I popped into W Studio today, one of the leaders in high-end rugs in Canada.  I went in to take a peek at what is new in the world of rugs and boy oh boy, the artistic realm of rugs has come a long way. I was overwhelmed by the beauty of what I saw and left with a vast knowledge of the history, character and value of the rug market.
I got a fabulous lesson from the founder of W studio, Alan Pouvakil, who filled me in on the process of rug making and the benefits, reality and investment factors of good quality rugs.
I always wondered what could possibly justify the cost of an 8’x10’ rug made of Tibetian wool & silk in the range of four to eight thousand dollars. Today, I got my answer. In order to fabricate one 8’x10’ rug it takes three people and three months! That is one lengthy affair, and this doesn’t include the design time, the shipping and the business labour involved.
Buying a high-end rug is like buying a piece of art; each rug is hand woven and guaranteed to last a few lifetimes. It is a product that can and should be handed down from generation to generation.
Good quality rugs have an abundant number of benefits. Here are just some of the top five:
1. Wool rugs have a natural fire retardant. Wood fibres have a very low burn rate and are likely to extinguish on they own!  So if your candles tip, or your fireplace spews a piece of ember, you will have peace of mind knowing that you carpet will not light up in flames and it will not melt from any potential flamehazards.
2. Wool always stays cool in winter or summer conditions, no matter what your climate is. This natural material will absorb 30% of its own weight without feel wet or moist.
3. Wool is hypoallergenic and is approved by the asthma association. Wool rugs provide the aesthetic benefits without harming your indoor climate.
4. Wool rugs do not shed or create any additional dust in the home. Instead they help collect and ground the dust and once the rug is vacuumed it is as good as new again.
5. Wool has great acoustics properties and helps soften your hard surfaces without introducing synthetic materials into your home.
Have you ever picked up an old rug to find a yellow-like dried out powder underneath? This powder is the dried out glue that was used to make that synthetic rug. Not only is the cheap rug deteriorating, the yellow powder is also hazardous to your health and indoor environment. 
Aesthetically, rugs help define spaces and protect your hard surfaces from high traffic zones.  A good rule of thumb when placing a rug in a room would be to leave between 16″- 24″ of perimeter space. The smaller you go with your rug the more your have to shrink the area where your furniture pieces will fit, so be generous and allow for a large carpet.
If choosing a rug with a border it is best to keep all furniture pieces within the defined boundary. Rugs with a border work best in dining room settings. In a dining room your rug should always be 24″ longer than your dining room table; anything shorter will feel shrunken.
With a little lesson on the value of good quality rugs, we can begin to understand that rugs are some of the most undervalued items in the home.