PAO Thoughts

Suzani is an embroidered tribal textile made in the Central Asian countries of Tajikistan, Uzbekistan & Kazakhstan.  They date back to the 15th century and the oldest surviving are from the late 18th/early 19th century. Suzani derives from a Persian word meaning needle.They are usually stitched on a cotton or silk base with embroidery in cotton or silk thread. The stitches are primarily chain, satin and button hole and often made in two or more panels then sewn together.  Their motifs are mainly floral (tulips, carnations and irises) with leaves, vines and fruits (mainly pomegranates). They occasionally include sun and/or moon, birds or fish. Traditionally made by brides...

Kars is a province in the far north east corner of Turkey about 45 miles from the border of Armenia. Rug weaving has been a tradition in the area as early as the 16th century. Kars was founded in the 8th century by the Armenians and became the capital or their kingdom. Kars has a long history of sieges and battles and was taken by the Ottomans in 1514. At the end of the Turkish Russian war in 1878 Kars fell to Russian rule for 40 years until it was taken back by Turkey in the early 1920's.Kars today is inhabited by Turks, Kurds and...

Scandinavians have been making rugs in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden for centuries. They were exposed to fine oriental rugs from trade  via the silk routes.  Scandinavians traded heavily with the Byzantine empire in Constantinople, bringing Anatolian rugs back to Northern Europe. These rugs were hung in stately homes for insulation purposes and used as blankets by Scandinavian noblemen.  In the 14th century the people of Scandinavia began to develop their own distinct style called Rya. These rugs  have a thick shaggy long pile designed to help people weather the harsh winters. Examples of these rugs are found in York from excavated Viking settlements. More traditional oriental themes were often included in Scandinavian rug weaving. The tree of life motif was the most common and was adapted in...

Woven minimalism inspired by traditional oriental rug motifs.Organic neutrals hand made from un-dyed wools.Rustic texture for modern interiors #sheeptoshopNew shipment just in, available exclusively at PAORead more "rugs in the raw" trendsas seen in Cover Magazine HERE & HERE . Photo via Kabul Carpet Export Center Custom made Kilim runners finishing in Afghanistan  Gabbeh 13.3x19.3  Tribal African inspired piece 9.5x11.8 Kilim bordered  Colorful Modern Oushak Inspired10x13.7  Chelsea Handler's home featured in AD  Stylized Greek Key Motif14x15.7  Hi from our friends and weavers in Afghanistan! More PAO inspiration HERE

Rug inspiration is everywhere.Sending you some Saturday morning rug love. Neon by Rug Star Sheep dyed with organic dyes by Scottish artist, Helen Ryman "Rug Brush"St. Louis based artist, Howard Jones Image via Rug Star Antique Tekke Rug Image via Cabana Magazine Textile artist, Debbie Lawson Iranian artist J. Petgar Circa 1952 Artist Jason Seife  Custom basketball made for the late Kobe Bryantby Jason Seife Photo via Jalal Sepehr Architectural Rug Installation by Hawkins Thompsonat the Battersea Arts Centre in London Faig Ahmed  hand woven rug art installation Photo via Asa Maese Azerbaijan Carpet Museum in Baku Paige's personal photograph from her trip to the Afourer Valley, Atlas...