Sometimes, when you're a carpet merchant, you have to resort to carpet merchant techniques. So, for this article, I decided to enlist the help of a friend—not Berber or Moroccan, but artificially intelligent. And to tell you about Azilal , Boujaad , and other Boucherouite rugs , I started by asking him the questions interior designers have about Berber rugs. Here are the 7 most popular questions about Berber rugs and the answers you can give them. Then, for each question, I let my laziness take over 60% thanks to my new, artificially intelligent friend, and I added a mere 40% of my own meager knowledge. But don't be fooled; read carefully, and you might smile or find some real gems of knowledge, as well as a few cultural pearls.

=>Boujaad Collection <=

What is a Berber rug?

Berber rugs are handcrafted rugs made by the Berbers, an indigenous people of North Africa who gave their name to these magnificent rugs. They are found primarily in Morocco, but also in Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya. Berber rugs are best known for their Beniwara wool rugs originating from the High and Middle Atlas Mountains. These rugs are sometimes referred to as "shaggy." Shaggy is the trendy term for rugs with long, soft, and silky pile.

Berber tribal rugs are renowned for their exceptional quality and durability, making them an ideal choice for those seeking to add a touch of charm and sophistication to their home while acquiring a collector's item that will last for generations. They are typically made from sheep, goat, or camel wool and can be woven or knotted depending on the region of origin. This is the case for Beni-Ouarains, Azilal, and Boujaad rugs. Boucherouites, on the other hand, are made from recycled fabrics.

=> New and affordable Beniourains <=

What makes Berber rugs truly unique is their intricate geometric patterns, often in black and white or, conversely, in color. These patterns reflect the traditions and cultural beliefs of their makers. You can find circles, diamonds, stars, and even motifs resembling plants or animals. The Muslim religion forbids the representation of living beings, as this would be considered akin to taking the role of God. However, some Berber rugs are exceptions to this rule. A Berber rug featuring a figure is a rare and precious find, especially now that you understand its meaning.

=> Here are our wool Azilals <=

Berber rugs are often used as floor coverings or as decorative rugs in houses and apartments, but they can also be found in nomads' tents and in riads (traditional Moroccan houses).

In short, handmade Berber rugs are true works of art that bring a touch of color and tradition to any interior. If you're looking for one, don't hesitate to travel to Morocco to buy one directly from local artisans! But you can also purchase one on my website!

Where do Berber rugs come from?

Berberistan, of course! Berberistan is a magical land steeped in mystery and tradition, located between Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and south of Libya. The golden age of Berber culture can be situated between the end of ancient Egypt and our current Middle Ages. The Berbers, or should I say Berber women, since we are talking about a very matriarchal people, have a complex social organization that would be too lengthy to detail here. Suffice it to say that at the top of the social pyramid of this mountain people sits the sacred caste of the great weavers. The great weavers pass down from mother to daughter the secret art of weaving Berber carpets. These knotted carpets are extremely intricate, and their geometric patterns hold multiple, often magical, meanings. Variations of these carpets can still be found further south in Africa today in Voodoo culture. But that belongs to a time that those under 20 centuries cannot know. Montmartre at that time did not yet house interior decoration shops reselling white wool rugs with black diamonds bought wholesale in the souk of Marrakech at exorbitant prices.

=> some old Boujaads <=

What are the typical patterns of Berber rugs?

Black diamonds on a white background! Only black diamonds on a white background. Made with beautiful, thick sheep's wool. This is the only typical pattern of Berber rugs! At least, according to decorating magazines, which seem to have eyes only for one type of Berber-style rug: the classic, versatile Beniouarain, considered the hallmark of chic, Berber-inspired decor. The thickness of the lines sometimes varies. Pink sometimes replaces black, or polka dots are added or take the place of the diamonds. For some years now, geometric patterns have also been created in relief rather than with another color of wool. It must be said that these large, new Beniouarain rugs are soft and fulfill their role as decorative and stylish living room rugs very well. But it would be reductive to limit Berber rugs to just one type, however popular it may have been in recent years. You'll find a variety of colors and patterns among the Azilal rugs. Always made of wool, they come in both new and antique styles. Antique boujaads are in darker shades, often purple, dusty rose, or aubergine. The Muslim religion, in principle, forbids the depiction of living beings. This is why you will find many geometric patterns. Some self-proclaimed scholars will tell you that each geometric pattern has its own meaning. They will see a vagina in a triangle and a river in a zigzag line. Should we believe them? Why not, if it delights you?

How are Berber rugs made?

With your hands! More precisely, with your fingers, which are like small, articulated sticks of bone and flesh usually found at the ends of your arms. Fingers are very useful. With dexterity, they allow you to knot rugs or operate the loom for kilims. The technique of weaving or knotting Berber rugs is a craft generally passed down from mother to daughter. In Morocco, it is the women who weave the rugs. This was traditionally done in rural areas, allowing people to make use of their free time between harvests and planting to produce handicrafts that would then be sold or used as part of a bride's trousseau. The wool was once sheared from local sheep, spun, and then dyed by hand. Today, the new rugs sold to you as authentically Moroccan will indeed have been woven in Morocco. But the origin of the wool itself is not necessarily Moroccan. It's worth noting that Morocco is one of the leading importers of industrial wool from New Zealand. Yes, that's globalization for you. But it must also be acknowledged that New Zealand sheep produce wool just as soft as their Berber cousins. In this respect, new Beni Ouarain cheese isn't so different from Corsican sausage, produced on the Isle of Beauty but made from Breton pork. Boucherouite rugs, on the other hand, are made from recycled fabrics. Clothing is cut into strips which are then knotted into rugs, often in vibrant colors.

How to care for a Berber rug

A quick search on your favorite browser should lead you to dozens of online Berber rug retailers who, like me, are fiercely competing to appear first when a query about Berber rug care or cleaning is entered. We also have a very good article on the subject here .

Place the keywords:

• Specialized dry cleaning
• clean regularly
• use mild, ammonia-free products.
• Vacuum or air your carpet regularly.
• avoid direct exposure to the sun,
• protect high-traffic areas,
• Store the rug in a dry place away from light when not in use.
• etc...

Of course, a quick glance will likely reveal these tips as useful and often quite sensible. But beware, the devil is in the details, especially when he's not wearing Prada. Take, for example, the last tip about caring for Berber rugs. This is precisely what you shouldn't do if you have a wool rug. Store your wool rug in such a dark place and forget about it for a few months. If you haven't also treated it with moth repellent, disaster is almost guaranteed. It's this kind of detail that makes me recommend you take the time to call us for real advice regarding stains or simply for the care of your rug.

One thing that works very well, however, is to leave your rugs upside down in freshly fallen snow for a few hours. If you're lucky enough to have a garden and fresh snow, then this is definitely worth doing. It's guaranteed safe for your rugs, regardless of their material or color. Also, be aware that dust mites can't survive. Any fleas or lice that might be present won't survive a stay in the freezer either.

For the rest, don't do anything you might regret. Call us at 06 27 40 73 24, we are REALLY available every day.

Where to buy a quality Berber rug?

Where to buy a quality Berber rug is a very good question indeed! Of course, you could travel to Berberistan when the country's borders aren't closed due to armed conflict. But that's at your own risk. More seriously, it's in Morocco that you'll find the most beautiful Berber rugs, since that's where they're produced. But buying rugs isn't necessarily an easy activity when you're a tourist. It's time-consuming, and you obviously need to know how to avoid pitfalls and organize the logistics of bringing your precious purchase back home. I certainly don't want to discourage you from embarking on this adventure. It's my passion and my profession, so if I've done it, you can too. However, for a one-off impulse buy, it might be simpler, cheaper, and more efficient to simply get your rug from Bohemian Chic Interior. Our prices remain unchanged throughout the year. We strive to keep them fair, allowing us a small profit margin because we need to make a living, but also ensuring your satisfaction and repeat business. If you have a specific request, we are always available at +33 6 27 40 73 24 and can even source your custom-made Berber rug if that's what you'd like. If you're going to Marrakech, wander through the old medina and the carpet souk. I highly recommend it. Browse my competitors online as well. But please, spare yourself the big chains selling Swedish or other dubious "Berber-style" rugs made of polyurethane in Europe!

What is the price of a Berber rug?

When it comes to buying a new Berber rug, you'll find just about anything. Those that are overpriced will tell you about their superior quality! Those that are cheap will probably say the same thing. On some websites, you'll see a so-called "normal" price, followed by an "ethical" price, and finally a sale price that's 40% cheaper. But it's a limited-time offer, so hurry up and buy because it's almost over! Yeah, right, they think I'm a complete idiot! You'll see websites that try their best to pass themselves off as French e-commerce sites but actually ship from Morocco and invoice without VAT or the possibility of returns. And wouldn't you know it, the rug you selected isn't eligible for the return policy...

After all, everyone has their own sales techniques.

To determine if it's expensive, take the price and divide it by the surface area (length * width). This gives you a price per square meter. With us, it's approximately €120 including VAT, or €100 excluding VAT, shipping included. And of course, it can be returned within 14 days of receipt in the unlikely event of dissatisfaction.

At a comparable price, pay attention to the weave of the fringes and the pile height. Keep in mind that a rug with excessively long pile will be more difficult to care for. An Azilal rug is machine washable on a wool cycle. A large rectangular Beniouarain rug measuring 2 meters by 3 meters will be much less so.

But above all, whether you like diamonds, graphic patterns, patchwork, beige, brown or multicoloured, please keep that bohemian spirit that I love so much in your home! And call me at 06 27 40 73 24, we'll chat about interior design.