What's a Kilim? You've probably seen them before and completely loved what you saw, but what did you see? Something like this?
Kilims are flat
tapestry-woven
carpets or rugs produced from the
Balkans to
Pakistan. Kilims can be purely decorative or can function as
prayer rugs. Recently-made kilims are popular floor-coverings in Western households. *Wikipedia definition
They are abundant and easy to find in a myriad of colors and patterns! They have been used to re-upholster chairs, and made into cushions... Their appeal is far reaching and there is something for everyone!
Kilims are produced by tightly interweaving the
warp and
weft strands of the weave to produce a flat surface with no pile. Most kilim weaves are "weft-facing", i.e., the horizontal weft strands are pulled tightly downward so that they hide the vertical warp strands.
When the end of a color boundary is reached, the weft yarn is wound back from the boundary point. Thus, if the boundary of a field is a straight vertical line, a vertical slit forms between the two different color areas where they meet. For this reason, most kilims can be classed as "slit woven" textiles. The slits are beloved by collectors, as they produce very sharp-etched designs, emphasizing the
geometry of the weave. Weaving strategies for avoiding slit formation, such as interlocking, produce a more blurred design image.
The weft strands, which carry the visible design and color, are almost always wool, whereas the hidden warp strands can be either wool or cotton. The warp strands are only visible at the ends, where they emerge as the fringe. This fringe is usually tied in bunches, to ensure against loosening or unraveling of the weave. [Source for this description of the weaving: Davies 2000]. *Wikipedia definition
Using a Kilim, especially in a very contemporary space is the perfect way to balance out the sleek lines of the modern aesthetic with punchy colors or patterns! I think too, the most successful spaces are a blended mix of new and old, color and starkness...
I think it's one of the simplest way to give a vanilla room an instant update! The nearly infinite color palate is going to appease even the most finicky of clientele (mostly your significant other)... Hehehe!
The wonderful thing too now is because of their popularity, you don't need to spend thousands for the look... Many big box retailers are offering new versions for just a few hundred dollars to satisfy anyone's budget and our need for a super sexy accent everyone will die over!
**Images all from Pinterest
