Vendor Spotlight -- Jaipur Rugs

Several years ago one of our favorite sales representatives called to share a new rug line with us.  She was excited about the rugs, but was even more enthusiastic about the company and their mission.  We were intrigued and promised to visit the showroom at the next High Point Market.  When we walked into the Jaipur Rugs showroom, we knew it wasn't just about rugs…it was about changing lives.

We loved that!

Great furnishings have a great story and Jaipur has one of the best.  Jaipur Rugs started humbly in 1978 with 2 looms and 9 weavers.  Their vision was to connect consumers all around the world with the beauty and quality of rugs made in India and to empower the artisans who make those rugs.

"Today, Jaipur connects a network of more than 40,000 artisans across India with customers in over 40 countries, and is one India's largest rug exporters.  Resting on sustainability and a vertically integrated business model, Jaipur is fulfilling found N.K. Chaudhary's original vision to see the Indian rug industry at par with the best in the world."

We love that!

Jaipur is not just about making rugs; it is about making people's lives better.  As designers, we can purchase rugs from many different manufacturers, but it makes me FEEL good to buy a rug from Jaipur.  Jaipur Rugs was founded with the mission to empower and improve the lives of their artisans.  This mission went beyond the workroom and spread to whole communities.  It is about more than selling a product and being profitable.  Jaipur cares about their people and aims to share success with all who work there.

"From the beginning, Mr. Chaudhary has been committed to seeing underprivileged people empowered. He wants to identify, develop and enhance their skills, so that they could continue sustaining and lead a respectful life.  To develop them and bring them into the rug production value chain, he established Jaipur Rugs Foundation, which works to enhance their artisanal skills and design sense, helping them further to become true entrepreneurs.  By elevating their status from mere wage earners to becoming business owners, it provides a better way for artisans, especially women below the poverty line, to earn more and lead a financially empowered life."

We love that!

Jaipur Rugs is a line of rugs that is rich in diversity, beauty and value.  Each Jaipur rug is made with the highest quality materials available and by trained, skilled artisans.  Jaipur Rugs offers value in price as well as quality.  Attention to design, detail and industry trends is key.

"Design is a core passion for Jaipur and it spills out in bold colors, distinctive styles and fashion-forward trending."  

"Jaipur works tirelessly to promote and facilitate research in the rug industry with special focus on product development and technology inclusion.  No detail is too small--from product conception, design, production and customer delivery, Jaipur delivers consistent high quality at a fair price."

We love that!

Poufs…pillows…throws…oh my!  Jaipur is more than just rugs.  Jaipur also offers fabulous toss pillows and luxurious throws that coordinate with their rug collections. Their outdoor pillow line called Veranda is not to be missed.  The pillows are fun, bright and durable.  Jaipur also has a huge selection of poufs (think small, squishy, comfy ottomans) that come in a variety of shapes and sizes.  These pieces range in style from the sophisticated vintage look of the Jennifer Adams line to the bright geometric Luli Sanchez line made with recycled wool filling.  Cute, versatile and geo friendly.

We love that!

Jaipur gives me the tools I need to select a rug.  Their catalog is extremely well done.  The photo quality and detail is excellent, plus each rug or collection lists the Pantone colors that represent the colors in the rug.  This is extremely useful and takes the guesswork out of color selection.  All that said, it is still often hard to purchase a rug from a catalog so Jaipur offers 18" sample swatches for many of their rugs.  You can also order a 2' x 3' sample rug, which can be returned after 90 days.

We really love that!

"The passion, attention and detail that are put into every single one of our rugs make Jaipur's story truly unique.  As a company that operates from the heart, our central philosophy is to make life beautiful by empowering, connecting and inspiring people one rug at a time."

Now…how can you not love that?


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The Basics of Rugs

When working on a design project, I am often asked, "Do we start with the rug or end with the rug?"  My answer is "It depends."  If you have a rug that you love, that is a great place to start.  If not, I usually prefer to select the rug later in the project.

If you are planning to purchase a rug for your design project, it is best to have an idea of the types of rugs that are available to you before making the investment. Here are a few of the major types of rugs you might consider and why:

Hand Knotted  Hand knotted rugs take the most time to make, because they are hand woven and knotted by highly skilled artisans.  The rug quality can be determined by the number of knots per square inch -- the higher the density, the higher the quality.  Each hand knotted rug is literally one of a kind, they tend to be more expensive and have longer lead times.  A custom hand knotted rug can take 6 - 9 months to produce.

Broadloom  A broadloom rug is something we often use in design.  They are rugs made from regular solid or patterned carpeting, which are then cut and custom bound for a specific space.  Custom borders can be added to make it even more unique.  These rugs are very affordable (especially for large spaces) since they are based on high volume carpeting, but can still be very high quality and they don't have long lead times!  These rugs are perfect for high use rooms such as a large family room or dining area.

Flat Weave  Flat weave rugs are light, reversible and lay, well…flat.  They can be very durable, are not very expensive and easy to roll up and move.  They tend to have a less formal feel, and are great in more casual settings.  A good non-slip pad is a must with a flat weave rug as they slide easily.

Machine Made  Machine made rugs are made on a loom that is powered by a computer or machine.  These rugs are produced quickly and are often called "production" rugs.  They can be part of a series of rugs that offered in a specific pattern with the option of different color ways and sizes.

There is nothing wrong with machine made rugs, but it is important to understand what you are buying.  Machine made rugs can easily be confused with higher quality, hand knotted rugs.  If you don't know the difference, you can accidentally overpay for a machine made rug.

Indoor/Outdoor  These rugs are generally made from Olefin, polypropylene, or other man made fibers.  Indoor/outdoor rugs often have texture, color and pattern. They are great for use indoors in high traffic areas.  They can be colorful and have lots of patterns.  As a rule they are fairly inexpensive.

Hand Tufted  Hand tufted rugs are made with a tufting gun.  The rug is made using a pre-constructed form (think of a needlepoint or cross stitch fabric) and the yarn is hooked and pulled through the surface.  The backs of these rugs are usually coated with vinyl or cotton to help the rug maintain its shape.  Most hand-tufted rugs are wool and generally moderately priced.

Antique Rugs  Antique rugs are well worn, well loved and have a story to tell. They can be found in auction houses, antique stores or in your grandmother's attic. They can be more expensive, more delicate, and must be treated with care (like anything old!).  Antique rugs are unique, pieces of art.


After the type of rug has been decided, you might consider a few of the following "pearls" regarding how to select, care and enjoy your rug for years and years...

Rugs Don't Have to Match!  For me, rugs are artwork for the floor.  They are a key element in a well-designed room and should be selected with thought and care. However, like artwork, your rugs don't have to match!

Set the Mood.  When choosing a rug, consider your intention for the rug.  Do you want the rug to make a statement or be a restful backdrop to the overall design? The style of a rug can significantly impact a room.  If you want the rug to take center stage, then go for a big geometric or floral pattern.  If your goal is to make the room feel restful and sophisticated, keep the rug simple and tonal in palette.

Color.  Bright, bold colors lend a feeling of energy and excitement, while tonal neutral colors feel calm and restful.  Earthy tones can make a room feel grounded and cool tones such as blues can feel relaxing and serene.

Getting the Size Right.  There are no hard and fast rules about how to size a rug to fit your space, but a good practice is to decide if the rug is going to fill the whole room or define a space within the room.

When filling the space, I usually measure 12-15 inches off each wall to determine the overall rug size.  Of course, you have to consider floor vents, traffic patterns and door swings into this equation, but it is a good, general guide to help you determine the size you need.  Room size area rugs, particularly simple or solid rugs, tend to "push the walls out" and make the room feel larger.

Smaller rugs can be used to define traffic patterns, conversation settings or dining areas.  Don't worry about all the furniture being on or off the rug.  It is totally acceptable to have some of the pieces both on and off the rug in a furniture setting.

Runners or narrow rugs are perfect for outlining a pattern for traffic flow.

Don't Forget the Rug Pads.  A good quality rug pad to essential to the durability and safety of your rug.  Like most things in life, foundation is key!  There are several types of pads to choose from and vary depending on the floor the rug will cover.  Some pads are suitable for a "rug-on-carpet" application, but most are intended for rugs to be on a smooth surface such as wood or tile.

It is important that your rug stay put and not slip.  Rug pads are designed to prevent slipping, but come in degrees of holding power.  Also, some pads offer fiber padding for the added benefits of cushion and insulation.  These pads are thicker and can change the profile of the rug.  It is important to trim these types of pads 1" - 2" from the border of the rug to prevent tripping.

Consider your needs and choose the pad accordingly.

Choose the Right Vacuum.  Different types of rugs require different types of vacuums.  Nothing is more disheartening than seeing a beautiful, hand knotted masterpiece ruined by a powerful, beater bar vacuum.  Most high-end vacuums have multiple settings and are designed to work with different types of rugs.  Invest in a quality vacuum -- it will more than pay for itself in the long run by extending the life and beauty of your rugs.


Whether you start or finish with the rug, I hope these few basic tips help you select the perfect rug to fit your needs and enhance your space.  Happy hunting!


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A Quick Look at What We Have Been Doing These Past Few Months…

These last few months we have been busy many projects.  Here are some behind the scenes pictures of some of the many stages of these projects.  Look for pictures of the competed projects this Fall!


After selecting the colors for walls, ceiling and trim, the painting begins!

After designing the built-ins, the work begins!

An updated master bathroom includes new lighting, a vanity and tile!

We staged homes for the real estate market!

A visit or two to the Washington Design Center to gather new ideas!

From design to fabrication to installation, there are many phases to the creation of beautiful window treatments!

And, one of our favorite days--delivery of the furniture!

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