Ethno Living

Living with character and history

Sometimes it doesn't take much for a room to suddenly tell a story. Perhaps it's a handwoven rug with faded patterns. Or a wooden chest that looks like it has seen half the continents. This is the essence of Ethno Living – a style of living that focuses not on perfection, but on personality. And on heritage. Because every piece that you bring into this world carries its own past – often handmade, never interchangeable.

Global influences and cultural diversity

Ethno-Living is a decor style that celebrates the cultural diversity of the world. It combines elements from various cultures and traditions to create a unique, multicultural ambiance. Typical features include vibrant colors, handcrafted decorative pieces, and natural materials like wood and bamboo. Textiles with traditional patterns, such as cushions or wall hangings, are also central elements of this style. Ethno-Living brings a warm and inviting atmosphere to your home, radiating a sense of adventure and openness to the world, transforming every room into a cultural mosaic.

Ethno - Color knows no boundaries

Persian Gabbeh Ghashghai Old

1'8" x 1'0"

$330

$298

Berber Maroccan Atlas

9'5" x 6'6"

$2,601

$2,211

Berber Ghashghai

9'10" x 6'4"

$2,642

Not only beautiful, but meaningful

Ethno Living is hard to categorize. It’s more of a feeling than a design concept. One surrounds oneself with things that carry traces – made by hands, not machines. Colors here are not sterilely coordinated, but bold. Patterns are allowed to tell stories, to stand out. You can immediately see: Someone lives here who loves the world – or at least is curious about it.

It’s not about showing everything at once. A woven pillow from Guatemala next to a Persian rug can be enough. What’s important is: it doesn’t match in the traditional sense, and that’s exactly what makes it harmonious.

Ethnic-style rugs

Ethno-style rugs are not just decor. They are a stage, a frame, sometimes even the main character. Anyone who has walked barefoot on a real kilim knows what I mean. There is a warmth that cannot be measured in degrees Celsius. Persian classics, Berber rugs from Morocco, or nomadic rugs from Iran – they all bring something that modern floors often lack: soul. And they surprisingly work well in very different environments. In a Scandinavian minimalist space, they provide a pop of color, while in an old building, they bring the wall color down to the floor.

Kilim Afghan

5'2" x 3'3"

$303

It can also be modern and how!

Those who think that "ethno" automatically means "hippie" or "overloaded" are mistaken. Especially in combination with clear lines, this style reveals its impact. A rough concrete floor, with a hand-knotted rug in deep red on top – that's striking. Or a minimalist steel shelf, flanked by an African wooden object. You can play around. And you can mix – as long as it doesn't look forced.

Sustainability? It's just a part of it here.

What makes Ethno Living particularly appealing is that it is not a short-term trend. Much of what defines this style existed long before terms like "Slow Living" or "Eco Interior" became popular. Hand-knotted rugs, for example, are made from wool that not only lasts a long time but is also compostable. Dyed with plants, not chemicals. At Nain Trading, there is an additional aspect: the direct connection to the regions from which these pieces originate. No middlemen, no mass-produced goods – just genuine partnerships with the people who master this art. This way, what we sell remains authentic.

And how do I take care of all this?

Sounds beautiful, but complicated? It’s not. Rugs of this kind don’t require special treatment. A little mindfulness is enough. Regular vacuuming, no constant sun exposure – that’s basically it. A small stain? Use a damp cloth, not too much water. And if it gets critical: professional cleaning. But not too often. These rugs age beautifully.

One more tip: If you’re unsure about decorating, start small. A rug. A picture. A pillow. And then see what develops from there. Ethno Living grows with you – you just have to take the first step.