What is a Vintage Rug?

In recent years, a new trend emerged in the rug industry that has seen older rugs being given a make-over to complement the modern home. While the patterns and colors of traditional area rugs remain an exquisite insight into regional craftsmanship of Anatolia and Asia, many find that their time-honored styles do not fit into the interior designs of contemporary living. This is why distressed vintage rugs or overdyed vintage rugs have become so popular, not only do they give a new lease of life to an aged carpet, but they add a vibrant splash of color into our lives, while still exuding the timeless class of an original handcrafted piece of art.
 

Why choose a vintage rug?

Because they are beautiful, fashionable, sustainable, hand made and affordable!

Vintage rugs are also known as distressed vintage rugs, and represent a trend that has achieved a crossover between fashion and home decor. This new look celebrates textiles that are faded, worn, and softened over time; rugs that nestle into homes as if they’ve always been there.

How are distressed vintage rugs made?

The process starts with collecting hand-knotted vintage persian rugs in great condition. The first step is to wash the rug in 3 steps and then dry it until the rugs are free of any stains and smell. Depending on the desired look, some rugs are further laid under the sun to gradually achieve more mellow colors without a chemical process.

What are the benefits of an overdyed vintage rug?

With a vintage or an overdyed vintage rug, you are not only purchasing an on trend item, but you’re also contributing to a sustainable practice. Over-dyeing is usually carried out on rugs that are faded, worn or just unloved. Not only that, but it is possible to pick up a quality handcrafted overdyed rug for a fraction of the price of other antique or vintage carpets and kilims – making it a much more affordable option.

How are overdyed rugs made?

The over-dyeing process is carried out on rugs that are either vintage (which in rug terms means produced between the 1920s and 1970s) or antique (anything before then). Depending on the desired look, the aging process may be accelerated using a number of methods. Some rugs are first sheared, to even out the pile and to help to ‘distress’ them. They then undergo a series of processes to neutralize and remove the color. These include a mixture of chemical washes and natural sun bleaching. These processes don’t remove the pattern, but simply reduce it to an outline, creating a foundation ready to be re-imagined. The carpets are then dyed in one color, a stage that can be repeated several times to reach the desired saturation level and hue – and for a more distressed look, a paler color is the aim. The dye can also be targeted at the lighter background shades, to create a multi-tonal rug, or result in a block color throughout. The rugs are then laundered to set the color (which will last for many, many years), before being dried. Most overdyed rugs will display a number of different shades, which brings a certain vitality back to the rug, and is a result of the uneven surfaces, and original pattern.

View our collection of vintage rugs. If you can't find exactly what you're looking for, we can also produce custom vintage rugs in any size and color combination.
 

patchwork rugs

Patchwork overdyed rugs are made from a number of different rug fragments that have been cut into smaller shapes and hand-sewn together using a sturdy yarn. All our patchwork rugs are then backed with cotton cloth, which acts as reinforcement. They may be made from bold contrasting colors, or from variant shades of the same tone. Each fragment has a different history, and a different story to tell, and one rug may showcase a whole variety of different patterns and weaving techniques, belying its complex history and making every patchwork rug truly unique.

What is the best way to design with vintage?

Get The ‘Lived On’ Look! Consider each overdyed rug as a unique work of contemporary art, which can truly enhance any type of interior design. If used in a minimalist environment with neutral colors, they act as an explosion of color, a centerpiece that at once stands and brings together its surroundings. However, they can also be used in a colorful room, by carefully choosing a rug in a color that sets off the tones of the décor and furnishings.

Source: https://www.kilim.com/kilim-wiki/what-is-vintage-overdyed-distressed-rug