With choices abound, many people feel overwhelmed when faced with choosing a rug to accent their home.  Keep these simple pointers in mind when considering the purchase of an Oriental rug: 

• Whenever possible, carry swatches of fabric and paint with you when you shop. 
• The quality of a rug is based on the number of knots per square inch, tightness of the weave, quality of wool and the country of origin.   A bold geometric design may have less than 100 knots per square inch while a detailed floral pattern may require 300 or more. The weave should be fine enough to clearly express the motifs of the design.
• While tightness and regularity of weave are important, the quality of the wool determines the resilience and lasting patina of a rug.  Also consider how much silk is in the rug and whether the foundation is silk or wool. 
• More often than not, Iran (Persia) is the source for the finest rugs—the benchmark against which all others are compared. However, the quality of rugs from India, Pakistan and China has improved in the past 20 years and many Persian designs are available in rugs from these countries.
• Before you begin, take a little time to think about size and color and try to carry fabric and paint swatches with you as you shop.
• Look for a rug that has "personality" and that speaks to you.  Ask yourself, are you intrigued by floral designs or do you prefer geometric patterns?  Would you like the look of a center medallion?
• To make your Oriental rug last forever, be sure to rotate it 2 times a year to prevent fading from the sun.  Have the rug sent out for a professional cleaning every few years depending upon the use it receives.  

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