Do It My Way: Be Different or Die

In a marketing workshop which was held 25 years ago in Germany, the instructor said: "Be Different or Die". This has become my motto and slogan ever-since. I try to do my job differently and my way. Some of our customers who give us their rugs for cleaning and repair would like to store their rugs for some times. We wrap these rugs separately and attach/tape the pictures of the rugs on the wrappings. This way, they know which rug is inside which package so if they need a rug, they don't have to open all the wrappings. Our customers like and appreciate this exclusive service. We also mention the date of the wrapping on the package. If the customer wants to store these rugs for a long time, we provide him/her with extra tape, mothballs, and plastics/wrapping paper free of charge. We love our customers and our job.

 

Dr. Khosrow Sobhe (Dr. Kay)
Certified Rug Specialist (CRS)
www.LosAngelesRugCleaning.com
www.RugIdea.com
Tel. 310-770-9085

Ardabil Carpets

Don't forget to visit the Ardabil carpet on display in the Gift of the Sultan exhibition in LACMA Los Angeles County Museum of Art. The date woven onto this carpet is 1539. To get more information on this dated and signed rug, visit my other blog:

http://ardabilcarpets.blogspot.com/

Dr. Khosrow Sobhe (Dr. Kay)
Certified Rug Specialist (CRS)
www.LosAngelesRugCleaning.com
www.RugIdea.com
Tel. 310-770-9085

Bakhtiari Carpets, Bakhtiari Rugs

Bakhtiari tribal weavers who live in south west Iran make beautiful and long lasting hand knotted rugs. Once in a while we receive Bakhtiari rugs and Bakhtiari carpets for cleaning and repair. They usually come in corner/central medallion or multi-panel garden, or roses designs with cotton foundation and wool pile. Like Hamedan carpets, they are single wefted with symmetrical knots. 6' x 9' is a usual size, although some pieces may come in smaller sizes or in 9' x 12'. Rarely we receive 10' x 14' and it was two weeks ago that we picked up a huge 12' x 16' Bakhtiari carpet for repair. Bakhtiari people are pure Iranians not migrated from neighboring countries. One of the motifs and symbols often used in Bakhtiari carpets is the Cypress tree which stands for bravery and defending the tribe. Wool sheering from the back of sheep and dyeing is usually done by men and weavers are Bakhtiari women.

I saw a great Bakhtairi documentary film last night. I am sharing its trailer with you here.  

Dr. Khosrow Sobhe (Dr. Kay)
Certified Rug Specialist (CRS)
www.LosAngelesRugCleaning.com
www.RugIdea.com
Tel. 310-770-9085

Your Business is "Going Out of Business"!

You give "75% discount from your regular prices and another "10% discount" on top of that if people bring you a copy of your ad! This becomes 85% discount and if the customer is not satisfied with the price which is now 15% of the value of the rug as you claim, customers can name their own prices!? And you accept their offers!?

Come on!! Do you think people are idiots? Ads and actions like this have ruined the reputation of the industry that in public meetings and elsewhere when people ask me who I am and what I do, I cannot introduce myself as a rug dealer and just mention that I have a rug gallery. For some rug dealers, "going out of business" is their business!

Dr. Khosrow Sobhe (Dr. Kay)
Certified Rug Specialist (CRS)
www.LosAngelesRugCleaning.com
www.RugIdea.com
Tel. 310-770-9085

Bakhtiari Rug Repair Los Angeles

Few days ago we delivered a repaired antique big hand knotted Persian Bakhtiari carpet which was damaged by a dog. Our customer could not find the repaired areas. She was very happy with our work and our services. She kindly wrote to us in an e-mail which follows:

Just wanted to let you know how happy I am with the work you did on my rug....you were right...you can't even find the area that was repaired. Beautiful work!

Best regards, 

Jaclyn

Dr. Khosrow Sobhe (Dr. Kay)
Certified Rug Specialist (CRS)
www.LosAngelesRugCleaning.com
www.RugIdea.com
Tel. 310-770-9085

Change Your Words. Change Your World!

Spend less than two minutes of your time and watch this short video. You may cry as I just did. It will change your world.



Dr. Khosrow Sobhe (Dr. Kay)
Certified Rug Specialist (CRS)
www.LosAngelesRugCleaning.com
www.RugIdea.com
Tel. 310-770-9085

Stupid or Not!?

The day before yesterday, I participated in an auction. I won and bought six rugs, and few other items among which, there were three early 20th century antique Chinese and Japanese paintings. After the auction was over, I picked up the rugs and other items. I went to pick up the paintings yesterday. The very nice lady who was in charge made a mistake and due to confusion in the bar codes, she was giving me four antiques paintings. The five percent bad part of me had a quick discussion with the 95 percent good part of me. The bad part told the good part just keep quite; get all four paintings. It is tough these days; make some money. This auction house is rich. They don't understand what happened. And even if they do, mistakes are made. Who cares? Out of hundred of items, would they realize that one piece would be missing? And even if they do, would they realize who picked that up? Now way!

The good part of me (I guess the 95%) could not keep quit and could not see this wonderful helpful lady be held responsible for the missing antique Japanese painting. I said to the lady that I should be picking up three and not four paintings. She said OK; these paintings were not labeled properly. That is why this confusion happened. The bad part of me told the good part of me: did you see this lady did not get excited and did not appreciate your honesty? Occasions like this happen rarely. Why didn't you idiot take advantage of this? Are you Jesus Christ? The good part who thought it had done the right thing, did not answer!

Dr. Khosrow Sobhe (Dr. Kay)
Certified Rug Specialist (CRS)
www.LosAngelesRugCleaning.com
www.RugIdea.com
Tel. 310-770-9085

Ardabil Carpets LACMA Los Angeles County Museum of Art: A Confession to Make!

I visited the Ardabil carpet in LACMA for the second time in a week. I have to confess. I did a very bad thing! I should not have done this, but I did it. I hope the Ardabil carpet forgives me.

Whenever I see a carpet/rug, no matter where, I have to flip a corner of it over to see the back of it and its knots and layout/construction. This maybe a bad habit but I cannot help it. I even do this when we (my family and I) go to our friends' homes to visit them. My wife always reminds me that I should not do this. But she has not been able to correct me on this issue for the past 28 years we have been married. I did the same thing to the Ardabil carpet! When the guards were not noticing me, I touched the carpet and flipped a corner of it over to see the back. I could not see the knots, but at least I fulfilled my curiosity! This carpet had a linen backing for extra protection and support installed in its last cleaning process which took place in London royal textile preservation facility few years ago.

Dr. Khosrow Sobhe (Dr. Kay)
Certified Rug Specialist (CRS)
www.LosAngelesRugCleaning.com
www.RugIdea.com
Tel. 310-770-9085

Rugs and Dogs Don't Go Together: A Bakhtiari Rug Repair

We picked up a big 12' x 16' beautiful Bakhtiari carpet from a client who is an actress two weeks ago from her house in West Hollywood. This huge rug was damaged by an angry/playful dog. We made the foundation, matched the design and the construction and restored the rug in less than 10 days. She was extremely happy and surprised by the quality of the repair job we had done. She was a kind of confused that she could not find the damaged/repaired areas. She was very thankful.

When our customers are happy, we are happy. This shows that we have done our homework right.

 

Dr. Khosrow Sobhe (Dr. Kay)
Certified Rug Specialist (CRS)
www.LosAngelesRugCleaning.com
www.RugIdea.com
Tel. 310-770-9085

Ardabil Carpets LACMA Los Angeles County Museum of Art

http://ardabilcarpets.blogspot.com/2011/06/ardabil-carpets-lacma-los-angeles.html

Dr. Khosrow Sobhe (Dr. Kay)
Certified Rug Specialist (CRS)
www.LosAngelesRugCleaning.com
www.RugIdea.com
Tel. 310-770-9085

Afshars, Afshar Kilims, Afshar Rugs, Afshar Flat Weaves

A large body of weaving from southern Iran, bear the label "Afshar" also known as "Kilim" (also spelled Kelim and Gilim). Historically, the Afshars were Turkoman tribe which became separated from other Turkoman groups. The Afshar tribes were first moved to the south of Kerman region in the sixteenth century by Shah Tahmasp, the second monarch of the Safavid dynasty (1502-1736).

Some Afshars can be found near Mashad (north east of Iran), as well as in the region near Bidjar (north west of Iran) and in other areas. Traditional Turkic dialect is still spoken by some Afshars. In providing the above mentioned text, we consulted the following: Opie, James Tribal Rugs The Tolstoy Press, Portland, Oregon 1992.

We have utilized the fine weaving tradition of the region to program and supply the finest type of flat weaves which have received a very warm welcome from both the industry and the end users. Some experts refer to this kind of weave as Soumak. The patient Afshar ladies are the creators of these fine pieces of arts.
Source: http://www.rugidea.com/afshar.html 



Dr. Khosrow Sobhe (Dr. Kay)
Certified Rug Specialist (CRS)
www.LosAngelesRugCleaning.com
www.RugIdea.com
Tel. 310-770-9085

WOW! Ardabil Carpet Again on Display in Los Angeles

A wonderful exhibition called Gifts of the Sultan  at LACMA, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art explores Islamic art through the universal tradition of gift giving. Many of the most spectacular and historically significant examples of Islamic art can be classified as gifts, a number of which will be brought together for the unique purpose of this exhibition to demonstrate the integral and complex nature of gift exchange in the Islamic world.

The exhibition spans the eighth through nineteenth centuries and includes 200 works of art representing a rich variety of media from three continents. These spectacular works of art are associated with the great Islamic courts from Spain to India, where gift giving was a fundamental activity. Gifts were intended to further diplomatic and political ambitions; as rewards for services rendered; to celebrate annual events like the New Year or more personal occasions such as weddings, and as expressions of piety, often associated with the construction or enhancement of religious monuments.     
      
The exhibition also includes a small contemporary component with new work by Sadegh Tirafkhan, Shahzia Sikander, and Ahmed Mater, who were commissioned to interpret the theme of the exhibition.

The great Ardabil carpet, signed and dated (1539) will be also on display. This is a good opportunity for the lovers of this rug to see it again.

Dr. Khosrow Sobhe (Dr. Kay)
Certified Rug Specialist (CRS)
www.LosAngelesRugCleaning.com
www.RugIdea.com
Tel. 310-770-9085

Rugs and Dogs Don't Go Together!

Last week, a young couple brought in a rug which was severely damaged by their Golden Retriever. They said their dog is a mellow, quiet dog, but for unknown reason she got angry and ripped off their beautiful carpet. We repaired their rug and the husband who came in to pick the rug up was very pleased with our repair job.

 

Dr. Khosrow Sobhe (Dr. Kay)
Certified Rug Specialist (CRS)
www.LosAngelesRugCleaning.com
www.RugIdea.com
Tel. 310-770-9085

Silk Kashan Animal Carpet in Louvre Museum

Visit this link: http://animalcarpets.blogspot.com/2011/06/silk-kashan-animal-carpet-in-louvre.html

Dr. Khosrow Sobhe (Dr. Kay)
Certified Rug Specialist (CRS)
www.LosAngelesRugCleaning.com
www.RugIdea.com
Tel. 310-770-9085

Kerman Carpets Kerman Rugs. Iranian Kerman and California Kerman

Iran has 31 provinces (states) and Kerman in south east is the second largest of them. It is also one of the most ancient regions of the country. The capital of the province is the city of Kerman. This city is more than 1,000 kilometers (ca 675 miles) south east of Tehran. Kerman has more 1000 years of history. The province of Kerman is very famous for its pistachio and carpets.

Here, I am posting a typical and famous Kerman carpet design called Ghaabe Ghorani, which is designed after the Quran book cover. This is an open field design mostly seen in Kerman rugs.

It is very interesting to know that there is also a city called Kerman in California fifteen miles west of Fresno in western Fresno County. It is 225 miles north of Los Angeles and 185 miles south of San Fransisco. This city was founded almost 100 years ago. Unlike the Iranian Kerman, this American Kerman city has no carpets! However it is an agricultural haven with almonds, grape vineyards, tree fruits, pistachios, field crops, cotton, hay and dairy farming.

Dr. Khosrow Sobhe (Dr. Kay)
Certified Rug Specialist (CRS)
www.LosAngelesRugCleaning.com
www.RugIdea.com
Tel. 310-770-9085