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The dominant feature of the Santiago rugs is the ribbed weave and slightly curly pile that is a typical characteristic of a hand-knotted Tibetan rug. The method of weaving Tibetan rugs is different to Persian and Turkish rugs, in that weavers loop the pile fibre around a narrow metal tube creating a line of loops, then they cut the looped fibre with a sharp blade. While this is faster, keeps the pile height more consistent and wastes less yarn, the action of cutting the loops creates slightly different pile heights, this is what produces the visual ribbed effect. To achieve the tailored finish of Persian or Turkish rugs the pile could be cut level, but the ribbed effect is an accepted characteristic that makes the Tibetan weaving method more distinguishing.
Having distinctive features on an item like a rug is heaven to an interior designer. As they generally aren’t experts on every aspect of design, something distinguishable like ploughed lines across the width of a rug gives them something they can elaborate with to the client. Although Tibetan rugs are still extremely expensive, the faster weaving method makes them cheaper than their Persian counterparts. Meaning, it is doable to have a rug designed and made for the average millionaire.
The Tibetan weaving technique also is more flexible, it’s a designers dream when it comes to different textures and pile heights. Simply using larger diameter tubes will create a longer cut pile and there is also the option of leaving the pile looped. Because of its efficiency, the Tibetan weaving style has been adopted by weavers around the world, who have injected their own influences to produce even more eclectic and diverse design elements from their own cultures. So, it was only a matter of time before produces of machine-made rugs would adapt the machines and yarns to simulate the styling.
The emergence of styles like Shabby Chic and Bohemian in home decor has driven designers of mass-produced rugs to develop textures and patterns that encompass the traits of more handwoven rugs. One of the techniques that Wilton rug producers use to create a mock carved effect is to weave elements of the design with a row of tufts missing. This doesn’t affect the wearability but does create a dipped trough that gives the design element a subtle carved texture. While this technique isn’t new, it is used with great effect exaggerating the ribs in the Santiago rug. So, you can now own a rug style that offers many characteristics of a the latest designer rug styles at an affordable price.
The Santiago rug is woven on high-tech Wilton looms using a delustered polypropylene fibre, that has the distinct look and feel of wool. By cropping the pile of the rug very short and adding a slight twist, it emulates the curl formed from the weaving tubes used in the handmade equivalents. The short edges of the rug are completed with a short fringe, similar to that you’d expect find on hand-knotted qualities. The colours and design of the rug take a less sophisticated styling, more of a nomadic tribal that is popular with Boho and Shabby Chic décor. Ultimately this is a rug that looks superb in conjunction with modern, traditional or more eclectic décor styles.
The dominant feature of the Santiago rugs is the ribbed weave and slightly curly pile that is a typical characteristic of a hand-knotted Tibetan rug. The method of weaving Tibetan rugs is different to Persian and Turkish rugs, in that weavers loop the pile fibre around a narrow metal tube creating a line of loops, then they cut the looped fibre with a sharp blade. While this is faster, keeps the pile height more consistent and wastes less yarn, the action of cutting the loops creates slightly different pile heights, this is what produces the visual ribbed effect. To achieve the tailored finish of Persian or Turkish rugs the pile could be cut level, but the ribbed effect is an accepted characteristic that makes the Tibetan weaving method more distinguishing.
Having distinctive features on an item like a rug is heaven to an interior designer. As they generally aren’t experts on every aspect of design, something distinguishable like ploughed lines across the width of a rug gives them something they can elaborate with to the client. Although Tibetan rugs are still extremely expensive, the faster weaving method makes them cheaper than their Persian counterparts. Meaning, it is doable to have a rug designed and made for the average millionaire.
The Tibetan weaving technique also is more flexible, it’s a designers dream when it comes to different textures and pile heights. Simply using larger diameter tubes will create a longer cut pile and there is also the option of leaving the pile looped. Because of its efficiency, the Tibetan weaving style has been adopted by weavers around the world, who have injected their own influences to produce even more eclectic and diverse design elements from their own cultures. So, it was only a matter of time before produces of machine-made rugs would adapt the machines and yarns to simulate the styling.
The emergence of styles like Shabby Chic and Bohemian in home decor has driven designers of mass-produced rugs to develop textures and patterns that encompass the traits of more handwoven rugs. One of the techniques that Wilton rug producers use to create a mock carved effect is to weave elements of the design with a row of tufts missing. This doesn’t affect the wearability but does create a dipped trough that gives the design element a subtle carved texture. While this technique isn’t new, it is used with great effect exaggerating the ribs in the Santiago rug. So, you can now own a rug style that offers many characteristics of a the latest designer rug styles at an affordable price.
The Santiago rug is woven on high-tech Wilton looms using a delustered polypropylene fibre, that has the distinct look and feel of wool. By cropping the pile of the rug very short and adding a slight twist, it emulates the curl formed from the weaving tubes used in the handmade equivalents. The short edges of the rug are completed with a short fringe, similar to that you’d expect find on hand-knotted qualities. The colours and design of the rug take a less sophisticated styling, more of a nomadic tribal that is popular with Boho and Shabby Chic décor. Ultimately this is a rug that looks superb in conjunction with modern, traditional or more eclectic décor styles.