The Rug Warehouse Blog

A well-chosen area rug doesn't just provide warmth, comfort, and cushioning for a room—it also enhances the overall design of the room and helps to create a connection and flow between the rooms of a home.  It's like a functional piece of artwork for the floor that can be the finishing touch on a well-balanced space.

You may think the shag rug is an invention of the bohemian 1960s, but the history of the shag rug goes back into ancient history. The shag rug's origins have been traced to the Middle East and Central Asia, where they graced palatial homes and more modest digs alike. Its development has also been connected to Ancient Greece, where the first shaggy rugs were crafted from goat hair and known as Flotaki rugs. They were highly valued by both kings and peasants for their warmth and comfort.

The call came in to the rug store at 10:30 on Wednesday morning:After five days in U.S. customs, the shop's first batch of carpetsimported from Iran were ready for pickup.

Store owner Alex Helmiquickly gathered his employees and told them to drive to the airport topick up the shipment: 40 handmade rugs valued at about $500,000.

"I wanted to cry", Helmi said.

A 2010 embargo on Iranian-made rugs has meant tough times for sellers such as Helmi, who found hiscarpets caught up in a clash of geopolitics and nuclear brinkmanship.Last summer's landmark international nuclear agreement, however, paved the way for importing rugs once again in what was once Iran's largest foreign market.

Iranian and U.S. officials announced last month in Vienna that Iran had complied with the terms of the deal to dismantle its nuclear program and that the sanctions that have crippled the nation's economy would be lifted. The move granted the Iranian government access to more than $50 billion in frozen assets and oil revenue.

If you're looking to spruce up an area of your home quickly and tastefully, a rug is one of the most versatile ways to get this done. This upcoming year is reported to be one of the coldest yet, and your wood floors and empty hallways are just begging for a cover up. A rug gives comfort for those who walk, sit, and sometimes lie on the floor. Rugs are a great way to add a warm look and feel to your home, especially during Winter and the Holiday season when friends and family are spending time indoors together.  

You're done with the hard part. You have chosen the perfect rug, and now it's time to pay attention to detail. One of those details includes buying a rug pad to go underneath your rug. Here at The Rug Warehouse, we cut the best quality rug pads to fit and secure your area rug perfectly. Contrary to popular belief, a rug pad is not only beneficial for holding your rug in place, but serves several other purposes. Additionally, rug pads are not exclusive to hardwood floors. A rug pad can and should be placed below an area rug that is on top of carpeted floors as well. Now, we as experts would like to help you understand exactly why a rug pad is so important under your new area rug.

For a room that lacks excitement, adding a rug might be the perfect answer. While that alone is a good enough reason to decorate with a rug, there are others. You might even say it completes a room by tying all the different pieces together visually. A rug can anchor a room, define it, and also add warmth and help layer a room's decor.

Only at The Rug Warehouse Los Angeles.

Rug making as an industry has thrived not only in the West, but also in the East. Originally, rugs were hand-made, mostly as a home-based industry. Later, machine-made rugs emerged with more designs and varieties.