Month: December 2021

Should I Repair my Rug by Myself?

As much as you love and treasure your Oriental rug, accidents happen. We understand this! Whether your dog chewed on it, a high heel pulled a hole in it, wine spilled on the fibers, or a number of other potential catastrophes, you’re looking at a rug that is no longer in pristine condition. It’s time to think about Oriental rug repair. Can you handle this on your own or do you need to take your rug somewhere? We highly encourage you to choose the latter. 

Do not try to fix your rug on your own! When damaged, fine Oriental rugs require top-quality repairs in order to maintain their value and beauty. Unqualified restorers can damage the rug with unskilled efforts, resulting in poor quality and unsightly repairs. You may find your “repaired” rug is even worse off than when you brought it in! Others may do improper or more costly work than is suitable for the rug. At Serafian’s, we make every possible effort to perform the correct repair for the problem at hand, without needless time or costs. We can work within your budget to achieve the results you desire.

Our Oriental rug repair specialists utilize the finest materials, techniques and skill to restore your rug properly, preventing further potential damage, while increasing its beauty and value in the process. This is something you simply cannot achieve on your own. If you decided to clean your Oriental rug yourself and damaged it in the process, you will be kicking yourself. This is why we don’t recommend that anyone go the DIY route when it comes to these fine, hand-knotted rugs. Remember, they are not just floor coverings; they are works of art! Your Oriental rug was made by hand by an expert craftsmans, and so it should be repaired by hand by an expert craftsman as well. When your carpet is repaired by professionals, it will look like a new carpet. If it needs to be cleaned at the same time, we can handle a rug cleaning service as well. Drop off your Oriental rug in less than perfect condition and when you come back, you’ll be amazed at the results we are able to achieve! 

As your Albuquerque Oriental rug experts, we love not just selling beautiful rugs but also educating our community about these amazing products and providing expert rug repair. We offer comprehensive repair services for wool, silk, and cotton rugs due to damage from accidents, dry rot and wear. Our in-house experts are ready to fix your Oriental rug’s cosmetic and structural problems so it can look like new again, without an excessive price. In order to show you how dedicated we are to this mission, we provide free evaluation and estimates for repairing your cherished Oriental rugs.

History: What Makes Oriental Rugs so Special?

There’s a lot that goes into what makes a genuine Oriental rug so special. As your Albuquerque rug experts, we love not just selling Oriental rugs but also educating our community about these amazing products. Much of what makes them so valuable and unique is their history, as well as how they are made, and with what materials. 

In 1920, a carpet dating back to the Fifth Century B.C., dubbed the ‘Pazyryk carpet,’ was discovered in Siberia amongst other treasures of the Scythians. These were an ethnic Iranic people, like the Persians and Kurds. Archaeologists have surmised that the carpet itself may have found its way to Siberia from Persepolis in Iran, due to it having a striking resemblance to those that can still be seen around the ancient Persian capital. Even in ancient times, the Persians were known for their carpets! It was well preserved in ice, so we could see exactly how gorgeous it was as well as how long these people had been making rugs.

Historians think that Cyrus the Great probably introduced the art of carpet making in Persia after he conquered Babylon in 539 B.C. For more than 2,500 years, these rugs have been the best of the best. Known for their beauty and amazing quality, hand-woven Oriental rugs have long been revered by the rest of the world. Why, though? What makes these rugs so much more valuable than others?

For one, they are expertly-made. Carefully and lovingly woven by hand, Oriental rugs are a testament to the ability and creativity of the artisans who craft them. Because of their painstaking craftsmanship, these rugs are also highly regarded for their quality and durability. Another reason these rugs are so sought-after is because they are truly unique. Each weaver is different and so is each spool of thread, therefore each handmade carpet is special. No two are identical! You won’t get this kind of dedication to craftsmanship and uniqueness for a factory-made rug sold in a store that also sells lawn mowers, cheese, and shoes.

Oriental rugs are not simple floor coverings. These pieces are works of art! The reason they are so renowned is partly for their rich colors and interesting designs. Oriental rugs are made with all-natural wools, silk, and vegetable dyes, rather than synthetic materials. The skills used in weaving these special rugs have been passed down from generation to generation.

They also last a long time. If you give your rug the right attention and care it needs, it will be enjoyed by your family and visitors to your home for generations to come. This is one reason that these pieces are great investments, and often even increase in worth if properly maintained.

Iranian culture is known and celebrated across the globe for their rugs. They are sometimes called Persian rugs or Oriental rugs; these two terms refer to the same thing. These rugs have not only found their way into households and interiors the world over, but also into our hearts. Simply put, we love Oriental rugs and we hope you do too!

4 Questions to Have in Mind When Shopping for Oriental Rugs

When you’re looking for the best type of rug in the world, you are shopping for an Oriental rug. This much you know. It’s no wonder that Oriental rugs are sought after by the entire globe. They are known for extremely rich color combinations and unique designs. Because each rug is handmade, they are known for their tremendous variety in design, color, size, and weave. What you don’t know, however, is exactly which rug you want. This isn’t bad news; it simply means it is time to go shopping!

When you are shopping for a new Oriental rug, you’ll want to have a few questions in mind to ensure you are happy with your final purchase. A few ideas to get you started thinking include:

Was this rug made by hand or machine?

You want to avoid knock-offs. Genuine Oriental rugs, like those sold here at Serafian’s, are always woven by hand. That means the back of these rugs will always feature a series of knots that are hand tied by the expert artisan weaver. 

What makes this Oriental rug so valuable?

Rugs made of special wool and handcrafted in certain areas of the world cost more than the others. There are five important elements that influence the true value of an authentic Oriental rug. These are weave consistency, age, knot density, technique, and the fiber used. Be sure to get a detailed explanation of each element before buying the rug you have your eye on.

Can you explain the knot density?

Speaking of knot density, it is crucial for you as a rug buyer to understand knot density. This factor would reveal the durability and strength of a rug. Each type of rug has its own density rating. Pakistani rugs are evaluated with a ratio by knot count per square inch. The numerator indicates knots in a horizontal inch while the denominator represents the knots lying on a vertical inch. As a quick example, 16/18 is known as the best quality while 12/12 is of average quality. 

Do I need a rug pad?

While an Oriental rug pad may seem like an after-thought, it is absolutely essential for protecting both your floors and the rug you love. When it comes to valuable Oriental rugs, a high-quality rug pad is an absolute must! The most important reason is that it helps to increase the life of your rug by protecting it from wear and tear. 
Those in Albuquerque, New Mexico have the experts at Serafian’s for all of their Oriental rug needs and questions. We want to make your shopping experience a successful one. This is why we aim to educate our shoppers, not simply sell to them. Don’t hesitate to reach out and ask us anything else you’re wondering about. We’re happy to answer them all!