Green Front Rug Guide Addendum: FAQs, Policies + Rug Terminology

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

ABRASH

(Pronounced “uh-BRASH”) Subtle variations in wool color and tone throughout a rug, often seen in hand-knotted and abrash rugs. These natural shifts occur during dyeing and give the rug depth and character.

BOKHARA (FIGURE A)

(Pronounced “bo-KAH-ruh”) A bokhara rug pattern features rows of guls (repeated medallions) and geometric designs.

FLATWEAVE

Flatweave rugs include dhurrie rugs​ and kilims. These rugs don’t have a pile, hence the moniker “flatweave.” Kilim rugs 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)

(Pronounced “gah-BAY”) Gabbeh rugs typically feature a playful quality, bright colors and may include images of animals.

GARAJAH

(Also spelled Garaja; pronounced “Ga-RAH-jay”) Garajah rugs feature traditional Persian rug designs 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 that the silk 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.

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.

HERIZ

(Pronounced “ha-REES”) Heriz rugs feature traditional patterns with bold, geometric designs, often highlighting a large and dominant center medallion.

KAZAK

(Pronounced “kuh-ZAK”) A traditional design originating in the Caucasus Mountains, Kazak rugs include geometric designs, angular patterns and medallions.

KIRMAN

(Pronounced “ker-MAHN”) A kirman rug is 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)

(Pronounced “KOH-ton”) A design originating in China featuring circular motifs.

LAYERING RUGS

The design technique of placing multiple layered rugs on top of one another to create depth, texture and visual interest. Popular approaches to rug layering include styling a layered jute rug as a neutral base or adding a layered cowhide rug on top for contrast and dimension.

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

(Pronounced “MAM-uh-look”) A mamluke rug style features a central medallion and geometric border.

MEDALLION 

A medallion rug features a central decorative motif — often circular or oval — that anchors the overall design. While the medallion is one of the most common elements in traditional rugs, no two medallion rugs are ever exactly alike.

OUSHAK (FIGURE F)

(Pronounced “ooh-SHACK”) 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 RUGS

Generally a blanket term referring to any number of rugs woven in Iran or surrounding areas. Iran 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!) A high-pile rug has longer, more plush fibers for a softer feel underfoot. A low-pile rug features shorter fibers that create a flatter surface and is often easier to maintain in high-traffic areas.

SANDBLASTED

(Specialty finish) A sandblasted rug is treated using a controlled finishing process that softens the fibers and creates a subtle, antique look with a gently worn appearance.

SILK WASH 

(Specialty finish) A finishing process that gives wool fibers an enhanced sheen, increasing shine and helping the rug reflect light for a more luminous appearance.

TURKISH KNOT VS. PERSIAN KNOT

While both knots are tied on vertical foundation strings, the Turkish knot is a symmetrical knot — sometimes called a Ghiordes (Gordes) knot — commonly found in hand-knotted Turkish rugs. The Persian knot is an asymmetrical knot — sometimes called the Senneh knot — traditionally used in hand-knotted Persian rugs.

WARP AND WEFT

Warp and weft refer to the vertical (warp) and horizontal (weft) foundation threads of a rug. Together they form the structural base of rug construction, providing durability and shape.

WHITE WASH 

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

ZERO PILE 

(Specialty 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.