On Trend: Antique Rugs to Dye For
A wave of antique Turkish rugs in unexpected colors has landed on our shores, and interior designers are using them in spaces from traditional to contemporary. The rugs are well-worn antiques that have been redyed in eye-catching bold hues, elegant grays and even black, to freshen up the look and mix old and new. "Overdyed rugs are one of my favorite ways to add a pop of color to a room," says interior designer Melanie Coddington. "They are a fresh, modern take on the antique rug."
"These rugs are true antiques from Turkey, and they have naturally worn over time," explains interior designer Emily Basham-Hoelscher of Urbanspace Interiors. "They sometimes further distress them using tools to make them more interesting, then they use natural vegetable dyes to get the deep pigment." Each rug is a unique work of art. Take a look at how designers are finding just the right overdyed antique rugs for a wide variety of rooms and styles.
Bright pinks and purples amp up the color in this transitional dining room. The patchwork pattern breaks up the scale of the large area rug into smaller pieces.
"The patchwork variety are stitched together and can be customized with color stitching," Basham-Hoelscher says.
The rugs work well with just about any style. "They work wonderfully in more traditional settings, since they have the history and ornament of the originals but add a unique touch," Basham-Hoelscher says. "And they are amazing in modern environments, because of their colorful, graphic nature and nod to the past."
Similar rugs available through Urbanspace Interiors.
Tip: When looking for a patchwork overdyed antique rug, Basham-Hoelscher recommends finding one in which you can see the stitches on top. "If the stitching is underneath, it can create awkward puckering," she says.
"I chose this emerald-green rug because I loved how it complemented the hues in the drapes and wallpaper without being too matchy," Coddington says.
The rug also stands up to the wear and tear of a toddler and a dog, and is easy to maintain in this family home.
Interior designer Shirley Meisels loves these rugs for many reasons. "I love the colors, and they look great with traditional furnishings," she says. "They also contrast with and warm up modern environments."
Meisels also notes that they are great at hiding dirt, making them her favorite choice for entrances and other areas with a lot of foot traffic.
Basham-Hoelscher notes that these rugs have worn well for many, many years, and because they are made of wool, will last for many more. "The only place I would not recommend is bathrooms or outdoors," she says.
Similar rugs available through Postcard from Paris.
What do the pros say to those who staunchly believe the antique version is better? Besides "To each his own," Basham-Hoelscher adds: "Most of our clients and customers feel that they get the quality of something made so well that it has stood the test of time, but also has had fresh life breathed into it." It's a unique combination of old and new that fits today's range of styles.
Similar rugs available through Urbanspace Interiors.
Patchwork Rugs Made From Overdyed Vintage Turkish Carpets » Browse oversize antique rugs
