A Work of Art for Your Floor

I love Moroccan rugs! Like a beautiful work of art for your floor, they add a unique element to your design. An exotic Moroccan rug is an authentic, ethnic element that is perfect for your global, bohemian, modern or vintage style design.

The ancient art of weaving Moroccan rugs is all done by hand from shearing the wool, to washing it, and weaving the rugs, knot by knot.

Eco-Friendly Materials

Authentic high-quality rugs are made from natural materials such as sheep’s wool and silk and use no chemicals or synthetic dyes, so they contribute to an eco-friendly design that is good for your indoor environment, and they will last a lifetime!

You can find them in a variety of patterns and colors from earthy colors and black and white for a more neutral look, or in a riot of colors that you can create a focal point to build the rest of your design around. If the budget limits your ability to buy the real thing, there are lots of beautiful designs available made from synthetic materials.

Authentic Moroccan rugs generally are created by the Berbers of indigenous Moroccan tribes that use ancient weaving skills, designs, and materials in an art form passed down for generations.

Photo courtesy of Mary Ann Benoit of Northern Lights Staging.

A Brief History of Berber Weaving

My friend Roz was born in Morocco to American-Berber parents. He was trained by his grandmother in the art of creating these beautiful rugs. I asked him for a bit of background on the legacy of the Berber weaving tradition.

The Berbers carefully preserve their heritage of technique and knowledge, passing down messages in wool from one generation to another. While preserving history, the elemental nature of Berber weaving is an execution of pure instinct.
Weaving is not only an inherent rite of passage but also an act of expression. The women that manifest these works have a story to tell. While some rugs document a personal experience, other weavings carry a more ancestral message passed down over time.
Many of the artists weave their tales organically, while others intentionally channel inherited knowledge into the loom. The life rituals of the Berber women, including fertility, birth, and the protective role of men, are narrated in an abstract form.
Roz, Atlas Weavers

My favorite source for authentic Moroccan rugs of excellent quality is Atlas Weavers.

I have partnered with Roz, the founder of Atlas Weavers to offer you 20% off any non-sale item by using the code “northern lights” at check-out! Why not treat yourself to an incredible work of art with his generous offer!

When I look at these rugs, I see ancient patterns of mountains, the landscape and personal journeys, and a treasure trove of stories and mysteries to be explored.

There are a variety of different types of authentic Moroccan rugs to explore and know about before you buy.

Beni Ouarian Rugs

Edesign of a Moroccan Living Room featuring a Beni Ouarian rug from Atlas Weavers. Edesign by Mary Ann Benoit of Northern Lights Home Staging and Design.

Beni Ouarians are considered by many to be the finest of the Berber rugs. They tend to have simple geometric designs, generally use neutral colors and have a deep, soft pile. Some are new and some are vintage pieces, passed down through generations. These rugs are an investment in a beautiful piece of art that can retain its value and charm.

Here are some examples of some of my favorite new pieces. The simple black and white or gray and white designs would work beautifully with neutral palettes of modern design or as a base for adding beautiful pops of color in your furnishings, art or accessories.

Genuine Moroccan Beni Ourain Rug | Moroccan rug motifs influenced designers such as Ivan Da Silva Bruhn and Vladimir Boberman. American interior designer Francis Elkins used them in some of her most notable interiors in the 1930s and 1940s. | Photo courtesy of Atlas Weavers. — Moroccan rug motifs influenced designers such as Ivan Da Silva Bruhn and Vladimir Boberman. American interior designer Francis Elkins used them in some of her most notable interiors in the 1930s and 1940s. | Photo courtesy of Atlas Weavers

The symbolism of the Berber tradition is often referred to as the “Infinite Rapport”, meaning the pattern and the spirit of the work extends beyond its physical borders. | Photo courtesy of Atlas Weavers

As many Berber women believe the rugs are imbued with a spirit, either from the imprint of the artist or from the living nature of the wool, they resist monitoring the progression of their work, often revealing the entire rug only after it has been completed. | Photo courtesy of Atlas Weavers

The Berbers carefully preserve their heritage of technique and knowledge passing down messages in wool from one generation to another. Once the deeply laborious weaving process is completed, the finished rugs are considered part of the family and are the prized possession of the home. | Photo courtesy of Atlas Weavers

I love how Atlas Weavers describe the process of how these rugs are created. “The symbolism of the Berber tradition is often referred to as the “Infinite Rapport”, meaning the pattern and the spirit of the work extends beyond its physical borders.

Many examples of Berber carpets show shifts in pattern, reflecting a change in life events, a different weaver taking over the rug or spontaneous creative expression. As many Berber women believe the rugs are imbued with a spirit, either from the imprint of the artist or from the living nature of the wool, they resist monitoring the progression of their work, often revealing the entire rug only after it has been completed.

Once the deeply laborious weaving process is completed, the finished rugs are considered part of the family and are the prized possession of the home. The Berbers carefully preserve their heritage of technique and knowledge, passing down messages in wool from one generation to another. While preserving history, the elemental nature of Berber weaving is an execution of pure instinct.”

I bet some of these vintage Berber rugs have an amazing story to tell!

Here are a couple of my favorites. Even though they are vintage, they have a beautiful modern look and I think they would work beautifully with any global style, vintage or modern design.

Genuine Vintage Square Moroccan Rug - Beni Ourain -M275 | Photo courtesy of Atlas Weavers — Genuine Vintage Square Moroccan Rug – Beni Ourain -M275 | Photo courtesy of Atlas Weavers

Genuine Moroccan Rug - Beni Ourain - MO88 | Photo courtesy of Atlas Weavers — Genuine Moroccan Rug – Beni Ourain – MO88 | Photo courtesy of Atlas Weavers

Azilal Tribal Carpets

Edesign of a Moroccan Living Room featuring an Azilal Tribal rug from Atlas Weavers. Edesign by Mary Ann Benoit of Northern Lights Home Staging and Design.

Azilal tribal carpets are soft and snuggly and come from the Azilal region in the Atlas Mountains.

They are made from virgin raw and dyed wool, by alternating composed patterns of one single knotted line and one or two woven lines. Each rug tells the story of its weaver through their own creative design.

I love the colors and patterns. Here are a few of my favorites!

Lovely Moroccan Azilal - R105 | Photo courtesy of Atlas Weavers — Lovely Moroccan Azilal – R105 |Photo courtesy of Atlas Weavers

The Finest Moroccan Azilal - A47 | Photo courtesy of Atlas Weavers — The Finest Moroccan Azilal – A47 | Photo courtesy of Atlas Weavers

Genuine Moroccan Rug | Photo courtesy of Atlas Weavers

Moroccan Azilal Rug – B10 | Photo courtesy of Atlas Weavers

Kilim Rugs

Edesign of a Moroccan Living Room featuring a Kilim rug from Atlas Weavers. Edesign by Mary Ann Benoit of Northern Lights Home Staging and Design.

Kilim Rugs are tapestry weaves that date back to the fourth century and have a flat weave as well as bold designs and colors. They are made with natural dyes.

Here are some examples of my favorite Kilim rugs.

Fine Moroccan Kilim - K8973 | Photo courtesy of Atlas Weavers — Fine Moroccan Kilim – K8973 | Photo courtesy of Atlas Weavers

Fine Moroccan Kilim-K424 | Photo courtesy of Atlas Weavers

Fine Moroccan Kilim - New design by Atlas Weavers - K893 | Photo courtesy of Atlas Weavers — Fine Moroccan Kilim – New design by Atlas Weavers – K893 | Photo courtesy of Atlas Weavers

Moroccan Rug - Fine Kilim | Photo courtesy of Atlas Weavers — Moroccan Rug – Fine Kilim | Photo courtesy of Atlas Weavers

Synthetic Rugs

If an authentic rug is not in your budget right now, there are some other beautiful options out there to get the look without the cost. It is always better to wait and get a high-quality product for your design if you can though!

Some of my favorite sources for Moroccan “style” rugs at a lower cost are Boutique Rugs and Surya. Many of these are made from Polypropylene and Polyester and are made in Turkey. Here are a few of my favorites. Click on the pictures to learn more (contains affiliate links).

Moroccan Shag MCS-2309 Area Rug | Photo courtesy of Boutique Rugs

Moroccan Shag MCS-2301 Area Rug | Photo courtesy of Boutique Rugs

Moroccan Shag MCS-2302 Area Rug | Photo courtesy of Boutique Rugs

Moroccan Shag MCS-2308 Area Rug | Photo courtesy of Boutique Rugs

Interested in global style designs and incorporating Moroccan and other ethnic pieces into your home? I would love to help you! Try one of my Edesign packages.

Mary Ann Benoit, Home Stager & Interior Designer | Northern Lights Staging

Mary Ann Benoit is President of Northern Lights Home Staging and Design. She is a professional Interior Designer, Edesigner, Color Strategist and Home Stager in Seward, Alaska.

Learn more about working with Mary Ann Benoit of Northern Lights Staging through her eDesign Tribe member profile! You can also follow Mary Ann on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter.

You can email Mary Ann Benoit directly at info@northernlightsstaging.com.

Janet Lorusso on June 6, 2019 at 1:11 pm

Hi Mary Ann! I loved learning about some of the history and inspiration that goes into authentic Moroccan rugs! Thanks for sharing!
- Mary Ann Benoit on June 8, 2019 at 7:01 pm
  
  Thanks for reading Janet. These rugs are such amazing works of art for your floor and I loved learning how they tell the stories of the artists that create them!
Maria on June 11, 2019 at 12:19 am

I am in love with these rugs! And what a great post, I’ve learned a lot!

The Magic of Moroccan Rugs