LOOKING TO GO ON A MAGIC CARPET RIDE where a kaleidoscope of colors and textures takes you out of your modern life and delivers you into an ancient world? Take a trip to Farzin Rugs in the heart of the Dallas Design District and spend a few minutes with owner Farzin Ghalibaf, whose passion for antique rugs will inspire your time travel to the period when the tapestries were originally crafted.
For more than 25 years, Ghalibaf (whose family name translates to rug maker) has been a fixture in the Dallas design scene. His rug roots roll back four generations to when his family operated a rug factory his great-great-grandfather began in Persia. Today, his 6,000-square-foot showroom is brimming with over 5,000 rugs (some centuries old) from faraway places, including Persia, Turkey, India, Morocco, China, Russia, Spain, Samarkand and Khotan.
Sounds overwhelming? Not when your tour guide possesses a passion for and knowledge of places like Serapi, Hariz, Tabriz, Oushak and other major rug-making regions of the world. Rather than going through thousands of rugs and tapestries, clients rely on Ghalibaf’s superpowers, which include a trained eye, intuition and an understanding of each client’s specific preferences.
“You can add color and fun by rolling out an antique rug,” says Ghalibaf, who adds that 80 percent of his inventory is antique rugs. He wants to set the record straight for people who are not familiar with antique rugs or the experience of shopping in his unique rug emporium. “Antique rugs are not overpriced or more expensive than contemporary carpets. We sell rugs for the right piece. They are quality pieces and in good condition,” he says. Over the last few months, he has noticed that people are looking to circle back to antique rugs and bring a traditional vibe to their homes.
Ghalibaf’s background in design coupled with his passion for antique rugs enables the entrepreneur to curate a wide selection of hand-picked rugs from around the world and create a unique shopping experience. “I encourage people to come to the showroom as the virtual experience does not do justice for showcasing the rugs,” says Ghalibaf. He likens them to masterpieces of art and relishes the history and beauty of ancient rugs.
“It’s like placing a prized piece of art on the floor,” remarks Ghalibaf, who is trusted by Dallas architects and designers to find the perfect carpet for their clients. “I curate a few options that I think will work for the client. It needs to fit in their house.”
While 90 percent of his clients are designers and architects, he welcomes everyone to visit the showroom. “Whoever comes into Farzin Rugs will be treated well,” he says, noting the unique showroom experience and indicating how the stacked rugs can be rolled out in the spacious showroom. “It’s like the old way of luxury shopping.”
Farzin Rugs has been a trusted source for rug repair, restoration and cleaning for more than a decade and a half. The staff has worked with a variety of rugs from around the world and is one of the more experienced repair teams in the area. “Of course, with centuries of wear and tear, antique rugs can need some restoration. We specialize in antique rugs, tapestries and rare collectible pieces,” Ghalibaf notes. He looks forward to welcoming you to his stunning showroom and taking you on a magic carpet ride to help you outfit your home with elegant interiors from the ground up.
Stacey Marcus is a Boston-based freelance lifestyle, luxury and travel writer. Her works have appeared in Art New England, Boston, Boston Common Magazine, Coastal Design Magazine, Charleston Style & Design, Modern Luxury Chicago, Ocean Home Magazine, Playboy. com, RD.com and many others. A lover of big words and little white dogs, Stacey’s biggest joys are found in life’s simple moments.
