Oakland, California–based Ben Hyman has been studying the online disruptor market for a while now (he was a cofounder of upstart bedding company Brooklinen). His latest venture, Revival Rugs, aims to simplify the vintage rug-shopping experience. Ben got the idea when he and his wife, Amber, went on a rug-shopping expedition shortly after buying their first house. “Everywhere we looked for a rug—whether in person or online—there was a general lack of transparency, unreasonable prices, and poor-quality machine-made replicas,” Ben says. “We didn’t have the money to spend thousands on the handmade rugs we loved, but we also didn’t want to settle for something inferior.”
To source the rugs, Ben and Amber partnered with Turkish entrepreneur Kurt Korkmaz and his business partner, Joyce Kong; Kurt and Joyce travel to remote cities in Turkey and work with a network of artisans who supply them with vintage hand-knotted rugs, which they offer either in their original state or overdyed in various shades.
Prices start at $35 for a Vintage Cushion Case and go up to $1,802 for a charcoal overdyed Ayebri Rug (N.B.: The Revival team just posted a new shipment of carpets, available now (they sell out quickly, so best to visit the site sooner rather than later).
See more ideas for choosing the perfect rug:
- Expert Advice: How to Choose a Rug, with Luke Irwin
- 10 Easy Pieces: Modern Rugs with Contrast Fringe
- Nordic Knots: Scandi-Inspired Rugs with a Nautical Vibe
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