THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, September 25, 1994 TAG: 9409210057
SECTION: HOME PAGE: G1 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: AROUND THE HOUSE
SOURCE: BY MARY FLACHSENHAAR, SPECIAL TO HOME & GARDEN
LENGTH: Short : 46 lines
A Williamsburg store is rolling out the red carpet for its collection of rugs from Tibet.
While Carolina Carpets has stocked Tibetan rugs on a limited basis for about a year, manager Brett Hemphill will introduce a new, expanded collection this week with a visit from native Tibetan Kesang Tashi.
A former banker with an MBA from Dartmouth College, Tashi has turned one of Tibet's oldest cottage industries, rug-weaving, into an international business. Using dies made in Switzerland, the 3,000 people he employs in Tibet weave Himalayan sheep wool into colorful rugs based on classic Tibetan designs. The rugs are then shipped back to Switzerland for a final wash before distribution worldwide.
Tashi will tell more about the ancient art of his homeland at a reception open to the public at the store Thursday at 7 p.m. He will also be at the store from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
The softness of Tibetan rugs makes them ``like sweaters for the floor,'' according to store manager Hemphill. The heavy coat of the Himalayan sheep yields strands of wool that are thicker than those used in traditional Indian rugs. With its 3/4-inch pile, the Tibetan rug falls midway between the flatter Indian and the deeper Chinese rug. Lots of reds, greens and yellows are used in three design categories - floral, animal and geometric.
``Tibetan rugs are very versatile,'' Hemphill saud. ``They fit easily into any theme - traditional, country, contemporary.''
The rugs are for sale at a discount while the new collection is being promoted. A 6-by-9 rug that usually retails for $3,240 will sell for $2,175 through Oct. 2.
Carolina Carpets is at 5421 Richmond Road, Williamsburg. For information call 1-565-3000 or 800-582-8916. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
GANGCHEN CARPETS BY INNER ASIA
Tibetan rugs blend easily with numerous styles, including
traditional, country and modern.
by CNB