Why a Vintage Rug is Better than a New, Machine Made Rug
There are many options available to those considering purchasing a rug for their home. The range of styles, colors, designs, and sizes is virtually endless. Within this wide variety of options, there is one type of rug that is superior to all the rest.
The vintage Turkish rugs and carpets hand-selected by our founders are timeless pieces that will far outlast a newer, machine-made rug because of their higher-quality materials, time-honored weaving techniques, and breathtakingly beautiful and unique designs.
Vintage Turkish Rugs have Richer Designs and more Vibrant Patterns and Colors
The most obvious difference between a vintage rug and a new, machine-made rug, is the design, pattern, and color of the piece. Because vintage Turkish rugs are made of high-quality wool, their colors are going to appear much richer and deeper. You may also notice subtle variations in color and pattern throughout sections of the piece, which gives each rug its unique character.
In contrast, machine-made rugs do not have the same levels of depth and complexity when it comes to color. This makes machine-made rugs feel more “cookie-cutter”, in that each machine-made rug of the same design is going to be almost identical in both pattern and color.
Further, a machine-made rug is likely to fade and show signs of wear much faster than a vintage rug. This is due to the differences in contemporary dying techniques as well as the material differences between a vintage rug and a machine-made rug.
Vintage Rugs Last Much Longer
If you are looking for a rich, one of a kind, vintage carpet that will last for generations to come, an oriental rug is the clear best choice.
When a machine-made rug begins to break down and fade, it almost certainly will need to be replaced entirely. The pattern will start to fade, colors will show signs of decay, and overall, the rug will lose most of its aesthetic appeal.
New rugs will also show signs of physical degradation much more quickly, including thinning, frayed edges, and the breakdown of fabrics and materials.
This is vastly different from the aging process of a vintage rug or carpet. Here, signs of age enhance the appeal of the rug and add character to the design. Colors are far less likely to fade and the pattern of the rug will remain intact. Additionally, because vintage rugs are made of higher quality wool and are constructed by hand, they are far less likely to break down and fall apart due to repeated use.
A majority of our rugs at Merak are 60 or more years old and are still in very good condition. Rugs that have already made it this long will continue to hold their condition for many years to come, even in high-traffic areas.
The Vintage Rugs and Carpets at Merak are Hand-Selected
Here at Merak, we hand-select only the finest vintage rugs and carpets. Only pieces with the highest levels of craftsmanship, finest materials, and most beautiful designs are chosen. All of our pieces are made from natural materials like wool, cotton, or silk.
This stringent selection criterion ensures that we only buy and sell the highest quality pieces. As our customer, you can rest assured that you are getting an authentic oriental rug that will last for many years.
A machine-made rug simply cannot offer the same level of quality and selection. To reduce production time and cost, many of these newer pieces use synthetic material and synthetic colors and dyes. In other words, these companies or rug manufacturers cut corners and reduce the overall quality of the piece to lower prices and increase profits for themselves.
All in all, this means that new, machine-made rugs are much more likely to fade and lose their luster quickly over time. So, while a machine-made rug may seem like the cheaper option today, it will need to be replaced much more quickly and will end up costing you more time, energy, and hassle in the long run.
Vintage Rugs and Carpets are Unique and Full of Character
Perhaps the most intriguing attribute of Turkish rugs and carpets is their unique character. Each rug tells a story. Here at Merak, we can trace each rug back to its original creator and location of origin. Each piece has a unique story and we are committed to telling those stories one rug at a time.
Further, each rug is a unique size, shape, and pattern. Because each rug is hand-made, no two are exactly alike, even if the patterns are very similar. Finding two handmade rugs of the same pattern is rare, and even then, there are going to be small intricacies in both color and construction that set the rugs apart from each other.
Additionally, vintage Turkish rugs are often available in sizes that new, machine-made rugs are not. Because machine-made rugs have to fit the specifications of that machine, they only come in set sizes and alternatives are not usually available. This does not meet the needs of many homes with uniquely sized spaces. By searching for the perfect vintage rug, you can find a piece that meets the exact needs of your situation.
Vintage Rugs are the Best Choice
There is no substitute for a handmade, vintage oriental rug or carpet. They are unmatched in character, craftsmanship, quality, and beauty. Machine-made rugs may be cheaper, but you get what you pay for, and the lower quality and craftsmanship will be obvious. Shop Merak today to find your beautiful, timeless, hand-crafted, one-of-a-kind piece.
