rug advice

18 years ago

Hello everyone!

I'm thinking of buying a new Oriental rug for my living room. The one I have there now was purchased for our former home, and is really too small for the area now. I was planning to turn it 90 degrees and work with it till I found something else I liked better.

Now I've seen a rug on Craigslist that I like. How is it always that way when you don't want to spend the money yet you find something you love? (I should stay off CL!)

Anyway, it's advertised as a Karastan; but with the pattern number given, as well as looking at the picture, I don't think it's a Karastan, but I'm not sure.

I don't have a recent picture of my living room because it's not finished yet! The drapes that will be hung 9/30 are the same color blocked silk that val has posted in her family room thread. My living room furniture is pretty much a monochromatic gold with different texture, except the carved French chair which is a gold and ivory stripe. The walls are a pale yellowish tan, SW but I only have the code, not the color name. :-(

My living areas are mostly reds and golds, with some greens thrown in and a spattering of blue. I had planned to bring in more blue, but mostly with porcelain and an Oriental lamp I've bought. I didn't want blue to be a predominate color.

Any comments on the price and colors of this rug? For those who have bought more rugs, do you think it's a fair price? The guy is willing to come down to 725.00. I've never bought any orientals except from a dealer, and I know they are much higher, although guaranteed.

I had originally planned on a Karastan Kirman medallion rug and later replace the dining room rug with a paneled Kirman. I can see it now...I'll want to change out all the rugs in the living spaces once I start!

I would appreciate any comments you might have. I need to let him know today if I'm interested further and he will meet me halfway between so I can see the rug.

Thanks for your input!

Susan

Here is a link that might be useful: Craigslist Oriental Rug

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Comments (6)

lovinlifesc
Original Author
18 years ago
Oops, I suppose I should have researched a bit more before posting. I believe this is a Karastan Hampton Court in the English Manor collection.

Does anyone have a picture of this rug in their home they would like to share? Any opinions on whether I could combine this with a Kirman Medallion in an adjoining area where both would be visible at the same time?

Thanks again,
Susan
My3dogs ME zone 5A
18 years ago
I have many Karastans and a Couristan. I LOVE Karastans and would NOT hesitate to buy this rug at that price. Here is a link to an online site where you can see it's MUCH higher, at $2399.00.

Here is a link that might be useful: IFloor link
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Valerie Noronha
18 years ago
Ask him to send you a pic of the backside of the rug which should have the Karastan label as well as the ID number. A Karastan rug does have a certain mark of quality and they seem to retain their value pretty well. Assuming it is a Karastan, that seems a fair price. I've seen them go for less on my local CL (as low as $250), but on eBay a rug of that size in good condition, washed may go as high as $1,200 (or at least that is the Buy it Now price listed--not sure if they are actually sold). This also depends on the condition of the rug, including the fringe. In fact, I'd ask for a picture of the fringe as well. Some Karastan rugs have the longer fringe and can look ratty if not well maintained. In fact, I recently bought one and the fringe is one area where I am disappointed in the rug. The newer rugs are made with the brushed fringe, which I much prefer.
lovinlifesc
Original Author
18 years ago
Thanks, my3dogs and Val.

Well, I hopped off to Macy's with my drapery fabric and the arm covers of my living room furniture to look at the Karastan rugs. They have closed the rug gallery! The closest dealer is 2 hours away, so needless to say I came back home. There was an importer in the mall parking lot selling orientals, but I didn't see anything I liked.

My main concern is that the blues would not overwhelm the other colors. It's a toss up between this and the original Karastan medallion rug which is like the one I've linked to on ebay. I really, really like that design; although for my living room the coffee table would not sit over the medallion-that is what I have now and I don't care for it.

I emailed the seller as he is willing to meet me halfway between my city and Atlanta so that I can see the rug. I'll head out that way tomorrow after church.

One rug very similiar to this Karastan but a different maker was sold yesterday on the same Craigslist for 300.00. I missed that one. :-(

Any opinions on the one I have linked here versus the one on Craigslist?

Thanks,
Susan

Here is a link that might be useful: One design I really like
lovinlifesc
Original Author
18 years ago
Hi Val,

Is the rug in your dining room the Kirman panel rug? I've seen a small portion of it and wondered. Are the blues predominant in the carpet?

Thanks,
Susan
lovinlifesc
Original Author
18 years ago
I bought the rug from the guy. It's in excellent condition, as he said. I will have it cleaned before putting it in the living room. The predominant colors are red and gold and it goes well with the fabrics I laid against it, but we'll see when it goes down on the floor.

I'll post a pic when the room is completed, hopefully within the next 2-3 weeks.

Thanks for all your input.

Susan