Looking for a unique rug?
Area Rug World (185 Van Brunt Street, 347-335-0322) shops the world for unique pieces so you can purchase them right here in the borough.
“We sell designer rugs at wholesale pricing to the everyday consumer,” says the store’s owner, Christine Frangoulis. The “secret” behind their good pricing? “We import directly, eliminating the middle man,” says Christine.
The 4,000 square-foot showroom displays more than 1,500 rugs, in a variety of sizes. They include pieces that are hand-tufted, hand-knotted, made of wool, and machine-made.
Area Rug World specializes in cowhide rugs from Argentina, meeting with vendors to select pieces that are exceptional in design and quality. “We select 100 percent meat cows,” says Christine, explaining that “they are not slaughtered just for the hide.”
These distinctive pieces are available in dark colors, which include black and white, brown and white, gray browns, and more. A zebra-print design can also be stenciled on to the cow hide, she says, for those who seek that type of look to fit a decor.
One-of-a-kind rugs, mostly from India, made of wool and silk, are also popular, as they fit well in many types of homes.
Flokati rugs, described as looking like “shag-like rugs from the ’70s,” have been “coming back,” says Christine. “This popular trend never quite fell out of style.” These rugs are 100 percent hand-woven in Greece, and come in various sizes and styles.
“It’s not a Flokati if it’s not from Greece,” she notes, and she has personally traveled to Greece to select pieces that are outstanding.
Any tips on how to clean a shag-like rug? “You vacuum with the hose,” Christine says.
Have a high-traffic area in your home? A wool fiber rug may suit your needs. “Wool not only wears longer, it also keeps its good appearance and stays new-looking longer,” she says. It resists dirt, retaining its appearance. “Its ability to absorb moisture prevents a build-up of static electricity; therefore, wool does not attract lint and dust from the air.”
Other fibers include cotton and polypropylene. Cotton is a nature fiber, with “great durability and strength,” Christine says. Polypropylene, a petroleum product, is “characterized by its resistance to moisture. It is strong and abrasion-resistant.”
“Hand-tufted” rugs are constructed by pushing yarn through a heavy canvas backing, then shearing it, while “hand-knotted” rugs are made by weavers who pile yarn around fibers that run through the rug.
Interestingly, a machine-made rug is constructed on an electrically-powered machine, says Christine, and these days, it usually means that it is controlled by a computer.
No matter which type of rug you select, take comfort in knowing that every one sold is subjected to “rigorous quality control testing,” she says. This assures customers that the are provided with the finest area rugs. “We guarantee all of our work to be of the highest quality, as we know our customers expect nothing less.”
How do you know what size rug to purchase? Christine’s tip is to spread bed linens on the floor to get an idea of the area you want to cover. Take the measurements, and then purchase something as close in size as you’d like.
Area Rug World is a family-owned and operated business, which opened about a year ago. Christine had been importing rugs for another company, so she knew a great deal about the business. Eventually, she decided to open her own shop, bringing her passion to customers directly.
They want to have you as a customer for a long time to come. “We are committed to providing exceptional customer service,” says Christine. “Elegance and sophistication show in each item we deliver.”
Shop Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Credit cards and layaways are welcome. Additional information may be found at www.arearugworld.com.
