$12,950
W 122 in L 170 in
Nazmiyal Collection Unusual Bold Abstract Retro Modern Area Rug 10'2" x 14'2"
By Nazmiyal Collection
Located in New York, NY
Unusual Bold Abstract Retro Design Modern Area Rug, Country of Origin: Central Asia, Circa date
Wool
Rare and Unusual Mid-Century Modern Beni Ouarain Wool Berber Rug
Located in Milan, IT
of the northeastern Middle Atlas. Their rugs differ from other Berber weavings in that they are woven
Wool
$8,100 / item
W 108 in L 144 in
Super-Unusual Multicolor Square Pattern Contemporary Cotton American Hooked Rug
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary Hooked Rug 9 x 12 American Hooked Rugs Contemporary American Hooked carpet utilizing
Wool
Old and Unusual Beni Ouarain Berber Rug
Located in Milan, IT
of the northeastern Middle Atlas. Their rugs differ from other Berber weavings in that they are woven
Wool
Unusual Vintage White Ground Azilal Moroccan Berber Prayer Rug
Located in Milan, IT
The rugs from the Azilal region, located in the Moroccan central High Atlas, have been a relatively
Wool
Unusual Woven Teak Floor Covering
Located in Doylestown, PA
An unusual floor covering made from thousands of tiny teak blocks strung together with wire.
Teak
Unusual Empty Ivory Field Vintage Beni Ouarain Moroccan Berber Rug
Located in Milan, IT
of the northeastern Middle Atlas. Their rugs differ from other Berber weavings in that they are woven
Wool
$6,962
W 73.23 in L 140.16 in
Rare and Unusual Vintage Geometric Beni Ouarain Moroccan Berber White/Mocha Rug
Located in Milan, IT
Atlas mountains in Morocco. Their rugs differ from other Berber weavings in that they are woven almost
Wool
Moroccan Chichawa Red Runner
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
! Placed side by side with another similar rug, it becomes an interesting unusual large rug. No modern
Wool
Modern rug Abstract unusual shiny pattern handmade - Volcanic Saga
By Tapis Rouge Atelier
Located in Seattle, WA
introduce the Himalaya Collection, a symphony of gorgeous hues and mountain-inspired motifs. Each rug is
Wool, Silk
Rug Spacex, Modern Unusual Decor Hand-Knotted, in Stock
By Tapis Rouge Atelier
Located in Seattle, WA
collection reflects a principally new approach to perception of rug in interior making it an art object at
Wool
Unavailable
W 102.37 in L 78.75 in
Modern Unusual Rug Multicolored Irregular Shape Striped, Spacex Large
By Tapis Rouge Atelier
Located in Seattle, WA
collection reflects a principally new approach to perception of rug in interior making it an art object at
Wool
Unavailable
W 106.3 in L 141.74 in
Modern Rug Abstract Unusual Shiny Pattern Handmade, Volcanic Saga, Medium
By Tapis Rouge Atelier
Located in Seattle, WA
introduce the Himalaya Collection, a symphony of gorgeous hues and mountain-inspired motifs. Each rug is
Wool, Silk
Unavailable
W 59.06 in L 96.46 in
Modern Rug Abstract Unusual Shiny Pattern Handmade, Volcanic Saga, Small
By Tapis Rouge Atelier
Located in Seattle, WA
introduce the Himalaya Collection, a symphony of gorgeous hues and mountain-inspired motifs. Each rug is
Wool, Silk
Unavailable
W 118.12 in L 157.49 in
Modern Rug Abstract Unusual Shiny Pattern Handmade, Volcanic Saga, Large
By Tapis Rouge Atelier
Located in Seattle, WA
introduce the Himalaya Collection, a symphony of gorgeous hues and mountain-inspired motifs. Each rug is
Wool, Silk
Unavailable
W 87.01 in L 102.37 in
Modern Colofrul Unusual Rug Multicolored Irregular Shape, Gamma Est Large
By Natalia Enze
Located in Seattle, WA
collection reflects a principally new approach to perception of rug in interior making it an art object at
Wool
Unavailable
W 102.37 in L 78.75 in
Modern Unusual Rug Multicolored Irregular Shape Brown, Space Odity Large
By Tapis Rouge Atelier
Located in Seattle, WA
collection reflects a principally new approach to perception of rug in interior making it an art object at
Wool
Unavailable
W 98.43 in L 94.49 in
Modern Colofrul Blue Black Unusual Rug Irregular Shape, Solaris Large
By Tapis Rouge Atelier
Located in Seattle, WA
collection reflects a principally new approach to perception of rug in interior making it an art object at
Wool
Unavailable
W 87.01 in L 102.37 in
Modern Colofrul Unusual Rug Multicolored Irregular Shape, Gamma Orient Large
By Natalia Enze
Located in Seattle, WA
collection reflects a principally new approach to perception of rug in interior making it an art object at
Wool
Unavailable
W 87.01 in L 102.37 in
Modern Colofrul Unusual Rug Multicolored Irregular Shape, Gamma Nord Large
By Natalia Enze
Located in Seattle, WA
collection reflects a principally new approach to perception of rug in interior making it an art object at
Wool
Unavailable
W 87.01 in L 102.37 in
Modern Colofrul Unusual Rug Multicolored Irregular Shape, Gamma Sud Large
By Natalia Enze
Located in Seattle, WA
collection reflects a principally new approach to perception of rug in interior making it an art object at
Wool
Unavailable
W 66.93 in L 78.75 in
Modern colofrul unusual small rug Multicolored Irregular shape - Gamma Nord
By Natalia Enze
Located in Seattle, WA
collection reflects a principally new approach to perception of rug in interior making it an art object at
Wool
Unavailable
W 70.87 in L 54.34 in
Modern unusual rug Multicolored Irregular shape brown, Space Odity small
By Tapis Rouge Atelier
Located in Seattle, WA
collection reflects a principally new approach to perception of rug in interior making it an art object at
Wool
Unavailable
W 78.75 in L 75.6 in
Modern colofrul blue black unusual rug Irregular shape, Solaris small
By Tapis Rouge Atelier
Located in Seattle, WA
collection reflects a principally new approach to perception of rug in interior making it an art object at
Wool
Unavailable
W 66.93 in L 78.75 in
Modern colofrul unusual rug Multicolored Irregular shape, Gamma Sud small
By Natalia Enze
Located in Seattle, WA
collection reflects a principally new approach to perception of rug in interior making it an art object at
Wool
Unavailable
W 66.93 in L 78.75 in
Modern colofrul unusual rug Multicolored Irregular shape, Gamma Est small
By Natalia Enze
Located in Seattle, WA
collection reflects a principally new approach to perception of rug in interior making it an art object at
Wool
Unavailable
W 66.93 in L 78.75 in
Modern colofrul unusual rug Multicolored Irregular shape, Gamma Orient small
By Natalia Enze
Located in Seattle, WA
collection reflects a principally new approach to perception of rug in interior making it an art object at
Wool
Unavailable
W 78.75 in L 76.78 in
Bright Modern Blue Rug Irregular Unusual Abstract Shape, Azzurro, in Stock
By Natalia Enze
Located in Seattle, WA
Bring life and interest to your home with the TRATTO collection's unique, vibrant rugs The
Wool
Unavailable
W 70.87 in L 54.34 in
Modern unusual rug Multicolored Irregular shape striped black brown Spacex small
By Tapis Rouge Atelier
Located in Seattle, WA
collection reflects a principally new approach to perception of rug in interior making it an art object at
Wool
Rug Multicolored Irregular Unusual shape maximalism - Laser Sun
By Natalia Enze
Located in Seattle, WA
collection reflects a principally new approach to perception of rug in interior making it an art object at
Wool
Rug Multicolored Irregular Unusual shape maximalism - Laser Earth
By Natalia Enze
Located in Seattle, WA
collection reflects a principally new approach to perception of rug in interior making it an art object at
Wool
Pattern Contemporary Unusual beige Wool Silk Rug - Googie
By Natalia Enze
Located in Seattle, WA
, futuristic shapes. The collection and, in particular, the rug, perfectly captures the philosophy of Googie
Wool, Silk
Unavailable
W 106.3 in L 141.74 in
Rug Googie Colorful Designer Unusual Wool Silk Rug, Medium, in Stock
By Natalia Enze
Located in Seattle, WA
that people of that period used and lived in. And it brought that spirit of the modern age to their
Wool, Silk
Unavailable
W 118.12 in L 157.49 in
Rug Googie Colorful Designer Unusual Wool Silk Rug, Large, in Stock
By Natalia Enze
Located in Seattle, WA
that people of that period used and lived in. And it brought that spirit of the modern age to their
Wool, Silk
Unavailable
W 78.75 in L 78.75 in
Contemporary Italian White Rug Irregular Unusual Abstract Shape - Bianco
By Natalia Enze
Located in Seattle, WA
Bring life and interest to your home with the TRATTO collection's unique, vibrant rugs The
Wool, Silk
Unavailable
W 86.62 in L 78.75 in
Colorful Contemporary Gold Rug Irregular Unusual Abstract Shape - Marrone
By Natalia Enze
Located in Seattle, WA
Bring life and interest to your home with the TRATTO collection's unique, vibrant rugs The
Silk
Unavailable
W 86.62 in L 80.71 in
Bright Contemporary Purple Rug Irregular Unusual Abstract Shape, Viola
By Natalia Enze
Located in Seattle, WA
Bring life and interest to your home with the TRATTO collection's unique, vibrant rugs The
Wool
Unavailable
W 78.75 in L 76.78 in
Bright Contemporary blue rug Irregular Unusual Abstract shape - Azzurro
By Natalia Enze
Located in Seattle, WA
Bring life and interest to your home with the TRATTO collection's unique, vibrant rugs The
Wool
Unavailable
W 85.04 in L 106.3 in
Rug Multicolored Irregular Unusual Shape Bright, Laser Mercury, Large
By Natalia Enze
Located in Seattle, WA
collection reflects a principally new approach to perception of rug in interior making it an art object at
Wool
Unavailable
W 63 in L 78.75 in
Rug Multicolored Irregular Unusual shape maximalism bright - Laser Mercury
By Natalia Enze
Located in Seattle, WA
collection reflects a principally new approach to perception of rug in interior making it an art object at
Wool
Unavailable
W 85.04 in L 106.3 in
Rug Multicolored Irregular Unusual Shape Maximalism, Laser Earth, Large
By Natalia Enze
Located in Seattle, WA
collection reflects a principally new approach to perception of rug in interior making it an art object at
Wool
Unavailable
W 85.04 in L 106.3 in
Rug Multicolored Irregular Unusual Shape Maximalism, Laser Sun Large
By Natalia Enze
Located in Seattle, WA
collection reflects a principally new approach to perception of rug in interior making it an art object at
Wool
Unavailable
W 63 in L 78.75 in
Rug Laser Mars Bright Colorful Unusual Shape Hand Knotted Rug, In Stock
By Natalia Enze
Located in Seattle, WA
collection reflects a principally new approach to perception of rug in interior making it an art object at
Wool, Silk
Colorful Rug Unusual Irregular Shape Hand-Knotted - Magnetic Rock
By Tapis Rouge Atelier
Located in Seattle, WA
collection reflects a principally new approach to perception of rug in interior making it an art object at
Wool, Silk
Geometric Unusual White Blue Hand Knotted Wool Silk Rug - P44
By Tapis Rouge Atelier
Located in Seattle, WA
The Aesthetics of Our Time P44 rug of the Frozen collection is an avant-garde graphics made of silk
Wool, Silk
Unavailable
W 98.43 in L 118.12 in
Pattern Contemporary Unusual beige Wool Silk Rug - Googie, in Stock
By Natalia Enze
Located in Seattle, WA
that people of that period used and lived in. And it brought that spirit of the modern age to their
Wool, Silk
Unavailable
W 78.75 in L 78.75 in
Colorful Red Rug Irregular Unusual Abstract Shape, Magenta, in Stock
By Natalia Enze
Located in Seattle, WA
Bring life and interest to your home with the TRATTO collection's unique, vibrant rugs The
Wool
Unavailable
W 98.43 in L 118.12 in
Colorful Contemporary Gold Rug Unusual Abstract Pattern, Tratto d`Oro
By Natalia Enze
Located in Seattle, WA
Bring life and interest to your home with the TRATTO collection's unique, vibrant rugs The
Wool
Unavailable
W 78.75 in L 78.75 in
Colorful Contemporary Italian Red Rug Irregular Unusual Abstract Shape, Magenta
By Natalia Enze
Located in Seattle, WA
Bring life and interest to your home with the TRATTO collection's unique, vibrant rugs The
Wool
Unavailable
W 98.43 in L 118.12 in
Contemporary Italian Grey Wool Rug Unusual Abstract Pattern, Tratto Grigio
By Natalia Enze
Located in Seattle, WA
Bring life and interest to your home with the TRATTO collection's unique, vibrant rugs The
Wool, Silk
Unavailable
W 98.43 in L 118.12 in
Contemporary Italian White Light Rug Unusual Abstract Pattern, Tratto Largo
By Natalia Enze
Located in Seattle, WA
Bring life and interest to your home with the TRATTO collection's unique, vibrant rugs The
Wool, Silk
Rug Laser Sun Colorful Designer Unusual Hand-Knotted, In Stock
By Natalia Enze
Located in Seattle, WA
collection reflects a principally new approach to perception of rug in interior making it an art object at
Wool
Rug Laser Venus, Colorful Unusual Shape Hand-Knotted, in Stock
By Natalia Enze
Located in Seattle, WA
collection reflects a principally new approach to perception of rug in interior making it an art object at
Wool, Silk
Unavailable
W 55.12 in L 102.37 in
Colorful Rug Unusual Irregular Shape Hand Knotted, Magnetic Rock Large
By Tapis Rouge Atelier
Located in Seattle, WA
collection reflects a principally new approach to perception of rug in interior making it an art object at
Wool, Silk
Unavailable
W 85.04 in L 106.3 in
Colorful Unusual Irregular Shape Rug Maximalism Yellow, Laser Venus, Large
By Natalia Enze
Located in Seattle, WA
collection reflects a principally new approach to perception of rug in interior making it an art object at
Wool, Silk
Unavailable
W 63 in L 78.75 in
Colorful Unusual irregular Shape Rug maximalism bright yellow - Laser Venus
By Natalia Enze
Located in Seattle, WA
collection reflects a principally new approach to perception of rug in interior making it an art object at
Wool, Silk
Unavailable
W 98.43 in L 118.12 in
Various Pile Height Unusual Hand Knotted Rug Nature Motifs, Aerial Earth
By Tapis Rouge Atelier
Located in Seattle, WA
Planet Earth collection – the series of rugs exploring the beauty of primal nature. Capturing the beauty
Wool, Silk
Unavailable
W 98.43 in L 118.12 in
Various Pile Height Unusual Hand Knotted Rug Nature Motifs, River Flux
By Tapis Rouge Atelier
Located in Seattle, WA
Planet Earth collection – the series of rugs exploring the beauty of primal nature. Capturing the beauty
Wool, Silk
Unavailable
W 98.43 in L 118.12 in
Various Pile Height Unusual Hand Knotted Rug Nature Motifs - Melting Glacier
By Tapis Rouge Atelier
Located in Seattle, WA
Planet Earth collection – the series of rugs exploring the beauty of primal nature. Capturing the beauty
Wool, Silk
Unavailable
W 98.43 in L 118.12 in
Various Pile Height Unusual Fluffy Green Hand Knotted Rug, Mysterious Moss
By Tapis Rouge Atelier
Located in Seattle, WA
Planet Earth collection – the series of rugs exploring the beauty of primal nature. Capturing the beauty
Wool, Silk
Unavailable
W 98.43 in L 118.12 in
Various Pile Height Unusual Fluffy Handmade Rug, Mysterious Moss, in Stock
By Tapis Rouge Atelier
Located in Seattle, WA
Planet Earth collection – the series of rugs exploring the beauty of primal nature. Capturing the beauty
Wool, Silk
Unavailable
W 86.62 in L 80.71 in
Bright Contemporary Purple Rug Irregular Unusual Abstract Shape, Viola, in Stock
By Natalia Enze
Located in Seattle, WA
Bring life and interest to your home with the TRATTO collection's unique, vibrant rugs The
Wool
Unavailable
W 71.66 in L 101.58 in
Bright Contemporary Red White Rug Irregular Unusual Abstract Shape, Tratto Curvo
By Natalia Enze
Located in Seattle, WA
Bring life and interest to your home with the TRATTO collection's unique, vibrant rugs The
Wool, Silk
Unavailable
W 85.04 in L 80.32 in
Bright White Green Rug Irregular Abstract Unusual Shape, Tratto a Pois
By Natalia Enze
Located in Seattle, WA
Bring life and interest to your home with the TRATTO collection's unique, vibrant rugs The
Wool, Silk
Unavailable
W 63 in L 78.75 in
Rug Laser Mercury Colorful Unusual Shape Living Room Designer, In Stock
By Natalia Enze
Located in Seattle, WA
collection reflects a principally new approach to perception of rug in interior making it an art object at
Wool
Unavailable
W 85.04 in L 106.3 in
Rug Laser Sun Colorful Designer Unusual Hand Knotted, Large, in Stock
By Natalia Enze
Located in Seattle, WA
collection reflects a principally new approach to perception of rug in interior making it an art object at
Wool
Pair of Bauhaus Modernist StyleTubular Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Great pair of Bauhaus tubular sling chairs in cowhide and matte steel. The arm covers are black leather that lace up underneath while the seat and back are lace-up cowhide. Similar ...
Steel
19th Century French Silver Gilt Louis Philippe Mirror
Located in Troy, MI
Found in France, this original silver gilt mirror frame dates from the 1880s. Classic Louis Philippe style with arched top and subtle, etched geometric border along top edge. Mirror ...
Mirror, Giltwood
Bertu Bar Stools, Chile Modern Bar Stool, Arms
By Bertu Furniture
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Bertu Bar Stools, Chile Modern Bar Stool, Arms This Chile Modern Bar Stool with Arms is beautifully constructed from solid walnut in Ohio, USA. The bar stool is chunky and modern w...
Upholstery, Wood, Walnut
Lacquered Wood "Rosa" Tray by Pierro Fornasetti
By Fornasetti
Located in Montreal, QC
Lacquered Wood "Rosa" Tray Transfer lithograph by Pierro Fornasetti
Lacquer
FORNASETTI Cigar Humidor
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Italian wooden cigar humidor box with cammei design on faux marble / made in Milan Italy by Fornasetti, in the 1980s Original metal label inside Measures: width 10 inches, de...
Wood
Chris Petersen Sculpture Trio: Cat, Pelican and Owl
By Chris Petersen
Located in Littleton, CO
Elevate your space with the whimsical charm of this trio of 1970s signed Chris Petersen cast aluminum sculptures - cat, owl and rare pelican. In the 1970s, artists began to embrace ...
Aluminum
$7,120Sale Price|20% Off
H 73 in W 55 in D 12 in
1940's Art Nouveau Meets Art Deco Hall Tree, Mirror With Coat Hooks and Shelf
Located in Culver City, CA
Say hello to the most stylish way to check your look before heading out the door! This seriously fabulous vintage Art Nouveau hall tree mirror is giving us all the old-school glamour...
Brass
$8,640 / item
H 10 in Dm 14 in
Hanging Pendant Light Sculpture Contemporary Hand-Blown Glass Blackened Steel
By J.M. Szymanski
Located in Bronx, NY
FLORA NO. 2 J.M. Szymanski D. 2024 What is the architecture of a flower? FLORA, a lighting collection by J.M. Szymanski, explores a flower's remarkable form. The collection is a lin...
Steel
Molteni&C D.847.1 Ash Wood Desk by Gio Ponti
By Gio Ponti, Molteni & C
Located in Boston, MA
A Molteni&C exclusive has given new life to Gio Ponti's table which was originally designed 70 years ago. Thanks to dedicated craftsmanship, this signature piece has been reproduced ...
Brass
$12,927 / item
H 42.01 in W 25.99 in D 1.62 in
Set of 2 Ceiling Suspended Illuminated Mirrors, Bronze Patina Frame, Vintage N.4
By Alguacil & Perkoff Ltd.
Located in London, London
Vintage series N.4. Set of to mid-century style ceiling suspended mirrors with front illumination and a high quality brass full frame with a bronze patina finish inspired by the cele...
Brass, Bronze
$816
H 1.78 in W 7.68 in D 9.65 in
Modern German Porcelain Dish with Beetles by Sofina Porcelain Kitzbuehel
By Sofina Porzellan
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
This completely handmade and hands-free painted porcelain dish is made by Sofina porcelain in Bavaria. Hand-painted with a large stag beetle and other beetles. Rimmed with a platinum...
Porcelain
$15,000
H 30 in W 72 in D 30 in
Dutch Pull Out Table in Hardwood with Japanese Joinery and Danish Aesthetics
By Finn Juhl, Hans J. Wegner, Figure Ground, George Nakashima
Located in Brooklyn, NY
During a residence in Kyoto, Japan, studying Japanese wood joinery, One of Figure Grounds' Founding Partners, Tyler Putnam, struck inspiration for this table. There was never enough ...
Oak, Walnut
Bertu Patio Stools, Chile Patio Stools, Bar Height
By Bertu Furniture
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Bertu Patio Stools, Chile Patio Stools, Bar Height These Outdoor Chile Bar Stools are beautifully constructed from solid wood in Ohio, USA. The bar stool is chunky and modern with a...
Wood, Mahogany
$1,548
H 3.75 in W 13.98 in D 11.82 in
1950s Vallauris Majolica Ceramic Large Leaf Platter / Centerpiece
By Vallauris
Located in Barcelona, ES
Eye-catching large leaf flower glazed ceramic platter, serving tray or centerpiece manufactured by Vallauris. France, 1950-1960s. Interesting to be used as decorative centerpiece, fr...
Ceramic, Majolica, Pottery
$22,000 / item
H 29.14 in W 55.32 in D 29.53 in
Rosewood Desk by Joaquim Tenreiro, Bloch Editors, Brazilian Midcentury, 1965
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in New York, NY
This bloch desk was designed by Joaquim Tenreiro (1906-1992), the “father” of Brazilian modernism, in 1965. The desk offers an interplay of rosewood tones and its elegance is complem...
Rosewood
Surge Console Table In Travertine Marble by Neal Aronowitz
By Neal Aronowitz
Located in Portland, OR
The "Surge Console" is an exquisite fusion of art and functionality, crafted to elevate any space with its striking presence. Inspired by the fluidity and untamed energy of ocean wav...
Travertine
The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw sweeping social change and major scientific advances — both of which contributed to a new aesthetic: modernism. Rejecting the rigidity of Victorian artistic conventions, modernists sought a new means of expression. References to the natural world and ornate classical embellishments gave way to the sleek simplicity of the Machine Age. Architect Philip Johnson characterized the hallmarks of modernism as “machine-like simplicity, smoothness or surface [and] avoidance of ornament.”
Early practitioners of modernist design include the De Stijl (“The Style”) group, founded in the Netherlands in 1917, and the Bauhaus School, founded two years later in Germany.
Followers of both groups produced sleek, spare designs — many of which became icons of daily life in the 20th century. The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics. While Bauhaus principals Marcel Breuer and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe created furniture from mass-produced, chrome-plated steel, American visionaries like Charles and Ray Eames worked in materials as novel as molded plywood and fiberglass. Today, Breuer’s Wassily chair, Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona chair — crafted with his romantic partner, designer Lilly Reich — and the Eames lounge chair are emblems of progressive design and vintage originals are prized cornerstones of collections.
It’s difficult to overstate the influence that modernism continues to wield over designers and architects — and equally difficult to overstate how revolutionary it was when it first appeared a century ago. But because modernist furniture designs are so simple, they can blend in seamlessly with just about any type of décor. Don’t overlook them.
Good antique rugs and vintage rugs have made their way into homes across the globe, becoming fixtures used for comfort, prayer and self-expression, so choosing the right area rug is officially a universal endeavor.
In modern usage, “carpet” typically denotes a wall-to-wall floor cushioning that is fixed to the floor. Rugs, on the other hand, are designed to cover a specific area and can easily be moved to new locations. However, the terms are interchangeable in many parts of the world, and, in the end, it won’t matter what you decide to call it.
It’s well known that a timeless Persian rug or vintage Turkish rug can warm any interior, but there are lots of other styles of antique rugs to choose from when you're endeavoring to introduce fresh colors and textures to a bedroom or living room.
Moroccan Berber rugs are not all about pattern. In fact, some of the most striking examples are nearly monochrome. But what these rugs lack in complexity, they make up for in brilliant color and subtle variation. Moroccan-style interiors can be mesmerizing — a sitting room of this type might feature a Moroccan rug, carved wooden screens and a tapestry hung behind the sofa.
Handwoven kilim rugs, known for their wealth of rich colors and unique weaving tradition, are pileless: Whereas the Beni Ourain rugs of Morocco can be described as dense with a thick surface or pile, an authentic kilim rug is thin and flat. (The term “kilim” is Turkish in origin, but this type of textile artistry is practiced all across the Balkans, throughout the Arab world and elsewhere.)
When it comes to eye-catching floor coverings, the distinctive “medallion” pattern of Oushak rugs has two types of rounded shapes alternating against a rich red or blue background created with natural dyes, while the elaborate “star” pattern involves large eight-pointed shapes in diagonal rows alternating with diamonds.
If you’re looking for something unexpected, find a runner rug that pops in your hallway or on your stairs. Dig for dazzling geometric patterns in our inventory of mid-century modern rugs and carpets, which includes works designed by the likes of Swedish textile masters Märta Måås-Fjetterström, Marianne Richter and other artisans.
Carpets and rugs have been around for thousands of years. Prehistoric humans turned to animal skin, wool and fur to craft simple fabrics to soften hard terrain. A 2016 study suggests that "cave lions" were hunted for exactly this purpose, and that decorating your cave with their pelts may have conferred strength and prestige. Although many of these early textiles are still in existence, tracing their precise origins is difficult. Carpets quickly became such a valuable trade commodity that the weavings could easily travel far from their places of origin.
The oldest known carpet was found in southern Siberia. (It may have traveled there from Persepolis in Iran.) For the flat-weave floor rugs crafted by Native Americans, cotton was the primary material before sheep’s wool was introduced in the 16th century. In Europe, carpet-making was fundamental to folk art, and Asian carpets imported to European countries were at one time considered a precious luxury and not intended to remain permanently on the floor.
With the variety of area rugs and carpets rolled out for you on 1stDibs — a collection that includes traditional, modern, minimalist rugs and other coverings of all kinds — things will be looking up whenever you’re looking down.