Myndu Interior Design

When it comes to distinctive area rugs, the beauty and craftsmanship of oriental rugs such as Tibetan rugs make them among the most outstanding addition to any room.

Spirituality seems imbued in Tibetan rugs. Considered a holy land in the Vedic and Buddhist traditions, Tibet has been the home of imaginative artwork for centuries. High in the Himalayas, the world’s tallest mountain, Tibetan rug makers have infused the area rugs they create with harmonious, yet energetic, designs that are prized by rug collectors around the globe.

Tibetan rugs are now made predominantly in Nepal, another mountain nation, since many of the best rug makers fled to the country in the 1950s because of political turmoil. Settling in the Katmandu valley, the rug makers continue to produce Tibetan rugs by hand in designs and patterns that speak of timeless spiritual traditions.

The hallmark of a handcrafted Tibetan rug is its intricate hand-knotting. A Tibetan rug is backed by hand, using canvas, cotton or wool fabric. Then the knots are pulled through the fabric and snipped, a technique that results in pile of varying height, as the artist decides.

The best Tibetan rugs are made from the finest natural silk fiber and wool. This combination produces an area rug as soft as the clouds that float above the Himalayas. Even so, the cushioning of a Tibetan rug will last for years.

Tibetan rug artisans combine original patterns with hand-knotting to create area rugs unlike any others. Considered to be a sub-family of the traditional “Oriental” rug, Tibetan rugs draw designs from a multifaceted universe. A common theme is to use representations of plants that have deep symbolic meaning in Asian spirituality, such as bamboo fronds for long life and plum blossoms for beauty.

Another technique familiar to Tibetan rugs is to mix wool and silk threads in single, special weave. The result gives the area rug a sheen, almost a magical luminescence, which reflects light in dancing waves. Imagine an area rug of such dazzle gracing a study, a meditation room or a boudoir.

Tibetan rug makers also are masters at geometric area rugs to evoke a mood, such as quiet contemplation or bold energy. These patterns are woven into the rugs in ways that create designs within designs, integrating the motif with the actual texture of the pile.

At the same time, there are varieties of Tibetan rugs that are so muted they almost seem to disappear. This kind of understatement in an area rug works well in a room with a minimalist décor, or an in a busy room that needs a focal point of simplicity.

Tibetan rugs also are known for their tactile experience. Using layers of fibers, extra weaves or stitching, Tibetan rugs can surprise with textures that reveal multiple fabric sensations – soft silk amid stiffer wool, rougher cotton against silk.

Furthermore, collectors adore Tibetan rugs. Their diversity of fabrics and designs, coupled with superb handcrafting and aesthetic appeal, make them natural investments. At the same time their beauty and versatility make them extraordinary accents as area rugs in any décor.

Whether desired by a connoisseur of Asian furnishings and art, someone who’d like their décor to foster a sense of spiritual timelessness, or a homeowner who’d like an area rug with a truly unique style, Tibetan rugs will contribute extraordinary charm and value.