50-Year Old Loom to Revolutionize Rug Making

New Innovation in the Rug Industry

Rug making is one of the world’s oldest trades, dating back to ancient times. Skilled weavers must work patiently for months; their hands methodically tying thousands of knots across the loom in order produce a single hand-knotted rug.

We love them because they are undeniably beautiful and all natural.

They are made from wool, one of nature's most beautiful and durable gifts, which is carefully dyed with vibrant colors produced in nature.

They have a lustrous sheen, which only improves with age. A well cared for rug can bring joy and appeal to a room for decades.

Gigantic Improvement in Machine Made Rugs

Up until now, machine-made rugs have poorly measured up to those made by hand. The unique personality and craftsmanship that make hand-knotted rugs so special is very difficult to replicate by machine. Much of the beauty gets lost in its sped up production process and those who have experienced a hand-knotted rug can tell the difference almost immediately.

Samad, a family run producer and importer of decorative rugs, has developed a new technique of making machine-made rugs that will revolutionize the rug industry.

Samad recently acquired three 50-year-old Wilton looms from Belgium and shipped them to Turkey. Their newly established weaving facility is situated near the town of Oushak, a famous rug-making area about 5-6 hours drive from Istanbul.

They have since then been experimenting and tweaking the old world Wilton looms in order to create a new product that possesses the desired look of a hand-knotted rug.


Yarn in
Wilton Loom Spools

Rug out
Rugs emerging from Wilton Loom

Impossible to Tell from Hand Knotted

Now Samad has come out with a collection of Wilton rugs called Nirvana. These rugs are all made on the Wilton Loom and are almost impossible to distinguish from a hand knotted rug. Here's why.
 

  • The rugs are made with high quality wool not polypropylene. Many are also highlighted with natural bamboo silk
  • After coming off the Wilton Loom, the rugs are finished exactly like hand knotted rugs. They are washed by hand, making them as soft and supple as a hand knotted rug, able to be folded. Polypropylene rugs cannot be folded.
  • And the rugs are hand sheared like hand knotted rugs giving them a softer more natural feel.
  • The Fringe is a natural extension of the rugs foundation. Machine-made rugs have a fringe  that is sewn on after the rug comes off the loom.


Machine fringe
Rug with sewn on fringe
The fringe is sewn on. You can see how it's folded over to the back of the rug.

Foundation fringe on Wilton Loom rug
Fringe from foundation on Wilton Loom rug
Here the fringe is an extension of the foundation (warp).

The Secret - Imperfection

“The Wilton looms are old and clunky and delightfully imperfect. Just like hand-knotted rugs, we’re not looking for perfection. Our goal is to create sophisticated carpets that exude charm,” said David Samad. The secret is “Perfection in imperfection”.

The Huge Game Changer

What is most exciting about Samad’s new line of rugs is the affordable price point! Nirvana carpets are available at about one-third the price of a hand-knotted rug, while maintaining the same beauty and quality standards.

“It’s an unbelievable value for the money” says David Samad who describes the Nirvana Collection as an economical alternative ideal for those seeking a high-end look but cost sensitive.

Nirvana rugs are also made in six to eight weeks as opposed to nine months it takes to make a fine hand-knotted rug, which reduces the wait time significantly.

The innovative Nirvana collection pushes the envelope and offers a new product that will change the face of the rug industry. 

Nirvan Elation Charcoal - The loom easily renders painterly abstract design
Nirvana Elation Charcoal

As well as intricate pattern.

Peace Light Aqua rug