Where should I place a long rug?

These narrow formats suit hallways, corridors and bedside spaces where linear floor coverage is required. They protect high-traffic wooden floorboards while introducing pattern and texture to transitional areas. Ensure you measure the corridor width and length carefully before selection, leaving an even margin of exposed flooring around the perimeter of the textile.

How do I clean an antique wool rug?

Gentle surface cleaning and regular low-suction vacuuming without a rotating brush help maintain the wool pile. Professional textile conservators should handle deep washing to protect natural dyes and fragile foundations. Avoid chemical spot treatments or excessive moisture, which can weaken old cotton and wool fibres over time.

How do I identify a Kurdish runner?

Kurdish tribal pieces often display saturated colour palettes and expressive geometric patterns rooted in nomadic traditions. Their wool tends to be heavy and resilient, supporting robust knotting across extended runner lengths. Look for distinctive border arrangements and structural quirks that indicate rural hand-knotting rather than standardised city workshop production.

Do antique runners lie flat on floors?

Handmade wool runners generally settle well onto floor surfaces, though minor ripples can occur due to age and past use. A quality rug underlay keeps the textile secure and prevents slipping in busy corridors. Professional blocking can correct significant warping if the foundational yarns have tightened unevenly over the decades.