Price of a Moldovan rug, where to find this cheap floral kilim?
Moldovan rugs are also a matter of budget!
Finding an affordable Moldovan rug is, I've noticed, a fairly common search query before people land on my website, a dealer in Moldovan and Moroccan wool rugs. I love talking about the beauty of Bessarabian kilims and my favorite decorating finds, but I'm well aware that budget remains a major (and legitimate) concern when it comes to finding that large floral rug that will enhance your chic and bohemian interior. Of course, I could tell you that mine are the most beautiful and the least expensive. I could try to scare you by warning you about imitations. But those who know me know that I hate that kind of argument and that for me, the heart will always matter more than the wallet. Nevertheless, I'll try to help you see things a little more clearly in the world of rug dealers and other antique kilim merchants.
Moldavian rugs from Ikea: a misguided idea from major retailers
I don't like the CEO of Ikea. I don't like this furniture store. Or rather, I don't like it anymore. Or to be perfectly honest, I like it less and less. Yet I keep going back. I wish my life were like my Instagram account, I wish I only had one-of-a-kind pieces, cutlery found at flea markets, and mid-century furniture. But reality is different, and I'm not ashamed to admit it: I'm like everyone else, sometimes I have a budget or simply a schedule that leaves me no choice but to go to Ikea (vomiting emoji). So I take the opportunity to look at their rugs. I try to be as objective as possible. But when I come across the rug they call Silkeborg, I don't know whether to laugh or cry. The description explains that it's made from scraps of old Turkish rugs arranged in a patchwork. The IKEA subcontractor who wrote the product description clearly has no idea what a Turkish rug is. These rug remnants are obviously Romanian or Moldovan. It's barely cheaper per square meter than Bohemian Chic Interior, and I'd bet my bottom dollar that these remnants were simply cut from rugs that could easily have been restored by a craftsman. What pains me most is that unique pieces are being destroyed for the sake of commercial convenience. But how can we fight back? So, yes, if you want a piece of butchered Moldova for €100 per square meter in your home, head over to IKEA.
Moldavian rugs in a shop in Paris
They are often beautiful. And, frankly, if you go to Monde Sauvage, you won't be disappointed by the quality of the rugs you'll see there. Of course, there's competition, and we're engaged in a fierce rug-selling war. But that doesn't stop us from recognizing good craftsmanship. Still, sometimes, when the price upsets the heart—which has its reasons that reason doesn't know but that the banker keeps an eye on—going to a Parisian shop isn't the best thing to do... Even if, as my Great-Aunt used to say: "The price is forgotten, the quality remains."
The beautiful Moldovan rugs you'll find in Parisian boutiques will certainly cost over €200 per square meter. But you'll be able to see and touch the rug in person before buying it. However, please note that at Bohemian Chic Interior, at €140 per square meter including shipping, returns for exchange or refund are always possible. Although, we have very few returns on Moldovan rugs (less than 1%).
Moldovan rugs available on Le Bon Coin or second-hand from private sellers
It's also possible to find Moldovan rugs on Le Bon Coin (a French classifieds website) or other sites specializing in secondhand goods. But be careful, it can sometimes be a disappointment. The first problem is that you won't be able to choose your rug; you'll take what's available when you place your order. The second problem is that you don't know the rug's history. It may have been cleaned with harsh products and will lose its color over time. It's also difficult to judge the condition of an antique rug based solely on photos.
At Bohemian Chic Interior, all Moldovan rugs have been carefully and professionally restored by our artisans. The rugs are in perfect condition; they are collector's items whose value is unlikely to depreciate, quite the opposite.