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Silk Rugs in Urban Settings

Usually we associate silk rugs with elegant, highly formal interiors. To see one in a casual setting used to be a rarity, but in recent years more and more people started to realize the benefit of owning a silk rug. If properly cared for, silk rugs can be very durable, possibly lasting you for decades. Luxurious sheen combined with delightful softness of their piles not only draws attention, but also makes them one of the most desirable types of rugs. Of course this is also reflected in their price. Silk rugs are one of the most expensive types of floor coverings, but we can assure you that they are worth every penny.  In recent years silk rugs started to appear in typically urban settings, showing that sometimes mix of formal and casual can bring unexpected results. Nowadays designers are not afraid of coming up with combinations that would be perceived as “improper” in the past, which resulted in a surge of new, stunning silk rugs that effortlessly charm both professional collectors and interior designers. In this article we would like to show you how can you successfully use silk rugs in your urban interiors. While it’s true that this particular type of aesthetic is most popular in big cities such as New York or London, you can easily adapt it to your own needs, even if you live in a countryside!

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Scientists claim that silk was developed in the ancient China. The oldest examples of Chinese silk are  dated back 8,500 years! While silk is naturally lustrous thanks to prism-like structure of the fibers, after dyeing its surface becomes glossy, further enhancing depth and beauty of colors. This fiber is commonly produced from the cocoon of the silk worm. After harvesting the cocoon in which silk worm pupa matures, it is unwound into single fibers, which are later are spun into threads. Such threads can be then safely used for weaving. Silk rugs are prominently  present in Asia, but with time they also started to spread to the rest of the world.

Contemporary silk rugs offer a large number of different designs, each of which can be easily incorporated into urban interior. If you have some patterns already in your room, try to look for a rug with a similar looking design. If that’s impossible, try to find color schemes that will complement each other to avoid any clashes between the rug and rest of interior. Antique silk rugs can be a little more difficult to work it. Antique carpets are not as flexible as their contemporary counterparts in terms of decor, however, their age and elegance are not something to be ignored! Antique silk rugs can turn even most casual interior into a formal abode, so use them carefully. If you want to avoid this, try pairing antique carpets with funky decor and modern furniture. Geometric furniture is currently very popular and some people love to create a playful dissonance between their organized shape and few pieces of antique furniture. While smaller trinkets and baubles are still often used as decorations, houseplants seem to slowly take over their place in our interiors. Succulents are especially sought-after due to their interesting appearance and endurance. Such contrast can result in a very nice, fun atmosphere, which rug’s elegance will complement, instead of dominating.

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Urban style is characterized by its rather subdued color palette, that seems to be composed largely of subdued hues. This is why you should be especially careful when picking out a color scheme of your rug. Make sure that it will not clash with any preexisting hues or disturb natural balance of your interior. Whites, grays, beiges and blacks are the baseline for any designer, but are rarely left on their own. Usually they are accompanied by smaller elements in the shades of copper or gold, which help to bring out the natural depth of an otherwise flat color. Including elements of wood, both dark and light, on the other hand, creates a warm and inviting atmosphere, something that many modern interiors fail to address. It is not uncommon to see  raw concrete, bricks or marble. Their harshness is often contrasted with the softness of a rug or blanket, but in some cases designer prefers to keep the elegant aloofness of those materials.

Power of silk rugs comes from their luxurious appearance. They have the ability to completely change any interior from mundane to fabulous, so don’t be afraid to use it! Pick a rug which will complement decor of your room, but do not let it be overshadowed by it. After all, silk rugs should be showed off with pride and joy. Experts claim that a high quality authentic silk rug should have between 200 and 500 knots per square inch and a fringe, if it has one, always made of the same material. Carpets made of artificial silk, developed due to the high cost of natural silk, have not as much knots, with 150 being the most popular number and are not held in the same regard as authentic silk.

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The size of your silk rug can have a huge impact on the interior as a whole. Large silk rugs can immediately dominate the space and draw attention, which is great if they are the only significant piece of decor you plan to have. Still, they are much more expensive than smaller rugs and, if you decide to place furniture on them, they can wear down more easily. Small silk rugs are easier to control and maintain, but their presence might be not as noticeable as that of their bigger counterparts. Of course just owning a silk rug is not enough to keep it in good shape. Make sure to take a good care of your rug by clearing it regularly every two years, although of course dusting should be more frequent than that. Any spills and stains should be removed quickly to avoid any permanent damage to the pile.