An Expert Rug Guide

Since Ben Soleimani is an industry leader in the world of rugs, we offer you his expertise as a fourth-generation purveyor of antique rugs and an iconic designer of contemporary decor. Learn more about the different styles of rugs available for your hospitality, commercial, and residential decor to infuse any space with character, charm, and comfort.

 

1. Antique Rugs

With decades of experience in the antique rug industry and an impeccable eye for curating the world’s most exquisite antique rugs, Ben Soleimani has intimate knowledge of what makes a quality antique rug. This type of rug may originate anywhere from India or Morocco to Turkey or Iran, but they share various common attributes. Most importantly, antique rugs must be over 50 years old, often colored with vegetable dye, and handmade without the benefit of any machinery. 

Explore our exclusive collection of antique styles and enjoy our Antique Rug Concierge services for sourcing and selection. You’ll find different styles of rugs with a variety of sizes, shapes, and hues available in the Ben Soleimani collection.

 

2. Luxe Rugs

Handwoven by master artisans from the world's finest Mongolian cashmere, fine silk yarns, New Zealand wool, and Himalayan nettle, our magnificent luxe rugs are expertly designed to enhance the warmth, timelessness, and refinement of any room. This is a different style of rug, as the intricate interplay of textures and tonal variations make each piece a testament to their exceptional quality. Inspired by the natural variations within fibers, textures, and weaves, every designer rug in the Ben Soleimani collection is one-of-a-kind.

 

3. Contemporary Rugs

A slightly different style of rug than our luxe selections, contemporary pieces come in a range of complementary tonal colors, distinctive patterns, and remarkable textures. Contemporary rugs are designed to complement modern environments with aesthetics from the mid-century era and beyond. You can expect to see contemporary rugs work well with Bauhaus, Functionalism, Constructivism, International, Brutalist, and Post-Modern aesthetics.

Another standout element of contemporary rugs is their ability to infuse any space with a timeless, transitional elegance. The abstract, geometric, and striped patterns are especially popular within the progressive rug category.

 

4. Traditional Rugs

Traditional rugs take the intricate designs inspired by historical antique pieces and blend them with masterfully reimagined high-performance technology. At Ben Soleimani, we harken back to the skilled artisans who handcrafted and preserved the original styles generations ago while pairing their techniques with contemporary elements.

Ben Soleimani explores this different style of rug by respecting the biological fluctuations within the fibers and textiles. Lustrous New Zealand wool, unparalleled artisan skill, and proprietary performance yarns lend the authentic look and textural richness of wool, imbuing the Ben Soleimani collection of traditional pieces with sophistication, longevity, and distinction.

 

5. Performance

Exceptionally durable and expertly crafted, our signature performance rugs are designed to stand the test of time in the highest traffic areas, including lobbies, conference rooms, ballrooms, and hallways. This different style of rug is handwoven with proprietary performance yarns that lend the authentic look and texture of wool without compromising on durability. Designed to withstand the elements and resist stains, each rug is meticulously designed for beauty and longevity.

Many performance-style rugs feature aesthetics across various designs that we’ve already explored in this rug guide. You may see traditional, contemporary, and luxe rugs designed with textiles that deliver more durability.

 

6. Textured Rug

Luxurious softness, visually stunning weaves, and enduring quality make our textured rugs irresistible underfoot. Typically hand-knotted, textured rugs highlight the textile itself in this rug style. Adding a textured rug to a space can enhance its aesthetics and comfort as people enjoy a treat for the eyes and a feast for the feet.

You can find beautiful versatility in our indoor/outdoor styles, made with superior all-weather fibers, as well as indulge in the intricate textures and patterns of our luxe rugs that are woven of the finest high-mountain undyed wool.

 

7. Moroccan Rugs

The distinctive artistry and craftsmanship define the beauty and modernity of Moroccan rugs. They’re designed to be easy to clean and care for with high-performance fibers that make them suitable for indoor or covered outdoor use. You’ll find that this different style of rug features classic Moroccan motifs that are hand-woven from pure New Zealand wool to bring warmth and timeless appeal to any room. 

Our Moroccan rugs feature the designs of traditional Berber weavers, along with the symbolism they believe is infused into each creation. These rugs highlight diamond silhouettes for protection, zig-zags that symbolize life’s journey, sunbursts and stars to represent hope, and honeycomb to bring prosperity.

 

8. Indoor/Outdoor Rug

No rug guide is complete without an exploration of rugs that can withstand the great outdoors. With rugs designed for exterior use, you can embrace enduring elegance both indoors and outside. Intricately hand-woven by skilled master artisans using proprietary performance yarns, indoor/outdoor rugs are designed to withstand all weather conditions and resist stains. 

While similar to performance designs, this is still a different style of rug that’s distinguished by practical versatility, plush texture, and exceptional quality. This collection at Ben Soleimani is available in tones and patterns reminiscent of our bestselling signature wool designs. 

 

9. Flatweave Rugs

Classic yet modern and beautifully versatile, flatweave rugs are hand-woven by skilled master artisans for dimensional texture and lasting interest. This different style of rug stands out because it’s made without knots. Instead, our artisans use vertical and horizontal fibers to weave together a single piece. These rugs have a no-pile construction, meaning they’re lightweight and thin. Ideally, you should utilize flatweave rugs on hardwood floors or layered on top of a natural fiber rug.

Perfect for everyday spaces, our flatweave rugs lend sophisticated style and boast premium New Zealand wool, neutral patterns, and superior quality.

 

10. Hide Rugs

Like works of art, our hide designs feature a different style of rug that boasts exquisite craftsmanship and makes a timeless statement. Meticulously hand-stitched from premium South American hair-on cowhide pieces to showcase their luxurious texture underfoot. Hide rugs work well for creating graduated geometric designs due to the natural tonal variance in the material for truly unique creations.

 

Rug Styles at Ben Soleimani

Due to his lifetime of global travels and a passion that continues to inspire his unapparelled collection of one-of-a-kind heirloom and museum-quality antique, modern, and traditional rugs, Ben Soleimani meticulously sources different styles of rugs to ensure superb quality, construction, and appeal. 

With the help of this rug guide, you can enjoy a bit of Ben Soleimani’s knowledge and expertise when selecting the perfect rug for hospitality spaces, commercial buildings, and designer homes. Explore round, square, and rectangle options in sizes that include 6' x 9', 8' x 10', 9' x 12', 10' x 14', 12' x 15', and oversized rugs. You can also visit the Contract Design Studio, where your interior design team can collaborate with ours on bespoke designs.