styleNorth

With the interior design world gone mad for suzanis can kilim’s moment be far behind? When I saw a kilim rug in a swish condo model suite (below) I knew that this ancient, tribal craft was on the rise. Then Mike and I saw some really good, vintage kilim pillows at the Christie Antique Show last weekend but the $250 price seemed like a gouge.

After a trip to Toronto’s kilim expert, Vatché Kouyoumjian of Kilim Crafts, I now know that the Christie cushions were fairly priced. The same size pillows (24” x 48”, above) at Kilim Crafts (401 Richmond Street West, Studio 103) are $250 each for Afghani kilims or $350 for Turkish ones. According to Vatché, Turkey’s superior kilims have traditionally commanded a premium.

I’ve always found kilim a bit crafty, a little too hippy, but after seeing Vatché’s wares I have completely come around to kilim. Rather than being course and rough, many of Kilim Crafts’ pieces are luxuriously soft. What’s more, there’s a whole variety of kilim that blends traditional flat weave with plush, knotted pile, much like a chenille.

Ottomans like the ones above will set you back $500-$850 but they’re beautifully made and will last forever. Vatché will upholster a big Bergère-style chair in high-quality kilim for about $2,300, including material and labour, less for an open-arm chair like the one above.

Kilim Crafts cushions cover all price points: soft little throw pillows (6” x 10”) are $40-$60, medium size (24” x 24”, below) are around $80 and extra-large ones (24″ x 46″) are $250-$350. Kilim carpets run the gamut depending on size and origin but you can expect to pay in the neighbourhood of $1,000 - $3,000.

Yorkville rug dealer Herat Carpets (9 Hazelton Ave.) is closing its doors September 30 and is selling off some lovely kilim rugs at greatly reduced prices. For more info on the rich history of kilim weaving I recommend a fantastic website by weaver, author and educator Marla Mallett.