NOVICA’s Red Area Rug Collection showcases handmade and handcrafted traditional and contemporary designs by global artisans. This colorful tactile collection of plain and patterned rugs includes a diverse range of fibers such as sisal, wool, silk and cotton in every shade of red.
Rug pads are great because they prevent slippage, prolong wear, protect the floor underneath, and provide additional comfort and quiet. That being said, most of our rugs do not actually require a pad underneath. Many, like those from the Andes, crafted with sheep wool and cotton, are durable and sturdy enough to be placed directly on the floor. But for enhanced protection and longevity, a rug pad is always a welcome addition.
Area rugs are a design-friendly way to absorb sound and insulate a room. They are a wonderful way to reduce noise, as footsteps on a rug are more muted than on hardwood floors or tile, and they also dull ambient sounds. Additionally, they provide warmth and a general sense of well-being. Who doesnt love a good area rug!
Most area rugs are easy to maintain with a few simple steps. For small stains and spills, you can spot clean with warm, soapy water. Never rub the affected area, always blot! You should vacuum your rugs to remove dirt and debris. And to ensure that rugs wear evenly, it is recommended to place a pad beneath them, and rotate them regularly. As with most vibrant works of art, direct sunlight may dull the colors. For more substantive cleaning, it is recommended that you dry clean your area rug.
Were huge fans of eco-friendly everything! When it comes to area rugs, you can look for certain indicators that it is produced in a sustainable way that reduces our carbon footprint. Some artisans, like a handful of weavers from India, use recycled fabrics: cotton, rayon, and polyester. Others stress the use of natural dyes and ethically-sourced wool. (Wool is particularly celebrated for being recyclable, abundant, and naturally stain-resistant.)
Handmade, or footmade! Many of the weavers who produce area rugs use a pedal, or foot, loom. While they technically have the assistance of a machine--a treadle or handloom--its operation requires the dexterity, strength, coordination, and patience of the artisan. Additionally, most area rugs are finished by hand.
Traditional area rugs are mostly woven on looms. Treadle, or foot, looms make use of pedals to lift and lower the looms harness. This raises the threads of the warp, so that the weft can pass through the opening in the threads. This type of loom is common in the Andes, Central America, as well as Mexico, and traces back to Mayan weavers in the period after the Spanish arrived. Elsewhere, such as India, handlooms are still used. The designs are mapped out in advance, and it takes about four to five days to complete a dhurrie, or traditional Indian floor covering. While the work to craft each of these rugs may be labor intensive, the beauty of the finished product makes it well worth the wait.
While area rugs are handcrafted by artisans from all over the world, they share certain features in spite of their vastly different regions. From the Andes to Central America, Mexico to India, most artisans use some combination of sheep wool, cotton, and natural and industrial dyes. Some artisans, like those from India, may incorporate other materials, like jute, or recycled cotton, polyester, and rayon, into their works. Some of the Zapotec weavers in Mexico use dyes made from natural materials like walnut shell, cochineal, and flowers. With these materials, artisans create vibrant colors and authentic patterns, ideal for adding dimension and warmth to any home.
There is just some thing about the design of this carpet that as I was browsing new arrivals I knew I had to grab it immediately and at full price without waiting for a sale. As it turns out the artist is making more of these, but I'm still very glad I grabbed it when I did; I would've been much more disappointed if I had missed out!
"One day I looked around and I could see we were surrounded by art, but people didn't value it enough and poverty was settling into our community."
Latest Update"In 2002, I began to export my handwoven designs with the your help. I always wanted to strengthen the Zapotec culture that I was... read more
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Red Area Rugs
Whether you’re looking for fiery red, or burnt sienna, or the muted hue of earthy clay, NOVICA’s collection of Red Area Rugs has something for you. Our artisans come from the reaches of India, Central America, Thailand, and Mexico, and translate the images and scenes from their own countries into the fabric of these elegant rugs. One artist, Cerapio Vallejo, draws on the style of the Nazca plains to set a geoglyphic hummingbird against a vibrant red background. Or another, Mario Chavez, infuses his area rug with natural red dye and the finest wool fiber. Whatever your taste and whatever your style, we know there is a perfect rug just for you.
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