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Used Karastan Rug

9 years ago

I am going to look at and possibly buy a used Karastan Samovar Persian Vase rug from one of my local craigslists this Friday. I've never bought a used rug before. It's not going to be cheap, she is asking $680 for almost a 9' x 12" size. It's a rug I have admired for a long time. I would like to offer $500 but that might be too insulting, maybe $600. I have asked her if she had any pets and she never used to rug but got it from a friend who had a small dog. She says the rug is clean. She gave me the address to look at it and it's in a storage unit now. What do I look for? Thanks for your help.

Comments (91)

  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    A lovely rug! I had another Persian/Oriental rug left to me by my mother, about 11' x 14' (I don't recall exact dimensions), and I sold it to a rug dealer who specialized in Oriental rugs, for something like $1100-1200. And you KNOW they're not going to be selling it that inexpensively!!! It was slightly worn, but they could tell its age and character. I sold it back in approximately the year 2002.

    Price does increase exponentially with size.

    (I still have the 5 x 8-9ish foot one she had, and a small 2 x 3 foot one -- I just figured I'd never have a room measuring 11' x 14' feet to put the first one into! Other than a living room, which would be unacceptable with cats.)

  • 9 years ago

    my3dogs/richard...just love the colors in that rug.

  • 9 years ago

    Gail, I love the first rug you posted but I need a larger size. I love the colors in the one you bought. I know that you are a fan of orange as am I. I am so glad you found it.

    The Karastan I have in my living room is approximately 9 x 13 and it's smaller than I would like for the area. The length is okay but the width doesn't allow the sofa legs or TV console bottom to rest on the rug. I spent about two hours looking on e-Bay it's fun so I'll keep looking.

  • 9 years ago

    Holly-Kay, I think that the largest sizes that Karastan makes now are 10' x 14' and 9'2" x 13'. I've seen some old ones that are larger, but not in the colors that you and I prefer. :-) I did just see that the Ashara Agra comes as large as 11'5" x 16' rectangular, but it's not the colors you want.

    Richard, if it hadn't been for the 'research' that I was doing on your rug, I never would have found mine, and I have literally looked on and off for YEARS. Persian Treasures wasn't one of the series that lasted, but it's my favorite, with the rusts, golds, blues, etc. I have the current Ashara Agra in the my small entry, and as a runner going to the second floor, and while I love them and they have a 20 year warranty, the weave isn't the same as the older ones.

  • 9 years ago

    Gail, the colors in your rug are exactly what I would want. I will keep haunting eBay. I really like the first one you posted for me and I am wondering if it would work in my foyer. i also need a rug for my library. My chairs are going to make it difficult to find something that will look good in the room. Every time I think I have my decorating the way I want it I find there is something else to be done.


  • 9 years ago

    OK, got the rug back. It looks brand new to me. They did miss some paint spots and the owner seemed a bit embarrassed when he saw it and was able to get it off while I waited. The rug looks so much cleaner then when I first got it. It's very soft when you walk on it and the wool almost has a shine to it. I am not ready to place it down yet as we are still working on the rooms and have some painting to finish up but here are some pictures of it.

  • 9 years ago

  • 9 years ago

    Beautiful. I was hoping you'd post an update. Can't wait to see it in your space when the paintings done.

    Richard Dollard thanked always1stepbehind
  • 9 years ago

    That's a gorgeous rug! Congrats on your fabulous find.

    Richard Dollard thanked cattyles
  • 9 years ago

    Yay, Richard! It IS beautiful, and the vintage Karastans are the best. You will enjoy that rug for many years. I still can't thank you enough for starting this post that got me my Persian Treasures one above, as I had looked long and hard for another.

    Please show us another pic of it when you get your painting done and it's in the room with your furnishings.

    Richard Dollard thanked My3dogs ME zone 5A
  • 9 years ago

    It's spectacular! Congratulations! I'm sure you will enjoy that beautiful rug for many years to come.

    Richard Dollard thanked User
  • 9 years ago

    The painting is getting close to the end. My other half is doing it all because he says I can't paint well. His lines are perfect, I can't do it as well as he dies. He is very fussy. I am the gofor..lol and the cleanup guy.

  • 9 years ago

    That's my tactic for painting, too. Just sloppy enough that I don't have to do any of it!

    Richard Dollard thanked Olychick
  • 9 years ago

    What a great find! You did good.

    Richard Dollard thanked maddielee
  • 9 years ago

    It looks fab! Can't wait to see it in your finished room :)

    Richard Dollard thanked raphaellathespanishwaterdog
  • 9 years ago

    What a beautiful rug. You can't help but have an elegant room with that on the floor. I'll also look forward to photographs.

    Richard Dollard thanked ingrid_vc so. CA zone 9
  • 9 years ago

    So, does that mean that this one

    is a must buy?

  • 9 years ago

    That's a great deal nosoccermom!

  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Wow, nosoccermom! THAT is a find, and look at the size of it.

    It looks very similar to this older 10' x 18' Karastan Sarouk on eBay for $5000.00, but the eBay one is #724.

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/Original10-x-18-Antique-Persian-Karastan-Sarouk-Hand-Knotted-Wool-Oriental-Rug-/351677827601?hash=item51e1a1ca11:g:eEYAAOSw5ZBWIIhG

    Just found one #767 like the CL one on eBay; a 9' x 12' for $895.00

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/Karastan-Sarouk-767-9-x-12-Rug-/222081844312?hash=item33b51c0458:g:PfQAAOSwiylXCptD

  • 9 years ago

    I keep watching the rugs on eBay. I know DH will have a fit if I replace the Karastan we have in the living room now but I would like more rusty orange and blue and less ivory .

  • 9 years ago

    I'm sure you've seen this one, Holly-Kay. I know you want a large one, and 'Best Offer' is available.... :-)

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/Large-Amazing-10x14-Heriz-By-Karastan-carpets-726-Pattern-rug-superb-condition-/322164373122?hash=item4b027e3682:g:7KcAAOSwvg9Xaqmk

  • 9 years ago

    Richard, I have the same rug.

  • 9 years ago

    rugs are so much fun!

  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Beautiful mark1993!

  • 9 years ago

    Thank you, Richard! We have had this rug for about 16 years, and it has been a breeze to decorate around because of the wonderful colors. The tea wash is great and the durability has been fantastic. I look forward to seeing your finished room! Enjoy your beautiful clean rug!!!

    Richard Dollard thanked mark1993
  • 9 years ago

    A better view of the rug this morning...

  • 9 years ago

    Trying again

  • 9 years ago

    Another Karastan rug

  • 9 years ago

    Mark1993, nice Chesterfield sofa too!

  • 9 years ago

    Thanks, Richard! I love Chesterfield sofas. I think they are a classic, timeless design that look great in traditional or contemporary settings.

  • 9 years ago

    Classic works for me as well. Can't go wrong!

  • 9 years ago

    I agree completely.

  • 9 years ago

    Richard, we have the same rug in our LR...

    It is just gorgeous, the red is so lovely...like a cherry red.

    Goes well with Browns and golds..

    Here are a couple of pics that reflect the true colors.

    These pics are from when we recently made this little table

    for fun.

    Here is a close-up ... enjoy your new rug...I can take a pic for you

    tomorrow if you'd like to see the sofa and chairs with it.

    We also have another karastain in the family room. ( forget the name

    of that one)

    joann

  • 9 years ago

    oops, forgot the closeup.

  • 9 years ago

    Gail, yes I did see that rug and I like it. I am very fond of the Heriz pattern though the center madam lion would be covered by the darn massive coffee table and the price is way more than I want to pay after seeing the great prices on some of the other rugs here.

  • 9 years ago

    Beautiful cliff and joann!

  • 9 years ago

    Here is a picture of the rug in my living room. The room is very small, maybe 12' x 12'. We haven't put any pictures or anything on the walls yet. I want an old clock for in between the windows(or somewhere else), I sold my old art's & crafts clock that I got tired of and want something different. My look is sorta dark and not light at all. I'm not into bright rooms. I like the old men's club look. I need to change out the old camp pillows on the couch too. Anyone have ideas for those? I was into the cabin/camp look for awhile. The tv is not showing, it's off to the right. I would love to do drapes on the windows but that would close the room up even more and make it look crowded.

  • 9 years ago

    I like your pillows but understand getting tired of them, no matter how perfect. You could do light colored solids in velvet, faux fur--something textural to contrast sleekness of leather. A throw or two and no pillows at all would also work.

    Richard Dollard thanked bossyvossy
  • 9 years ago

    Richard, you might look for pillows in kilim patterns that go well with your rug. Several catalogs have them, in a wide range of prices.

    Examples of kilim pillows

  • 9 years ago

    I'm a bit late, but wanted to relate my experience with my Karastan rug we purchased almost 50 years ago and is still being used. We paid $1200 which was a lot of money back then, but back in Ca, it had been rolled up and kept in the garage for 12 years, forgotten about. When I moved to Tx several years ago I came across it as I was packing, expecting to find it full of holes, but it was in perfect condition. I gave it to my best friend, who has been using it for the last 8 years, and rececorated her room around it since it was a color she had never used. Yours is gorgeous Richard, and the new paint color only enhances it! Keep in mind you'll tire of it long before it will ever wear out! lol

    Richard Dollard thanked patty_cakes42
  • 9 years ago

    The room looks great, Richard. Your decor enhances the rug.

    Richard Dollard thanked mark1993
  • 9 years ago

    I'm adding late, too, but saw this earlier and appreciated the update. I'm so glad this rug worked for you. It's one of those finds you'll talk about for years.

    I think pillow covers are so easy to switch out that I'd just find something that strikes you. I have a rotating set of 3 or so that I really like but can easily add to when I come across something else.

    I agree placement of windows, esp. so close to the door, would make drapery challenging.

    If the gentleman's club look is what you're going for (which I love too) then consider a set of symmetrical bookcases on either side of the sofa, heavy-framed masculine artwork, a vintage world map, etc.

    Richard Dollard thanked User
  • 9 years ago

    Wish I had room for bookcases but the room is just too small.

  • 9 years ago

    It's a beautiful picture to see the rug in your decor on a chilly fall morning, Richard.

    Richard Dollard thanked My3dogs ME zone 5A
  • 9 years ago

    Your room looks great with that rug Richard.

    Richard Dollard thanked OutsidePlaying
  • 9 years ago

    chibimimi , here are 2 pillows for the sofa I found at Pottery Barn. I think they have the look of the type of pillow you recommended.

    Living room · More Info

  • 9 years ago

    Living room · More Info

  • 9 years ago

    Just need to find complimentary pillows now. I bought some sage green ones from Pottery Barn but they looked boring when I got them home.

  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    I am looking at a used rug. Karaston Multicolor Panel Kirman , 8.8 X 12. 100% wool, permanently mothproof, woven in USA Price listed is $600. Does that sound like a decent price? Here is a picture:

  • 7 years ago

    This one on eBay is $1,199.00, so if the one you see is clean and has no damage, that's a great price.

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/Karastan-Rug-700-series-717-Multi-Color-panel-Kirman-8-8x12-Nice-/162749303569