I won’t glorify some of the minor upgrades I’m doing as a renovation or redecoration (not sure it was ever “decorated” per se to begin with). But, I’ve always liked oriental rugs and have some big spaces on the floor for which one or two nice rugs would, I think, be a neat enhancement.
Where to start, though? I know what I like, lookwise. The old Persian designs I like best, but have seen some neat ones from the Caucusus, India, etc.
But: do I buy new? Do I buy antique? Do the antiques actually appreciate over time (not my primary motive, but it would be a nice lagniappe)? While I’m never going to be a stylist, am I looking to coordinate with: furniture? Paint? How much should I expect to pay for one room-size and one area-size “good” rug?
And given that “carpet trading” is a sort of metaphor for sharp dealing and bazaar style sales tactics – how in the world do I avoid getting, as it were, fleeced? I was raised to buy retail and haggling doesn’t come too naturally, especially when I’m uninformed. Any resources for acquiring a modicum of informedness OR any outlets that, like Blue Nile did with diamonds (which I’ve found pretty honest and reliable), seek to take the obscurantism and trickeration out of a notoriously hype-filled market?