Oriental rugs come in many quality levels, from high-end to low-end. Sam Presnell, owner of The Rug Gallery, discusses how to spot the differences, and even touches on techniques that may not be spotted to the casual rug buyer. Listen or read more to learn about spotting a high-end oriental rug.

Sam Presnell of The Rug Gallery talks about how to order custom rugs, the situations where someone might want to order a custom rug, and the options, timeframe, and cost.

Some of the most unique and valuable hand-knotted and hand-woven rugs come from one of the three major rug weaving centers in India. Sam Presnell, owner of the Rug Gallery, visited India this year to survey the newest trends in rugs. Listen or read more about Sam's 2017 rug buying trip!

Tribal rugs and Navajo rugs have become more popular over time. What differentiates the two types of rugs and how can you display these beautiful pieces in your home? Find out now in this podcast with Sam Presnell, owner of The Rug Gallery.

Creating rugs is an art as old as time. Sam  Presnell  from  The  Rug  Gallery  talks about how rug looms are used to create unique and beautiful designs either by hand or by machine. Listen  or read more to find out about the different types of rug looms.

Rug quality is based on a few factors. To truly determine the quality of a rug, you must feel it. Sam Presnell, owner of The Rug Gallery, offers a variety of tips for rug buyers to learn before making a big purchase. Listen or read more to find out how to tell what rug quality you're buying.

The country that an oriental rug comes from can make a huge deal. But how do I know which country makes the best oriental rugs, and even which country my oriental rug came from. Listen to this podcast as Sam Presnell of the Rug Gallery answers all of these questions and more.

Bamboo rugs are incredibly soft and are a beautiful addition to any home. But beware: bamboo rugs stain very easily and cannot be cleaned. Sam Presnell from The Rug Gallery discusses the upsides and downsides to owning a bamboo rug. Listen or read more to find out if a bamboo rug is right for your home.

Peshawar rugs are special not only for their beauty, but also for their backstory. If you are looking for a new rug, but aren’t sure what kind to get, this may be the type to consider. Listen to learn about their unique backstory, how they are made, and where to buy them.

Did you know that moth damage is one of the worst things that can happen to your rug? Listen as Sam Presnell of the Rug Gallery details exactly how a moth does damage, how you prevent moth damage and more. 

Nourison rug company imports and manufactures a wide variety of rugs. Sam Presnell of The Rug Gallery discusses why he appreciates the company and the products they create and sell. Listen or read more to find out more about Nourison rugs.

Vintage rugs have become extremely popular, but it’s important that you understand the difference between used rugs and true vintage rugs so you know what you’re purchasing.

Sam Presnell of the Rug Gallery in Cincinnati discusses what Sari silk rugs are and how you can display these beautiful masterpieces in your home for a look that is truly your own.

Tibetan rugs are unique and made in a way that no other rug is made. Learn more about what Tibetan rugs are and how to display them from Sam Presnell, owner of the Rug Gallery.

There are many different choices when it comes to Oriental rug pads. A pad is important to have underneath your rug in order to increase its life span and protect your rug. Learn about your options and how to choose an Oriental rug pad that works for you.

It's not easy to determine the age of a rug. The best way to learn how is to get out there and experience as many rugs as possible to learn to spot the differences. Sam  Presnell  from  The  Rug  Gallery  talks about how to determine a rug's age. Listen or read more to find out how experts age a rug.

Kazak rugs are beautiful rugs that come from a country known as Kazakhstan. They are most well-known for their vibrant colors and exhilarating patterns. If you are fascinated with special types of rugs then Kazak rugs are the type for you. Listen to this podcast to learn more about what a Kazak rugs are, how they are made, why they are unique, and where they can be found.

Moroccan rugs are a unique and beautiful type of rug that can add style to any room in your home. Learn more about their history in this podcast with Sam Presnell of the Rug Gallery.

Oriental rugs, especially those made from wool, are actually the perfect addition to a bathroom. Sam Presnell, owner of The Rug Gallery, talks about which rugs would make the best fit in a bathroom and other things to consider. Listen or read more to find out about bathroom rugs.

Rug runners perfectly complement narrow areas of the home — and even in vehicles! Sam Presnell, owner of The Rug Gallery, discusses the typical rug runner sizes and styles. Listen or read more to find out about rug runners.

Abrash. Border. Medallion. Field. These are all integral design parts that make an oriental rug authentic. Sam Presnell, owner of The Rug Gallery, discusses what these terms mean and why they are important to the value of an oriental rug. Listen or read more to find out about oriental rug terminology.

Sometimes floods or sewer backups are unavoidable and homeowners deal with damage to precious oriental rugs. Sam Presnell, owner of The Rug Gallery, talks about how to properly store for a rug and how to care for it if it undergoes water damage. Listen or read more to find out about oriental rugs and floods.

Gabbeh rugs originate in Iran, but they are commonly machine-made and are widely available. Sam Presnell, owner of The Rug Gallery, discusses the Gabbeh rug style and where to buy them. Listen or read more to find out more about Gabbeh rugs.

The country that an oriental rug comes from can make a huge deal. But how do I know which country makes the best oriental rugs, and even which country my oriental rug came from. Listen to this podcast as Sam Presnell of the Rug Gallery answers all of these questions and more.

Did you know that moth damage is one of the worst things that can happen to your rug? Listen as Sam Presnell of the Rug Gallery details exactly how a moth does damage, how you prevent moth damage and more. 

Picture this: your family has just gotten brand new puppy and everybody loves him, but all of a sudden he starts making a mess on your oriental rug. What do you do? Listen as Sam Presnell of the Rug Gallery gives advice on how you can protect your oriental rug from pet damage.

It is never an easy decision to choose between silk and wool for a rug, especially when there are so many factors to consider. Listen to this podcast as Sam Presnell, owner of the Rug Gallery, makes your decision easier by breaking down the differences in appearances, clean-ability, durability, and prices.

Peshawar rugs are special not only for their beauty, but also for their backstory. If you are looking for a new rug, but aren’t sure what kind to get, this may be the type to consider. Listen to learn about their unique backstory, how they are made, and where to buy them.

Kazak rugs are beautiful rugs that come from a country known as Kazakhstan. They are most well-known for their vibrant colors and exhilarating patterns. If you are fascinated with special types of rugs then Kazak rugs are the type for you. Listen to this podcast to learn more about what a Kazak rugs are, how they are made, why they are unique, and where they can be found.

A rug pattern could make or break a space. When designing your spaces, it is imperative to have the skills to choose the right rug pattern. Listen as Sam Presnell, the owner of the Rug Gallery, talks about which rug patterns to target and avoid in different types of rooms.  

Bijar rugs are an interesting style of rugs known for having incredible design patterns and textures, as well a tight weave that earned them their nickname, the iron rug of Persia. For people looking to go a less traditional route in their rug purchase, Bijar rugs may be the choice for you. Listen as Sam Presnell, owner of the Rug Gallery, talks more about this interesting style of rug.

Kilim rugs are more than just rugs; they are works of art. Sam Presnell, owner of The Rug Gallery, discusses the beauty and design of kilim rugs. Listen or read more to find out if a kilim rug is right for your home.

Small spaces deserve great rugs as much as large spaces. Choose a rug that will complement the space and not overpower it. Sam Presnell, owner of The Rug Gallery, discusses how to choose a rug for a small space. Listen or read more to find out about rugs in small spaces.

Heriz and Serapi rugs are beautiful rugs that will last the test of time. While Heriz rugs are commonly found, Serapi rugs are more rare. Sam Presnell, owner of The Rug Gallery, discusses the differences and similarities between Heriz and Serapi rugs. Listen or read more to find out about their beautiful designs and value.

Colored dye used to be created from the environment, including flowers and even bugs. Nowadays, synthetic dyes have taken over for their ease of use and cost effectiveness. Sam Presnell, owner of The Rug Gallery, discusses the history of rug dyes. Listen or read more to learn about the types of dyes used in rugs.

Oriental rugs come in many quality levels, from high-end to low-end. Sam Presnell, owner of The Rug Gallery, discusses how to spot the differences, and even touches on techniques that may not be spotted to the casual rug buyer. Listen or read more to learn about spotting a high-end oriental rug.

Oriental Weavers rugs are imported to the U.S. from Egypt. Machine-made and high-quality, these rugs are built to last. Listen to Sam Presnell of The Rug Gallery discuss the details of Oriental Weavers rugs. Listen or read more to find out if an Oriental Weavers rug is right for you.

John Maher: Welcome to The Rug Gallery with Sam Presnell. The Rug Gallery is an oriental rug company and carpet store in Cincinnati, Ohio. I'm John Maher and I'm here with the owner of the Rug Gallery Sam Presnell. Hi, Sam.

Sam Presnell: Hi John.

John: So, Sam, today we're talking about Tibetan tiger rugs. So what are Tibetan tiger rugs?

Sam: [laughs] I always wonder what you said about this topic and what will we discuss. It could be a couple of things. For the Tibetans, the tiger is a very powerful symbol and also more of a royal or basically one of their, I want to say religious, but it is a lot in their religion. It has a lot of purpose, a lot of meanings behind it and a lot about character. I've heard lots of translations, but you see a lot of it in the Tibetan paintings.

You see it in the rugs as well. It's a very, very — I wouldn't say uncommon — but fairly common where they kind of reverent of what they think about the tiger. It's hard to explain that in simple words to me. It's more of just a symbol and a feeling.

John: Right. So, I've seen a few different kinds of examples of using the tiger in a rug. One of the original ones that I saw was actually what they called the flayed tiger. It sort of looks like as if you killed a tiger, took its pelt and sort of laid it out so it has its head still on. Like one of those bear rugs that you would see maybe in an old cabin, or something like that with a bear head still there. Of course, it's not a real tiger pelt it's just woven into this rectangular rug but that image is there. Is that just one style of the tiger rugs?

Sam: Yes, that is actually one style. You can actually see them like you said, where they're actually woven so that the arms are not inside of a rug they're just hanging out there flapping in the breeze kind of a thing ... and the tail and the head. It really looks like a true pelt. It's actually woven as a rug to look like a real tiger. We actually own one here at The Rug Gallery, I have it on our wall. It's a very cool piece and we get a lot of attention from it. I've yet to sell it, but it is a very good conversation piece.

A lot of times you'll see it, as you say, in a rectangular shape, round shape or a square shape, whatever they want to make. They'll put a tiger on the field of that particular rug and it will be the focus on a focal point of that rug. The tiger rugs have been around, oh boy, I wouldn't say a thousand years, but it's probably got to be close to that as far as the Tibetan culture and you see it go way, way back. You'll see it in their ceramics. You'll see it in their paintings as well.

John: Have you seen other styles of tiger rugs where it's a little bit — it's not quite just an actual image of a tiger but just sort of the tiger stripes on a rug and things like that?

Sam: Exactly, we do that in Nepal as well as in Tibetan rugs, where we actually take the actual skinned look to it and make a rug out just the stripes or things like that. You can really make it look very modern and contemporary, really I call an abstract tiger. Where it looks — if you really look like, yes, hey, that really is a tiger skin look to the rug, but it's very much a rug, it's not shaped like a tiger or you would pick it up as a tiger pelt.

John: Right. Are these types of rugs really highly sought after?

Sam: I don't think they're highly sought after, but I think people who collect stuff and like interesting things that are not like everybody else, I think and they appreciate the Tibetan culture, what that stands for, I think I would call collector types of people, yes, I think it is highly collectible, but it's only by I think a very limited amount of people.

John: Right. So, on those lines, where would maybe be a good place for me to display a Tibetan tiger rug in my house?

Sam: I think you could put it anywhere. I think you could put it at, if you have an office, you could put at the front of the desk. If you have a foyer, I wouldn't be afraid to use it there.

John: Yes, that'd be fun.

Sam: I think you can display it on a wall, which would be very, very cool on any room that you have a big wall, you want to put something pretty dynamic on like a painting. You could also, you could do that. I think it depends on the size of the rug, where you can use it at, but you can use it in the bedroom, as well foot of the bed or something like that or the side of a bed. I'm all for being very creative with design and color. I always like, when I see something that's not the norm. Everybody wants to be different. I think that would definitely help you, separate you from the pack.

John: Yes. I really like the idea of putting it in the foyer of your house, so that the first thing that somebody sees as they come into your house for the first time is this big tiger image on the rug there. It would just be a really good conversation piece as something that would be interesting to people as they enter your house.

Sam: Yes, very, very cool. I actually have one in front, what I would call it a butler's pantry, which is a hallway between the dining room and the kitchen. I have one in the hallway there that I absolutely love. I'm a big believer in them.

John: I appreciate you speaking with me today.

Sam: You're welcome, John.

John: For more information about Sam, The Rug Gallery and oriental rugs and carpets, visit ruggallerycincy.com. That's ruggalleryc-i-n-c-y.com or call 513-793-9505. Make sure you catch the latest episodes by subscribing to this podcast on iTunes. If you could take the time to give us a review as well, we'd appreciate that. I'm John Maher, see you next time on The Rug Gallery.