Rug Buyers Blog

Mahmaud Houshiarnejad said his head was spinning.

He stood near the center of his upscale, Persian rug store, Houshiarnejad’s Collection, on Kings Highway East on a recent weekday and admitted he didn’t have a clue what he would do next, when his doors closed for the last time and the creditors came to collect what was left.

“My whole, entire life is this business,” he said, quietly, as opera played softly in the background. “I worked to grow this business. I don’t have a stomach for what to do next. I need to put my brain at rest.”

Houshiarnejad, 58, an Iranian who is now a U.S. citizen, said he doesn’t blame anyone for his business closing. The economy has not been kind to him recently—a plight for which he is not alone in Haddonfield.

He pointed across the street to the former home of Yampell Jewelers, a business that closed its doors in January after 83 years here. He said local bankers now wear grim faces and shake their heads when asked how soon the economy will turn around.

He doesn’t blame anyone, but said some folks in local business and government could h……………. continues on Patch.com

HOLLYWOOD BOWL June 22-Sept. 30. Along with their fine al fresco opera offerings (“Don Giovanni” will rear its stone head a few times this season), the Hollywood Bowl delights in pairing pop figures with classical power for bombastic, cinematic evenings; this year Barry Manilow takes three spins with the Los Angeles Philharmonic (July 2-4), as does the Brian Setzer Orchestra with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra (Sept. 14-16). Smokey Robinson and Diana Krall each partner with similar string groups for two evenings apiece (July 20-21 for Mr. Robinson and Aug. 24-25 for Ms. Krall). The more straightforward shows still pack a punch: Kelly Clarkson, the Fray, Liza Minnelli, Aerosmith, Cheap Trick. Glen Campbell delivers what is said to be the final Los Angeles performance of his storied career, and Wilco closes the season; hollywoodbowl.com.

MONTEREY JAZZ FESTIVAL Sept. 21-23. This festival was a predecessor for all the jazz festivals to follow. Started in 1958 with Billie Holiday, Louis Armstrong and Dizzy Gillespie as headliners (and running co……………. continues on Summer’s Pop and Jazz Festivals Load Their Lineups – New York Times

Wellesley’s Linden Square will be a good place to shop on Saturday, as businesses will offer steep discounts as part of a sidewalk sale. Among them, Kenzie Kids/K Girl (200 Linden St., Wellesley, 781-237-3666, www.kenziekids.com) will have select items marked down up to 60 percent; National Jean Company (180 Linden St., Wellesley, 781-489-3500, www.njcboston.com) is offering 25 percent off storewide; and Sara Campbell (200 Linden St., Wellesley, 781-235-1321, www.saracampbell.com) will have spring items and new samples marked down up to 50 percent. (Find more deals at www.boston.com/bargainbin.) There will also be free face painting, music, and more for kids from 1-4 p.m. Find more details at www.facebook.com/LindenSquareWellesley.

RUGS AND CARPETING

Dover Rug & Home has just kicked off its annual tent sale, with all hand-knotted rugs and select in-stock carpeting marked down 20-70 percent. The selection includes traditional and contemporary patterns from brands including Karastan, Barbara Barry, Tufenkian, Company C, and others. T……………. continues on Boston Globe

By Linda Merrill, Networx

Back in the 1960’s and ‘70’s, shag carpets became all the rage. In retrospect, they were of a piece with long hair on women and men, maxi-skirts, long bell-bottom pants and the general loosening of social mores.  In fact, the name “shag” came from the carpets</……………. continues on Local 10

© Courtesy of Gridchinhall

‘The Carpet is the Message’

Mahmaud Houshiarnejad said his head was spinning.

He stood near the center of his upscale, Persian rug store, Houshiarnejad’s Collection, on Kings Highway East on a recent weekday and admitted he didn’t have a clue what he would do next, when his doors closed for the last time and the creditors came to collect what was left.

“My whole, entire life is this business,” he said, quietly, as opera played softly in the background. “I worked to grow this business. I don’t have a stomach for what to do next. I need to put my brain at rest.”

Houshiarnejad, 58, an Iranian-born U.S. citizen, said he doesn’t blame anyone for his business closing. The economy has not been kind to him recently—a plight in which he is not alone in Haddonfield.

He pointed across the street to the former home of Yampell Jewelers, a business that closed its doors in January after 83 years here. He said local bankers now wear grim faces and shake their heads when asked how soon the economy will turn around.

Still, he said, some folks in local business and government could have done more.

“Perh……………. continues on Patch.com

High Point, N.C., is the market where the world’s best designers launch their new looks and lines, so it’s the mecca for trend-spotting. Here are my top five favorites for the season.

1. It’s all about color: As you walked in the doors of the High Point Market this year, the color slammed you in the face, and it felt good. Yellow, orange, turquoise and apple-g……………. continues on Ocala

Furniture Today Staff — Furniture Today, May 11, 2012

SADDLE BROOK, N.J. — Nourison has named Kevin Kennedy vice president of its Home Textiles Division.

He will report to Steven Peykar, co-CEO of Nourison.

Kennedy will be responsible for developing and strengthening Nourison’s business as a manufacturer of home accent products including area rugs, scatter rugs and decorative accessories.

Kennedy is a 35-year veteran of the rug and home fashions industry. He most recently worked at his own consulting firm in New York. Earlier, he was chief operating officer of Glenoit and its Consumer Products Division, and held various management positions at Couristan.

“We are very pleased to have someone with Kevin’s experience on our team,” Peykar said. “He is a highly accomplished, results-oriented person and I am certain he will help us increase our market share in this important and growing category for our c……………. continues on Furniture Today

Casual Living Staff — Casual Living, 5/11/2012 10:38:32 AM

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — The Rug Market America announces the addition of rug designs crafted to meet the design, construction and price requirements of the contract, hospitality and commercial category.
The contemporary indoor/outdoor rug designer and manufacturer currently works with such entities as Ritz-Carlton, Wynn Hotel, Marriott and domestic and international boutique hotels. The Rug Market America’s new additions are focused on the renewed growth occurring within the segment.
“Our new designs include heavy transitional motifs as they have always been a choice for high-end international chains,” said Mike Shabtai, owner and founder of The Rug Market America. “Of course, the finishes and textures a……………. continues on Casual Living