Wool Rugs

We focus on sourcing a few main styles of authentic vintage Moroccan rugs for the Nouvelle Nomad collection;

Beni Ourain rugs, Boujad rugs, Beni MGuild Rugs, Azilal rugs and Zemmour rugs.

This article here gives you more detail on the typical styles of weaving and designs from the different regions and tribes.

Our Guide: The Different Types Of Moroccan Rugs

We recommend regular vacuuming on a light setting and occasionally hanging your rug up outside in the fresh air and natural sunlight to give it some air.

Due to the nature of natural dyes and delicate materials, spot cleaning of your rug should only ever be done with mild soapy water - no chemicals or cleaning agents.

Natural dyes, in particular dark reds, can sometimes bleed or transfer onto other surfaces when wet, so try and avoid placing on top of carpets or other rugs if you’re worried about spills.

If you've had a major spill, or there's grubby marks from use - expert rug cleaning services are found in all major cities in Australia.

There's an article here that goes into more detail about the washing and repairs process

FAQ - Rug Cleaning & Care

Our collection of genuine vintage Moroccan rugs ranges from mid-century 1950s aged all the way through to more contemporary style vintage rugs of the 1980s and 90s.

Genuine vintage Moroccan rugs have been handwoven by Berber women many years ago for personal use in the home, to mark an occasion like a birth or wedding, or for trade.

Most vintage rugs have had a life well lived in family homes before making their way to the carpet auctions in the mountains, and the souks of the major cities.

The rugs of this age are unique in that the weaving style, materials, natural dyes and wool quality is no longer found in the newly make rugs from Morocco.

With the popularity of the vintage Moroccan pieces over the last few decades, finding the true vintage pieces in great condition is becoming much harder.

Most of the faded vintage Moroccan rugs you'll see on the market have started their life either as a deep red, purple or rich ochre colour that has been washed back to a softer tonal pallet from the natural dyes having contact with direct sunlight.

The ones in good condition have been naturally sun faded with age and time. 

Due to the fairly recent trend for the muted tones and faded Moroccan pieces, sometimes older style rugs in deep colours which aren't as 'fashionable' now, will be left out in the sun to get this trending sun bleached and faded look.

Many rug sellers now artificially fade both new and old pieces with chemical bleach to get this similar effect. While this is a perfectly legitimate way to fade back a rug, it does affect the integrity of the wool fibres. So if you have purchased a chemically bleached rug you may find that the wool sheds and disintegrates over time.

We prefer to only source and stock rugs that are in their beautiful original condition, and with their original colourings that have naturally sun faded with age and time. We avoid any rugs that have been chemically bleached.

The nature of vintage rugs of this age, and the natural wool they are made of often means that a rug often holds a natural woolly smell. 

While this is common in vintage pieces, it should never be too noticeable or over baring.

The thick wool of a vintage Moroccan rug can often take on kitchen smells, bacteria from pets and spills from food over time.

Taking your rug to a professional rug cleaning service every couple of years is a great way to keep it in good condition for years to come.

This smell may seem stronger if stored in a confined space, like in plastic, or in a car on a hot day as wool sweats and can breed bacteria. So try to only ever store your rug in a breathable cotton cover.

If your rug has been in storage for a while, giving it some breathing space by hanging outside in natural light to kill any bacteria or musty smells.

If this doesn't fix the whiff, the best treatment is to take to a professional rug cleaning service for a routine clean, with an anti bacterial wash to kill any bacteria.

Our online prices include free worldwide shipping via DHL Express from Marrakech, Morocco Including to Australia, New Zealand, UK, Europe, USA and Canada.

If your region is not listed above you will not be able to check out online. Please just get in touch to arrange your purchase with an invoice over email instead.

IMPORTANT - Our prices and shipping do NOT include import taxes and customs duties at your end.

Depending on your country of residence, USA state tax, European VAT or Australian import duties for example may be payable at the receiving end. So you'll need to look into if they apply to you.

10% GST is already included in our prices for all Australian purchases.

Our Marrakech based rug collection is shipped direct from our warehouse in Marrakech, Morocco via DHL Express for a secure door to door service.

Please allow up to 2 weeks for your rug to be prepared and packaged by our team for shipping.

We will always give your rug/s a final inspection, an additional hand wash and some light hand restorations if required before sending.

**Please allow additional time during Ramadan and holiday periods**

Once your delivery is on the road DHL timelines are as follows:

Australia and New Zealand: 3-7 business days

UK and Europe: 2-5 business days

USA and Canada: 2-5 business days

Please choose your rug carefully as we do not accept returns or offer refunds for change of mind purchases.

If however you believe the rug you receive is not as expected, not in the condition as described or shown in photographs please get in touch within 48 hours of receiving your delivery and we'll be happy to assist you.

If after review we have found the item to be of fault, we will be in touch to coordinate either the return of the item for a credit or a full refund.

This does not extend to additional wear through use.

Returns will not be considered or accepted after 30 days.

Sale items are priced to clear, and so all sales are considered final. We do not offer refunds, returns or exchanges on sale items.