Extra Large Moroccan Beni Ouarain Carpet New Made Low Pile 310x420cm

This extra large carpet is handwoven by artisan craftswomen from the Berber tribes in the Middle Atlas Mountains. The rug is new made and has a contemporary look and feel to it.

It has a low pile of wool, which is about 1.5 cm in height and feels very soft under your feet.

If you prefer a smaller size, please click here for more Beni Ouarain rugs.

This extra large Beni rug has a simple black geometric pattern on a natural white wool background. It feels soft to touch and adds elegance and texture to the room.

This extra large Beni Ouarain rug has a large size of 310cm wide and 420cm long.

Craftswomen

These extra large Beni Ourain rugs are handmade in cooperatives by artisan craftswomen. They use traditional weaving techniques and 100% organic wool. All materials are sourced locally and help maintain the ecology of the environment around the Middle Atlas area through effective land and livestock management.

Rug making is a female activity and it forms an integral part of the Berber communities. Knowledge and skills are passed from one generation to the next , foremother to daughter. Skills are acquired by observation and practice and require self discipline.

Beni Ouarain 

Traditional Beni Ouarain rugs were made by  a group of Berber tribes living in the North Eastern part of the Middle Atlas Mountains. This area was particularly well suited for raising sheep for the wool used in these rugs. The Beni Ouarain tribes lived a semi nomadic life: moving their flock to the higher mountain areas in spring and returning to the lowland during colder months. Semi nomadism is still there today although they may move their sheep and goods by truck and live only a portion of the year  in tents, returning to permanent houses in winter.

The traditional style and patterns of the Beni Ouarain rug consist of mostly geometric black and brown lines that create diamond and abstract shapes on a cream or whitish background. Moroccan Beni Ouarain rugs have been produced initially for personal needs. Life was spend on the floor on which various coverings were being laid to serve as bedding, blankets or protection against the stony ground. Because of their everyday use a simple design was preferred above more elaborate and complex decoration.

Tribal rugs 

Tribal rugs are made by heart, without any drawing or cartoon to follow. This means the weaver has the freedom to invent the rug while weaving and be the artist of her own creation, instead of ‘simply’ executing a specific drawing or cartoon.

The design scheme of the new made artisan Beni rugs show the traditional simple geometric Berber motifs often in a well balanced, regular semi symmetrical grid composition. Natural white wool is being used with most often a black design with single or a double diamond pattern.

In line with the tradition, the Berber rugs use the Berber knot which is tied in a very specific way to give the rug a flexible handle. This was most compatible with their travelling lifestyle as this makes the rug easy to pack onto an animal and more lightweight than using a Turkish knot.

What is the best style to go with Beni Ouarain carpets 

Modernist architects and designers such as Le Corbusier, Alvar Aalto, Frank Lloyd Wright and Ray and Charles Eames integrated Moroccan Beni Ouarain carpets into their interiors to contrast with the clean lines of 20th century interiors.

Appreciation of the spontaneous and bold character of Moroccan Berber carpets began in the 1920ies and 30ies and they are still perfect in homes today because of their monochrome shades and their simple geometric design. These rugs are perfect for modern interiors and also work well with Scandinavian, bohemian, Kinfolk and more ethnic interiors.

In what room shall I use a Beni Ouarain rug

The Beni Ouarain rug is a great all rounder for any room! It works well as a bedroom rug but also suits as living room floor covering or in a playroom. It adds a subtle pattern as well as texture to the room without competing with other items. But the Beni rug is much more than just a background player. Its geometric design won’t go unnoticed and the rug will zone the area, create comfort under your feet and a cosy feel will be achieved through its texture.

Maintaining and caring for your rug

This Moroccan Berber rug  is relatively low maintenance and only requires and occasional vacuum clean.

It is best to vacuum it on a lower setting and make sure you also do the reverse now and then as just as much dust accumulates there, as on the front.

Furthermore, it is sensible to give your rug a good shake outside every couple of months.