Roll out that red carpet

Most homes have some type of carpet or the other, from the most expensive Persian, Turkish, Kashmiri varieties to the inexpensive but functional carpet types.

These are used not only to enhance aesthetics and decor as part of interior decoration but also serves the functional aspect of keeping one’s feet warm in cold weather conditions. It also enhances the comfort and elegance of an interior.

In all materials

There is a wide choice when it comes to the carpets available in the market; from handcrafted designer carpets to semi-automatic loom-made carpet, the ‘tufted’ type, which is mass produced on a loom, that is economical and easy on the purse. The variety of carpets that are available include woven, knotted, tufted and others. Most carpets are made on looms just like woven cloth. The materials could vary from acrylic, polyester, wool, silk, or blended with material like nylon. Wool has good durability, which is further enhanced by blending with nylon, the most common blending ratio being 80/20. Wool is available in abundance and is easily dyed. This is the original carpet fibre and is the most expensive.

A carpet design could be very simple or plain or decorated with the most exquisite designs that have charmed generations as found in ancient carpets made in Turkey, Persian (Iran) and Azerbaijan. These reflect the culture and traditions of those places which have been traditionally known for the design and manufacture of carpets from ancient times. They are appreciated and prized by connoisseurs. Our own Kashmir carpets have become famous and are much in demand domestically as well abroad.

Every home has a carpet, with exceptions. These could be wall-to-wall or used in drawing rooms and bedrooms. Some are hung on walls as decorative pieces. Some of the mosques have huge carpets spread on their floors. A few airports and museums too have carpets that are mostly functional. The choice of a home carpet depends upon one’s taste and budget. A few homeowners go to any extent to decorate their homes with the most expensive and attractive carpet that they could afford. Most carpets last a lifetime, barring unforeseen circumstances like flood, fire and rodent damage.

Some owners of precious carpets, which become heritage and would be passed on from one generation to another, feel maintenance of these carpets is a problem. Care is taken to see that these are dusted/vacuumed regularly and surface brushed off to keep the surface clean and healthy. On the other hand, a few carpet owners allow anyone to walk on the carpets, barefoot though, at least in homes. There is a school of thought, which believes that walking helps to keep the carpets in good shape provided the feet are clean and dry, the more the footfall the better.

A carpet in a residential home shows the personality of the owner. One might prefer a simple design while others want a carpet with a motif or a story to tell. Often a carpet becomes a national pride that enhances the brand image. Each one of the carpet-producing nations tries to safeguard its national heritage by promoting its carpets internationally and protect the interests of the carpet producers, who are mostly in the small/tiny sector. Carpets are becoming state-of-the-art with a harmonious blend of aesthetics and functional needs. It is worth noting that child labour is banned in carpet manufacture.