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or many people, a Persian rug is a very special addition to their home. It epitomizes tradition, quality, and beauty. The Princeton Rug Gallery, which opened at 830 State Road last February, offers an outstanding selection of Persian rugs in many sizes, styles, color blends, and patterns.
IT’S NEW To Us
Owned by Jalil Fatollahi and Maryam Mohammadi, it features rugs from Iran, Pakistan, Turkey, India, Egypt, Nepal, China, Russia, and Afghanistan. All the rugs are handmade and hand-knotted, and made of wool, silk, or a blend of wool and silk. The term in general usage for these hand-woven rugs is ”Oriental”. Mr. Fatollahi and Ms. Mohammadi, who are married, are both originally from Iran, and have a long history in the rug business. New Opportunities “My family was in the fabr ic business for 10 0 years, and I grew up in it and learned about it from the time I was 12,” says Mr. Fatollahi. “Eventually, my uncle changed the focus to rugs, and I always wanted to be in the business.” He was also always interested in new opportunities, and after many years in the family business, he and his wife and daughter moved to Germany in 1979, where he opened his own firm. Ms. Mohammadi attended a university there, studying interior and fashion design. Fluent in several languages, including Farsi, Arabic, German, and English, Ms. Mohammadi and Mr. Fatollahi were readily able to adapt to new places and new cultures. They moved again in 1991, this time to Canada, where Mr. Fatollahi worked for one of the largest carpet companies in the country. He later opened his own store in Toronto, focusing on handmade Oriental carpets. Then, in 1995, he took advantage of an opportunity to come to the U.S. “A friend had a very successful carpet business in Morristown, and he asked me to join him,” recalls Mr. Fatollahi. “It was a $28 million business.” After several years of collaboration with the Morristown firm, Mr. Fatollahi decided to open his own business in Princeton. “I had always liked Princeton
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and the area, and first, I started working as a freelancer. Having my own business was always important to me, and it’s always been a matter of emphasizing my standards and offering quality to clients. “Early in my career, my uncle told me if I wanted to have a business, there are three things I must remember. One, honesty. Two, the best service, and three, establishing good credit with people. It’s very important to have a good reputation in business dealings.” Vintage and New Rugs Mr. Fatollahi. and Ms. Mohammadi believed Princeton would be an excellent match for their r ugs, and they opened the store last February. “This is just the right location for us. We have been very encouraged with the response. Lots of customers and excellent word-ofmouth, with people telling their friends. Also, we have wonderful neighbors here, who have been so welcoming. Lucy’s Ravioli, the Tile Gallery, Dan Smit’s hair salon, among them. They’re all wonderful businesses. We feel it’s like a community feeling. And, also, it is very easy parking here.” Princeton Rug Gallery offers an outstanding selection of vintage and new Oriental rugs, as well as restoration, repair, hand-washing, and appraisals. In addition, complimentary pick-up and delivery are available, and the firm also accepts rugs on consignment. All sizes of rugs, from small two by three feet to more than 30 feet are offered, with several prominently displayed on the wall. All the rugs, including old and new, are popular with customers, reports Ms. Mohammadi. “People like a blend of colors, and they appreciate the unique tradition these rugs represent.” Clients are from all over the area, including Princeton, L aw rencev ille, and Hopewell, as well as farther afield. “These rugs can provide so much joy,” says Anita Pacheco from Morris County. “They are also incredibly durable. I’ve had mine for 20 years. Maryam told me, when decorating, start with the rug, and then build around it. “A lso, the qualit y and tradition are so important. When you turn the rugs over and see each one individually knotted, you can imagine the work that goes into it.” Ms Mohammadi especially admires the beauty of the rugs. “All are handmade, none are machine-made,” she points out. “My family were artists — painters, musicians, and I went into design. I have worked as a design consultant in Morristown and Princeton, and I enjoy sharing the beauty of these rugs with everyone. Good Quality “I want to emphasize that our rugs are unique. The antique rugs, even those 100 years old, are of such good quality, they actually blossom with age! Another thing, the rugs are easy to maintain. When you vacuum, just go with the nap. And cleaning depends on the use the rug gets. We will hand-wash them when
it is time, and we will pick up and deliver.” Hu ndre ds of r ugs are on display in the spacious and bright showroom, with many more available in the Secaucus warehouse. Prices depend on the size and quality, and Mr. Fatollahi and Ms. Mohammadi point out that they always try to work within the client’s budget. “I am proud to continue our family tradition,” says Mr. Fatollahi. “We want everyone to come and see our store and our wonderful rugs. People in Princeton appreciate these carpets and are knowledgeable. Some of the clients even know more than we do!” On the other hand, adds Ms. Mohammadi, “Some-
times, people are new to Persian rugs, and come in to learn about them. It is our pleasure to introduce new customers to the history and beauty of these rugs. We are enjoying meeting the people who come in — both regulars and new customers. We want them all to feel comfortable and welcome in our store. “We want them to see what wonderful rugs are here! They know they can count on our service and the quality we offer. And every day, we try to make ourselves better. We want everyone to know we are here to stay, and we look forward to being a part of the Princeton community.” The Princeton Rug Gallery is open Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 10 to 4. (609) 3560043. —Jean Stratton
HIGH QUALITY: “We spend many hours in the store, and we enjoy introducing people to our high quality rugs. Customers know they can count on our service, quality product, and our knowledge.” Jalil Fatollahi and Maryam Mohammadi, owners of The Princeton Rug Gallery, are shown by a sampling of their Persian rugs, which can be customized according to size, color, and pattern.
UPCOMING EVENTS THURSDAY NOVEMBER 17 4:30 P.M. DODDS AUDITORIUM ROBERTSON HALL
Up to the Minute Panel: Election 2016 Debrief: What Happened?! What’s Next? Samuel L. Popkin Professor, Emeritus, University of California San Diego; Author of “The Candidate: What it Takes to Win (and Hold) the White House” (2012) and “The Republican Crackup and the Future of Presidential Politics” (Forthcoming, 2017) Nolan McCarty Susan Dod Brown Professor of Politics and Public Affairs, Chair, Department of Politics, Princeton University Deborah Amos International Correspondent, NPR Ali Valenzuela Assistant Professor of Politics, Princeton University Moderator: Brandice Canes-Wrone Director, Center for the Study of Democratic Politics, Donald E. Stokes Professor of Public and International Affairs and Vice Dean, Woodrow Wilson School, Princeton University Co-sponsored by the Woodrow Wilson School and the Center for the Study of Democratic Politics
MONDAY NOVEMBER 21 4:30 P.M. DODDS AUDITORIUM ROBERTSON HALL
Up to the Minute Panel: Where Do We Go from Here? Policy Priorities for the New Administration Helen V. Milner Director, Niehaus Center for Globalization and Governance; B.C. Forbes Professor of Public Affairs, Professor of Politics and International Affairs, Princeton University Brandice Canes-Wrone Director, Center for the Study of Democratic Politics; Donald E. Stokes Professor in Public and International Affairs, Professor of Politics and Public Affairs and Vice Dean, Woodrow Wilson School, Princeton University Ilyana Kuziemko Co-Director, Center for Health and Wellbeing; Professor of Economics, Princeton University Moderator: Nolan McCarty Susan Dod Brown Professor of Politics and Public Affairs, Chair, Department of Politics, Princeton University Co-sponsored by the Woodrow Wilson School and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
MONDAY NOVEMBER 28 7-9:30 P.M. DODDS AUDITORIUM ROBERTSON HALL
All the Difference: Screening and Panel with the Filmmakers Follow two young African American men from Chicago’s South Side, as they aim to become first-generation college graduates. Featuring: Wes Moore Executive Producer Tod Lending Producer, Director and Cinematographer Shani Moore Weatherby ’02 Legal Affairs Counsel at NBCUniversal Eddie Glaude, Jr. Chair, Department of African American Studies, William S. Tod Professor of Religion and African American Studies, Princeton University
WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 30 4:30 P.M. DODDS AUDITORIUM ROBERTSON HALL
A Republican Reflects: Ana Navarro CNN Political Commentator and Republican Strategist A lifelong Republican, Navarro was a prominent voice in this year’s presidential campaign, creating a stir as she took a strong stand against Republican nominee Donald Trump. She is visiting the Woodrow Wilson School as part of its Christian A. Johnson Endeavor Foundation Leadership Through Mentorship Program.
19 • TOWN TOPICS, PRINCETON, N.J., WEDNESDAY, NOvEmbER 9, 2016
Excellent Array of Quality Persian Carpets Is Now Available at Princeton Rug Gallery