By now everyone knows about some of the popular styles of Moroccan rugs. Azilal, Beni Ourain, and Boucherouite rugs have all been popular for a while, and have been upgraded from design trends to classic status—and they deserve it. All these types of rugs are beautiful, unusual, and can fit with many interior design styles, and are available at the best rug store in Toronto, Mellah. As tempting as it is, just stay away from anything neon, unless it's a Boucherouite. Trust us. Just. Don't.
We're not here to talk about those rugs today. Morocco has so many weaving styles and tribal traditions it's nearly impossible to offer a general description of the rug scene over there. Over the next few posts we're going discuss some of the different tribes we've been getting into on our travels to Morocco, and introduce the next Beni Ourain level trend. Up today: Rehamnas.
Stunning example of a Rehamna. Goat hair warp, wool face weft. Selvedges: reinforced in sawtooth extensions. Beautifully asymmetrical lengthwise format. All that to say this rug wails. Use your eyes, how does it make you feel?
Distinctive aspects of Rehamnas are the sawtooth reinforcements on the sides of the rug. These are made of goat hair and a dead giveaway that you're looking at a real Rehamna. Warps (the vertical part of the loom) are also often goat hair, sometimes in combination with sheep's wool. The colors and design are what really makes these rugs stand out. Vibrant colors and asymmetrical compositions dominate. Feast your eyes on some examples available at our cool rug store in Toronto.
We love them because of their allusions to the stricter geometry and symmetry of "city" rugs, while still being imperfect and folky. The colors are amazing, and hardly anyone has them which makes them that much cooler. When someone asks you about your rug, you can smugly answer,
"it's a Rehamna, you've probably never heard of them."
This is an antique, monochromatic Rehamna that has been repaired. It is an incredible, one-of-a-kind piece available at Mellah, our rug store in Toronto.