A Guide to Buying, Styling, and Caring for a Beni Ourain Rug

Authentic Beni Ourain rugs are becoming more popular nowadays, especially because of the wonders they do for one’s interior setting. They provide homes with accents of luxurious textures, earth tones, and geometric patterns. They’re amazing pieces that can carry stories and culture in every thread.

What Is a Beni Ourain Rug?

Beni Ourain rugs are authentic Moroccan rugs that are 100% made from the finest, undyed sheep wool. They are heirloom pieces that emanate comfort, warmth, luxury, and a touch of nature. They have highly comfortable textures, and they are also thick and durable. These pieces leave a room with a classic and versatile design.

Where Are Beni Ourain Rugs Made?

The life of its creator is part of the process. Women from the Berber tribes that live in the Atlas Mountains weave these rugs, and they creatively incorporate elements of their lives into their designs. The designs may be references to natural disasters, the miracle of life, nature, femininity, and other aspects of their daily living. These rugs hold stories from their makers, which adds a layer of depth to the craft.

Picking the Perfect Beni Ourain Rug

When picking a Beni Ourain rug, it’s crucial to look into its quality. These rugs are made to be strong and durable, with each all-natural thread thoughtfully woven into a high-quality product. Make sure you buy these pieces from a reputable seller.

Styling Your Room with a Beni Ourain Rug

The key to styling your room with a Beni Ourain rug is to balance things. These rugs typically have patterned designs and neutral colors, so it’s best to let them stand out. To do so, you can use other neutral-colored furniture without much flair. Alternatively, you can also place bold and bright elements in the room, as these rugs provide the perfect blank canvas for them.

Caring for Your Beni Ourain Rug

Making authentic Moroccan rugs look the best begins with preventive care. You will have to take steps to keep the carpet clean and free of debris. During daily use, dirt particles can get embedded in the carpet fibers. Once embedded, dirt begins to crush the fibers. This can cause bald stains on your beautiful rugs. To avoid this, regular cleaning is necessary.

Carpets should be shaken outdoors at least once a week until all dirt is removed. If it is not practical to shake the carpet outside, you can preferably use a handheld vacuum cleaner to slowly vacuum left and right without damaging the fibers. 

Be sure to turn the carpet over and vacuum both sides. Regular shaking and vacuuming is sufficient to keep the carpet clean during normal use. If it gets wet, wipe as soon as possible to prevent liquids and other debris from penetrating the carpet fibers. 

Dry your rug using a white cotton towel or paper towel. This will prevent foreign dyes from entering the carpet fibers. Stain from the outer edge to the middle of the stain. Do not rub as the fibers may be damaged.

Consider the location of your carpet when deciding how often to clean it. If the carpet is in a busy area or in a house with pets, you need to take steps to clean it more often. Even if these precautions are taken a few years later, the carpet still needs to be cleaned by a specialist. 

Conclusion

Beni Ourain rugs are some of the most impressive pieces of furniture one can have in a home. These culture-rich items are highly sought-after and can beautify a room in more ways than one. Make sure to keep this guide in mind as you look for one that resonates with your space and aesthetics. 

We at Atlas Weavers believe that Beni Ourain rugs are significant investments that are full of culture and history. Our products are made to last and can beautify your space for generations to come. Get yours today!

source https://atlasweavers.com/blogs/news/a-guide-to-buying-styling-and-caring-for-a-beni-ourain-rug

4 Different Ways to Hang a Moroccan Rug on the Wall

Today, when you say “rug,” people immediately think of it as a carpet – one that’s meant to decorate your fall. But is that what all those gorgeous Moroccan rugs are for? Not at all! You might not have thought of it before, but they’ll look amazing on your walls, too!

But how can you hang a Moroccan rug on the wall? In this post, Atlas Weavers, your best source of authentic Moroccan rugs, shares five ways you can hang a rug on your walls:

 

Use Velcro

We bet you haven’t thought of it! The truth is, even museums will tell you that the best way to hang a Moroccan rug is with the use of Velcro. 

Velcro comprises two individual strips – the loop, the fuzzier part, can be sewn to the rug. The hook then has to be installed on the wall. You should use a 2-inch thick strip if you have a larger rug. Don’t be scared to stitch the Velcro into your rug because it can be easily removed should you decide to put the carpet back on your floor. Just make sure that you do not use the sticky-back Velcro, which is harder to remove. 

Hang from a Pole

This method is quite similar to how you hang curtains, which involves stitching a casing on the back of Moroccan rugs. The casing is a fabric tube that will securely hold a pole. This will then hang from the wall. The pole will evenly distribute the weight of the carpet and could add to its overall ornate look. You can choose a short fitted rod that won’t be visible, or you can choose a longer rod that shows on either end as it could lend elegance to your wall. That said, this method needs extra work, though it’s certainly an interesting way to hang a rug on your wall, no matter how big or heavy the rug is. 

Use Rug Clips or Carpet Clamps

Carpet clamps, also called rug clips, are yet another popular way to hang rugs on walls, and they are often used in rug shops and museums. The only concern is that the weight of the rug may be unevenly distributed and can potentially cause warping as time passes. That said, the clam method is still a classic way to hang a Moroccan rug and still looks clean and professional. 

Try Tack-less Carpet Strips

Tackles carpet strips are available at home improvement stores and some online stores. They can be used to secure carpets on the floor, but they work well for hanging rugs on walls, too. What you need to do here is to hang the carpet strips on the wall first and then attach your rugs to them. While this requires less effort than using Velcro and is relatively cheaper, it also comes with a higher risk as it could pull the rug's fibers loose, affecting its beauty and integrity. 

Conclusion

All of these methods would work well, and each one has its own set of pros and cons, too. For one, Velcro and rods offer a more sophisticated and safer method, but the drawback is that they require more effort and are more time-consuming. Tackless carpet strips are pretty risky. Carpet clamps offer a sort of middle ground, so that’s what you might want to try if you’re doing this for the first time. 

Are you looking for an authentic Moroccan rug to liven up your home? Atlas Weavers have some of the best ones you can find in the U.S. and the U.K. Whether you plan to hang them on the wall or have them grace your floors, you’ll indeed find one that meets your needs. Check out our collections today and enjoy free shipping on your order!

source https://atlasweavers.com/blogs/news/4-different-ways-to-hang-a-moroccan-rug-on-the-wall

Everything You Need to Know About Vegetable Silk Fabric

While the world has put a premium on silk, it’s far from being the most sustainable material in the world. Luckily, there are more ethical and environmentally friendly alternatives to silk. One of the most popular alternatives comes in the form of vegetable silk. Now, this may be your first time encountering vegetable silk, and may need more information on it. To help you out, here’s a brief breakdown of everything you need to know about vegetable silk.

 

What Is Vegetable Silk Fabric?

Vegetable silk fabric or sabra is made of vegetable fibers, which is why it’s also called vegetable silk or cactus silk. With that being said, vegetable silk fabric can also be derived from plants such as agave and aloe vera. This type of fabric is commonly seen in Moroccan handicrafts, as they are often used for weaving, textiles, floor mats, bedspreads, and even jewelry. Indeed, the city of Marrakech has developed quite a reputation thanks to vegetable silk fiber.

Considering that vegetable silk fabric is a catch-all term for this type of fabric, it’s important to know more about the different variations of fabrics. The main thing you have to understand about vegetable silk fabric, the plant used will completely change the end product.

Agave silk is a popular type of vegetable silk fabric. As its name suggests, this fabric is made with agave fiber. The fibers extracted from the agave, a type of cactus that’s commonly found in Mexico and widely cultivated in Morocco, have an aesthetic very similar to silk. Despite their similarities, agave silk has the distinct advantage of not needing to breed silkworms. Agave fiber is one of the most ethical fabrics out there. This is due to the fact that agave can be grown organically and has no negative effect on the environment. 

Cactus silk is also widely used and is an important part of Morocco's heritage. The fiber’s silken texture and flatweave construction make them perfect for warm climates. Since the textile is woven by hand, every product derived from it  is unique and can be interpreted based on the choice of symbols used and composition.

Is Vegetable Silk Fabric Eco Friendly?

Many of you may not know this but fabric waste poses a significant threat to the environment. In fact, 85% of all textiles thrown away in the United States are dumped into a landfill or burned. And seeing as this amounts to roughly 13 million tons of waste, it’s crucial that we find a viable alternative to mainstream textile whenever we can.

As we’ve already mentioned, agave silk is derived from the agave plant. Since the plant can be naturally cultivated and grown, it can be considered as a good alternative. And while this alone already makes it a viable option, you also have to consider that agave silk can be used as an ecological fertilizer after it’s served its original purpose. 

What Are the Common Uses of Vegetable Silk Fabric?

What’s great about vegetable silk fabrics is that they have a wide array of uses. Thanks to its unique properties, it can be used for pretty much everything. Cactus silk is commonly used for authentic Moroccan rugs. Since cactus silk is an epicurean decor element, it effortlessly complements the entire room. Aside from rugs, vegetable silk can also be used for cushions, bedspreads, and bolsters.

Conclusion

Hopefully, this article has helped shed some light on vegetable silk. As you can see, vegetable silk has a slew of different benefits that makes it a great piece of material to work with. With that being said, it’s still important that you obtain the highest quality products to really see how great this material can be.

Are you looking for authentic Moroccan rugs? Atlas Weavers is a fair trade project that offers various designs and sizes in our online shop and custom orders with bespoke designs to any dimension. We work closely with interior designers and rug retailers to ensure optimum quality and customer service. For more information on our products, visit our website today!

source https://atlasweavers.com/blogs/news/everything-you-need-to-know-about-vegetable-silk-fabric

Everything You Need to Know When Buying Genuine Vintage Rugs

Moroccan tribal rugs have become a novelty item to look out for during the past few decades. These rugs have reached international popularity, and it is understandable why many people would like to find an authentic vintage rug. If you want to buy one for your home or add to your collection, this article is for you!

Like any other in-demand product, there will always be fake versions trying to be passed off as the real thing on the market. To the untrained eye, the resemblance may be uncanny. However, if you know what to look for, you will almost certainly be able to ensure that you are buying the real thing.

 

Everything You Need to Know When Buying Genuine Vintage Rugs

There are many types of rugs that you may find and want to buy for your home. Authentic made-for-home Berber rugs hold important value in terms of quality and tradition. Many rugs currently exist and are being sold in various places around the world. However, there are some telltale signs to help buyers determine age and authenticity. 

The Colors Used Are Special

Historic Moroccan rugs will have bold, deep, and daring colors woven into them. The use of dark colors depended on the region that the rugs were made in because at the time, synthetic dyes were not widely used yet. Vivid and fiery colors like reds, oranges and violets are colors that mark an older rug because at the time, only vegetable dyes were available. 

What Makes Vintage Rugs Unique?

Vintage rugs are considered to be highly unique with designs that are not found anywhere else. This is because these rugs were usually woven at home by the families themselves. These family weavers would have taken control of the entire process of making the rugs. Everything from taking care of the sheep that produce the wool, to dying the yarn, to hand-tying the knots of the rug’s design were done by the families who made them. These give vintage Moroccan rugs a deep-rooted sense of culture and designs that can never be replicated in a factory or rug manufacturing facility that makes mass-produced rugs. 

Finding the Real Thing

One way to ensure that you are looking at an authentic Moroccan vintage rug is that it should not look like it was made for the modern home. Since these rugs were made in another time and era, they should naturally have the look that comes with a different culture and people that do not exist in modern day anymore. 

Conclusion

Now that you are aware of what sets Moroccan rugs apart from others in the market, you will now be able to discern what is an original from a cheap copy. Also, buying only from legitimate sources and shops will assure you that you are getting the best quality. True blue shops will offer you a range of choices and various collections to choose from. Finding a legitimate rug shop should be the first step in your quest to ensure that you find and buy an original Moroccan  rug. 

If you want to get your hands on beautiful rugs, come to Atlas Weavers! We are a fair trade artisan project and a premier supplier of authentic Moroccan decorative rugs. Get authentic Moroccan rugs from our shop today!

source https://atlasweavers.com/blogs/news/everything-you-need-to-know-when-buying-genuine-vintage-rugs

Beni Ourain Rugs and the history of the Berbers tribes of north Africa

Very few North African Berber Beni Ourain rugs, Beni Mguild and Beni Alaham and weavings, with the exception of those from the south of Morocco have found their way to Europe; even the most recent products, are rarely seen here. Thus the study of North African Berber tribal weaving, like that of the applied arts from the same area, has been passed over by most writers on Islamic culture. Only the French with their territorial interests have given a degree of time and scholarship to the classification of the urban and nomad arts of Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. In the context of weaving, we should mention P. Richard’s Corpus des Tapis Marocains (1923) and L. Poinssot’s and J. Revault’s Tapis Tunisiens (1950-7).
In the early years of the spread of Islam, the areas called Maghreb and Ilfrikiya, which now comprise Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia, were backwaters of the Moorish empire of Spain, although the Moors were of North African descent. In the first half of the 8th century, the Moors founded an Emirate based on Cordoba, which was under the direct rule of the Damascus Umayyad Caliphate. In A.D. 750, when the Umayyads were defeated and the Abbasid Caliphate founded, the Moors remained faithful to the Umayyads, and in A.D. 929 founded their own anti-Abbasid Umayyad Caliphate at Cordoba. This city became one of the great cultural centres of Western Islam, reaching its apogee under Abd-ar-Rahman III (A.D. 912-61) and his successors Hakam II (A.D. 961-76) and Hisham II (A.D. 976-1009), spreading the influence of the Umayyad style throughout Spain and North Africa.
In the 11th and 12th centuries, North Africa, like Moorish Spain and Egypt, was under the rule of various Berber dynasties. The Sultanate of the Almoravids (1087-1147) established their capital at Marrakesh, the first and only time that Moorish Spain was ruled from North Africa. During this time, the Umayyad Caliphate of Cordoba having been defeated, allegiance was given to the Abbasid Caliphate, although the Moorish empire remained autonomous. The Almoravids had little interest in art, but under their successors, the Almohads (1147-1235), the first flowerings of the new Moorish style appeared. During this time, the Fatamid Caliphate, another anti-Abbasid group, who had been rulers in parts of North Africa since A.D. 909, gained control of Egypt. They, too, were Berbers, as were the Idrisids of Fez, in what is now the northernmost part of Morocco, who ruled from A.D. 788 to A.D. 974, the Aghlabids, who ruled in Kairouan, now in Tunisia, from A.D. 800 to A.D. 909, and their successors, the Zirids (A.D. 909-1150), who were related to the Fatamid rulers of Egypt. The Almohads unifies much of North Africa and Spain. After their decline, the area broke into several groups, the Nasrids in Granada ruling from 1232 to 1490, the Merinids in Fez from 1216 to 1470 and the Hafsids in Tunis from 1228 to 1574; at about the same time, the Mamluks established their empire in Egypt. From the late 15th century, the Ottomans established either direct rule or strong influence over the whole of North Africa. This remained the case until the present century, when it fell subject to European, especially French and British, territorial expansion.
Although we have evidence that carpet weaving was carried on in Moorish Spain and Egypt from a very early period (existing Spanish carpets from the 14th

 

 

source https://atlasweavers.com/blogs/news/beni-ourain-rugs

Essaouira and it's heritage of Moroccan Rugs

The Moroccan city Essaouira handmade rugs textiles or Mogador as it was once called, is one of the most famous little places in Morocco. Orson Welles came here when he needed a location for Othello, and centuries earlier the Portuguese captured the town in an attempt to dominate Atlantic trade. It is not hard to see why Welles chose this old fishing port, idyllically situated on a promontory overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Even today, Essaouira, weather viewed from the sea, from the fort guarding the harbor entrance or from inside the narrow laneways of the old city, is unchanged since the time when it was a Portuguese stronghold. Long before Welles came here to make a film, the Romans came to make purple. On a tiny island just off the entrance to the harbor, Emperor Juba II established dye works for the production of purple, the most sought-after colour in the Roman Empire. As a symbol of rank and honor, the prestige attached to a purple cloak was unimaginable. Thus the dye works entrusted with this rare and precious commodity were kept strictly low-profile. The tribal inhabitants of Mauritania, as it was then known, were already skilled in preparing dyes from local vegetable and mineral sources. Indigo was used for blues and greens, madder root for red, pomegranates skins for black, saffron and almond leaves for yellow, and tea and henna for red-brown earth tones. The  purple comes from the murex shell.

 

 

source https://atlasweavers.com/blogs/news/essaouira-and-its-heritage-of-moroccan-rugs

3 Essential Rug Care Tips Every Pet Owner Should Know

Owning a pet has its advantages. However, it’s undoubtedly a pretty challenging thing to keep your house clean if you have a cat or dog at home. Aside from the mess, pets can also cause damage to furniture and upholstery.

And to make matters worse, most pets target rugs and carpets. Since these materials are soft and plush, these lovely creatures often find it interesting to scratch, chew, and pee on them. If you need help in protecting your stylish rugs at home, here are three essential rug care tips for pet-loving owners:

1. Always Keep Pet Nails Trimmed

If you’re worried about your pets causing damage to your rugs, you don’t have to go to grave lengths such as de-clawing just to make sure their nails won’t compromise your pieces at home. In fact, just keeping their nails trimmed will do the trick.

If it’s possible, it would also be helpful to file their nails after trimming. In this way, their nails won’t be too long and sharp, which can prevent fabric snagging and running. This technique can even aid you in protecting other furniture from scratches.

2. Make it a Habit to Vacuum Often

Indeed, pets typically make a lot of mess. And though your pet does not shed a lot of fur, dander, debris, and dirt can still accumulate on your rugs since your pet is always roaming around different parts of your home.

For this reason, it’s vital that you make it a habit to vacuum your rugs and carpets frequently. This will eliminate trapped debris, allergen, fur, and many more in the fibers of your rugs. But there’s no actual need to fuss over cleaning up every single day. As much as possible, vacuum at least twice a week.

3. Potty Train Your Pet Properly

For some owners, dogs, unlike cats, can be challenging to potty train. But if you want to keep your furry pet from peeing on your rugs or carpets, it’s essential to teach them where they should pee or poop. In this way, you’ll be safe from the tedious task of cleaning your rugs due to stench and stains.

In the event that your pet does pee on your precious rug, then you must act on it immediately. Make sure to clean it quickly, as pet urine can stain and damage your flooring piece. And if you don’t have the time to wash your rug straight away, you can use a mild mixture of vinegar, water, and baking soda to clean the affected area.

Conclusion

As a pet owner and a homeowner, it’s your responsibility to protect both your home and your pet. And contrary to what others think, you really don’t have to make a choice between either of the two. Indeed, owning a pet can be delightful and problematic at the same time. But if you keep the tips above in mind, you’ll find that it’s not at all that difficult to keep your rugs safe, even when you have a cat or dog!

Atlas Weavers is a premier supplier of authentic Moroccan rugs handwoven with expert care and technique. Our aim is to provide clients with a means to experience the rich Moroccan tradition and culture through our creations. We also offer rug restoration services. If you require a reliable artisan to restore your damaged rug, give us a call to schedule an appointment!

source https://atlasweavers.com/blogs/news/3-essential-rug-care-tips-every-pet-owner-should-know