Favorite Movie Rugs

Some Of Our Most Favorite Movie Rugs

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For Starters, how do area rugs get selected for movie sets?

Selecting area rugs for movie sets involves a combination of artistic, practical and logistical considerations.

Here’s a general overview of the process of selecting rugs for movies:

  • Script and Set Design: The process typically begins with the script and set design. The production team will analyze the script to determine the type of environment the scene is set in, whether it’s a modern apartment, a historical period piece, a fantasy world, etc. This initial analysis helps set the tone and style for the set design, including the choice of rugs.
  • Style and Aesthetic: Rugs play a significant role in setting the visual tone of a scene. The production team considers the overall aesthetic they want to achieve. This includes the color palette, pattern, texture, and design elements that match the characters and the mood of the scene. For example, a luxurious Persian rug might be chosen for a lavish period drama, while a contemporary geometric rug could work for a modern urban setting.
  • Location and Era: The movie’s time period and location are crucial factors in rug selection. The rugs should be historically accurate and relevant to the setting. For instance, an Oriental rug might be appropriate for a scene set in the Victorian era, while a Native American rug could be used for a Western-themed film.
  • Practical Considerations: Practical considerations include the rug’s size, shape, and placement within the set. The rug should fit seamlessly into the scene without obstructing camera angles or actors’ movements. It should also match the furniture and decor in the set.
  • Rental or Purchase: Movie productions often work with prop houses, which are companies that specialize in renting out various props, including rugs, to film and TV productions. The production team can choose to either rent or purchase rugs from these prop houses based on their budget and needs.
  • Texture and Material: The texture and material of the rug can affect both the visual and auditory aspects of the scene. Soft rugs may add comfort to a living room scene, while a rougher, coarser rug might be appropriate for an outdoor or rustic setting. The sound of footsteps on the rug can also contribute to the authenticity of the scene.
  • Lighting and Color Balance: The color of the rug can affect the lighting and color balance of the scene. Dark rugs may absorb more light, while lighter rugs can reflect light, potentially affecting the overall lighting setup. The production team needs to ensure that the chosen rug doesn’t negatively impact the scene’s lighting and color composition.
  • Continuity: For scenes shot over multiple days or in different locations, maintaining visual continuity is essential. The production team needs to make sure that the rugs remain consistent in appearance throughout filming, even if multiple copies of the same rug are used.
  • Set Dressing and Details: Rugs are part of the overall set dressing that adds detail and authenticity to the scene. Small details like creases, folds, and wear patterns on the rug can help create a more realistic environment.
Favorite Movie Rugs by Nazmiyal Antique Rugs

Favorite Movie Rugs

Selecting rugs for movie sets involves a collaborative effort between production designers, set decorators, and the director, with a focus on aligning the rugs with the film’s visual style, time period, and location, while also addressing practical and logistical considerations.

Who is usually in charge of selecting area rugs for the movies?

The responsibility for selecting area rugs for movies usually falls under the domain of the production designer and the set decorator. These individuals work closely together to create the overall visual look and feel of the movie’s sets, including choosing props like rugs.

Here’s a breakdown of their roles:

Production Designer:

The production designer is a key creative head in charge of the overall visual concept of the film. They work closely with the director to develop the visual style, tone, and mood of the movie. They’re responsible for creating the look of the sets, locations, and props, including rugs. The production designer sets the creative direction for the set decoration and works to ensure that all elements, including rugs, align with the film’s aesthetic and narrative goals.

Set Decorator:

The set decorator is responsible for selecting and placing all the various objects, furniture, and decor items within the sets to create a cohesive and authentic environment. They work closely with the production designer to execute the visual concept. When it comes to selecting area rugs, the set decorator will consider factors such as style, color, size, texture, and how the rugs fit within the overall set design.

Collaboration on the movie set

The collaboration between the production designer and set decorator is essential in ensuring that the rugs and other props harmoniously integrate into the movie’s world. They work together to ensure that the rugs align with the characters, time period, location, and the mood of each scene.

In larger film productions, there might also be specialized prop masters or prop buyers who assist the set decorator in sourcing specific items like rugs. These professionals help find and acquire the necessary props within budget and logistical constraints. Additionally, prop houses often provide a wide range of prop options, including area rugs, for the production team to choose from.

Here are our favorite rugs in movies:

The Big Lebowski: The Dude’s (Jeff Bridges) heart is broken when some local muscle mistakes him for a millionaire, breaks into his shoddy L.A. Home, and soils his rug. Claiming that “the rug really tied the room together,” The Dude seeks out his millionaire doppelganger for recompense. The rug is the genesis of chaos in this epic Coen Brothers film.

The Big Lebowski Movie Rug Nazmiyal

The Big Lebowski movie rug.

The Blind Side: Leigh Anne Tuohy (Sandra Bullock), an interior designer with impeccable taste and balls of steel, lays down the law when negotiating the price of an antique Oushak rug for one of her clients.

The Blind Side Rug Nazmiyal

The Blind Side rug.

Here are some beautiful Oushak rugs from the Nazmiyal Collection:

Antique Turkish Oushak Angora Rug Nazmiyal

Antique Turkish Oushak Angora Rug

Large Antique Turkish Oushak Rug Nazmiyal

Large Antique Turkish Oushak Rug

Antique Turkish Oushak Rug Nazmiyal

Antique Turkish Oushak Rug

Downton Abbey Antique Carpets: Discerning set designers chose a marvelous Aubusson carpet that captures the essence of early 20th century aristocratic decorative tastes in England.

Downton Abbey Rugs Nazmiyal

Downton Abbey rugs.

Harry Potter: the Gryffindor common room features an antique Sultanabad rug that, alongside walls draped with antique tapestries, gives the room the scholarly feel of a luxurious study or library (which reminds us of a certain New York City library featuring a similar piece from the Nazmiyal Collection).

Harry Potter Sultanabad Rug Nazmiyal

Harry Potter movie rug in the Gryffindor common room.

This design blog post about movie rugs was published by Nazmiyal Rugs.

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