Addendum

Want to sound like a rug expert? Commit these terms to memory and your interior designer will be very impressed.

ABRASH
(Pronounced “uh-brash”) The variations in the wool color and appearance throughout the rug.

BOKHARA (FIGURE A)
A pattern featuring rows of guls (repeated medallions) and geometric designs.

FLATWEAVE
Flatweave rugs include dhurries and kilims. These rugs don’t have a pile, therefore, the moniker flatweave. Kilims usually have a tribal look. They tend to be lighter, flexible and, often, reversible since the pattern is the same on both sides of the rug.

GABBEH (FIGURE B)
Gabbeh rugs typically feature a playful quality, bright colors and may include images of animals.

GARAJAH
(Also spelled Garaja; pronounced Gar-a-jay) A traditional Persian design with a repeating center medallion.

HAND CARVED, HIGH & LOW
(specialty finish) Once artisans have finished making a rug by hand, they will trim around the silk area — so the silk area pops up and the wool areas are lower. This process adds form and depth.

HAND-KNOTTED (FIGURE C)
A labor intensive rug making method involving a vertical hand-knotting loom. Knots are hand-tied individually onto strings stretched onto the loom.

HERIZ
A traditional pattern featuring bold, geometric designs, often with a large and dominant center medallion.

TURKISH KNOT VS. PERSIAN KNOT
While both knots are tied on vertical strings, the Turkish knot is a symmetrical knot, sometimes called a Gordes Knot, and the Persian Knot is an asymmetrical knot, sometimes called the Senneh Knot.

HAND-TUFTED
This construction method takes a lower degree of skill than hand-knotting. Handtufting involves inserting yarn through a woven base to create a pile. The pile can be looped or cut but always attached with an adhesive backing. Use hand-tufted rugs in low-traffic areas to get the maximum life from the rug.

KAZAK
A traditional design originating in the Caucasus Mountains, Kazak rugs include geometric designs, angular patterns and medallions.

KIRMAN
An ornately patterned rug, often with a central medallion, frequently sheared down for a vintage effect.

KNOTS PER SQUARE INCH (FIGURE D)
This refers to the density of knots within each square inch of rug. The more dense the knots, the more durable the rug or the ability to create a more intricate design.

KOTON (FIGURE E)
A design originating in China featuring circular motifs.

LAYERING
The design technique of using multiple rugs on top of one another to achieve the desired look.

MACHINE-MADE
Machine-made rugs are produced more quickly than hand-knotted rugs. Unlike handmade rugs, they are typically a polyblend rather than made from wool or silk. The speedier automated process produces less expensive rugs.

MAMLUKE
A rug style featuring a central medallion and geometric border.

MEDALLION
The medallion is an extremely common motif in traditional rugs. Despite its popularity, you will never find any two medallion-style rugs exactly alike.

OUSHAK (FIGURE F)
Named after Usak, Turkey. Oushak rugs typically feature large-scale floral and geometric
designs, often against a muted, natural background.

PATINA
A term for the unique characteristics an item takes on as it ages.

PERSIAN
Generally a blanket term referring to any number of rugs woven in Iran or surrounding areas. Persian rugs often feature flowing, geometric designs and rich, vibrant colors.

PILE
Pile is the raised surface or nap of the rug. (Claim bonus points if you knew the word comes from the Latin pilus for hair.)

SANDBLASTED
(Speciality finish) Sandblasted rugs are treated in a specific way that creates an antique finish.

SILK WASH
(Speciality finish) A heavy wash that increases shine and sheen of wool dramatically and helps it reflect light.

WARP AND WEFT
This refers to the vertical and horizontal foundation of a rug.

WHITE WASH
(Speciality finish) White wash is used to fade out the design of a rug. Similar to antiquing, it subdues the design.

ZERO PILE
(Speciality finish) The pile is sheared down until there is no longer a nap. Even new rugs can have the character of a rug that’s been walked on for 100 years.