PERMANENT SHOP DISPLAYS
1. Woburn Abbey Antiques Centre. Beds.
Tel: 01525 290350.
2. John Moores Antiques. Chawston. Beds.
Tel: 01480 214165.
3. Finedon Antiques. Church Street, Finedon.
Tel: 01933 682515.
4. Clare Antique Warehouse. Clare Suffolk.
Tel: 01787 278449.
5. Long Melford Antiques Centre. Chapel Maltings, Long Melford, Suffolk.
Tel: 01787 278449.
1. Woburn Abbey Antiques Centre. Beds.
Tel: 01525 290350.
2. John Moores Antiques. Chawston. Beds.
Tel: 01480 214165.
3. Finedon Antiques. Church Street, Finedon.
Tel: 01933 682515.
4. Clare Antique Warehouse. Clare Suffolk.
Tel: 01787 278449.
5. Long Melford Antiques Centre. Chapel Maltings, Long Melford, Suffolk.
Tel: 01787 278449.
A Work Of Art You Can Walk On
Fine handmade rugs and carpets have adorned the rooms of our homes for decades, even centuries. Production of these works of art is said to have begun around 600 years ago, and remains a sought-after form of craftsmanship in many parts of the world.
There is some confusion as to what constitutes a rug and a carpet. Most people think of a carpet as a wall-to-wall floor covering, and a rug as something which is placed on top as a focal point, but a carpet can also be used in this way. To a collector, the larger pieces will usually be classed as carpets rather than rugs.
If you have house insurance, this distinction is especially important. A fixed, wall-to-wall carpet will be covered under your buildings insurance, but anything which could be removed from the home, such as a 6’ by 9’ carpet, would need, at the very least, contents insurance. To avoid confusion you may want to think about taking out specialist insurance for your fine carpets or rugs, particularly if they are very valuable - some home insurance providers will not insure goods on a standard contents policy if they are over a certain value.
Being a collector of fine rugs and carpets means knowing what to look for when selecting a piece. The age and origin of a rug will often determine its value, as will the condition and quality of the workmanship. The most valuable rugs are usually those which have been made from hand-knotted wool, although some machine-woven rugs can fetch a good price if you find the right buyer. Mass-produced ‘decorative’ pieces, such as those found in department stores, are usually not very valuable but can still add aesthetic value to a room. You can check the quality of a hand-made rug by counting the KSPI, or Knots Per Square Inch - the most valuable will have a KSPI of 250 or over, but you should be able to get a good quality rug with a KSPI of 150-250 for a decent price.
It’s important to know how to care for your carpet or rug as, if looked after, it can be a sound investment and last many years. Never use excessive force or suction when cleaning your rug - a simple vacuuming on a medium setting should do the trick in most cases. If anything is spilt on the rug, avoid the use of chemical cleaners and shampoos as these can react with the dyes in the wool and ruin the colours. A good tip is to place some paper towels underneath the rug below the stain, and pour warm water on the top before patting dry with more paper towels. To remove tough stains, consult a professional rug cleaner.
Above all, don’t be afraid to enjoy your rug! They are made to be hard-wearing and resilient in daily use. Whether you place your rug on the floor, or hang it on the wall, make sure it’s kept out of direct sunlight or turned frequently to avoid the colours fading.
Fine handmade rugs and carpets have adorned the rooms of our homes for decades, even centuries. Production of these works of art is said to have begun around 600 years ago, and remains a sought-after form of craftsmanship in many parts of the world.
There is some confusion as to what constitutes a rug and a carpet. Most people think of a carpet as a wall-to-wall floor covering, and a rug as something which is placed on top as a focal point, but a carpet can also be used in this way. To a collector, the larger pieces will usually be classed as carpets rather than rugs.
If you have house insurance, this distinction is especially important. A fixed, wall-to-wall carpet will be covered under your buildings insurance, but anything which could be removed from the home, such as a 6’ by 9’ carpet, would need, at the very least, contents insurance. To avoid confusion you may want to think about taking out specialist insurance for your fine carpets or rugs, particularly if they are very valuable - some home insurance providers will not insure goods on a standard contents policy if they are over a certain value.
Being a collector of fine rugs and carpets means knowing what to look for when selecting a piece. The age and origin of a rug will often determine its value, as will the condition and quality of the workmanship. The most valuable rugs are usually those which have been made from hand-knotted wool, although some machine-woven rugs can fetch a good price if you find the right buyer. Mass-produced ‘decorative’ pieces, such as those found in department stores, are usually not very valuable but can still add aesthetic value to a room. You can check the quality of a hand-made rug by counting the KSPI, or Knots Per Square Inch - the most valuable will have a KSPI of 250 or over, but you should be able to get a good quality rug with a KSPI of 150-250 for a decent price.
It’s important to know how to care for your carpet or rug as, if looked after, it can be a sound investment and last many years. Never use excessive force or suction when cleaning your rug - a simple vacuuming on a medium setting should do the trick in most cases. If anything is spilt on the rug, avoid the use of chemical cleaners and shampoos as these can react with the dyes in the wool and ruin the colours. A good tip is to place some paper towels underneath the rug below the stain, and pour warm water on the top before patting dry with more paper towels. To remove tough stains, consult a professional rug cleaner.
Above all, don’t be afraid to enjoy your rug! They are made to be hard-wearing and resilient in daily use. Whether you place your rug on the floor, or hang it on the wall, make sure it’s kept out of direct sunlight or turned frequently to avoid the colours fading.