at home
Khazai RUGS
BY DAWN ANDERSON PHOTOS BY DICK ARNSPIGER
A
beautiful rug is the centerpiece and soul of a room, according to David and Sofia Khazai of Khazai Rugs. Rug making is “a dying art, but demand is increasing,” with over 300 million Chinese and 350 million people in India being added to the middle class. Khazai sees quality rugs as an investment “better than gold.” as these are “future Picassos and Van Goghs.” The work is “extremely labor-intensive.” David explains that the spinning, dyeing, design, and weaving takes four people 2½ years to make a $3000 rug. If made in the US with the same materials and processes, that same rug would cost $800,000 if they could even find the people to do the work. The integrity of traditional designs remains even as the rugs are updated with today’s home furnishing colors. Sofia Khazai has a medical background as a nurse-midwife and joined the rug business in 2005. Her commitment to service and especially to women continues in her principal role running the business and traveling as a buyer to Turkey and Iran. 90% of the weavers are female, says Sofia. “Education and work give these women power. When they earn money, they finally have a say and can protect their children and offer them an education. Each rug sale provides food and care for the family, which is a big help.”
48 louisville homes & gardens | April 2021
