Yup, you read that
right. My personal preference is Oriental carpets. That’s probably because, as
a child, I longed for a flying carpet almost as much as I wanted a horse. Yeah,
I obsessively begged my mom to read me The Arabian Nights, the way some kids
wanted to hear Cinderella.
But the inspiration
I continue to get from them is not just because I can almost taste the
adventures I could go on with a flying carpet. It’s also from the tales hidden
in the patterns, designs and colors of the rugs. Look at this one with its birds and stylized
flowers. Sure, a lot of these patterns have real stories and symbolic meanings, but that’s an added bonus for people who want to actually research them. I like
to use my imagination.
(I bought this
one at a yard say for a dollar. Yeah, it was a dog’s bed at one point and it’s
a mess)
Worn out carpets.
Flying carpets. Patterns, designs, the symbol and story. The rug itself in its pristine
or worn beauty. There is a lot to be
inspired by.
So here’s my
challenge to you: the next time you’re
sitting in a hotel lobby—they have notoriously gaudy and oddly patterned rugs—spend
some time considering the carpet and see if inspiration strikes you. Who knows, maybe you’ll be motivated to write
a bit of flash fiction or the best novel of your life.
If I’ve inspired
you to read more about Oriental rugs and carpets, Wikipedia actually has some
good articles. Here’s one on Persian rugs http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persian_rug
AND THE WINNER! of
a copy of The Bolyne King is Michaele
Stoughton! Please leave your email in
the comment here or DM it to me on Twitter.
Oh wow! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteMy email is michaelestoughton@gmail.com
Flying carpets? I've never really given them a thought before. That's pretty cool!
Now you're going to dream about flying for sure :)
ReplyDeleteI'll email you.
Oh very cool! I love weird patterns and stuff. Never looked at rugs like that though. Might have to try it sometime.
ReplyDeleteNow that it's in your mind, rugs will probably draw your eye. Of course, there are those mysterious inspiring stains--like what was dragged into this elevator and taken down three floors, then dragged out.
DeleteHave you ever read The Wish by Roald Dahl? If not, you must. We have an Oriental that's at least 50 years old. It was my grandmother's then my mother's and now mine. My mom always used to say that the sand it left on the floor was from the desert where it was made. Not sure if that's true, but it always made the rug seem extra-exotic, along with the concept of tiny children's fingers making the 400 knots per square inch...
ReplyDeleteSuper cool. I'll have to check it out. The rugs in the first two photos came to me the same way. Absolutely, love the idea of the sand coming from the desert.
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ReplyDeleteVery interesting! I can see how carpets would inspire the imagination- the next time I go to a home decorative store, I'm going straight for the carpets, who knows what kind of manuscript I'll come up with MWAHAHAHAHAHA (maniacal laughter)!! : )
ReplyDeleteI've done it now. There's going to be evil carpet stories all over the place ;)
ReplyDeleteI like carpets, too. I bet they'd be fun in a story. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeletehttp://otherworlddiner.blogspot.com/2013/03/inspiration-car-rides-conversation-and.html
After this post, I'm thinking I better add some to my WIP :)
ReplyDeleteI LOVED oriental carpets when I was a kid. My mom had several, and they always looked like a giant maze. I usually used them as a play surface for my toys (and sometimes... army men!)
ReplyDeleteFunny how something as simple as a pattern on a carpet can spark your imagination.
As a kid I did the same thing. If we'd been in the same house it would have been army men vs the trolls :)
ReplyDeleteWonderful post. I think I'll call you Scheherazade from now on!
ReplyDeleteMaybe I'll get that flying carpet after all--and sparkles!
DeleteGreat post! I love textile patterns...so much so I have an entire tattoo sleeve based off them ;)
ReplyDeleteNow you're giving me character idea. Hmmmm.
DeleteI was an antique rug restorer and a "Gallerina" who wrote about and put on exhibits of antique rugs in my "pre" life, so I can certainly relate.
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting profession. I hope you kept some for yourself. I get depressed when I see wonderful old rugs that are worn and in tatters.
DeleteIf you find a nice one in your digging around 4 x 6 - let me know! I'd love an oriental rug like that for my writing office!
ReplyDeleteI'll keep that in mind. The second one down is in my writing attic.
DeleteI absolutely understand your rug fascination. When I was little, I longed for a flying carpet...but all we had were those rag rugs from the 70s. My brother and I used them anyway - we'd take them outside and "fly" around the yard. I now have a gorgeous rug from my aunt, but no place to put it! :/
ReplyDeleteThat means you have to choose your next place to live based on the rug.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I suspect those rag rugs were just as magic as the oriental ones. I used surfboard across the kitchen floor on them.
Ah we had such fun pretending to ride them when we were young. I love how you've pulled out the stories behind them makes me want to get on the carpet story bandwagon... Great post!
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