Majid Arabshahi started his business out of his car trunk, as a way of making a little extra money during college.
Today, it takes up a much larger space — palatial, actually, with marble floors, a majestic staircase and soaring 24-foot ceilings. All the better to house and display the 2,000 rugs he sells.
And these days the selling is much easier. Arabshahi began his part-time business back in the early 1980s after moving here from Iran. He was studying civil engineering, but quickly realized that the rug business was more his thing. But for years he was battling the U.S. trade embargo on Iran, so he would source his rugs from Asia and dealers in Europe and the United States.
Today, the owner of Rug Gallery on East Broadway deals with suppliers all over the world: Iran, China, India, Turkey, Pakistan and Egypt, to name a few of the countries he visits.
At Rug Gallery, piled high, hanging on walls, and laid out on the spotless Italian marble, you'll find traditional, contemporary and antique, wool and silk, and price tags from a couple of hundred dollars to half the value of your home.
The naming of the store is no mistake, because this is a gallery of sorts, and the rugs could be considered works of art: traditional and abstract, muted and primary-colored, from sweeping brushtrokes to delicate designs and pictorial "stories" akin to medieval tapestries.
And, like paintings, they change with the eye, the light, the mood. Stand facing toward the nap, or the direction of the thread, and the colors appear lighter. Stand against the nap and they'll look darker, almost a different rug entirely.
Purples, salmon pinks and beiges and browns are all "in" colors this year for rugs, says Arabshahi, and here in Tucson that's perfect for the saltillo tiles and earthy colors we favor in our homes.
Salesperson Olga Noudelman says she often finds herself catering to snowbirds who want a different, more vibrant, feel for their Southwest home as compared to what they have perhaps back East.
Customers often feel daunted by the size of the place, says Arabshahi, and it figures: Rug stores are not as amenable to browsing as a regular clothes or gift shop.
But sales are good, he says, despite the troubles in Iraq and all its ramifications on Middle Eastern-owned businesses.
"I don't listen to negativity too much, I just concentrate on my business. 2005 was our second-best year ever. It's been better and better every year," he says.
Rug-buying tips:
● Always measure the area you're covering first, and decide what shape you'd like. Rug Gallery and most other similar stores can release rugs for you to sample free of charge, or a salesperson can bring a selection to your home.
● Bring color swatches or fabrics from drapes, pillows, bedding or sofas.
● Rugs can last a lifetime; sofas and pillows don't. So if you're looking for a piece that will become a family heirloom, pick your rug first and your furniture and accessories afterward.
● Rug Gallery offers information on professional rug cleaning. And if you can't bear anyone walking on your rug, use it as a piece of art — hang it on your wall.