What to look for when buying a rug

The first time I bought a rug was unlike what most people have to go through. I bought it from a friend and I knew I could trust whatever he was telling me. First of all, he said that Ushaks were the most popular in home decorating these days, which made me want to get something else - I didn't want to get whatever was really mainstream.

I had already received the talk about why carpets where important. I was anticipating seeing some carpets first-hand. He furled out out a few carpets and explained to me what their significance was.

He said that there were some criteria to respect when judging the value of an oriental rug:

1. The materials used (wool, cotton, silk?)
2. The dyes (artificial, natural, paint?)
3. The workmanship (pile well-cut, good job on design?) note: he also showed how imperfection is beautiful in oriental carpets sometimes.
4. You have to add age if the carpet is old.

When I felt the carpets, I imagined those who worked to make them. I wondered where they had worked, under what conditions. I wanted to buy a carpet.

My first carpet was a humble Yagcibedir from Turkey - made in Turkey. It sits proudly near my fireplace.