| This article has quite a title but here is some | | | | Purchasing a rug woven with natural dyes (an |
| information for your consideration. | | | | interchangeable term for vegetable dyes or plant |
| First, I will define "Oriental Rug" and "Persian Rug" for | | | | based dyes) will allow you to confidently decorate |
| you, so there is no confusion. A hand-woven rug of | | | | your home as many of the color combination fit easily |
| either wool, silk or cotton (the longest wearing being | | | | with an array of decorating styles, natural wood or |
| wool) woven in what was once called the Orient as | | | | bamboo flooring. A good rug just adds a touch of |
| opposed to the Occident. The Orient being the Eastern | | | | beauty and heart to a room and often brings new life |
| Hemisphere or the countries East of the | | | | to older pieces of furniture, almost elevating them up to |
| Mediterranean and the Occident referring to the | | | | antique status! |
| Western hemisphere including Europe and North and | | | | If you were to look under a microscope at vegetable |
| South America. | | | | dyed wool as opposed to the modern chemical dyes |
| A "Persian Rug" is just an Oriental Rug that was | | | | that are in a large number of hand-made rugs being |
| woven in Iran. | | | | offered and all the machine made rugs available, you |
| Why is this such a beneficial product? | | | | would see that there are variations of color throughout |
| First of all, a good quality rug; one that is woven with | | | | wool dyed with the natural dyes. This is not so with the |
| hand-spun wool and vegetable (plant based) dyes will | | | | manmade chemical dyes (German and Swiss made |
| outlast and out perform any machine made copy and | | | | chromium based dyes) as the colors have a tendency |
| minimally should be in excellent condition by the time | | | | to be much more strident. The naturally dyed rug |
| you are starting to consider who you will leave it to! | | | | approximates the true value a color appears to the |
| It will not exude fumes or carcinogenic chemicals, unlike | | | | eye in nature and is more soothing and acceptable. |
| many of the synthetic rugs or rugs dyed with chemical | | | | Hence, another added benefit is the calming, |
| dyes. It will not readily burn. If placed in front of a | | | | inspirational or spiritual essence that the rug imparts. |
| fireplace and a few sparks land on your rug, they will | | | | The colors of the ocean, the forest, the mountains...this |
| go out. | | | | variegated quality is everywhere and anywhere in the |
| The properly chosen rug will not only add beauty and | | | | natural world including your living room. Beautiful, safe, |
| warmth but a few decorative rugs on the walls could | | | | sustainable and makes your heart sing. What else do |
| easily lower your utility bills. | | | | you need? |
| Many of the weavers that make tribal rugs (woven by | | | | I genuinely believe this is one of the most undervalued |
| nomadic or former nomadic people now living in small | | | | art forms in the world. Paintings titled by famous artists |
| villages) are women and they are able to work from | | | | sell for millions of dollars while these wonderful rugs, |
| home, tending to their families as needed and yet | | | | sometimes taking many months to weave can be |
| contributing this beautiful art form and income to the | | | | obtained for relatively small sums of money for the |
| household. Your rug purchase helps such individuals | | | | value received. |
| and their families, particularly if you seek out an ethical | | | | I actually think the right rug might possibly help to lower |
| rug merchant that is procuring his or her rugs from | | | | a person's blood pressure but I can't verify that one |
| reputable resources. | | | | with any medical testimonials. My last comment being |
| Additional concepts for your consideration are that | | | | tongue in cheek, of course! As you can see I am a |
| nothing was killed to make this beautiful home | | | | firm believer in the merits of village or tribal rugs woven |
| furnishing item. The sheep will grow new wool, the | | | | with plant based dyes and the very best hand-spun |
| plants used to make the dyes will grow new leaves, | | | | wool and I invite you to investigate the subject. I assure |
| roots, husks, etc., and you will be helping these skilled | | | | you, you will be delighted, fascinated and very possibly |
| artisans survive in places on this planet that are in | | | | inspired! |
| short supply of good jobs. | | | | |