Sheepskin Lambskin Cleaning Los Angeles

The carpet, rug and floor covering industry has gone through many changes in the past forty years that I remember. There were limited types of rugs and kilims used as floor covering. But now, you see innovation everywhere.

Since we are very active in rug cleaning, rug repair, rug water damage restoration, and appraisal, we see and receive all kinds of sheepskin lambskin rugs, Flokati rugs, shag rugs, leather rugs and etc.

Here, I like to write about one particular rug that we have been receiving very much lately; the Lambskin/Sheepskin rugs. This type of rug, if we can call it rug, is very decorative. A Sheepskin rug adds beauty and character to any home. They are soft and add a very sophisticated look to any place in which they are used. Sheepskins have different uses around the home; they can cover the floor to give a room some warmth, cover a sofa, and be draped over a bed for style and comfort. These are just a few of the many uses of a lambskin rugs. Sheepskin offers style and comfort to any room and is a wonderful addition in any home. Sheepskin rugs are long lasting and last much longer than many man made fibers if we take care of them properly.

Sheepskins should be shaken or lightly vacuumed preferably without using the beater. We should never vacuum Lambskins with beater which have metal brushes as this would damage the long and fluffy pile of the rug.

We specialize in professional cleaning of sheepskin Lambskin rugs. Many of the owners of this type of soft and beautiful objects or women. Some of these animal skins have pet stains on them. Why? Because these skins are soft and comfortable to lay on; therefore, pets love them.

Dr. Khosrow Sobhe (Dr. Kay)
Certified Rug Specialist (CRS)
www.LosAngelesRugCleaning.com

Rug Repair Los Angeles

Rug repair comes in between rug restoration, and rug conservation. It does not necessarily use the same original weaving techniques, color types or fiber. It makes the damaged rug look nicer. It prevents further damages by for example securing the fringes on the ends and replacing the damaged selvages on the sides.

Rug repair is an art by itself. A weaver usually knows how to make a specific type of rug. He/she may not know about rug making in other regions or even countries. But a repair person should know how to repair a rug made with symmetrical or asymmetrical knots. A repair person, man or woman should be able to use different techniques and methods to repair rugs from around the world. He/she maybe assigned to repair, a kilim, a tapestry, a saddle bag, a Navajo rug, a shag, rug, a Flokati rug or you name it. He/she cannot say oh I have not done a repair on such a piece!!

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

Rug Conservation Los Angeles

I did not want to have a very lengthy post, so for rug conservation and repair, I am having separate posts.

Conservation of a rug when we try to preserve the rug and protect it against more damages and further deterioration. Different methods maybe used to stabilize the damage and the condition to make sure it does not get worse.

Some of customers bring in their rugs for cleaning while the rug is damaged. They do not want us to do the repair. They do not want to spend money on the repair or for some reasons they may not be ready to have the rug professionally repaired. In this case, We try to secure the damaged areas in a way that those damages do not get bigger in the process of dusting and cleaning. This is what conservation is all about.

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

Rug Restoration, Rug Conservation, and Rug Repair Los Angeles

Rug restoration, conservation and repair cannot be used interchangeably as each one is different from the other one. Then, what is the difference? We do all these three.
Restoration of a rug is when we restore an repair an antique, old or damaged rug to look its best and original condition. In this highly specialized process, we use the same weaving technique, same type of fiber, and dye. For example, if the colors of the rug are natural dye, we use naturally dyed yarn. Or if the wool is hand spun, we use the same type of hand spun wool to have the same look. If the knots are symmetrical, we use the same technique and the same type of knot construction. By employing all these, we try to get as close as possible to the original condition of the rug. Restoration needs a higher level of expertise compared with conservation or repair.

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

Rug Water Damage Restoration Los Angeles

It has been raining in Los Angeles since few days ago. We have received several rugs which were damaged by water for cleaning and color restoration. Some of these rugs were left in the garages or parking spaces. Some were in homes with floods.

First, we have to extract the water to prevent the rug to get mold or color run and bleeding. Then we have to wash the rug with ample pure water, shampoo and special type of enzyme to take care of the dirt and bacteria deposited in the pile. Then we rinse the rug thoroughly to make sure there is no residue left in the carpet. Drying is the last step. We have to make sure that the rug is completely dry before we deliver the rug; otherwise it would smell.

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

Ardabil Carpet in Los Angeles County Museum of Art, LACMA

Tomorrow, Monday Jan. 18, 2010 is the last day of Ardabil and Coronation carpets on display in Los Angels County Museum of Art LACMA. Today is Sunday and I will go to work from 12:00 to 4:00 pm. I am planning to pay my last visit to these two masterpieces and say goodbye to them. It is unknown when LACMA puts these two rugs on display again. Maybe in 5 years, 10 years; who knows when?

I was lucky to visit twice the Ardabil carpet and the Coronation carpet in November and December 2009. They looked great on their temporary platform in LACMA.

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

Slow Year in Rug Business

We managed to survive, but it was a very slow 2009. Buyers did not want to spend money buying rugs and if they did, they were looking for cheaper rugs. Those who needed to clean or repair their rugs were looking for deals and discount and in many cases postponed to have their rugs cleaned and repaired.

Since I am a positive thinking person by birth, I am sure 2010 will be a better year. If not, I will make it better by re-evaluating our business strategies and adjusting them. The next few days will be slow, but this will give me a chance to review my 2009 to take lessons from the experiences I gained. This will give me a good arsenal to fight and tackle the potential problems I will face in 2010.

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

Safavid Carpets: A Lecture by Dr. Jon Thompson

Yesterday, Sunday December 6, 2009, Dr. Jon Thompson of London delivered an excellent lecture in our rug gallery on 1655 South La Cienega Blvd. in Los Angeles on Safavid Carpets. It was well attended and well received.

Here I am posting few pictures for the event.

Khosrow Sobhe
Certified Rug Specialist
www.ArdabilCarpet.com
310-770-9085

Safavid Carpets by Dr. Jon Thompson

We are getting ready for tomorrow's lecture on Safavid Carpets by Dr. Jon Thompson who is coming to Los Angeles to deliver two lectures. The first one is for today, Saturday Dec. 5th at 2:00 pm at Los Angeles County Museum of Art, LACMA on the Ardabil Carpets. The second lecture will be delivered in our rug gallery on Safavid carpets on 1655 South La Cienega Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90035. This free lecture will also begin at 2:00 pm on Sunday Dec. 6, 2009.

Today, I will go to LACMA to see Jon Thompson and listen to his speech. If my time permits, I would also like to pay another visit to Ardabil and Coronation carpets on display.

Khosrow Sobhe
Certified Rug Specialist (CRS)
www.ArdabilCarpet.com
310-770-9085

How to Properly Vacuum Your Rugs?

This is a new video we have prepared to protect your rugs by vacuuming them properly.

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

Rug Tent Sale Los Angeles, 2nd Day

Contrary to the first day, we had a very busy second day yesterday which was Saturday. Several customers stopped by and looked at the rugs and kilims in our tent and in our store. Some of them bought some rugs or kilims. Today, Sunday is the third and last day of our tent sale. Are we going to have a sales miracle we have been waiting for a long time? We have to wait for a few hours and see!!

Khosrow Sobhe
Certified Rug Specialist (CRS)
www.RugTentSale.com
310-770-9085

Safavid Carpets: Themes, Styles, and Patterns

Safavid Carpets: An Analysis of Themes, Styles and Patterns
Dr. Khosrow Sobhe invites you to a lecture by: Dr. Jon Thompson
Visiting leading rug scholar from London
Dr. Thompson has recently retired as May Beattie Fellow in Carpet Studies at the Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology and the Khalili Research Center, at the University of Oxford. He continues to teach courses at the School of Oriental and African Studies, London, and at the Victoria and Albert Museum. Dr. Thompson is in Los Angeles to deliver a lecture on the Ardabil Carpet on Saturday, December 5, 2009 at 2:00 pm at Los Angeles County Museum of Art, LACMA Sunday, December 6, 2009 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm

at Rug Idea
1655 South La Cienega Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90035
(Half a mile south of Pico Blvd. at Airdrome St. Free parking available)

This is a free program sponsored by RugIdea.com. Seating capacity is limited.
Please make reservation by calling 310-860-0460

Rug Tent Sale in Los Angeles First Day

It was Black Friday today and first day of our 3-day Rug Tent Sale. We put up our tent in our parking lot. Two ignorant people had parked their cars in our parking and this delayed setting up our tent for 45 minutes.

It was slow business wise but some customers who visited us said they would comeback tomorrow Saturday or Sunday.

Khosrow Sobhe
Certified Rug Specialist (CRS)
www.RugTentSale.com
310-770-9085

Rug tent Sale in Los Angeles

Rug Tent Sale

Starting Black Friday
November 27, 28, & 29, 2009
10:00 am to 6:00 pm

Up to 50% (HALF) off all rugs in store

All types of Persian, Oriental & Area Rugs
(Handmade and machine made rugs)

Add that extra touch in decorating your home or office
None of our rugs are purchased or consigned from other dealers. Instead, we either produce or import them directly from the source. No middleman means:

HUGE SAVINGS FOR YOU!

We also specialize in: Professional rug cleaning, pet stain removal, water damage restoration, spot dyeing, rug repair and rug appraisal. Free local pick up & delivery. We offer professional wall-wall carpet cleaning.

Come in and visit Dr. Khosrow Sobhe (Dr. Kay) Certified Rug Specialist (CRS) and ask him all your rug questions directly. Get a free rug appraisal. This is a limited one-time offer only. We also buy rugs or help you sell your rugs.

SOBCO
International Ltd.
Direct Importer & Award Winning Producer of Persian Rugs
1655 S. La Cienega Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90035
Tel. 310-770-9085 & 310-860-0460
(Half a mile south of Pico Blvd. on Airdrome Street)
www.rugidea.com
www.RugTentSale.com

My Son Kash Repairs a Rug in His Liesure

My younger son Kash (Khashaiar) is 17 years old is here at work today with me on this beautiful sunny Sunday in Los Angeles. He wanted me to give him a job. I asked him to secure the lose fringes of a Turkoman rug which he nicely did. Kash is a senior at Beverly Hills High School. He has taken several AP classes this year. He has applied to several four-year university to study Information Systems. He is a dedicated young man with big dreams. He has an active web site www.KashLife.com with many followers and subscribers.

Khosrow Sobhe
Certified Rug Specialist (CRS)
www.rugidea.com
310-770-9085

Ardabil and Coronation carpets in Los Angeles

It was a beautiful sunny day today in Los Angeles. In the morning, I went to a rug program offered by the Textile Museum Associates of Southern California, TMASC. Dennis Marquand talked about Kyrgyz rugs. I liked the lecture and the show and tell part. After that, I rushed to Tribal Arts Show in Santa Monica City. It was an interesting show. I went to work at 1:00 pm and stayed there until 4:00 pm. After work, I went to Los Angeles County Museum of Art, LACMA to see the Ardabil and Coronation carpets. WOW. Two beautiful and magnificent rugs were on display. There were not that many visitors in the hall. I had expected to see more visitors. Maybe since it was Saturday afternoon people were busy with work or shopping. Or maybe people do not care!!

After the LACMA visit I went to Radio Iran, KIRN 670 AM for a talk show to have a program on the Ardabil & Coronation carpets. The program was from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. I am now at home writing this post.

Khosrow Sobhe
Certified Rug Specialist (CRS)
www.rugidea.com
310-770-9085

Los Angeles and the Ardabil Carpet

My new website www.ArdabilCarpet.com is now up and running. The famous Ardabil and Coronation carpets will be on display in Los Angeles County Museum of Art this coming Sat. Nov. 14, 2009.

You may visit this new website for more details on the rugs and on many events which will take place.

Khosrow Sobhe
Certified Rug Specialist (CRS)
www.rugidea.com
310-770-9085

Field Trip From Westland School in Los Angeles to Our Rug Gallery

Yesterday was a beautiful and wonderful day. We had a field trip and visit to our rug gallery by 23 bright, polite and smart students from Westland School which is located on Mulholland Drive in Los Angeles. Two teachers and six parents also accompanied these students. We showed them two short videos on how Persian rugs and kilims are made followed by a powerpoint containing many pictures from the Pazyryk carpet, the oldest rug ever, the biggest rug in the world, and rug production process. We started at 10:00 am and finished by 12:00 pm.

Students asked many questions such as the following:

- Wool of how many sheep do you use to make a rug?
- How much do you pay to your weavers to make a rug?
- How much water do you use to wash a rug and where does this water come from?
- Who are the designers of Persian rugs?
- Do you use the wool of live sheep or you can use the wool of dead sheep?

I enjoyed having them in our store. I had provided a package for each student containing two small books (The Mystic of Oriental Rugs, and Carpet Cleaning Tips for Dummies), and few other handouts and rug literature.

Khosrow Sobhe
Certified Rug Specialist (CRS)
www.rugidea.com
310-770-9085

Persian Varamin Rugs

Some times our customers asked for asymmetrical designs and a little out of balance designed rugs. We created such design and produced several pieces of these rugs in Varamin, a city with fine rug weaving tradition in south east Tehran.

Traditionally, there was a contrast between the color of border and the background in Persian carpets. For example if the color of background was red, the color of border was dark blue or visa versa. Recently, there has been a shift in demand in this regard. Therefore we produced some rugs in Varamin with Ivory background and borders. Below, you can see a picture of a rug with this type of color palette and out of balance design.

The size of this rug is 4' x 6'. The wool is hand spun and the dye is natural. The retail price of this rug is $1,950.

Khosrow Sobhe
Certified Rug Specialist (CRS)
www.rugidea.com
310-770-9085