The boteh (commonly known as paisley), is a familiar motif in Oriental rugs.  There are various translations of the word and what exactly the pear shaped symbol represents; however, descriptions usually refer to a pine cone, flower or teardrop. In rugs and Kashmiri shawls, where the boteh was first utilized, the motif is generally used [...]

An exquisite example of artistry awaits visitors in the loggia [above] of  The Adamson House, a California historic landmark built in 1929 and located in the beachfront town of Malibu. At first glance the 18-foot-long Persian style runner, original to the house and designed by ceramic artist William Handly of Malibu Potteries, might be mistaken [...]

Several colors are used to create pattern in this vintage braided rug.
My grandma Zabel showed me how to repair Persian rugs. When I look back on my early years in the rug restoration business, one memory of my grandmother stands out the most — her frugality.  She insisted on saving every scrap of leftover yarn.  [...]

This square Turkish entry-hall rug is a colorful choice and a terrific example of how a rug’s pattern can help balance a space. The oversized diamond-shaped center of this tribal carpet has shades of green and blue that nearly fill the wine-colored field — creating an illusion of size.  At the same time, the smaller [...]

A Jonathan Adler designed room at the California hotel Parker Palm Springs.
Morocco may be known for its vivid, flat-weave rugs but another style is so completely different you may not have realized it too, hails from Morocco.
Vintage Beni Ouarain (the name of the tribe) rugs were woven by Berber women of Morocco’s Mid-Atlas mountains in [...]

Andy Warhol “Pop” rug
A recent post on hallway rugs prompted a response from a reader inquiring where to locate the contemporary rug featured in the first photo of the article.  It was a terrific question because it got me thinking how many times I have viewed designer and magazine photos that left me wondering where [...]

Rustic brick, wood floors and a classic Persian rug combine to give this closet-sized wine cellar a Mediterranean ambiance.  The rug’s modest 2×3 foot size is pumped up by a saturated field color of traditional madder-red.  Small oriental rugs like this one have always been my favorite because although petite in size, they add a [...]

Though not kid-specific, monogrammed accessories are a popular way to decorate kid rooms.  Initial-themed products are available in many forms to use alone or combined to spell out your child’s name or favorite saying.  (Photo above PB Teen)
When I discovered these monogram rugs [below] from Creative Carpet Design, I instantly thought how ideal they would [...]

Selecting an area rug for a room with a sofa or sectional is not as straightforward as finding the right size rug for under a dining room table or bed.  There are more variables involved in deciding on the carpet size that works best for your seating area.  Some very basic guidelines apply, but even [...]

To all our blog pals visiting for Metamorphosis Monday, welcome!  If you haven’t had time (what other reason could there be?) to read my bio, I am the Rug Guru Jane T. of Atticmag.  Rugs are in my blood.  So are decorating and design.  I also have an insatiable curiosity.  You never know what my [...]

Recently Jane F. teamed up with our pal Anne of Virtual Room Previews to tackle her kitchen redo.  We’ve always been amazed with Anne’s virtual techno-wizardry.  So much, that we’ve asked her to be a regular here on Atticmag.
This week I had the pleasure of working with Anne on altering 3 bedrooms to show the [...]

When House Beautiful featured a room makeover by New York designer Jonathan Rosen [above], my eye went straight to the rug.  It appeared to be a dhurrie.   There is a clue in the image as to why I think that, which I’ll get to further down.
Dhurrie rugs are woven from cotton or wool and sometimes [...]