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Design Dilemma: Beni Ouarain Rugs — Mod but Traditional

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The problem with rugs is that they seem to fall solidly into two camps: either you go with the tried and true oriental rug or you opt for something more contemporary. Oriental rugs can feel a little staid, safe and boring while contemporary rugs seem to date faster than a carton of milk. So where do you turn if you want something that feels modern and contemporary but with a little history behind it?

We suggest the Beni Ouarain rug.

Beni Ouarain rugs have been all over the place in the interior design world in recent years. Most likely, it’s because the simple black and white design can work in almost any interior, no matter how traditional or how mod. These carpets are woven by a nomadic Moroccan tribe (known as Beni Ouarain) which has been producing them for hundreds of years. The classic Beni Ouarain has a network of diamonds made up of relatively fine black lines. Borders are uncommon. The rugs have a raw gestural look because the patterns are often broken and asymmetric. Here’s another example:

The best thing about these rugs is that they work as a fantastic “glam” backdrop in almost any interior. They can feel modern…

Or they can feel traditional….

They can go rustic….

Or feel urban…

They can hide in the background…

Or take center stage…

The problem with Beni Ouarain rugs is that they don’t come cheap. Most rugs run typically in the $2-$4,000 range, or more. If you’d like to read more about the history of these rugs or see more stunning examples of the range of designs, click here. And if you love the look but can’t afford the original consider looking at a similar rug offered by Anthropologie.com which runs between $600 and $2,000. One thing for sure is that you really can’t go wrong with a Beni Ouarain if you’re looking for a dynamic yet versatile rug with a little staying power!

Images: viaSohaute.com; www.berber-arts.com; OndineKarady.com; theparkerpalmsprings.com; www.newyorkmagazine.com; atlantahomesmag.com