, and the hand-knotting techniques all give value to genuine Persian rugs. These rugs are impossible to mechanically replicate. If well taken care of, a Persian rug will last multiple generations without noticeable fading and the weave will tighten over time. The craftsmanship of these lustrous and durable carpets is unsurpassed.

Q: How many rugs do you have?

A: Between our showroom and our webstore at truckeerug.com, we have nearly 1,300 different kinds of Persian rugs! Our collection has been slowly growing over the past ten years, and chances are definitely in your favor that al least one of these rugs was meant for you and your home!

Q: Which rug(s) will look best in my home?

A: Finding the rug that is the perfect fit for your home is intended to be a fun process! We offer a 7-day in home rug trial if you find several rugs you’d like to choose among. home consultations are available. Talk to our knowledgeable staff for options and plenty of assistance in selecting the rug that is just right for you!

Q: How do I clean my rug?

A: Some simple home maintenance tips are: 1 – Use a rug pad. Get one that is designed specifically for the type of flooring you are placing the rug on, like carpet vs. tile. Rug pads greatly reduce the wear and tear on the rug. 2 – Rotate and reposition the rug every six months. This will help even out the wear on the rug, especially in highly used areas. 3 – Vacuum carefully! Do not go over the fringe with a vacuum that has a beater bar that can catch it and tear it loose. 4 – Spot clean spills and other problems immediately.  Use cold water, never hot, as this preserves the natural protective lanolin within the wool. 5 – Have more serious damage evaluated by a professional. We know how to handle potential problems such as preventing dyes from running and removing dirt and stains, not driving them deeper. A thorough wash every one to three years will help extend your rug’s life. 

Ethnic clothing, Tribal accessories, and Local art.

In addition to our rugs and hand painted gourds, we have also gathered unique items from the surrounding countries of Uzbekistan, Turkey, and other regions of Central Asia. In this collection we have quite a variety of these items such as robes, dresses, decorative wall hangings and bed covers, fabrics, tribal jewelry, saddlebags, pillows, and cushions. They are rare and note-worthy additions to any wardrobe or home.

Ikat-Atlas: This unique fabric is made through a special process of dyeing and laying out a pattern with individual fibers before weaving it together. This process is usually done by hand and requires a great deal of precision and skill on the part of the weaver. Uzbek Ikat-Atlas is bright and lively. It is made with silk that is produced by the craftsmen themselves from their own carefully cultivated silkworm farms. This silk is what gives the final product its softness and beautiful luster. Geometrical and floral patterns of the Ikat-Atlas are becoming popular all over the world. Ikat-Atlas is a wonderful example of Uzbek craftsmanship and culture and is used in the making many other Uzbek handmade articles. We carry an expanding selection of Ikat-Atlas fabric lengths that are ideal for an eye-catching table runner or to use as you would any other fabric to make articles of clothing or pieces for your home.

Chapan Robes: This is one of the most important and distinctive elements of traditional Uzbek garb. These robes are known for their comfort, rich colors, original designs, and bold exotic patterns. They are either made of cotton fabrics and then elaborately embroidered with silk floral motifs or constructed of ikat-atlas fabric. An incredible piece of folk-art, they are appropriate for display or everyday wear.

Gourds: Local artist Kathleen Sailor has a collection of hand painted gourds on display. Using various combinations of burning, carving, oil painting and dyeing, they are each transformed into unique, one-of-a-kind creations that you just have to see once to be captivated by. They are perfect as gifts and statement pieces that you can showcase in your own home for years to come.

Suznis: These large embroidered tapestries from Uzbekistan are colorful and exciting. They are generally used as wall decorations, bed covers or throws. Their colors are diverse and bright with hand embroidered designs that are highly geometrical and showcase floral elements such as rosettes, wreaths, and leaves. Grid layouts are highly common. They were originally used as wedding gifts and are quite durable, made with cotton fabric as the base, the detailed embroidery is done completely by hand with silk threads. These quality home textiles and statement pieces are rare finds. 

Hand knotted takes 10 times longer than tufted

Oriental rugs have long been viewed as prized possessions and valuable heirlooms.  What are the exact qualities that have enabled them to maintain their reputation and desirability through the years? It is as simple as this: the manner in which they are constructed matters immensely. The quality of the materials used is also no small matter.

Every rug starts with a basic foundation of warp and weft threads. The warp threads are stretched length-wise first and then the weft threads are woven perpendicular to the warp.  With fabrics and some rugs, the weft itself makes the pattern of the piece. But with hand-knotted rugs, the warp and weft make up a grid that the pile, the visible yarn tufts, can be attached to.

“Hand-tufted” usually refers to rugs where the yarns have been attached to a canvas foundation using a tufting gun to punch strands of wool through and trim the ends to a uniform height. Then glue is used to secure the wool to the foundation and the back is covered with another layer of canvas to give it a finished look. These rugs may have an oriental design, but they are not constructed in true oriental fashion.

This photo shows the back of the two different methods of attaching the yarn.

“Hand-knotted” is the technique that has been used for centuries to create these durable and beautiful rugs. The strands of wool yarn are all first tightly tied to the wool or cotton foundation by hand, and then they are carefully trimmed by hand. This way of knotting ensures that the rug will not fall apart with age; in fact, it will become stronger as the knots tighten with the movement and use of the rug.  Each rug made in this fashion will also have minor inconsistencies in symmetry or fringe binding that make them the unique pieces of art they are rightly regarded as.

The wool used in these rugs is also a major factor as it comes from the local sheep that have been grazed in lands where their diet naturally produces high amounts of lanolin in their coats. It is this lanolin that gives the wool its ability to repel dirt and stains as well as produce vibrant colors when dyed and retain its luster and shine.

The time that the craftsmanship of the knotting process takes is also a significant factor in the value of a rug.  Hand-tufted rugs can be produced much more quickly as they are much less labor intensive than hand-knotted rugs. It can take up to two years for the intricate pattern of an eight-foot by ten-foot rug to be completed.  

   

When you invest in a genuine hand-knotted Persian rug, you can be assured that you are contributing to an enduring trade and a rich tradition based on high standards of quality.  These beautiful, functional, and durable pieces of art continue to be distinctive possessions and it is our hope we can help you find a rug that will serve you with satisfaction for years to come. 

Caring for your rugs

Truckee Mountain Rug Co is dedicated to placing high-quality, hand-knotted, all-natural Persian rugs into homes where they will be loved and treasured for years to come.

We have over 2,000 rugs and accessories available between our showroom and our webstore, www.truckeerug.com.  We also wash and repair rugs and offer rug pads, ethnic clothing, fine art painted gourds, and selected antiques.

By taking the time and effort to properly care for your precious rugs, they will provide you with decades of beauty, comfort and luxury.

o   One of the best ways to protect your rug is to take the simple precaution of keeping it from getting it dirty in the first place. Most people in rug weaving countries remove outdoor shoes when entering a house. Wearing socks is much gentler to a rug than hard outdoor shoes or heels, plus leaving them at the entrance tracks in much less dirt. Of course, an accumulation of dust and dirt through time is inevitable and when it is time for a cleaning, we will be happy to wash it for you!

o   Reposition your rug 180 degrees every six months. This will allow for even wear of the pile, and prolong the life of your rug. Repositioning will also permit you to inspect your rug, carefully checking under the rug, pad, and floor for evidence of parasites such as moths or carpet beetles.  If you find any damage of any kind, we can inspect it and provide necessary repairs.

o   Vacuum your rug very carefully. Utilize a vacuum with a beater bar only or just suction- no brushes- and be cautious to avoid catching the fringe. Rugs that are left in areas of low traffic for long periods are prone to pest problems so remember to check any carpets you have in areas such as guest rooms and hallways that aren’t used often.

o   Spot clean immediately! If there is a spill or other problem, time is of the essence! BASIC CLEANER RECIPE: 1/4 cup white vinegar, 1/2 tsp liquid dishwashing detergent, 2 cups tepid water. Most Oriental rug dyes are acid-fast. By adding a little white vinegar to the wash water you make the wash water more acidic, and this reinforces the bond between the dyes and the wool in the rug, and so helps prevent the colors from running. Then bring your rug in and we will help restore your rug to its former glory!

o   Have your rugs professionally washed thoroughly every one to three years. We recommend that you never entrust your investment to an on-location cleaner or one that uses machines. Improper surface cleaning only drives soil deeper into the wool fiber, making it more difficult to remove. The natural fibers of these rugs are extremely absorbent, taking any kind of liquid deep inside the yarn so the harsh chemicals and high heat used with commercial methods could permanently damage your investment. Our cleaner uses professional immersion cleaning where the rugs are allowed to drink in as much cold, soft water as possible. This allows every square inch of the rug to be rinsed, flushed, and groomed, including the foundation, which is very important to the life and value of the rug.

Bring yours in for a cleaning estimate or call us to arrange an in home visit!

Read About Our History!

This article first appeared in the High Hand Nursery Newsletter Jan/Feb 2012 issue. We hope you enjoy it as it explains what brought Michael into the rug business.

An Introduction to Truckee Mountain Rug Company

Naturally Dyed Yarns

Ground Loom Weaving

It all started in September 2001 when Michael Murphy, a locally renowned architect, was traveling and bought a Gabbeh rug in Amsterdam, Holland. The sales person informed Michael that importers could be found through the Internet if he ever wished to buy another. After returning to his home in Auburn, that is exactly what he did. He furnished his office with a few more and when his clients saw, they wanted some too! So he happily purchased more and six months from owning his first Gabbeh, they were an integral part of the interiors portion of his practice. The loft in his office became his first store with around 100 rugs to choose from.

As he bought and sold more rugs and his collection was starting to outgrow the loft, he began looking to establish a dedicated store. He settled on a location in Truckee, also owing to the fact that Auburn already had an oriental rug gallery and that he felt the natural contemporary feel of the Gabbeh lent itself perfection to vacation homes here and in the Tahoe area. He knew once the business had established itself well, he would be willing to move it back down the hill when conditions were right. That time came in 2007 when Michael took the opportunity to come to Loomis and set up shop as one of the first businesses established in the beautiful fruit sheds here at High Hand Nursery.

Nomadic Flock of Sheep

When asked “What drew you to these rugs?,” Michael replied, “Gabbeh rugs are the main feature of my collection because they appeal to my eye! I enjoy their tribal nature; the word “Gabbeh” itself means “rough.” I appreciate how they are spun with wool from the nomad’s own sheep, dyed with natural dyes, and woven on ground looms that are placed and removed as the tribes migrate with their sheep. They are an integral part of a tribe’s everyday life, not made just for export, so each rug becomes a unique creation as the individual weaver uses their medium to express the joy they find in their surroundings. Every single Gabbeh is unique, the shapes can be a little irregular, there is a wide variety of bright colors, plus many whimsical details that only become apparent by taking a closer look at the pattern. I personally select every single rug we offer because of it’s unique appearance and because it would blend well in today’s homes.”

Today, Truckee Mountain Rug Co has over 2,000 rugs and accessories available between their showroom and their webstore, www.truckeerug.com. We also wash and repair rugs and offer ethic clothing, fine art painted gourds, and selected antiques.

Gabbeh Girl

Learn about headdresses from the Gabbeh Girl. Shot on location at Truckee Mountain Rug Co. www.truckeerug.com