A rug built the way
museum conservators would build it
We have spent 42 years repairing what other rugs got wrong — structural failures, unstable dyes, uneven pile density. Every rug we make has those fixes engineered in from the first knot.
Free consultation · Made in Ghorban’s artisan network
We have seen every flaw
a rug can have
- Problem
Foundation failure
The most common reason antique rugs deteriorate is a weak cotton or jute warp — the foundation that holds everything together. We use only long-staple cotton warp threads knotted to museum archival standards.
- Problem
Dye instability
Bleeding dyes ruin rugs during cleaning and in humid environments. Every color in our palette is tested for light fastness and wash fastness before it enters production.
- Problem
Pile density
Low knot density looks fine on delivery and fails within years. Our minimum is 100 KPSI (knots per square inch) on wool, 160 KPSI on silk — the standard used in museum-quality pieces.
Every fiber.
Every weight.
Every finish.
The material is the rug. We work with the full spectrum of natural and blended fibers — each with different properties, different feels, different aging characteristics. Ghorban advises on material selection based on where the rug will live and how it will be used.
New Zealand Wool
The most durable and versatile option. Natural lanolin provides inherent stain resistance. Ideal for high-traffic rooms, dining spaces, and family rooms. The material Ghorban recommends most often for residential use.
Living rooms · dining rooms · high trafficKork Wool (Baby Lamb)
The finest grade of wool — baby lamb’s first shearing. Exceptionally soft with a natural sheen. Used in city weaves and fine Persian reproductions. 1,400+ colorways.
Formal rooms · low traffic · bedroomsMulberry Silk
Extraordinary light reflectivity and depth of color. Required for intricate patterns with fine detail work. The material of choice for statement pieces and formal spaces.
Bedrooms · formal rooms · display piecesViscose (Art Silk)
Achieves the luminosity of silk at a lower price point. Best blended with wool for durability. Strong color saturation.
Accent pieces · moderate trafficMohair
Exceptionally lustrous long fiber from Angora goat. Unique texture — a slight sheen with a soft, almost velvet quality. Less common, highly distinctive. Best in low-traffic spaces where its appearance can be appreciated.
Feature rooms · accent piecesMerino Wool
Ultra-fine Australian wool — softer than standard wool with a finer hand. Excellent color absorption gives deep, rich tones. More delicate than New Zealand wool — best suited to moderate traffic.
Bedrooms · studies · low trafficAlpaca
Hypoallergenic, hollow-fiber warmth. Naturally lanolin-free making it ideal for allergy-sensitive households. Silky texture, excellent drape. Limited colorways compared to wool.
Allergy households · bedrooms · warmthWool-Silk Blend
The most requested combination. Wool’s durability anchors the foundation while silk highlights add luminosity to pattern details. Available in any ratio — 80/20 is the standard for balance of durability and sheen.
Most rooms · most popular
From 16th-century Persian to contemporary minimalist — every pattern tradition
Our custom work runs through a network of master weavers in Nepal and India we work with directly. We can reproduce, adapt, or originate any design vocabulary.
- Persian ClassicalTabriz, Kashan, Isfahan, Heriz
- Turkish AnatolianOushak, Hereke, Kilim
- Caucasian GeometricKazak, Shirvan, Ganja
- Contemporary MinimalistModern & abstract
- TransitionalClassic meets modern
- Abstract & CustomOriginal designs
From brief to delivered
— Quoted at consultation
A made-to-order rug is a collaborative project. You bring the room and the brief; we bring the technical knowledge — weave structure, pile height, knot density, dye selection — and the master weavers in Ghorban’s personal network.
- 01
Consultation
In-person or virtual. We discuss room dimensions, traffic patterns, design direction, fiber preferences, and budget. Ghorban advises on material selection based on how the rug will actually be used — not just how it will look.
- 02
Design
Pattern selection or origination, colorway development, scale confirmation. We provide a digital rendering of the final design before production begins. You approve before a single knot is tied.
- 03
Production
Your rug enters production in our artisan network. Progress photos at 25%, 50%, and 75% completion so you can see it being made.
- 04
Quality inspection
Every completed rug is inspected by Ghorban personally against our museum-grade checklist — knot density, edge construction, dye consistency, pile evenness — before it leaves the workshop.
- 05
Delivery & installation
Delivered to your door and installed correctly. Includes first professional cleaning on us.
Every quote includes design consultation, production, quality inspection, and delivery. First professional cleaning included.
No other rug maker in Chicago has our repair history
Built on 42 years of repair expertise
Every structural decision in our rugs reflects a failure we have repaired. Foundation construction, pile density, edge binding, dye selection — all informed by what we have seen fail in rugs from $500 to $500,000.
Museum provenance
Between 1984 and 1993, Ghorban Ahmadi performed conservation work for the State Hermitage Museum, the Musée du Louvre, and the British Museum. The conservation standards of those institutions inform every rug we produce.
Direct artisan network
No middlemen, no importers, no showroom markups. Your rug is made by master weavers in Ghorban’s personal network.
Common questions about made-to-order
How long does a made-to-order rug take?
Quoted at consultation. Complex silk pieces or very large formats may require more time.
What is the minimum order size?
We make rugs from 2×3 accent pieces to 20×30 room-sized commissions. There is no minimum size; every commission is priced at consultation.
Can I provide my own design?
Yes. Bring a photo, a fabric swatch, an architectural drawing, or a mood board. We translate visual references into weaving patterns.
What is the difference between wool and silk?
Wool is durable, warm, and forgiving — ideal for family rooms and high-traffic spaces. Silk has extraordinary luminosity and is best for formal spaces or display pieces with low traffic. A wool-silk blend gives you both properties.
Do you offer revisions?
We provide a digital rendering before production begins and incorporate any changes at that stage. Once production starts, structural changes are not possible — though minor color adjustments can sometimes be accommodated.
Is the first cleaning really included?
Yes. Every rug we make includes one full professional cleaning at our Skokie workshop within the first two years. It is part of the commission.
Ready to build your rug?
Start with a free consultation. Bobby will connect you with Ghorban to discuss your space, your preferences, and what we can make for you.