We live in an era dominated by display technologies: phones, tablets, flat screens. One of the terms of art used through the tech industry is resolution, or the number of dots that comprise what you see. In technology, the word for those dots is pixels. What many people don’t know is that the very same aesthetic concerns have governed and informed the manufacture of Oriental rugs for thousands of years.

In Persian rugs, knots stand in for pixels: the more knots per inch a weaver can pack into a carpet, the more detail you can see throughout the design. Some regions of Central Asia favor extremely high knot counts, while others favor a coarser weave. Each offers its own advantages: smaller knots allow the designer to craft intricate patterns, while larger knots infuse the rug with a sense of solidity and simple elegance.

Which brings us to the difference between geometric and floral designs. The key is this weave density: floral designs, so-named for their graceful curves and not for any literal flowers, tend to boast smaller knots. Geometric rugs shapes use larger knots to create a tiled appearance that favors right angles over arcing lines. The important thing to remember is that neither is necessarily superior to the other; your taste is all that matters when selecting a beautiful rug for your home.

Our Southern California Oriental rug warehouse proudly offers a dazzling variety of floral and geometric designs. Feel free to explore this site to learn more about our handmade rugs. And as always, please contact us with any questions.