Hi Nancy -

Thanks! I love that rug also -- the colors and scale of the pattern in particular. Not too floral, not too geometric, coral and turquoise with lots of other minor colors, sturdy as all get-out (two teen boys and two big dogs). But that rug is not a name-brand like Karastan, but rather a handmade original Oriental, so even if I could remember the exact area of origin, that still wouldn't necessarily mean you could just find one like it since the patterns and colors vary. That doesn't mean that there aren't rugs that are very similar -- just that you can't 'phone shop' to find that make and model.

If I were looking to find one like it, I'd look on eBay first. Why?

- I strongly prefer the handmade wool rugs to the machine made. There's just a subtle imperfection to the pattern that somehow shows -- like the slubs on raw silk or the little scars on leather. So on eBay, you can specify that the rugs be hand-woven an

- I generally prefer vintage rugs to new ones. The colors on the vintage rugs are more muted, more natural looking, less 'currently popular'. Again, it's a subtle thing and a personal thing. If you want the colors to match your furnishings, you'll prob

- The prices! That rug I bought new from a dealer. (But I was younger and stupider.) I could have saved 75-90% by buying a 'used' rug on eBay. Do I care if it's used? Not $3,000 worth!

- The downside is that some of the rugs sold on ebay (many of them) are pretty worn, so look closely and read the fine print with a magnifying glass. For the right price, house or use, that's fine. (I have a pretty badly worn handmade original Oriental

I'd also check my local Craigslist. There isn't a huge variety like there is on ebay, and IMO, the prices aren't as good either. BUT if you know how to evaluate a rug, you have the advantage of being able to see it in person first before making a commitment.

There are some really good rug folks here -- They may speak up from this post, but if not, and you think you may want to go the eBay route, put 'Oriental Rug on eBay' in the title and they're sure to chime in.

Sweeby - I missed your rug. Can I see - pretty please.

Tuesday

You can see her rug in this thread.

Here is a link that might be useful: sweeby's rug

Sweeby that is a gorgeous rug and the room is wonderful - not an ordinary (read PB) thing in sight - love it.

If Jant sees this thread she'll surely pop in with the same sentiment about buying used, buying on Ebay, buying handmade.... she's responsible for many people from another decorating site buying their rugs that way! I'm going to corral her to help me with runners when I get further along in my dining room (she just doesn't know it yet!)

I was surprised to see that this post hadn't fallen off onto page 18 by now! ;-)

Then I saw all my chopped off sentences -- Sorry! I was experiencing major Gardenweb/Internet problems yesterday, with posts getting lost left and right. So before submitting, I saved a copy into Excel. Then when my response disappeared, I pasted in the Excel version and hit Send before it could get eaten again. Oh well...

Here's the picture that shows my rug best:

Sweeby, Thanks for your thorough answer and recommendations about finding a rug similar to your extraordinary rug. The rich colors and great patterns of yours will be my inspiration. I've been searching eBay without success for months for one just like yours, but will keep on the hunt. So, if any GWers out there know how I can find one like Sweeby's treasure, in about a 10 x 14 or longer size, just let me know! Nancy

I haven't bought a rug myself from this guy, but I know people who have and they've been pleased. I don't know if he ships or not.

Here is a link that might be useful: Persian Rugs in LA

Sweeby, love that little red chest! I have a red trunk about 3 times that size, but it's too big for where I'd like to use it. Yours would be perfect!

Our local auction house always has handmade oriental rugs in their monthly auctions. Many of them come from estates from older homes where the rooms are larger and therefore the rugs are larger. Ones 10 by 14 often go cheaper because many are looking for 8 by 10 or smaller. Strangely, Karastans often go for more money than hand knotted. They also have oriental rug auctions several times a year.
Dee

Don't hate me Natal, but I stole bought that little red chest at a charity auction for only $45.

Dee - I see the same thing with Karastans! Though some of them have similar lifespans to the originals, so I guess I shouldn't complain. But in my book, nothing beats a little patina.