I Spy Beautiful Rugs In Portland
I just got back from a trip to Portland, OR. (I will tell you more about my trip in my next post). My wonderful sister-friend Kendra took me to the Pearl District for some lunch and from the corner of my eye I noticed a rug store in a wonderful warehouse setting. The name is Kush Carpets, and it is a local Portland store offering handmade rugs from all over the world, with quality and eco and social environment in mind. I just had to pay a visit.
I had a little chat with one of the store owners, Rebecca, and I must say that I was quite impressed. Rebecca, together with her business partner Brian have been in business for a decade and many interior designers team up with them – and rightfully so. They offer a selection of stunning, handmade rugs of very nice quality. (The pictures on their website do not even do the store justice). Trust me when I say that there are literally hundreds of stunning art piece you just want to take home.
I really took a liking to these felt rugs made in Kyrgyzstan. They are known as “shyrdaks” and use shapes from the natural and spiritual worlds. The designs represent harmony and coexistence. I wouldn’t mind one of these.
Hard to not like this Suzani patterned rug. For $6000 it wasn’t exactly a steal but it is so beautiful.
The owners scout the world to find hand-spun wool and resilient dyes in modern area rugs and traditional oriental carpets to add to their unique collection of hand-knotted carpets. Kush also offers custom designs.
I ran my hands through a very similar rug (below), and what a feeling. It felt so incredibly soft — like butter. Amazing workmanship and material. Imagine landing your feet on a piece like that when you wake up in the morning.
Another lovely carpet is the Antique Agra. It is hand-knotted in China with hand spun wool. The field and the patterns are hand-trimmed, giving the rug real depth and texture ( looks even better in real life). .
Rebecca was one of the designers behind this contemporary rug. The design is based on a photo of a rusted fence dripping down on a concrete wall. The rug is hand-knotted with Himalayan wool in Nepal.
Once you get a chance to feel real quality carpets, it is hard to want anything else.
I am so going back to this store on my next visit. And if you ever visit Portland, I recommend you do the same. You will not be disappointed.
Thank you for all your sweet comments & e-mails regarding our Swedish midsummer tradition. It warms my heart to hear that so many of you are interested in learning more about my culture. I am a very proud Swede!
Warm hugs to you all!
All images via Kush Carpet.
22 Comments »
RSS feed for comments on this post. TrackBack URL
Hey there girlfriend and welcome back! xx
I hope the trip was nice and that you had fun with Kendra. I look forward to hearing more about all the fun you guys had.
What a fantastic shop. So many treasures.
Rugs is an area I need to read up on – so important (can make or break a room!) yet so complex.
I agree that authentic rugs make a big difference – I grew up in a home full of fantastic originals and have seen these grow more beautiful with each year added. My parents used to have them cleaned through ‘ash brushing’. Apparently the authentic way of cleaning a valuable rug. Just clean ash worked through the tuft/weft – nothing more nothing less and certainly no chemicals!
Sometimes the precious creations also had the pleasure of resting on top of a layer of snow on a really clear and crisp day – this kills any dust mites and also restores the freshness of the rug.
Old ‘haus frau’ tricks and wisdom..!
OK my dear. I will touch base via email in a few days. Am at the tail end of the Swedish packing. Then a couple of days break before I do some of the UK packing. Then I am taking the whole of our last week here off. So much fun to have before we go and the kids are on school holidays as of Friday this week. YAY!
KRAM KRAM
Xx C
Charlotta recently posted..Give Away winner.. and Swedish real estate with a twist..
[Reply]
Oh, my….now I MUST visit Portland, too!! The rugs you showcased are just treasures! franki
[Reply]
Love Portland and those rugs are pretty great. Also can’t remember if I congratulated you on your spread in Rue. Your home is beautiful…..so much talent and a great eye for styling! Hope your summer is going well.
Sherry Hart recently posted..A little giveaway….just for fun!
[Reply]
Mon, I am just thrilled to see these fabulous rugs, works of art indeed. That Suzani is a dream! Thank you for sharing!
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
I have a New, very fashionable Giveaway on my site! Come and enter!
Karena recently posted..Fashionable Giveaway Sponsored by the Shabby Apple
[Reply]
I love shipping in the Pearl District and just LOVE Portland! As for a fabulous rug, I wish I had the extra cash to buy a really good one! But with a dog who loves to lay on area rugs instead of his bed, I end up having to buy el cheap rugs.
barbara@hodge:podge recently posted..Re-painting Again
[Reply]
Looks like they have a collection of unique rugs. So beautiful. The Suzani is so eye catching!
under spanish moss recently posted..Inspiring Women in Design…. Christina Fluegge from Greige
[Reply]
These are lovely. Great find.
gillian recently posted..New at Dewdrop, our handmade collection of travel bags and totes, all made from repurposed leather.
[Reply]
These are so pretty! My fav is the Gingko rug for sure…I have two of these trees in my yard and find the leaves so beautiful! Hope you’re doing well lady…looks like you’ve been having a lot of fun!
Julie recently posted..Do you??
[Reply]
the rugs are truly art pieces, and i think if if i owned one i would be tempted to shoo people off them! this reminds me of another swedish kinda thing my parents and i have: no shoes in the house. i have been surprised how many people don’t get this and take offense. i once displayed a little sign in my entry that said something to the effect: please remove shoes. i like you. i just don’t like the staph germs on the bottom of your shoes (now that’s ROMANTIC!)
michele
michele@hellolovelyinc recently posted..i do love a little romance
[Reply]
These rugs are lovely and I’m imagining running my hands on them… butterrr!
Funny I’ve been talking about rugs too today!
Hugs hugs,
Meera xx
Meera @ firstsense recently posted..Rugs in kitchens – pretty vs practical
[Reply]
Fabulous rugs – so glad you had a great time in Portland. Let me know how it goes with the muffins
Delishhh recently posted..Blueberry Muffins
[Reply]
Splendid Willow Reply:
June 28th, 2011 at 10:18 am
Ewa, the muffins are in the oven! I used sour creme but I wonder If I should have used ricotta instead… Elsa & William are my perfect helpers!
[Reply]
Monika with her great eye! Your blog is the best source for all things unique and classy.
JC
[Reply]
I can’t believe this — I was just looking at this shop the other day when we parked almost right in front of it when we went to the Gerding Theater at the Armory to see ” A Night with Janis Joplin” Not in the market for area rugs at the moment, but one never knows.
Welcome back from you wonderful trip.
joanny
joanny recently posted..Summertime – Every flower has a spirit.
[Reply]
Ok…this is SO beautiful!
vita_margarita recently posted..Hr Zelmerlöw gör "Allsång på Skansen" rolig i igen
[Reply]
What beautiful rugs!! Thanks for sharing the source!
[Reply]
they are fabulous, Mon! I’ve never seen similar to these rugs in Germany. b e a u t i f u l! BIG hugs to you
Design Elements recently posted..The ISEAMI House by Robles Architects
[Reply]
I always try to pop
over to “The Pearl”
when I’m visiting my
folks in the summer.
Always something new
to see! This little
gem is full of such
very different rugs
and each is special
in it’s own way. I
can see why you came
away inspired by it!
xx Suzanne
PS: Loved your sweet
home in Rue.
Privet and Holly recently posted..Dear GiGi
[Reply]
I think the moroccan one is my very favorite. I bet it does feel wonderful. Why can’t I have great rugs shops like this near me?
love, donna
a perfect gray recently posted..going somewhere…?
[Reply]
Hello Monika,
I just discovered you through Rue and I’m liking what I see!
We are getting ready to move to the Seattle area from Salt Lake City.
You mentioned in your Rue interview that you found a very kid-friendly neighborhood in Seattle.
My husband works in Issaquah and we are trying to narrow down our home search to a great, kid-friendly (and stylish for my sake) neighborhood. May I ask the where-abouts of your neighborhood or others like yours?
Thanks… I’m a new fan to your blog,
Meredith L.
[Reply]
Looks like a fabulous source for beautiful and unusual rugs!!
[Reply]
that gingko rug is gorgeous! xx
[Reply]