The history of traditional rugmaking dates back centuries. It is a craft with an international background, with manufactures in many regions of the world producing beautiful designs in a range of styles. Its development was influenced by cultural ways of life and other factors including the purpose of production, the location and natural sources of materials available. Wool rugs have been produced in most cultures primarily for practical purposes such as seasonal protection from cold floors, winds and rain and in the case of nomadic tribes, the need to be able to travel with belongings, their sheep providing a ready source of raw material.
The patterns and designs of traditional rugs were reflections of the symbols of differing tribal cultures, e.g. the medallion-like ‘guls’ seen in Bokhara rugs, and the Buddhist and Taoist symbols of Chinese rugs. Persian rug designs featured plants, fruits, animals, buildings, numerals and religious symbols; even the colours used in the artwork had cultural significance, gold signifying power and wealth and orange, humility and piety, for example. The developments in designs and increasing expertise in the quality of manufacture fuelled the perception of rugs as art forms, and luxuriously made rugs were commissioned by royalty for use and display in their palaces.
With the passage of time the original tribal design features transcended cultural and national boundaries and were adopted by rug makers in other countries, sometimes to produce copies of originals and sometimes to be incorporated into their own patterns. These timeless designs continue to form the basis of the traditional rugs and carpets manufactured around the world today, some manufactures retaining the use of the original natural fibres and dyes, others producing traditional designs in modern man-made fibres or a combination of natural and synthetic materials. Belgium is a major producer of budget and middle price-range copies of traditional designs using modern fibres and manufacturing techniques.
With the advent of modern society the trend for contemporary rugs designs has gained momentum, yet cultures also remain steeped in tradition and are reflected in many aspects of our lifestyles. This is the case with traditional rugs. Their beauty and timeless elegance ensure their place in classical and period home interiors, where they subtly enrich the ambience of their surroundings. They also make opulent accessories to contemporary room decoration where their luxurious textures and colours can add a touch of richness or simply act as a focal-point. Short-pile and flat-weave traditional rugs can also make stunning and original wall hangings.
What is known is the fact that the weave, the way in which 
Of the many rugs on the market, 
Many a hallway can be improved by adding a gorgeous Indian hall runner, more so when matched against modern décor. Besides the hallway, they can be used as a stair runner, or placed on a first floor landing. Equally, they look just as good used in dining rooms, either placed beneath a dining suite or given a more central position.
With the trend for tiled, laminate and wooden floors, it’s no wonder that 
Bedroom rugs have always been popular, providing comfort and warmth on chillier mornings. Nowadays, the large range of colours, patterns and textures available provides great scope for choosing the rug that will make the design statement you need to give your bedroom the wow factor you’re looking for. Kid’s bedrooms are not just for sleeping in these days, they may serve several functions and, like us, children want their own spaces to be warm and characterful. 
Sisal is a fibre extracted from the leaves of the Agave plant, originally native to Central America and now cultivated extensively in Brazil, Kenya, Tanzania and Mozambique. The Agave plant is very robust, preferring an arid climate; no artificial fertilisers and little or no chemical herbicides are needed for its cultivation. Sisal fibres, which are extremely strong, are shiny and vary in colour from white/cream to pale yellow in their natural state although they can be easily dyed and are generally colourfast.
Mention rugs and many people envisage a rectangular shape, which is the image we tend to have of 
When deciding on the colour and design of your rug, it will pay to give attention to what you want your rug to achieve for you. Is it to provide a burst of colour to enrich an otherwise neutral setting, or are you looking for something more muted to tone with its surroundings and produce an understated but elegant effect?