Our Favorite Handmade Rugs and Kilims of July 2022

          July has been a revelation for the Rug & Kilim team: Summer may be our new favorite season.

          To be more specific, we’re fascinated to see our Summers become exponentially prolific times in recent years. In an industry where Fall and Winter are the typical ‘busy’ seasons, full calendars and ever-flowing new inventory? These joys are never lost on us, but July’s many new faces and arrivals are in rare form. The projects keeping us busy are some of our most exciting yet, and the team is just as energized. A new website nears the finish line and two long-anticipated collections welcome dozens of new favorites in Deco and Modern Classics. 

          But all this telling and too little showing won’t do, so we trust you’ll enjoy our July favorites from the R&K home team instead. We’d love to know your thoughts and hear that your Summer’s been the sight for sore eyes ours has. (We hope you’ll make it better and visit us here, either way.)

Principal Josh Nazmiyal Highlights a Masterpiece

         Nobody’s more excited than our own resident renaissance man, Josh Nazmiyal, to welcome new collections and opportunities. The cutting-edge is his life’s ambition, and July’s legion of new offerings has been the pinnacle of reward. 

         Josh’s July pick is a 5×8 from a loom he holds in the highest esteem, among few of its caliber today. I still smile, thinking back to when he called me over to admire it when it first arrived. He taught me that this is a take on Seirafian rug styles, though we couldn’t help but compare it to breathtaking impressionist paintings. Hand-knotted rugs are high art, after all, and any that captivate Josh like this, he deems a masterpiece. (His word, not mine, but I happen to agree.) 

Digital Imaging Captures Our New Modern Classics Collection

       Rug & Kilim’s newest photographer, Tiphaine Seite, was as eager to join us as we were to find her. “Your new Photography Assistant ” was her first email’s subject line (if you need proof) and she’s, quite fittingly, hit the ground running since.

       Tiphaine’s July is all about sublime color variation and comfortable repetition in an 8×10 from Modern Classics. Meanwhile, Lead Photographer Andres Mercado says ‘same collection, different chapter’ with a contemporary 8×10 take on Moroccan rug aesthetics.

Lead Designer Nikita Nagpal Leads a Revolution in Deco

       

         Nikita Nagpal and her team have their work cut out for them lately, but the rewards we reap from their work speak for themselves.

         Nikita’s July is underscored by a favorite from our Deco Collection. Her 6×10 ode to French Deco rug styles revels in refined texture, meticulous detail and playful punctuation of color.

Vice President Sina Nazmiyal Rejoices for “Rez Kilims”

         Fine, one person is even more excited than Josh for new inventory (as only another Nazmiyal could be). Rising Vice President Sina Nazmiyal approaches half a year with Rug & Kilim, and his father’s infectious, boundless enthusiasm takes hold with every passing day — and never more than rolling out something new.

        Sina’s July is all about the Rez Kilim, a line unlike any other contemporary flat weave construction today. This 9×12 exemplifies the line’s modern take on panel weaving with a heavier body and uncommon colors classic paneled Kilims never dreamed of. 

Vice President Cyrus Nazmiyal Sets New Standards in Custom Classics

         Cyrus Nazmiyal always brings a sober, business-oriented complement to his family’s passion, but his latest pick aptly reflects the best of both worlds.

         This July, Cyrus is enamored with an 11×15 from the Burano Collection, with arresting warmth and more gracious scale than any in the line before.

Sales & eCommerce’s Nina Gilden Picks the Signature Piece

         Nina Gilden told us exactly who she is with a fabulous one-of-a-kind collectible in her June pick. Our collection may grow and times may change, but her eye for the iconic remains intact so far. 

         Nina celebrates a signed 7×10 vintage Zeki Müren rug this July — itself a celebration of Müren’s joyful color in rare condition among his curations. 

Sales’ Justin King Says Swedish Deco is Here to Stay

         We’re all grateful for a hard-working Art Department this Summer, but Justin King has been dying to share the long-awaited Deco Collection with his equally anxious clientele. 

         For both parties with baited breath, Justin’s July is all about this 9×12 ode to Swedish Deco rugs. Its spacious field hosts the finest drawing and richest colors since the Scandinavian Renaissance itself (if we may boast).  

Sales’ Todd Neitring Seeks Sophisticated, Colorful Kilims

         Todd Neitring had his pick of the litter for July’s favorites with beaucoup custom rugs coming home to roost. But just like his clients, Todd never fails to surprise with an eye for the unexpected — custom and curated.

         To that end, Todd’s July is all about a vintage Kilim runner that takes ‘traditional’ to the next level. Rich and hot red meets brown and black in a bejeweled runner like no other. 

Logistics’ Wilson Ojeda Lives for Uncommon Colors

     22-year Logistics veteran Wilson Ojeda is a part of Rug & Kilim’s very foundations. The perks, you ask? He’s been around long enough to see the under-appreciated become the coveted.

         This includes Wilson’s July pick, a love letter to lesser-used colors like the gold-green in this 9×12 Doroksh-style antique rug. 

eCommerce Director Andy Yoon Prefers the Subtle Approach

     Our leader in online growth, Andy Yoon, doesn’t mince words (hence I was hired to do it for him). The soft touch is his way, and it’s the soft touch that holds his highest respects.

         Andy’s July is in praise of an 8×9 ode to Ikats patterns, recaptured in Modern Classics’ new arrivals. Keen eyes like his will look past the fabulous color and admire a subdued high-low texture of tactful complement. 

Editor’s Pick: A Love Affair in Red & Black

         Your not-so-subtle author rounds out the baker’s dozen with a personal favorite in longtime favorite colors. Antique Chinese Deco rugs like those that inspired this 10×14 seldom enjoyed so bold a play. I’ve had the pleasure of seeing the few that do firsthand, and the equal privilege of sharing what they might’ve looked like in this grand scale. All thanks to our love affair with the Jazz Age style that inspired the new collection.

         I also have the inside track to know we’ll see this design again when a hush-hush project completes. Until then, I can dine on this edition (or at least until I have to say my bittersweet goodbyes when it sells). 

         Send us your thoughts, and stay tuned for next month!