Kirman
Kirman rugs were some of the first antique Persian rugs that made their way to Europe, and they were eagerly sought out, especially in France. In turn, the Persian carpet weavers of the Kirman region were influenced by European culture and developed a soft, graceful style that combines elements of classic Persian court carpets with colors and designs found in French textiles. Kirman rugs often come in subdued, earthy and pastel colors, and florals are a typical motif.
Isfahan
With their high knot density and delicate design motifs, Isfahan rugs belong to the elite of Persian rugs. A typical Isfahan rug has a light base color and a central medallion that is surrounded by exquisite floral and rosette patterns. The foundation is often silk, sometimes cotton, and the pile consists of especially soft lambkin wool. Threads of silk are often used in the lining of the patterns, which adds to the fine, shiny surface of the rug.
Kelim
Kelim rugs are woven wool rugs produced in all traditional rug regions. Kelims often feature a geometric pattern and because of the weaving method, the rugs are relatively light, hard-wearing and both sides of the rug look identical. Versatile and long-lasting kelims carry a note of tradition and folklore within, and some kelims are still produced by native tribes. Another flat weave style close to kelim but thicker and harder is called sumak. In sumak weaving, the loose ends of the differently-colored weft threads are intentionally left visible on the backside of the rug.
Shiraz
Shiraz carpets have a thick wool pile and the foundation is often wool. A typical base color is dark red or navy. The designs go hand in hand with the nomadic lifestyle of the makers introducing motifs such as animals, hunting, or sometimes flowers. Since Shiraz rugs have a knot density from the lower end of the range, delicate patterning is not possible or even aimed at. A Shiraz carpet embodies the imprint of its maker, the conditions it was made in, and little imperfections. It is a terrific basic carpet, with a good price compared to quality, and it fills its purpose in everyday use until it is completely worn out.
Nain
With their short wool pile and cotton foundation, Nain carpets are among the most valued of Persian rugs. The quality of the materials and craftsmanship is outstanding, the knot density is high and the color palette favors fresh tones. Combined with an ivory or light beige base, the pattern colors are often pale shades of blue, which makes Nain carpets a good fit to minimalistic, Scandinavian interiors. The delicate patterns are traditional, such as florals or animal motifs, and the patterns are often highlighted with silk, which gives the carpet a shiny surface.
Kashmir
Kashmir is the northernmost region of India that is known for its high quality silk pile carpets. The foundation is either silk or cotton, and the silk of the region is especially hard-wearing with long fibers. Besides own production, silk is imported from China. The carpet weaving in Kashmir follows the Persian heritage and favors jewel-like patterns but the colors are softer and lighter than in the traditional Persian rugs.
Chobi
Chobi rugs are traditionally produced in Pakistan. Their harmonious coloring comes from vegetable dyes made of hand-gathered ingredients such as tree bark, roots, vegetable and fruit skins, and dried flowers. With their subdued colors, large geometric patterns and melange colors, Chobi rugs are created to meet the requirements of modern interior design.
Buhara
When talking about oriental rugs, most people form an image of Bukhara in their minds. That is how common the rugs, and especially their copies, are. Bukhara rugs come in all sizes ranging from small doormats to large area rugs. Originating in Turkmenistan and Pakistan, the most typical Bukharas introduce a gul pattern on a red or maroon backround. In the west, the octagonal gul pattern is also referred to as the elephant’s foot pattern. Bukharas come with a short and shiny wool pile knotted on a cotton foundation. Silk highlights are used in the patterns to add extra shine on the surface.
Vintage
Besides traditional styles, the old carpet regions also produce contemporary rugs, for example by repairing old rugs and modifying their design. The vintage carpet collections in Iran are especially vast. Since antique rugs can be partly worn out but also contain areas with fine quality and design, large rugs are divided into smaller pieces. The patchwork style allows using the best parts of and old rug, and combining different patterns. Sometimes the rug is intentionally strained to create the wanted look. Vintage styles are also re-designed by fading the colors, shaving the pile and giving the carpet a total color wash using only one hue.
Ikat and Suzani
Ikat and Suzani rugs are hand-knotted using traditional methods. Their soft, slightly grading colors come from vegetable dyes. The blurriness of Ikat rugs is also due to the technique that is used for dyeing the weft. In resist dyeing only part of the fiber absorbs the color. The patterns of Ikat and Suzani rugs pay tribute to centuries old Middle Asian rugs and needlework. Often the pattern is interpreted in some new way, for example by scaling it up and using it monotonically in repetition. What comes out of the process is both contemporary and traditional. Historical textiles, re-imagined.
Moderni
Modern rugs usually feature only one dominant color, instead of artistic, detailed patterns characteristic to classic oriental rugs. If a modern rug features a patterning, it is most likely to be subtle and geometric, such as checks or stripes, even though the rugs are produced in traditional rug regions and they are knotted using traditional methods. Besides wool, other robust natural fibers such as hemp, cotton and linen, are used to produce modern rugs. Creating a new carpet patchwork style out of recycled pieces is also typical.