Anatolia Collection

People are sometimes very choosy in their pillows. Various people like various types of pillows; soft, supportive, low, high or firm. This uniqueness in pillows is achieved through the stuffing or filling, if you would, of the pillows. There are many types of fillings and every filling has different characteristics and appeal which is preferred by different people. Some types of fillings are described below:

1. Down Pillow Filling

A down is the lower side or underside of a bird’s feather. In simple words, the fluffy side of the feather is the down. Down filled pillows are very soft and light. These pillows are the ones that you can cuddle with. They are also very durable and lasts long. They are easy to shape, cool and airy and everything in between. Sometimes feathers are added to add volume to them. The flipside of them are that they do not provide a lot of height. They absorb some heat from your head which can be a little uncomfortable. They need to be fluffed occasionally to maintain shape and isn’t ideal for a person who has chronic allergies. Moreover, they look great in rectangular throw pillow covers.

2. Feather Pillow Filling

Feather filled pillows are exactly what the name suggests. They are filled with feathers and are cheaper versions of the down pillow. Over time, these pillows will become flat. They are moldable but require constant fluffing to retain its shape. The feather quills poke through the covers which are spiky and can ruin your whole experience. Again, not ideal for people with chronic allergies.

3. Polyester Pillow Filling

Polyester pillows are very lightweight pillows with synthetic fiber stuffed in them. They are durable for up to two years and with rectangular throw pillow covers, they can last up to more. They are easy to clean and very cheap. Although they don’t have much ventilation which can make your pillow warm. They can get flat very quickly due to the clumping issue. They can absorb dirt and sweat but they are easy to clean.

4. Memory Foam Pillow Filling

Memory foam pillows are one of the better pillows available. These pillows are filled with foam that forms its shape to the shape of your neck a and returns to its original shape. The memory foam pillows have holes on the inside which allows the air to circulate and doesn’t let germs to accommodate. Due to the different chemicals used in memory foam, there is a strange smell that emits from the pillow which many people will debate on being toxic. The upside to these pillows are that they don’t clump. However, they can become soft or too thin due the absorption of heat. Use of rectangular throw pillow covers is recommended.

5. Latex Pillow Filling

Latex is an extract from a rubber tree. This material is than cast into a pillow filling. Latex pillows are getting popular by the day. They offer the soft feeling of a natural, organic pillow. These pillows are also good for the support that your head needs. They have long lasting materials, are eco-friendly, cooler in comparison with memory foam. However, these pillows are quite expensive and also nonadjustable and usually quite heavy.

These are few of the many types of pillow fillings and something for you to choose from.

hand woven kilim rugs

8 Facts About Rugs And Carpets You Should Know

March 04, 2019

Rugs and carpets are a form of traditional artifacts that is traced back thousands of years. They have been used in a wide variety of ways, ultimately becoming a decorative flooring option. In fact, carpets like hand woven kilim rugs are considered a luxury item because a lot of work is put into the making of these carpets.

Here are some facts about rugs and carpets to know.

1. World’s Largest Handmade Carpet

The world’s largest carpet which was handmade was originated from Iran. It is called Qasr-al-Alam designed by Ali Khaliqi. The size of this carpet is approximately the size of a football pitch. It is exactly 5,625 square feet in size. This carpet was assembled in 9 different pieces before being installed in a mosque in Abu Dhabi.

2. Rugs vs Carpets

Many of you may not know but there is a distinction between rugs and carpets which was based on a theory. According to America, a carpet is the one which has a size of at least 40 square feet. Anything which is smaller than this is classified as a rug.

3. Hand Woven Kilim Rugs

Hand woven kilim rugs are the kind of rugs that are produced in Persian Empires like Iran, Turkey, Azerbaijan. These rugs have a symbolic meaning. They are mainly flat hand woven rugs that are often hung on walls and also used as prayer rugs. These prayer rugs have a design of Makkah niched in them.

4. Most Expensive Rug

The world’s most expensive carpet to be sold is a 17th century Kerman carpet measuring about 8’x6’. In an auction in 2013, it was sold for $33.8 million. This carpet was initially expected to have a bid of around $15 million but to everyone’s surprise, it blew everyone away as this broke the record of the previous record holder of a carpet being sold at $9.6 million.

5. The Red Carpet

The red carpet which is a privilege given to celebrities at a major event like Oscars, have a history. The red carpet was used to indicate the route used by politicians. The very first known use of red carpet was in 458 BC in a play called Agamemnon written by Aeschylus. The red color used in Persian or Turkish carpets like hand woven kilim rugs symbolizes courage and beauty.

6. Camel Hair

Camel hair was used as threads in handmade carpets, using them throughout the weaving process. However, this process has been revoked and these carpets have become scarce due to their nasty smell that is given off in moist and warm environments.

7. The Pazyryk Carpet

The oldest carpet was found in 1949 in mountains of Siberia. The origins of this carpet dates back to 5th century BC. This carpet has its original red dye still visible due to its preservation in ice. This carpet was extracted from a grave of a Siberian prince.

8. Symbolism of Carpets

Every Persian or Turkish carpet are rich in symbolism. The symbols and colors symbolize different factors. Yellow symbolizes royalty, red symbolizes happiness, beauty and courage, green represents renewal. Similarly, every symbol has different meaning as well.

hand knotted Turkish rugs

How To Buy Turkish Rugs

March 04, 2019

Turkey is a beautiful country. From its all alluring beauty to the busy streets of the Grand Bazaar is a sight to behold. Visiting Turkey can be once in a lifetime experience for many people. One thing that stands out the most are the handknotted Turkish rugs. Rugs are being made in Turkey for centuries. You can find rugs and carpets of many ages, sizes and extravagant colors.

The knowledge about these hand knotted Turkish rugs is not much for someone who is inexperienced in buying rugs. Here is a guide for buying a Turkish rug.

1. Spotting a Good Quality Rug

The best carpets are the ones that are made of wool or silk or sometimes a blend of both. They are the genuine rugs that are being made from centuries. The cheaper ones are mostly made up of cotton and you can tell the difference by touching them. Pure silk carpets are very thin and smooth and the most expensive material. The blend of wool and cotton is not worth it. Check for the thickness of the vertical threads which needs to be thicker than the horizontal ones. The color is also a key factor. If the underside of the rug is richer in color it means that the carpet is old, and the color has faded with time. Older carpets are more valuable.

2. Get Aware of the Price

Although, the Turkish salesmen are very engaging and friendly who will make you buying experience fun, there are still some of them who aren’t as honest as others. Be aware of the prices and keep your bargaining game strong. Never tell them the budget because they will try to get as much money as they can get out of you. Istanbul has more expensive carpets than Cappadocia. A difference of up to 20% in price is out there.

3. Type of Carpet You Want

Decide what type of rug you want to get. Essentially there are four types of hand knotted Turkish rugs namely hah, cicim or jeejim, kilim and sumac. The hah carpets are the generic, thick carpets due to their double knotted origins. The kilim are the ones that have basic flat weaving throughout. Cicim are like kilim but their flat weaving is wrapped. The sumac is a blend if cicim and kilim, but it is backed up with embroidery. These carpets can range from prayer rugs to the carpets to fit inside your living rooms.

4. The Style and Motif

This is probably the most important one. The reason to buy a carpet. Hand knotted Turkish rugs are ladened with vibrant colors and shapes/symbols. Most people don’t know what they mean. Truth is; every shape has a story embedded with each weave of the thread. The story or message can be of peace and liberty, life or death, love, beauty or elegance. Your knowledge of these shapes can impact heavily on the preference of these carpets.

The hand knotted Turkish rugs are one of the most beautiful pieces of artifacts that have been gifted to us by history. These precautions can guarantee you buying the best carpet from Turkey you desire.