Aqua Rainbow Rug
This aqua rainbow rug was hand double knotted in India and measures 438 x 306 cm, which gives about 13.4 square metres of floor. Its field is built from horizontal bands that alternate between paler aqua and deeper blue, so the rug looks lighter in some stripes and darker in others. It is a textured piece with a quiet, even pattern, made for a contemporary room, and the bands run the full length of the rug.
The aqua rainbow rug up close
Across the paler bands, a fine diamond lattice shows in white and light blue, while the deeper bands carry less of it. There is no contrasting border: the bands run out to a short fringe at each end. Up close the texture is easy to see, and from across the room the stripes blend into one soft wash of blue. The rug lies flat on a timber floor, and the stripes stay even from one short end to the other.
Where it comes from
India has a long hand-knotted rug tradition, with weaving centres including Agra and the Bhadohi and Mirzapur area of Uttar Pradesh. Agra has been a carpet-weaving centre since at least the 17th century, and the Bhadohi and Mirzapur area is the largest carpet-making region in India. Indian rugs in a contemporary style are often woven to order, in a wide range of colours and sizes, and this aqua rainbow rug belongs to that group.
How it is made
Hand knotting means each knot is tied by hand onto the warp threads of the loom, row after row, and the pile is then trimmed to an even height. Double knotting ties each knot around two warp threads. Turn the rug over and the knots show on the back as a fine, slightly uneven texture, which is typical of hand work. Because the colour is tied in knot by knot, the bands are part of the pile rather than a print on the surface.
Sizing it for your room
At 438 x 306 cm this aqua rainbow rug covers about 13.4 square metres, so it suits a large living room.
A three-seat sofa of about 2.2 m leaves roughly 109 cm of rug showing past each end, and armchairs facing the sofa can rest their front legs on the rug. Under a dining table of about 240 x 100 cm, it leaves about 99 cm at each end and 103 cm along each side, enough for chairs to slide back. Placed in the middle of a room, it leaves bare floor on every side, which keeps the space open. Its pale and mid blues sit well with grey, white or timber furniture.
Looking after your rug
Vacuum this aqua rainbow rug on a suction-only setting, or with the beater bar switched off, so the brush does not pull at the knots. Turn it around every six to twelve months so sun and foot traffic wear it evenly. Blot spills with a clean white cloth and cold water rather than rubbing them in. When it needs a full clean, choose a cleaner who washes handmade rugs by hand.
Put a good underlay beneath it. It stops the rug sliding on timber or tiles, adds cushioning and takes some of the wear off the pile. Moths favour dark, quiet spots, such as the area under a sofa, so vacuum those areas often and lift the furniture now and then.
See it before you buy
Visit our showroom at 307 Penshurst St, North Willoughby, open every day from 11 am to 4:30 pm, to see this aqua rainbow rug in person. If you would rather judge it in your own room, with your own light and furniture, book an in-home viewing and we will bring a selection to you.
Browse more Indian Rugs, or ask about a custom made rug in your own size and colour. Read more about rugs and carpets.
