Rug Done

Posted in France

That was fast. I expected a little tea, a little chitchat to find out what I really wanted, then maybe a repeat visit when they had pulled together a selection. Nope. The guy looked at my photo of the room.

Then he asked one question. “Do you prefer red or blue?” I said it depended on the rug, but maybe red. Jen showed him a photo of a Hereke (flowing pattern, nice colors) that I had said I liked and we were off. The fifth rug he pulled out was The One.

Someone in California must have done a shamanic ritual to draw this Persian rug to me. Persians are single-knotted, while Turkish ones are double-knotted. I came here looking for a nice, sturdy, Turkish double-knotted job for my sturdy country house. As you can see, the fine-weave Persian single knots won out. I’m already fine with that.

Should you find yourself in Istanbul looking for a rug while looking to avoid your basic rug merchant, I can absolutely recommend 5K Rug Store. Granted, I went with Jen, who is a friend of nearly two decades and a part owner. But I think anyone would have a hassle-free experience and, if the right rug appears, a fair price.

Update, New Year’s Eve: the rug has arrived, 27 kilos in a pretty small package.

The room now looks like Grandma’s house, if either grandma had had money and super-conservative taste. No question, it’s conservative, but I like it anyway. Now I have to get used to the idea of actually putting furniture on the rug.

15 thoughts on “Rug Done”

  1. Welcome to the 21st century – everything at warp speed!

    What will you do with the rest of your time – now that the rug shopping is done?

    Enjoy!

    GMN P.S. – very nice rug!

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  2. Perfection. Yes, red is better than more blue. The design is just geometric enough to look modern and just curvy and flowery enough to not be cold-modern.
    I love looking at rugs. It’s like having a private art show.

    Liked by 1 person

  3. I always remember the time Michael and I purchased a rug in Istanbul. A English couple was also in the shop and looked at every rug in the shop, decided on one, but did not buy it. When they left the shop the owner had his assistants roll it up and out the door with it. He told us the rug would follow the English couple to every rug shop in the bazaar until they bought it.

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    1. That or they gave up and bought nothing. I hope they were at least embarrassed about wasting the guy’s time when they don’t sound like serious buyers. I asked Jennifer why she bought into a rug shop. Ceramics, towels, rugs? Where does it stop? She said she heard so many horror stories and she liked the way these guys did business. Compared to some of the things Jen told me, merely stalking a couple who had behaved badly — every rug? No idea of size, color, anything? — seems like nothing.

      So are you still happy with your rug?

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        1. Hints from the carpet man. Do not vacuum it using those stiff bristled rollers — too late, right? Instead I guess you use an attachment more like the upholstery one. Do not send it out. If it’s really dirty, flip it over. Wash the back with Woolite or a competitor. Even dishwashing liquid is too harsh. Rinse well. The dirt will drop to the floor, out of the rug. Let it dry and you’re good to go. Where, exactly you do this is an interesting question. The driveway, maybe?

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          3. Francetaste is the expert on the wash with just water technique.
            We will use pressure washer when weather warms up next year. I have a very beautiful rug that has been basically trashed by building dust and debris.
            But what’s wrong with a bit of genuine “distressing” in a generally distressed house?

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  4. 🎵Now bring me a Persian carpet
    And bring it right now!🎵
    See…told ya.
    Beautiful rug, red is absolutely the right choice. Jacques will look very nice in contrast and the tiny splashes of white will pick up his coat. See, it really is all about the 🐕after all.

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