Magic carpets…

Sharing is caring!

Carpet store on Ben Yehuda Street

One of the first words I learned in Hebrew was “shateach”, meaning carpet or rug. Before I lived here, I used to come here and buy small handwoven carpets made from silk, wool, cotton and various combinations of the three materials.  Israel is the land of the “magic carpet”, there are so many beautiful, well made authentic rugs and carpets to choose from.
This shop “Iran carpet bazar” is on the corner of Ben Yehuda (#111) and Ben Gurion streets in Tel Aviv.  On any given day (as long as the sun shines) the carpets are laid out on the sidewalk for display, repair, cleaning and drying.  It is not unusual to step on a carpet on your way past this busy intersection, I always feel bad stepping on them but no one else seems to mind. 


These are Persian carpets which are known for their traditional patterns and beautiful colors.  They are usually made of hand dyed wool or silk.
Kilim

 Kilims are a woven rug who’s origins are also Persian or Turkish.   These rugs are easily found in reds but much harder to find in greens and blues.  When I was looking for a Kilim for my home I searched a long while for a blue one but to no avail.  I ended up buying a Gabbeh, also of Persian origin.  The difference is that a Gabbeh is a knotted rug whos pattern has more of a solid color base with subtle design accents, sometimes they have a small animal woven into the center of the rugs motif.  Gabbeh’s have a higher pile and are softer to the foots touch.  
 * Since the yarns are hand dyed there will always be variations within the large color area.
Gabbeh Rug 
  
Rugs can be a “big ticket item”.  Hand made rugs do not come cheap but they can last a lifetime and are a form of art.  I love my rugs which I have had for some years now and I don’t regret investing in quality.  Another great source for these types of rugs and many others is the “Shuk of Pispishime” in South Tel Aviv.  In the market prices may be a bit lower than in a shop and you can also bargain if you possess this clever trait… it was never my forte, but thankfully I have a lot of native friends that have bargaining in their blood! 
* Just make sure that you “love” the rug that you pick because you will be looking at it for a very long time… and that’s where the magic comes in. 
* Buying tip:
It is best if you can take the rug home on “consignment”  for a few days and see it in your home, this is the most effective way to judge if it is the rug for you.
Persian Rug Weavers

* I shouldn’t do this but I have to… a cheap source for rugs online is Rugman.com.  They have a huge selection of “look alike rugs” (they look like the real ones but cost much much less) and they ship internationaly plus Vat and custom charges.
* Also, IKEA has a few variations on the Gabbeh to choose from at affordable prices.