Today was a visit to one of our favorite Boston area rug dealers, Landry and Arcari. I was searching for the perfect broadloom to have bound into a custom cut area rug with very specific requirements, but there were so many beautiful and interesting things in the showroom, I thought I’d share some of my finds!

Broadloom rugs are machine produced and available in a variety of widths. Typical widths are 12’ or 13’2”, but there are a number of options even wider in some lines. Different weaves have different looks and textures, while different fiber contents have different properties. For longevity, durability, beauty, and feel, nothing beats wool, but there are some synthetic options that have been engineered to come close.

Landry and Arcari is a family rug and carpeting company that has expanded over the years to 3 Boston area locations. They carry gorgeous one of a kind rugs as well as a large variety of broadloom carpeting options, and they have close relationships with weavers in Southeast Asia to produce completely custom rugs as well. They are also a member of GoodWeave, an organization committed to ending child labor in the handmade rug industry. A GoodWeave label on a rug assures the rug is child-labor-free.

The hand knotted custom rugs are just stunning! Available in a variety of options for pattern, custom colors, custom fiber choices, and custom sizes, a hand made high quality rug is an investment that will last a lifetime - a unique piece of practical art for your floor. Custom rugs can take anywhere from 4 to 9 months to produce depending on size. Costs range from $30 to upward of $100 per square foot depending on complexity, fiber content, and country of production.

Most people think of oriental rugs as very traditional, but the designs currently being produced also include quite contemporary options with organic or geometric patterns, along with whimsical and tribal motifs. There are rugs available for any application and the options are pretty much limitless if budget and timing is not a concern.