Alix Perrachon, decorative carpet expert and author of “The Decorative Carpet: Fine Handmade Rugs in Contemporary Interiors,” shared some of his tips for buying rugs from the newly released book with Veranda magazine, and we think they are worth passing along:

1. Find a reputable dealer that you can trust and that will let you test out a rug before buying.
2. Know the difference between handmade and hand-knotted rugs because they are frequently marketed as the same. A true hand-knotted rug is the highest quality rug that will last a lifetime. Don’t pay extra for hand-tufted rugs. They are not the same as hand-knotted.
3. Don’t purchase rugs with “fuzzy” patterns or designs. This is a sign of poor quality. Since hand-knotted rugs often have imprecise patterns, be sure to verify it is such before buying.
4. Watch out for repainting on antique rugs. An antique rug will necessarily be more faded, so vibrant colors on an antique rug are a dead giveaway that it’s been retouched.

Contact Ambassador Floor Company for any questions you may have about buying rugs.