GET READY FOR THE FALL WITH Ardesh : VINTAGE AND ANTIQUE RUGS FROM EVERY CORNER OF THE WORLD
09/13/2022 04:13PM ● By MERYL SIEGMANOwner and founder Danial Ardesh grew up in Persia, where he became fascinated with old landmarks and ancient objects. Having lived in Vermont for a quarter of a century, his taste has been influenced by his Asian background and the elegance of the Old World, as well as by a modern lifestyle and Vermont country living. As a result, his collection is unique and broad-ranging; evidence of his knack for sourcing special pieces from all over the world.
A FOCUS ON RUGS
“Rugs are something I personally love,” Danial tells us. “I believe they are the soul of the store’s collection, but also the soul of the home.” Originally acquired as a complement to other pieces in the store, the rugs became an instant favorite among many of his customers. “Even though they make up only about 1⁄8th of our merchandise, they are one of the most popular items,” he continues. In fact, some of his customers have purchased as many as 15 to 20 from him for their homes.
There is no more appealing time to purchase a rug than the fall, when the days are shorter, the nights are colder, and every Vermonter starts thinking about staying cozy and warm.
RUGS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD
You will find rugs and runners from every corner of the earth at Ardesh – they can be from France, Portugal, Armenia, Afghanistan, India or Persia. Danial has a preference for the older pieces, particularly those made in the 1920s through 1960s, explaining, “The newer rugs have brighter, fresher colors. But the organic dyes that were used tend to fade over time, so the antique and vintage rugs have softer colors and more character.” He says that some of his clients who purchased recently- made rugs often trade them in for older ones because as their taste matures with time, they are drawn to a more authentic look.
You can find this eclectic collection of hand made rugs at Ardesh.com
HAND-MADE AT AN AFFORDABLE
PRICE
Each rug is created by hand. Danial goes on the say that many customers do not
understand how many hours of skilled labor
go into creating a single rug. “They can take
months and months to make,” he tells us. “A
single rug made here in the U.S. would cost
thousands of dollars for that much labor.
We are very fortunate to have access to these
affordable objects.”
How does Ardesh keep its prices so reasonable? It’s easy. “Many rug dealers have a huge markup,” he explains. “They look for ones in perfect condition, which are hard to find, or spend money to have them repaired.” At Ardesh Findings & Furnishings, the gently-used rugs are sold “as is,” with their slight imperfections only adding to their character.
A VENDOR WHO KNOWS HIS RUGS
Based on his upbringing and years of experience, Danial instantly identifies special pieces, but he also knows what he is looking for. For instance, he instantly recognizes the materials they are made from, and can estimate their age based on the colors used. Their patterns also tell him a lot. His vast expertise also applies to the other items in his shop as well.
According to Danial, each rug is an individually crafted and unique work of art that can be walked on. One of the best things about them, he claims, is that they are all made from organic dyes and materials without the use of chemicals. “People often don’t realize they also act as air purifiers. You do have to wash them once in a while, but they’re great at capturing dust. There is nothing like a rug to make a house a home.”
PHOTOS COURTESY OF ARDESH
