Rug stores

A handful of stores that have built up a special reputation for fine floorcoverings will have a limited number of rare or unique pieces—perhaps a few distinguished hooked rugs, modern hand-tufts, Swedish, Moroccan and Mexican rugs, maybe a couple of French and Chinese rugs, certainly some old Persians.

They will also have samples of many special fabrics, from a Savon-nerie to domestic chenilles, so that you can choose your design, color and fabric and have your rug made to order.

They will have a wide range of machine-made carpet samples, both pat­terned and plain, from which to order if the carpet you choose is not in their stock.

They may not have a Bessarabian or Spanish rug but they will know where to get it or have it made.