BESPOKE

Craftswomen

The new made bespoke 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.

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 bespoke 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 its tradition, the bespoke Berber rugs also use the Berber knot which is tied in a very specific way to give the rug a flexible handle. This was traditionally important to fit with their Berber travelling lifestyle as this made the rugs easy to pack onto an animal and more lightweight than using a Turkish knot. The Berber knot is only used in Morocco and nowhere else in the world and in order to get the same feel to the new bespoke Beni rugs, they cannot be produced in the same way in the bigger production countries like China or India.

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.

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.

The Beni Ouarain rug were first introduced into Europe in the 1920’s and 30’s and they are still perfect in homes today because of their monochrome shades, texture 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.