I was about seven years old when my family moved from southern Iran to the city of Isfahan in central Iran. During the summertime, when school was out, we would travel to a village west of Isfahan to enjoy the beautiful climate and scenery. One day, while visiting our next-door neighbor, I encountered several ladies singing songs and weaving rugs. I was captivated by this, so I spent the entire day with them and continued to visit almost every day until we returned to Isfahan for the school year.

During my childhood, after school, I often spent time in Isfahan’s rug trade center, where I learned more about rugs. As I became more familiar with Persian rugs—especially the Isfahan rugs—I realized how sophisticated the art of rug weaving is. High-end Persian rugs, such as Isfahan rugs, Qum silk rugs, and many Tabriz rugs, are crafted by highly skilled and renowned master weavers.

The process of rug weaving begins with an artist creating a design, followed by the dyeing of wool. Choosing the right wool and dyeing it is an art that requires years of experience, and finally comes the arduous work of weaving the rug—a fascinating world in itself.

I fell in love with these underappreciated works of art, the Persian rugs. However, many things changed in Iran after the revolution.

I moved to the United States in 1986, youthful, full of energy, and passionate about Persian rugs. I began studying and evaluating the Persian rug market in the U.S. and recognized its potential for growth. At that point, I decided to become a rug merchant. A young person like me with little money but dreams of owning a luxury Persian rug business. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out then, so I chose a different profession to gather capital.

My hard work and the incredible job opportunities in America ultimately paid off. I discovered my path to fulfilling my dream through rug shows, auctions, and managing my own rug shop and various rug businesses in different states.

In 2004, due to back pain, I retired, closed my successful rug shop in Chicago, and moved back to Iran. Despite missing the rug business all those years, I found an opportunity in July 2018, just before the Persian rug embargo took effect. I imported a massive inventory of fine Persian rugs and antique Persian rugs to Chicago, formed a corporation, and established Beautiful Rugs.

Today, Beautiful Rugs boasts an impressive collection of high-end handmade Persian rugs, luxury Persian silk rugs, antique Persian rugs, and hard-to-find handmade wall hangings and pictorial rugs. Beautiful Rugs is now at your service for all your rug needs.

I extend my heartfelt gratitude to my clients for their continuous support over the years. I feel deeply obliged to thank you for your indispensable role in helping me achieve my dream, which has left a lasting impression on my heart.

Thank you for reading the story of my love affair with rugs.

Sincerely, 

Hamid Shaverdi 

President of Beautiful Rugs