Wilton rugs: What they are and why you’ll love them

But what’s so great about a Wilton rug?

Weaving process: I grew up around a lot of needlepoint pillows, and a few industrious needlepointing women. My mother would painstakingly approach her embroidery canvas with deliberate, labor-intensive stitches, which in expanse, created a satisfyingly rich, densely packed textile. The neat, concise loops of a Wilton look very similar to needlepoint stitches. While the loops of a Wilton are not made by hand, the loom on which they are woven was invented in 1741 and requires considerable time and effort to set up and run.

Materials: The typical fiber used for a Wilton rug is wool, the gold standard in rugs because of its incredible resiliency. A percentage of synthetic fibers are also often added for softness or a touch of luster.

Construction: The tight loops of a Wilton are created by a wire that is temporarily threaded through the shaft of the warp, and then removed (no, there is no wire in these rugs). The loops are small and uniform with an inherent spring to them, which feels great underfoot.

Durability: The Wool Wire Wilton scores highly on durability for both material and construction and is a powerhouse for standing up to foot traffic. Wiltons are a popular choice for high-traffic areas, and you’ll often see them installed on stairs (the area of the home that gets the most hardwearing traffic).

Detailed patterns & colors: The Wilton weaving process lends itself to all manner of ornate patterning and colors that are difficult to achieve with any other rug construction method.

Wilton rugs do have a higher price point due to the laborious nature of the weaving setup and quality materials. But the result — a gorgeous, soft and incredibly durable rug — is worth the cost, an investment in quality up front that pays out for years to come.

So, what type of homes use Wiltons?

For a period of time, Wiltons were squarely in the “traditional” camp of interior decorating — like Emily Gilmore Connecticut-estate traditional (for all my "Gilmore Girl" fans out there). If that doesn’t ring a bell, think toile wallpaper, ornate silk curtain valances and a slightly spooky display cabinet full of Meissen porcelain figurines. Homes that were Decorated (yes, with a capital D) had the means to purchase this premium construction and the zeal for rich pattern, expertly constructed, hence the traditional association. 

However, today's Wiltons have evolved to meet the needs of the modern home and to elevate any aesthetic. Look at any interior design magazine, and you are sure to find Wilton rugs anchoring rooms, hallways and staircases across a wide variety of styles. The Wilton patterns have become more subtle, more modern and easier to layer with contemporary design styles. Once you learn to spot a Wilton rug, you will see them everywhere. 

These rugs are an elevated take on animal print (to varying degrees of “literal”). To put it plainly, animal print can look tacky, very quickly. While styling is critical, pairing cheap materials with a cheap construction and a full floor of leopard print creates quite the handicap. If #mobwife is not on your moodboard, but want a surefire way to add the fun of an animal print, these Wiltons are worth your consideration. Something about the neat little loops just strikes the perfect balance of pattern and material. With the “tacky” factor out of the way, Jenna Lyons’ musing on the subject come to life, “as far as I’m concerned, leopard is a neutral.” For current inspo, Parisian “it girl” Jeanne Demas’s leopard office rug is a great example of the versatility of this pattern. I’d be remiss in not mentioning the godmother of modern interior design, Madeleine Castaing’s love of leopard rugs.