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North State Journal for Wednesday, February 22, 2017
North State Journal for Wednesday, February 22, 2017
flawless The reward of surviving high school should be no more zits, but since that is not the case here is the scoop on toning down the appearance of a blemish with some easy layers. For a blemish that’s red use a yellow color corrector which will tone down the blemish’s redness. To finish it off, top it with an oil free powder to set the corrector.
the frame
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the designer
Carole Hollowell, Raleigh By Emory Rakestraw | For the North State Journal
the proprietor
Carole Hollowell has made a name for herself in the interior design world. For 2017, themes include an emergence of old and new with a juxtaposition of high drama and classic elegance.
Zaki Uddin Khalifa has the largest collection of handmade Oriental rugs in the United States, but his true showcase is what he humbly gives back to the High Point community. Zaki Uddin Khalifa founded Zaki Oriental Rugs, which has operated about of High Point since 1977, specializes in importing authentic hand-knotted Oriental and Persian rugs.
New Elements Gallery opens new location
arole Hollowell has made a name for herself in the interior design world. Born in Edenton, C she said growing up in a beautiful town full of his-
New Elements Gallery in Wilmington is opening a new location only a couple of minutes away from their current space. They are returning the business to the block where they first opened their doors over 30 years ago on Front Street. Owner Miriam Oehrlein says, “We are looking forward to increased foot traffic and hopefully this move will allow us to introduce more people to our wonderful roster of North Carolina artists!” In conjunction with downtown Wilmington’s Fourth Friday Gallery Nights, the gallery will host their first exhibition at their new location on Friday, Feb. 24, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. This exhibition, “Artful Home,” is an interior design showcase featuring vignettes styled by several of Wilmington’s most popular interior designers.
photo courtesy of zaki oriental rugs
By Emory Rakestraw For the North State Journal n 100,000 square feet of showroom space, Zaki Uddin Khalifa Iknows every single one of the 12,000
rugs because he picked each one out himself. Traveling five months per year, Zaki ventures to Iran, Turkey and his native land of Pakistan in search of the finest handcrafted Oriental rugs. “You’d be hard-pressed to find another rug in the world,” Zaki said. The unique, one-of-a-kind selection has established his business as the largest selection in the United States. If it was up to his grandfather, who Zaki was raised by, he would have followed in his footsteps as a lawyer or cabinet member in Pakistan. His interest in rug making began at the age of six and today has landed him the reputation as “The King of Oriental Rug Dealers.” Zaki lays out two rugs, both priced at around $20, noting each has 20 knots per square inch. In comparison, a $14,000, 16-by-19 inch rug contains 4,900 knots per square inch. “Of course we have several hundred quality levels that are all on the floor,” he says. The more intricate the design, the more knots per square inch. Meticulous attention to detail resonates with quality. For the $14,000 rug barely the size of a doormat, from start to finish it took two and a half years to complete. “The designer has not just drawn the
design on one sheet of paper, the designer has explained all the thousands of rows of knots that are to be tied here using maybe 70, 80, 90, 100 sheets of paper,” said Zaki, describing the process. “There are thousands of rows of knots here. Each row of knots detailed here, it’s a shorthand of rug language, as it’s called, and the weaver is trained to decipher that.” Zaki has learned to decipher the language, his collection is unmatched as well as his reputation. In 33 years, there’s never been a complaint filed through Better Business Bureau. An almost impossible feat, but when meeting Zaki it is easy to see why. His clients come from all over the world. A large showroom in the back is where he houses the most prized possessions. Sprawling, handmade silk rugs look more like art than anything you’d consider laying on a floor. One changes colors as you walk around it, but it is only one of the mesmerizing luxurious treasures in Zaki’s showroom. Zaki’s true contributions are not his collection of unique rugs, but what he is has given to the community. He arrived to the United States by plane on July 4, 1976, wanting to settle somewhere in the Western world. Growing up in Lahore, the second largest city in Pakistan, he believed he’d work in New York but found himself in High Point after his former professor and close friend, Dr. Wheeless, invited him to come stay with
his family. Now 72, Zaki has donated three buildings to the community; the $1.5 million High Point Chamber of Commerce, the High Point Community Against Violence and the Foster Children of North Carolina agency. Zaki is a devout Muslim, and when he arrived in High Point, there was only one other Muslim family. Today, there are 700. Zaki has become the go-to person for community discussion on the ever-changing political and public climate on views towards immigrants, especially after the heated travel ban imposed by President Donald Trump. “The rhetoric is so negative lately, one needs to speak out, it’s the first time I feel that way,” he says. “We should get to know people, not shun them for who they are.” Zaki has been recognized as one of the 50 Most Outstanding Asian Americans in Business, received the Minority Business Advocate of the Year Award from the High Point Chamber of Commerce, and the BB&T Distinguished Citizen of the Year Award. When walking into the almost overwhelming showroom, it is amazing to think about how Zaki started in 1977 with 3,000 square feet and has grown the business into what it is today. While the rugs are the showcase and spotlight, the true heart of Zaki’s story is the philanthropy and contribution to the community from a man who at the end of a day is an immigrant himself.
tory, architecture, and antiques was an early start to establishing her keen eye that today dictates both her business and style. Hollowell received her bachelor’s degree in design in 1992 and immediately started working for a major residential furniture manufacturer. She gained experience traveling around the U.S., Mexico, and Canada designing stores and showrooms. In 1999, she decided to turn her craft into entrepreneurship with Carole Hollowell Interiors, originally working in high-end residential and commercial across North Carolina. Her most recent major projects have been sorority houses. She just completed the Kappa Kappa Gamma house at NC State University and is currently designing a sorority house at the University of Kentucky. While Hollowell designs around her clients, of her personal style she says, “I like very clean, a mix of traditional and updated things. I like to mix antiques, acrylics, and modern art. Updated traditional with a mix of old and new.” When it comes to selecting pieces, she pays respects to her home state, noting that furniture essentially originated in Western North Carolina. “My goal is to do as many items made in America as possible, especially the ones made in North Carolina and the western part of the state.” Hollowell works with A. Hoke Ltd design center in Raleigh, Karen Saks in Raleigh, and Vanguard Furniture which she described as one of her favorite sources for upholstery. When it comes to furniture from High Point Market, Hollowell said, “I’m a market junkie, we’re so fortunate to be so close.” At this past market she noticed trends were extremely different and almost hard to pinpoint. There’s a prominent juxtaposition with romantic dark tones paired with clean, bright whites. Geometrics also contrast with a “high drama” aesthetic. For spring and 2017, she said shades of gray are still popular but reinvented with pops of color. Pantone’s 2017 Color of the Year is Greenery, which adds an earthy, centered touch for both wall color and accent pieces. For other aspects, Hollowell noted the appearance of contemporary art, finishes in acrylic, and brushed gold. When it comes to wallpapers she said, “Beautiful chinoiserie and bold contemporary. Grasscloths are updated with a metallic background.” Kitchen cabinets are also getting a facelift from classic white to taupes, mushrooms, and grays. Cabinets in other areas of the home are making a bold statement with bright pops of turquoise, orange, red, and black. For lighting, contemporary fixtures have emerged in traditional rooms while beautiful woodwork on ceilings and walls is making a comeback.
photos courtesy of carole hollowell
“I like very clean, a mix of traditional and updated things. I like to mix antiques, acrylics, and modern art. Updated traditional with a mix of old and new.” Carole Hollowell, interior designer
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