Oriental Rugs: Timeless Style Underfoot
Some of the world's finest rugs come from the Middle and Far East and Northern Africa: places like Nepal, China, Iran, Morocco, Tibet, Turkey, Russia, Pakistan and India. Even though many Oriental rugs have traditional designs that've been unchanged for centuries, they're a perfect match to 21st century decor — like this Moroccan Beni Ourain rug paired with a neon sign wall and eclectic furniture. The key to making an antique rug work in a contemporary space? Don't pick a rug to match your furniture; instead, pick furniture that works with your rug. Elisabeth Parker, a rug expert with Christie’s Auction House in New York, says you should choose a rug first, then build the room around it. She notes, "A carpet adds so much personality to a room. It really is the foundation for the entire design."