The floor of any room is the first thing that is taken into consideration while designing a space. Whether you want to create a sense of warmth in the room, highlight an area aesthetically, or just liven up your floor, placing rugs is a great way to customize your home.“A good quality rug will last many years and is a worthwhile investment. Along with providing warmth to a cold floor, a rug can also add to the décor of the room. They are also eco-friendly,” says Prajwol Dangol, Proprietor of Decorative Rugs, a manufacturer and exporter of Nepali carpets.

There are different types of handmade rugs: knotted, tufted and flat weave. Among which hand-knotted rugs, which are manufactured in Nepal, and more popular in the market. Nepali and Tibetan carpets, which are exported from Nepal, according to traders, are unique in their designs and their manufacturing. The luxurious feel and texture of knotted carpets vary with the quality and type of material used and the number of knots per sq inch. As they are produced in double knotted system, they are softer, thicker and more durable. “Besides their natural appeal, these rugs are durable and can last up to 20 years,” says Dangol, adding that most of their manufactured rugs are exported and have comparatively lesser hold in the local market due to the high cost of such rugs.

“Rugs provide multiple benefits for homes and offices. Along with adding beauty and style to the rooms, they also improve indoor air quality and add to the warmth and comfort of a room,” says Dr BK Shrestha, an urban designer and architect. He adds, “Adding rugs to rooms have also proven to be hygienic; they even reduce asthma and allergy problems with patients.”

Nepali carpets are dyed with vegetable dyes, which last longer, and have unique patterns and designs. There are currently more than 50 different shades of colours using primitive vegetable dyes. In addition, Nepali dyers have also introduced synthetic dyes to keep up to the demand of the buyers, say traders. As for designs, they vary from Tibetan, contemporary, and traditional, the modern designs of carpets and rugs, says traders. Prices of Nepali and

Tibetan rugs range from Rs 4,500 to Rs 200,000, costing Rs 1,200 to Rs 25,000 per sq m, according to traders. Natural plant fibre nettle rugs, hemp rugs and silk rugs usually cost more than wool rugs, but the rug price also depends on the complexity of the design. “All our products are made in Nepal, with raw materials that are brought in from Tibet,” says Prajwal Khadgi, Proprietor of Carpet House, a manufacturer of Nepali and Tibetan carpets.

“While selecting rugs, one must keep in mind the colour palette of the walls of a room, curtains and bed-sheet or furniture. Doing so will not enhance the aesthetic of a room immensely,” says Shrestha. All the furniture in a room should be coordinated around the colour and pattern of the floor, and rugs/carpets draw all the pieces in a room together to make a more aesthetic sensible whole, says Shrestha. So, next time you think.

source: the himalayan times, 9 jan 2017