Felt rug revival: a young designer brings back an ancient tradition

Sunset, Dec, 2005 by Jess Chamberlain

"Sophisticated yet humble" is how Melina Raissnia describes her medium. It's also a pretty apt description of Melina herself. A painter and the owner of Peace Industry, a new rug shop in San Francisco's Hayes Valley, she's the modern face of a 7,000-year-old tradition.

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Through frequent trips to Iran, Melina and her husband, Dodd, developed distinctive hand-made contemporary felt rugs using a classic nomadic technique. Unlike traditional patterns passed down for generations, Melina's designs are influenced by the works of Western modernists such as Ray Eames. But what surprises most people is the felt's softness. Melina even encourages store visitors to take off their shoes: "We want them to enjoy how great our rugs feel on their feet."

INFO: Peace Industry (call for hours; 535 Octavia St., San Francisco; 415/255-9940)

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How to choose a rug

Although handwoven and hand-knotted carpets are more widely known, Melina Raissnia's felted wool is a good option for those who want the quality and durability of handcrafted wool without the additional expense. Melina's Sun Spiral ($530), pictured above, is 5 1/2 feet in diameter. Here are a few tips to consider when selecting a rug.

* Assess your space. If you have an open floor plan, use a rug to bring an area into focus. Round rugs can enlarge a smaller room; square or rectangular rugs help define a particular section.

* Think about color and texture. Camel, gray, and black are great for high-traffic areas; a bold color adds visual punch. Smooth materials like wood, metal, and clay are especially enhanced by the textural contrast a rug provides.

* If you're not ready to commit, borrow. Because every environment has its own dynamic, there are few hard and fast rules for choosing a design. If you're unsure about how a specific rug will look in your home, try it out first. Most dealers will let you borrow a rug for up to three days.