How do I clean an antique wool carpet?

Professional specialist cleaning is essential for antique wool carpets to protect natural dyes and delicate fibres. Regular gentle vacuuming without a beater bar removes surface dust safely. Water saturation and household detergents can damage the cotton foundation and cause wool pile to shrink or bleed. Entrust periodic deep maintenance to conservators experienced in nineteenth-century textiles.

What rooms suit an oversized wool rug?

Grand reception rooms, drawing rooms, and large dining spaces accommodate oversized rugs effectively. Their substantial dimensions anchor heavy furniture and define expansive floor areas. Placing these carpets in high-traffic zones requires a quality underlay to prevent sliding and cushion the cotton foundation. Ensure adequate clearance for doors to swing above the thick wool pile.

How do I identify an Oushak carpet?

Oushak carpets display large-scale floral patterns executed with a relaxed, spacious geometry. The palette typically relies on soft terracotta, golden, and pale blue tones. These Turkish carpets use a distinctive loose weave compared to tighter Persian counterparts. The wool often has a lustrous quality that softens the appearance of the motifs.

What is the difference between Heriz and Mahal carpets?

Heriz carpets feature bold, structured geometric medallions and crisp angular lines. Their robust construction handles heavy wear in busy spaces. Mahal carpets present more flowing, curvilinear overall patterns with a softer visual rhythm. They often utilise muted background fields suited to expansive drawing rooms.