A Design Statement Classic, The Moroccan Rug
Interior design is all about creating beauty, harmony, functionality, and comfort in the spaces we spend our days and nights. We all want our homes to feel like they were made just for us, offering comfort and order to our lives. Now if you are in design mode you will surely be looking for the perfect statement for each room. (Pro Tip: If you weren’t looking for a statement for each space, start now!). While often a backdrop to a room, or a forgotten element altogether, your rug is a great way to make an interior statement anywhere in your home. With so many rugs to choose from going with a timeless classic sure to radiate comfort and style is of course a no-brainer! So without further ado, it’s time to unroll why Moroccan rugs will be just the statement you need. And are worth every penny of their price!
Notable Craftsmanship
When shopping for Moroccan rugs the most important thing to consider is quality. This will ensure your rug lasts and lasts. How fabulous will it be when your child can take their bedroom rug off with them to college because it so seamlessly transforms from a cozy children’s bedroom rug to a chic young adult’s first apartment?!
The first element of quality is of course craftsmanship. A true Moroccan is handwoven in Morocco. A cultural practice by the indigenous people of the country since the Paleolithic Era. As in the evolution of all things, the life of Moroccan rugs began as a utility, making quality of the essence. Over the years techniques are passed down from generation to generation resulting in masterful craftsmanship tested by time.
High-Quality Materials
While the beautiful craftsmanship of Moroccan rugs is present in the quality of the weave, it is also in the materials. The most common materials used in construction are wool and cotton.
It is important to note here that not all wool is equal. There are different grades of wool and different methods for spinning it before weaving which affects the end quality of a rug. Wool from higher elevation areas as in the mountains of Morocco tends to be more luxurious, leading to a longer pile length. The finest wool is also hand-spun, a time-intensive process that makes a softer and more natural-looking pile.
Adding to the overall quality is the use of natural dyes. A common practice in the finest Moroccan handmade rugs.
Artistic Value
Moroccan rugs have fabulous artistic value as well—a key feature of any design statement!
While you may only think of Moroccan rugs in their neutral, more passive design form, they also come in many beautiful and brilliant colors and patterns.
Today, Moroccan rugs are widely adored and collected in the West for their decorative purposes, quality, and creativity, like art. Art that is created from distinctive designs passed down from weaver to weaver over generation after generation. And like art, as spectacular Moroccan rugs age, and become “vintage” their value will often increase.
In addition to historical artistry, brands like Zarabe Moroccan Rugs combine ancestral craftsmanship with contemporary artistic designs to rejuvenate Moroccan rugs and bring them to spaces in new styles as well. Founded in 2021 during a trip to the Atlas Mountains of Morocco, Zarabe creates exceptional handmade rugs designed in Casablanca by selected artists and developed by skilled craftsmen from noble wool. And if you aren’t sure what design is best for your space, Zarabe’s design team is available to help!
Versatility
From a statement backdrop to an artistic focal point, Moroccan rugs come in many designs, colors, and styles offering up lots of variety. Which of course makes them a great place to start when looking for that piece to inspire your design, or tie it all together.
Beyond variety in color and pattern, there are essentially two types of Moroccan rugs, a thick-pile knotted weave and a flat weave. Although it is important to note if you look deeper there are many more variations within these two general categories.
The thick-pile knotted weave was first woven for utility by nomadic tribes in cold climates. And is often referred to as Berber, after the nomadic tribes that began weaving in this style. These lush knotted rugs come in stunning colors but are perhaps most popular in their most minimalistic form, a style named after the Beni Ourain people. Defined by its allover trellis pattern in dark brown or black against an ivory background the style defines versatility. Top mid-century designers like Le Corbusier helped grow the popularity of this style in the West by pairing the thick plush look with their sleek furniture.
In contrast to the thick knotted weave Moroccan rugs, comes the flat-woven style. A light weave developed by the nomads of the hot climate of the Sahara desert. Moroccan flatweave rugs come in beautiful patterns and designs inspired by their tribal roots. With their flat profile and dense pile, these rugs are great for making a statement in high-traffic areas.
Hygge
There is no literal or direct translation for the Danish word Hygge (hoo-ga) but you get a sense of it during moments when you’re snuggled up in your bed while it’s raining outside, or when you’re bundled up in a blanket and you have a hot cup of coffee in your hand. It’s generally a sense of contentment and an overall feeling of wellbeing. This is an essential ingredient when it comes to home design! And adding a thick cozy soft snuggly Moroccan rug to your room will certainly guarantee hygge!
Timeless Classicism
What’s more classic than black and white and primitive in form? Nothing really. So of course a traditional Moroccan rug in black and white with a simple pattern will make a timeless classic. Really it can go from your kid’s room to their first home with style!
Whether in minimalist neutrals or its most colorful form, a Moroccan rug can be a timeless classic work of art. And a brilliantly unique way to make an interior statement.
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