Oriental Rugs Can Help Cut Rising Heating Costs

Nejad  Room Size very fine Pak Persian Tabriz Rug
features plush insulating wool pile
A room sized oriental rug can effectively help to insulate your home during both hot and cold months

Rising high heating costs and overall average increases in the cost
of energy have become a growing concern for the American homeowner.
During 2021 US retail electricity prices increased at the fastest
rate since 2008 and again from the period 2020 to 2022 have
increased nearly 5% while the price of gas has nearly doubled in
most areas across the country. Additionally the price of a barrel
of oil has virtually skyrocketed in a relatively brief period driving
gas prices to unprecedented levels. Most Americans will be looking
for ways to save on energy costs especially when it comes to heating
and cooling their homes. Although rugs – and Oriental rugs in particular
– are selected primarily for aesthetics and comfort, in these days of
rising energy costs they can provide some savings for homeowners on
their heating and even cooling bills.

Nejad's Signature Tabriz #M022GOBK room sized rug 
helps to insulate and warm this interior space while 
balancing the architectural elements
Nejad’s Signature Tabriz #M022GOBK room sized rug helps to insulate and warm this
interior space while balancing the architectural elements

Insulation, and more specifically, efficient insulation,
is an important consideration in the design and fabrication of any home,
especially with regard to cost-efficient cooling and heating.
Insulation of walls, windows, ceilings and doors are the most obvious
areas of concern, but insulation of flooring is, not only, just as
important, but is an area that can be improved or enhanced without
the need of hiring any contractor or home improvement specialist,
Each flooring material from hardwood to laminate, tile – either
porcelain, ceramic or other composite material – has its own
listed insulating value, depending upon the type and thickness.

A room size area rug can help to insulate the designated space 
from extremes in temperature
A large fine weave wool rug and padding can have an R-value of 2.0 – or more –
equating to a savings on your energy bill of up to 5% or more

Before the relatively-recent developments in building technology, and
with respect to insulation and residential heating methods specifically.
at least as far back as medieval times large wool area rugs and
tapestries were hung from the interior walls of castles, churches
and residences for the express purpose of providing insulation from
the weather – using heavier rugs in fall and winter and lighter rugs
in spring and summer. These rugs were often aesthetically and
artistically rich even portraying elaborate pictorial scenes.
The shelters of nomasic middle eastern and Caucaian
nomadic tribes consisted primarily of colorful hand-woven rugs that
served insulation as well as decorative requirements.

This elegant, plush and finely-woven heirloom Persian Sarouk area rug 
by Nejad offers both insulation and comfort as well as aesthetic appeal
This elegant, plush and finely-woven heirloom Persian Sarouk area rug
by Nejad offers both insulation and comfort as well as aesthetic appeal

R-value (R-factor) is a numeric indicator (.2 – 2) of how well a
2-dimensional barrier, such as a layer of insulation, resists
heat conductivity – or, more specifically, based on the material
thickness, density and type. the thermal resistance rating or
insulating value. This value is often indicated on the product label
– the higher the value the better insulating property. Basically,
R-values vary based on the type, thickness and density of the
insulation material.

An oriental area rug perfectly complements wood flooring and improves comfort 
and quality of life
An oriental area rug perfectly complements wood flooring and improves comfort
and quality of life

To optimally increase the warmth of a room with an area rug,
choose a rug based on its material – preferably wool, thickness –
preferably a rug with dense, plush pile, and the overall size in
relation to the size of the room it occupies – preferably room size.
Generally, larger-size, thick rugs provide better insulation
than smaller-size, thin rugs. Also, higher knot-density wool rugs
increase the insulating effect and help to lower utility bills.
This traditional room size Herati Rug - Nejad #M011TLNY - helps to insulate and warm 
this contemporary living room space
This traditional room size Herati Rug – Nejad #M011TLNY – helps to insulate and warm
this contemporary living room space

Another way to optimize room insulating properties of your Oriental
rug,especially for larger rugs, is the type and density of the rug
padding you use. Types of Rug Padding vary in material thickness
from less than a quarter inch to a half inch and feature several
brands with a range of properties from non-slip, dual-surface,
eco-friendly, low-profile, Indoor/Outdoor and cushioning

Sotheby’s Sets New Record High, Persian Rug Sells at $33.7 Million

Clark Sickle-Leaf Antique Persian Carpet

We have been seeing a considerable increase in the demand for high quality antique Persian Rugs over the past two years. This market is dominated by very exclusive high-end professional interior designers and architects in addition to serious rug collectors.

Yesterday’s Sotheby’s record setting sale of the Clark Sickle-Leaf Carpet at $33.7 million dollars, more than triple the previous rug auction record set in April 2010
by Christie’s for $9.6 million dollars, is a good indicator of how hot this market is getting.

In our Nejad Gallery in Doylestown, PA on our second floor we have what a renowned New York interior designer called a “jewel box” of fantastic antique Persian, Caucasian,
Turkish, Indian, and Chinese oriental rugs. This collection has been meticulously accumulated over the past three decades and represents our family’s commitment and passion
for magnificent rare Oriental Rugs.

As with all fine art and antiques, it is especially important that you work with the most respected and reputable rug dealer. It can take a lifetime of study and experience to be able to distinguish rare finds from the rest. The acquisition of the “right” antique oriental rugs can enrich your living space as well be a wonderful investment.

Happy Rug Shopping!

Oriental Rugs & The Arts and Crafts Movement

The Arts and Crafts movement was one of the most important developments in the world of design, beginning in England in the 1860’s and quickly spreading to Europe and the United States.  The idea is both beautiful and universally true.  All human beings have the need for artistic expression, and when given the opportunity and training, magnificent art can be created by almost anyone.  William Morris, a Renaissance man if there ever was one, is considered the father of the movement
and is one of my all time favorite historical figures.

So when I began to work on my new Arts and Crafts rug designs, I traveled to England’s Coltwalds region to research the rugs produced by William Morris and Company at the turn of the twentieth century. Designated an “Area of Outstanding Beauty” in 1966, I am sure that this region greatly influenced the natural aspects of color and design elements used in Morris’ rugs, wallpapers and fabrics.  During my stay, I was fortunate enough to tour his beautiful home and studio and took back to Bucks County a suitcase stuffed with sketch books full of design ideas.

The theme of Arts & Craft rugs is one of larger stylized natural elements such as leaves, flowers and vines in usually more loose or rustic weaves that offer a rich texture often with intended abrash or subtle color variations.  One of my professors once said that there really isn’t anything new in design, just a reworking of existing ideas. I found this to be true even with the William Morris rug designs. Many of the individual design
elements are very similar to those found in old Persian Sultanabad and Oushak rugs and the acanthus leaves with vine movements quite often look like those found in antique Flemish tapestries and Savonnerie eighteenth century carpets. It was his combination of these intrinsically beautiful elements, scale of design and color
combinations that made this a fresh new style.

Arts and Craft style rugs are most frequently showcased in interior design magazines such as Architectural Digest and Veranda in rooms decorated with Stickley or Mission style furniture – simplistic without ornamentation. I myself have designed rooms for clients with Arts and Craft rugs that were Mid-Western rustic and even modern décor.
Whatever your style, I encourage you to explore these wonderfully decorative rugs for your own home of office.

Happy Rug Shopping!

The Beauty of Bucks County – An Inspiration of Color

One of the great loves of my life has been travel and I have had the extraordinary opportunity of visiting some of the most beautiful places in the world.  Having said this, there is always one place I love to be during the fall season and that’s the magnificent countryside of Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

The gorgeous colors of amber, earthy green, cranberry, rust and blazing red create a kaleidoscope dance, enhanced and intensified by the most exquisite golden sun light.  These are the colors you will often find in my rug designs.  Warm, rich, soul embracing hues that transform a room into a life enhancing environment.

These precious next weeks I am purposely setting aside the afternoon hours to steal away from my studio to my favorite scenic spots in Lahaska, New Hope, Solebury, Yardley, Tinicum and Upper Makefield.  So if you happen to see a woman alongside the road with hundreds of yarn color samples and too many to count sketch pads, you’ll know it is me happily dreaming up the next collection of Nejad oriental rug designs and with no other place I’d rather be.

Happy Fall Everyone!