“This is one of the most beautifully drawn and elegant of the many “Vase” – technique carpets. Like the formal Garden carpet designs it can be regarded as a bird’s eye view of a woody landscape, here seen through festoons of spiraling creepers terminating in slender sickle leaves, and bearing the large floral motifs familiar in so many of the lattice designs.”
- May H. Beattie

“If a prize could be given to one single item from the extensive Clark Bequest of Oriental carpets, it would readily be presented to a rug belonging technically and thematically to the well-known group of Persian “Vase Carpets.” Although there are a few rugs which generally relate to it, the Clark carpet remains unique… Almost all Persian carpets… emit an air of tranquility. … In contrast to this classical repose, the Clark carpet has all the aspects of Baroque impetuosity. … The awareness of contrasting movements and ornamental abundance is further sharpened by the unusually compact format of the carpet; its many elements seem to be barely contained in the available space. … Here then, as sometimes happens in carpet compositions when the designer deviates from the standard pattern, a new concept is born from well-known themes re-arranged to appear novel and exciting.
- Richard Ettinghausen

Below is the last world  record price for a rug set in 2010 at Christie’s London for $9.5 Million ironically also a 17th Century Persian Kirman rug.

As rugs continue to claim new heights as an art form and not just decoration for the floor it would be interesting to see rippling effects on vintage and antique carpets from the 19th and 20th Century which we show case in our galleries.

The love of ikat patterns in home decor continues.  The tie-die-esque designs are popular among today’s interior designers and design-lovers alike.  The mix of colors, organic patterns, and cultural references is immediately appealing, giving any room where ikat is used a splash of bright and vibrant global design.  While ikat continues to reign supreme in smaller home accessories like cushions and trays, the colorful patterns are also making there way to flooring.  Beautiful ikat carpets are a wonderful way to make a large graphic statement, and can even be the basis for an interior’s color palette.  Here are a few of my favorite ways to bring ikat rugs into a room.

 A simple navy and white ikat rug makes quite an impact in this neutral living room.  The  pattern is just enough to add interest to the room’s decor.  Look for ikat patterns in classic color palettes, like navy and white to add the pattern without overwhelming the space.

In this vibrant room filled with purple, pink and orange accents, it is the ikat flooring that brings the space together.  Every hue in the interior can be found in the rug’s colorful design.  Look for an ikat rug with a range of colors that you can build your room’s entire color palette upon.

In this adorable seating area, the ikat rug is used to bring the room’s various floral elements together.  The rug looks like a bouquet of flowers, and mimics the floral chandelier, and floral brocade on the sofa.  Look for ikat pieces that can tie into the theme of a room.  Florals, chevrons, or even strong hues like yellow and purple can be brought to life with a unique ikat rug.

This purple ikat rug has bits of white and gray present in the design.  It can be the perfect complement to a room’s color palette in the same sophisticated hues.

A bright and sunny yellow looks perfect on this ikat rug.  Brighten your space with an ikat piece like this one that comes in upbeat colorway.

So many shades of blue exist in this one ikat rug that goes from aqua, to teal, to navy.  A rug like this would look perfect in an otherwise neutral space.  Us it to add both color and pattern to a room.

Go graphic with an ikat rug in a dark shade.  This one in graphite and gray will do the trick, and it is sure to add a sumptuous element.

Explore a range of colorful ikat carpets and samples at Doris Leslie Blau.

Vivid colors, exotic patterns, hand-woven design – all of these can be found in Morocco’s boucherouite rugs.  The “rag rugs”, created using scraps of various materials, are perfect for these Spring and Summer months.  Whether hung on the wall or laid on the floor, the boucherouite rug is a bright and colorful home accessory.

While many rugs from Morocco and the Middle East have histories that are centuries old, the boucherouite rug was developed in the 20th Century.  The time period is likely responsible for the funky patterns, and wild colors that you can see in each design.

Truly upcycled pieces, the word “boucherouite” comes from the Arabic phrase meaning torn and reused clothing.  Weavers in the Berber culture used a mix of materials to design these fascinating multi-colored creations that are almost too beautiful to walk upon.

Now, in the 21st Century these patchwork pieces of art are making a comeback.  The fun and eclectic designs add color and whimsy to modern white spaces, and are a complement to colorful interiors.

One of the most spectacular things about boucherouite rugs is the variety of colors that can be found in each piece.  Here, ruby red, coral, navy blue and brown all come together to form a colorful design.

You can discover these carpets in a variety of unique patterns.  The slanted stripe design here adds interest as the various colors come together.  Choose a boucherouite with a one-of-a-kind pattern to create a statement in a space.

These carpets are nothing if not graphic.  Geometric shapes like diamonds and stripes can be found in many boucherouite rugs.  Look for shapely geometrics that are absolutely on trend in interior design.

Though intended for the floor, these intricately created rugs are fun and fashionable works of art.  If you don’t feel like walking on it, mount your boucherouite rug on the wall for a cool artistic feature.  You can even layer one behind the bed and create a one-of-a-kind headboard.

By Jeanine Hays (www.aphrochicshop.com)

J. Crew collaborated with British Store Liberty to bring their iconic blooms to the U.S.  With a unique painterly quality, these floral patterns are soft and elegant.  In bright hues of yellow, hot pink and turquoise, the vibrant color palette takes florals from dainty and dated to modern and striking.

Florals have also take on a rock and roll edge this season.  Pair them with unexpected shades like jet black for contrast.  Fashion designer Araks Yeramyan was featured on the J. Crew blog wearing this sheer black top with a bright yellow and hot pink floral design.  The combination is truly daring.

To bring that same elegance to your interior, pieces like this Chinese Art Deco rug will do the trick.  The floral scene is very modern and radiant in striking shades of tangerine, emerald and pink.

For something more romantic this rug from the Ukraine looks as if dozens of roses have been spread across the floor.  In pink and red it is the perfect accent piece for lasting romance.

When looking for ways to bring flowers to your space, be on the lookout for bright floral patterns in unique colorways.  This Chinese carpet looks like a magical garden in shades of lilac and mint. Below is another fantastic Chinese Deco carpet that would brighten any room.

Dare to go floral, and check out these flowery rugs at Doris Leslie Blau just in time for Spring > (http://www.dorisleslieblau.com/index.php?params%5Bsearch_text%5D=floral&go=%A0&section=search_results)

By Jeanine Hays (www.aphrochicshop.com)

In just a few days, Hollywood will be releasing The Great Gatsby.  The film starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Carey Mulligan is an adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel written in 1925.  A celebration of the jazz-era style of the 20s and 30s, The Great Gatsby promises to be filled with beautiful Art Deco style.  From the fashions to the architecture and interiors, at every turn we can expect to see the geometric forms and bold outlines that Art Deco is known for.  Once an exposition of the modernist decorative style that emerged in Paris in 1925, the glamorous style featuring luxe palettes of black and gold and cool zigzag designs can still be spotted in the skyline architecture of cities like New York, Chicago and Detroit.  Art Deco is making a comeback in 21st Century design, and you can discover it in a number of home accessories including the luxurious Art Deco carpets that are just waiting to bring a bit of 1920s glamour to your home.

Known as the “Cathedral of Finance”, the Guardian Building in Detroit showcases the beauty of Art Deco design.  Geometric patterns in striking primary hues were painted on the building’s ceiling to create a stunning cathedral effect.

Art Deco isn’t shy when it comes to luxury.  This building in black and gold, like the Empire State Building and the Chrysler in New York, is a monument to the time when this architectural style was supreme.

Inside the EmpireStateBuilding a brass mural features many of the geometric lines you can expect to see in Art Deco design.  Rectangles upon rectangles make up the body of the building, and a mix of linear and zigzag shapes completes the mural’s design.

This abstract rug features the beautiful geometric lines that Art Deco design is known for.  In a neutral color palette the mix of shapes doesn’t overwhelm the rug’s design, but instead enhances it.  Pair a rug like this with linear black furnishings to create a strong Art Deco statement.

This rug was actually made in the 1920s when Art Deco style was on the rise.  The wavy gray chevron pattern was a popular design at the time, and still fits within today’s design trends.  A striped border adds even more geometric detail.

Art Deco style was first spotted in Paris.  This French Deco Rug shows the beauty of the design that was coming out of France at the time.  A mix of cool shapes creates an attention grabbing-rug in soft hues of brown and ivory.

The geometric motif on this Swedish rug is a subtle showcase of Art Deco design.  In more subdued tones, the strong graphic lines stand out in this neutral rug design.

Explore the beauty of Art Deco style by taking a look at the Art Deco rug collection at Doris Leslie Blau > (http://www.dorisleslieblau.com/deco-rugs/)

By Jeanine Hays (www.aphrochicshop.com)

Doris Leslie Blau has always been committed to providing you with the highest quality rugs, in both design and material. Over the past few years, we have also introduced many designer rug lines, featuring renowned rug designers, interior designers, and architects, each bringing their own unique custom rug designs to contribute to our extensive designer collection.

This week is a very exciting week, as we continue to strive to bring you the highest quality rugs, along with fresh new designs.

We are happy to present to you the exclusive Bunny Williams collection for Doris Leslie Blau. We are honored and ecstatic to be presenting Bunny’s first ever designer rug collection.

Prolific American interior designer Bunny Williams has spent the past 25 years designing beautiful and personalized interiors.  Her home decor line, Bunny Williams Home and her series of home decor books have been influential in showing us how to make every house feel like a home.  Adding to her growing collection of home decor products, Bunny has released a new collection of rugs with Doris Leslie Blau.

As a true reflection of Bunny’s truly magnificent design work, the Bunny Williams designer rug collection includes an eclectic and expressive mix of hemp pile, cut pile, silk/wool blends, aloe/wool blends, looped pile and flat weaves.

The colors within the collection range from tone-on-tone neutrals and muted blues and greens, to rich blues and deep hues, seemingly borrowed from the sea itself.

The collection was inspired by Bunny’s love of rugs – the pieces she uses as inspirations for a room’s design.  “Rugs are the magic of every room.  For me, they are where I begin every project.  I choose a beautiful rug then select paint colors and fabrics that complement it. For years I have come to Doris Leslie Blau because I know they have rugs, both old and new, that a designer can really build a room around. When I began working on my own rug collection, there was no hesitation in my choice to collaborate with Nader and Doris Leslie Blau,” Says Williams.

The collection features cultural designs that have a timeless appeal.  From modernist takes on chevrons, ikats and Native American designs to Moroccan-inspired patterns, each rug can be used to add a cultural touch to your home

This Wednesday, April 17th, we will be celebrating the release of the Bunny Williams collection with a launch party here at Doris Leslie Blau. Please join us between 5:30 and 8pm ET for a drink and a chance to view this gorgeous collection first-hand. We look forward to meeting you!

Explore Bunny Williams’ Bespoke Collection for Doris Leslie Blau > (http://www.dorisleslieblau.com/bunny-williams/)

Thanks to Jeanine of Aphro Chic and Maddie of Thriftary  for this post!

There is a new design trend popping up in home decor.  Ever since Jay-Z Decoded was released in 2010, the famous Andy Warhol rorschach print that decorated the book’s cover is now popping up in the world of fashion and home decor.  In fact, abstract rorschach prints, or ink blots, are suddenly appearing in home decor as art prints, paintings, and are even being featured on today’s hottest wallpaper, pillow and rug designs.  The unconventional rorschach designs have a unique appeal that’s hard to pin down.  Maybe that’s because we all see something different when we look at them! Each design presents us with a dazzling array of attention-grabbing shapes that are both organic and intriguing.  And as the trend develops, we’re starting to see these mesmerizing designs in the homes of today’s top designers, and bloggers.

Textile designer Amy Butler is known for her beautiful prints.  Her love of intricate patterns is just as apparent in her home where innovative prints continue to hold a special place.  Here, rorschach prints make an appearance as framed art above Butler’s buffet.  Classic in clean black and white, they are quite sophisticated works of art.

This homeowner was so inspired by the cover of Jay-Z Decoded, that she took some DIY ingenuity to recreate the Andy Warhol rorschach print for her own home.  Positioned above the fireplace mantel, the painting is a stunning statement piece.

And Shaleah from the home decor blog, The Gold Jellybean, also decided to test her DIY skills to create a rorschach print to hang above the bed in her master bedroom.  The ink blot painting has been used to tie together the room’s ultra-modern black and white color palette.

In the world of textiles, rorschach prints can take center stage as beautiful rugs in interiors.  Eskayel’s collection for Doris Leslie Blau features the company’s famed rorschach prints as rugs that create they eye-catching patterns that these ink blot prints are known for.

Though the classic ink-blot test is a strictly black and white affair, what make these prints so perfect for textiles is the variety of colors that can be used to create a stunning artistic statement.  Best of all the effect is the same whether you choose to decorate your walls or your floors. Here, this rug in yellow and gray takes the ink blot concept to a whole new level in vivid color.

Even in a more neutral palette, each rug offers soft and distinctive designs that are sure to enliven any room that they are placed in.

Explore the rorschach trend for yourself and dazzling ink blot designs inside the Doris Leslie Blau Eskayel Rug Collection > (http://www.dorisleslieblau.com/eskayel-rugs/)

By Jeanine Hays (http://www.aphrochicshop.com/)

Because of the classy and modern elements incorporated into CHANEL designs, this inspiration carries over to the Rug Design realm very beautifully. Below are a few examples of surprising design correlations between CHANEL‘s Spring/Summer 2013 couture line, and some of our very own vintage & designer rugs provided right here at Doris Leslie Blau.

The Persian Tabriz rug (pictured above, left) embodies a whimsical floral pattern, with a vast range of hues, seemingly inspired by the sky and sea. It is delicate, intricate, and classy, much like it’s CHANEL look-alike (pictured above, right).

Black and white is a timeless combination that oozes of class and sophistication. That is very indicative of both this CHANEL floor length beauty (pictured above, left) and the antique Persian Tabriz carpet (pictured above, right).

This lovely Cloud Lilac rug (pictured above, right) is light and ethereal, with a dose of femininity. It’s couture counterpart (pictured above, left) also embodies these notions through a similar pattern, color scheme, and unique textures.

And last but not least, is the edgy + classy use of the absence of color. White often portrays class and sophistication within the fashion realm. That has also carried over into the interior + rug design industry as well. The CHANEL ensemble (pictured above, left) screams modern and fashion-forward, while still embodying the signature classy stamp of the CHANEL brand. The white silk shaggy rug (pictured above, right) also shows edge through texture, yet remains classy because of the simplicity in it’s pure white color.

Much like the timeless sophistication of the CHANEL brand, Doris Leslie Blau offers a wide range of rugs that can add class, sophistication, and edge to your living space, whether it be an every-day or couture area of your home or business.

The beauty of traditional Moroccan design is currently one of the hottest trends in home decor.  Pieces from a country with hundreds of years of textile design and handmade craftsmanship are now popping up in contemporary homes, adding rich cultural details, amazing colors, and mesmerizing patterns.  Some of the most popular items are those that also add a bit of sparkle.  Shimmering Moroccan wedding blankets line beds while pierced lanterns add beautiful ambiance to modern bedrooms and poufs of all sizes bring pops of bright color into our homes.  Contemporary interiors that focus on Moroccan details are sure to show all the beauty of the global mix – bringing together modern details and cultural accent pieces to create unique and stunning spaces.

Moroccan textiles are an exceptional way to add pattern to a room.  With diamond and geometric shapes present in many Moroccan rugs they can be part of a room’s strong architectural details.  And in a minimalist space like this reading nook, a Moroccan rug can be all the detail a space needs.

The diamond pattern even extends to Moroccan wedding blankets.  These delicately woven coverings were once part of a bride’s dowry. Now they’ve crossed an ocean to be included in interiors where sparkling textiles add to the look of our most comfortable rooms.  They look lovely draped on a bed as a coverlet, or even hung behind the bed frame to create a makeshift headboard.  Like most Moroccan wears, every wedding blanket is made by hand, making each one a unique piece of art.

One of my favorite Moroccan pieces is the Beni Ourain rug.  Made from un-dyed wool, these rugs are rich in organic details.  In a sophisticated black and cream color palette they have a timeless appeal, and can be used anywhere – living room, bedroom or home office – to a stunning effect.  With hundreds of years of history going into each handmade piece, these rugs are sure to add the depth and mystery of Moroccan design and craftsmanship to your interior.

Beni Ourain rugs are thick and heavy as they were originally crafted as sleeping rugs.  Weary travelers would wrap himself in the rug and protect himself from the cold.  Now these heavily piled pieces add warmth to stark wooden floors in modern interiors.

As you look closely at each rug you will see slight imperfections.  That is a result of the tireless handmade workmanship that went into each one of these pieces.  The handmade details give each rug a unique character.

While many Moroccan rugs are cream and black, you will discover beautiful dyed rugs as well.  This rug in brown and blue is wonderful for adding color and culture to a space.

Diamonds fill in this rug’s landscape.  The pattern is remarkable, and sure to stand out in any room.

To add unique Moroccan details to your interior, explore the Moroccan rug collection at Doris Leslie Blau > (http://www.dorisleslieblau.com/moroccan-design-and-weave-rugs/)

By Jeanine Hays (http://www.aphrochicshop.com/)

Art Deco rug design is characterized by dramatic yet elegant patterns such as these:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

And also by stunning visual interest and detail.

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

If you are looking to incorporate some innovative aesthetics into your home or business, I strongly urge you to browse through the extensive collection of Art Deco rugs that we offer here at Doris Leslie Blau.

By: Maddie Richardson of http://thriftary.blogspot.com/