Our Favorite Vintage Rugs & Buying Tips

We used a Persian Heriz in our Newport Pavilion project.

We used a Persian Heriz in our Newport Pavilion project.

It’s no secret that vintage rugs are a key component to creating the layered interiors you’ve come to expect from Moore House! We believe that the beautiful pieces in homes should feel collected and emotionally significant—objects that you’ve gathered during travels or items that spark a memory, or evoke a vibe. Rugs are one of the many ways we achieve that feeling in a room.

Vintage rugs have so many benefits that an eco-conscious consumer should get behind too. Not only do they support artisans and their craft, but their motifs and designs have been passed down from generation to generation—they’re true heirloom pieces. Because of the nature of their colors and patterns they work incredibly well for families by hiding spills/stains; and the more wear they get the better they are! They’re usually made with natural vegetable dyes and natural fibers like wool, camel, and/or cotton. All things that help in our quest to have less toxic materials in our homes. 

Buying vintage 

There are two ways to purchase a vintage rug, one way is finding them in a flea market or a vintage shop where you can see them in person. Normally, you’re going to find smaller scale vintage rugs, most commonly a 3x5s, 6x9s, or runners. You’ll also mostly find tribal rugs there, but sometimes you’ll get lucky and find a Persian rug. While we love tribal rugs, they usually don’t offer the scale we need and the pattern tends to be a little more intense. We used smaller scale but layered tribal rugs in our Quonset Hut!

Our favorite way of sourcing rugs is through vintage rug vendors. We can’t share all of our secrets, you can find a lot of great vendors on Etsy. A good vendor will be able to help you train your eye and teach you all about the stories of these incredible rugs. Our favorite style to source for our clients are village rugs. While there are many types, our girl Georgia from Passerine, likes to categorize them by origin. There are essentially three rug origins: city rugs (crafted by a team of people, they tend to look more formal in design), village rugs (usually crafted by one person in their home and tend to have more muted tones and imperfections), and tribal rugs (usually smaller in size and primitive in style, they’re made by nomadic tribes). Some of our favorite village rugs: a Heriz, a Malayer, or a Mahal. The dyes are more muted and they generally have calmer patterns and muddier colors. We don’t usually use bright rugs in a space because we like the rug to feel muddy and tonal, that way all of the imperfections blend and it offers more longevity within your space. 

Think About Size

 You never want to buy a rug that’s too small, always buy the biggest rug you can for the space. In a small room we like to have the rug sit 10 to 12 inches off the wall, in larger spaces it should sit 15 to 20 inches off the wall. The front feet of the main furniture pieces should always sit on the area rug. If we’re designing an oddly long room, we have been known to join two rugs down the center with a fun decorative stitch.

 Choosing a Color

Sometimes we start with a rug and pull colors from the pattern to inform the design choices in the rest of the room. If you’re just shopping for a new rug, make sure that you choose one with at least two of your colors that already exist in the space. It’s always about the color, not necessarily the pattern. When choosing a pattern, we tend to gravitate toward small-scale options like a Mahal or Malayer.

how much should I spend?

A good vintage rug should be an investment. Remember this is usually largest scaled piece of decor in your space, and this piece will set the tone for everything else! A good vintage rug can range anywhere between 3K to 10K and can even get up into the 20’s depending on size. The rug is where we spend our money always. If you like vintage rugs and it’s coming in over your budget, try a vintage Kilim instead, they can usually range from 1K to 3K for much larger sizes. They’re more affordable and some versions can get tossed in the washing machine! Since we’re crazy for rugs, we includes some amazingly priced look-a-like rugs that are only $300 to $1500 for you below!

The stair runner in our Minimalist Retreat is a Persian Kurdish.

The stair runner in our Minimalist Retreat is a Persian Kurdish.

We laid a tribal rug down in the living room of our farmhouse.

We laid a tribal rug down in the living room of our farmhouse.

A vintage kilim was perfect for the Newport Pavilion bedroom.

A vintage kilim was perfect for the Newport Pavilion bedroom.

Vintage Malayer

Vintage Malayer

Bromley really has all the rug flipping skills

Bromley really has all the rug flipping skills

 Images: Erin McGinn & Zack DeZon

Get Moore House directly in your inbox [ SUBSCRIBE ]

OTHER POSTS YOU MIGHT LIKE
The Yuletide Collection
The Yuletide Collection

The Roweam Yuletide Collection is a nostalgic homage to the timeless beauty of classic holiday décor, reimagined for the modern home with a warm, vintage charm. Drawing inspiration from the grand traditions of Christmastide, this collection marries old-world elegance with contemporary flair, evoking the joy and wonder of holidays past.

The Anniversary Collection
The Anniversary Collection

Roweam Anniversary Collection: Crafted with a deep appreciation for heritage, this collection is rich and understated, perfectly embodying the essence of Eternal Nostalgia.

ROWEAM’s “Eternal Nostalgia” collection seamlessly blends vintage allure with modern sophistication, a refined tribute to timeless elegance. Crafted to celebrate the harmonious interplay of past and present. With meticulously curated materials and expert craftsmanship, each piece exudes a timeless grace. Drawing inspiration from the transformative journey of vintage elements, this collection embodies a perfect balance of storied elegance and contemporary refinement, offering a symphony of classic charm and modern beauty.

The Bromley Collection - A sofa made for Sunday mornings
The Bromley Collection - A sofa made for Sunday mornings

A sofa made for Sunday morning reading and naps by the fireplace. Discover the Bromley Collection—a sofa crafted for those serene Sunday mornings spent reading by the fireplace or napping in pure comfort. Every piece in the Bromley Collection reflects our unwavering commitment to quality and artistry. With meticulous attention to detail, from its exceptional internal structure to its luxurious exterior upholstery, this collection promises unparalleled comfort and lasting elegance.

The Sabi In Situ Collection
The Sabi In Situ Collection

Sabi In Situ Collection; A Monolithic Approach to Classic Comfort.

Crafted with meticulous attention to detail and unwavering quality, each piece in the Sabi Collection epitomizes timeless sophistication and refined style. From exceptional internals to luxurious upholstery, every element is curated for supreme comfort, durability, and aesthetic appeal.

The Opulent Fashion Trend Making Its Grand Entrance into Homes
The Opulent Fashion Trend Making Its Grand Entrance into Homes

Discover how the latest high fashion trend, quiet luxury, is transforming both runways and homes. Embrace the refined elegance and timeless charm of subtle sophistication in your interior design, blending opulence with comfort for an effortlessly stylish living space.

DC Row Project Reveal
DC Row Project Reveal

Moore House Design Project REVEAL DAY!

We are thrilled to introduce our DC ROW Project! Showcasing some of our favorite Roweam vintage pieces, this comprehensive project involved full-service design, renovation, and furnishings in the vibrant heart of Logan Circle NW, Washington, DC.

The Revere Collection exclusively on The Expert
The Revere Collection exclusively on The Expert

Collected in partnership with The Expert, our 'true vintage' pieces were meticulously selected to transport you to an eclectic array of cultural and historical landscapes. At ROWEAM, our reverence for tradition runs deep. Each piece in the Revere Collection is a piece of history that is meant to be cherished and passed down through generations. With every hand-selected item, we pay homage to the craftsmanship, heritage, and unparalleled beauty that define our true vintage pieces.

Blair Moore Honored as 5 Under 40 Award Winner by New England Home's 15th Annual Program!
Blair Moore Honored as 5 Under 40 Award Winner by New England Home's 15th Annual Program!

New England Home proudly unveils Blair Moore, Creative Director and Principal of Moore House Design, as the distinguished recipient of the 5 Under 40 award in its prestigious 15th annual program. Blair Moore's exceptional talent, unwavering dedication, and active engagement within New England's design sphere have earned her this esteemed accolade. Congratulations!

IT’S OFFICIAL, we’ve launched ROWEAM
IT’S OFFICIAL, we’ve launched ROWEAM

ROWEAM stand as a beacon of luxury in the realm of furniture design, crafting heirloom custom pieces that stir a profound sense of timeless nostalgia. At ROWEAM, our creations are more than mere furniture—they are embodiments of inspiration, meticulously conceived by visionary designers, meticulously crafted by skilled artisans, and meticulously sourced with the utmost industry expertise.

We hope you become a part of the New Nostalgia.

Before & After: Belgian Mid-Century Project
Before & After: Belgian Mid-Century Project

At Moore House Design, we love a good opportunity to unveil the captivating journey from 'before' to 'after,' peeling back the layers of our craftsmanship. This project stands as a cherished design: a modern European gem nestled in Rhode Island along the coveted ocean-side avenues of Aquidneck Island. Like many of our New England-based projects, these homes often bear the remnants of builder-grade finishes and incomplete renovations, presenting our clients with a fragmented starting point. Our mission? To seamlessly stitch these fragments together, making each room feel like it had a real purpose and connection.

 
Shop, InspirationMoore HouseComment