How to Deal With an Oriental Rug Addiction
By Penny Krieger ©2006-2024

Some people will look at the title of this article and laugh but if you have become afflicted with this problem you know that the title of this article was written in all seriousness!

You started out like anyone else. You thought maybe you could use a rug for a room in your home that needed a bit of transformation. You became interested in rugs and did a bit of research. You may have even gone into a few rug galleries or possibly searched the ads for a good deal from an individual. You bought a few books on Oriental Rugs and maybe even joined the local Oriental Rug Society.

It is now years later and you have lost control. Every inch of your floor is covered in handmade rugs. You have rugs on the walls, rugs on the tables, draped across couches, rugs rolled up in the closets. The mouse-pad for your computer even looks like an Oriental Rug.

Your spouse, if you're lucky enough to have one, has threatened, "It's either the rugs or me!" on more than one occasion.

If this were not bad enough you are still interested and fascinated and searching for one more amazing, incredible hand-woven rug. Maybe now you only collect Persian rugs from the early part of the 18th Century woven by a specific tribal group that is so esoteric most of the rug dealers you know have barely even heard of them!

Can this dreaded disease be cured with a tonic?

Is there a rehab spot for rug addicts!

What can you possible do?

It always seems like the most incredible rug in the world is the one you don't have. This was a quote from my brother so I must give credit where credit is due.

It's not that the rugs you have in your possession have become uninteresting in any way, it's just that this art form appears to have infinite combinations. Two weavers can take the exact same design elements; wool colors and types, even from the same dye batches and create two completely different rugs. Are you doomed to a life of buying beautiful rugs with no end in sight or is there a way out?

Hopefully, your taste in rugs is decent and this is a completely relative frame of reference but if your collection has a number of acceptable and charming pieces and your enthusiasm is such that your friends are starting to appear just to come and look at your rugs there may be some hope.

This is where the cure presents itself.

I know it will be hard at first but I want you to get the concept of finding a new home for one or two of the rugs in your collection.

Let your friends know that you are contemplating this.

Now, as your tastes have evolved, think carefully about which rug you would not miss too terribly if you were able to part with it somehow.

We are assuming of course that the new owner would be taking very good care of the rug and appreciate it as much as you did!

Now, as you are moving forward with this and letting people know you may be selling one or two of your rugs, someone you know shows a great deal of interest and lights up like the sun at your mention of this possibility. This is the where you make your move.

You will never be cured if you cannot cross the line here. Don't hesitate.

Show him the rug you have chosen and if he remains interested, sell it and the cure has started!

One rug sold and you are on your way to becoming a cured rug addict. You will now be known as a Collector/Dealer! Viola! The transformation is complete and for every rug you sell, a new rug is waiting to be discovered.

I know this story well as it is my story as a deeply afflicted, genuine dyed in the wool Oriental rug addict.

The beauty of this cure is the pure joy you will find when you sell one of your treasures to someone that loves it as much as you do!

Penny Krieger is the owner of Paradise Oriental Rugs, Inc., located in Walla Walla, WA. Her gallery specializes in tribal rugs and carpets woven with hand-spun wool and plant based dyes with a strong emphasis on Persian rugs and tribal designs woven in Afghanistan. She is now selling rugs on an appointment basis. For more info please have a look at her website: https://www.paradiseorientalrugs.com Phone: 707-823-3355