Magic Carpet Ride
Silken Wool in Warwick

“Wow.” Standing next to a handmade silk rug ready for a palace or a museum, this awestruck comment is a complete understatement, but it’s all I can muster in the presence of such an incredible work of art. A person could string together any number of superlatives to describe the authentic Persian rugs at Silken Wool and still come short of the actual experience of seeing them. Silken Wool’s proprietors, Behrooz and Sussan Ghorbanian are used to such a reaction. “We bring in extremely high quality goods. We are really trying to stay on the higher end of the market,” Behrooz said.

Behrooz kindly gave me the grand tour of his Warwick store (they also have a location in Madison, New Jersey), which carries the aforementioned Persian rugs, as well as many other beautiful artisan wares. He explains that he personally selects the rugs one at a time in Iran and ships them to the United States himself, thus eliminating the “middleman.” The result is a selection of one-of-a-kind rugs in all sizes, colors, and price ranges; all true handmade Persian rugs using wool or silk. Showing me the back of an exquisite silk rug, he explains, “This one has about 800 knots per square inch. What determines the quality of the rug is how many knots it has per square inch—that shows how long it takes to make it. That is also an indication of how skilled the labor is.” He also has a collection of “tribal” rugs, made in the outlying areas by nomadic people whose craftsmanship supplement their livelihoods.

The tribal rugs have patterns that are traditional to the groups, while the silk and fancier wool rug patterns have designers for the patterns, specialists who decide the color palette, and craftsmen who make the rugs free hand directly on the loom. Behrooz explains, “They have a little picture of what they have to do. Really, the picture is about one foot by one foot sitting on the side of the loom and they turn it into a rug.” Weaving is usually a family-based business, with great pride taken in creating fantastic rugs.

The craftsmanship is unparalleled. The silk rugs have intricate designs and vibrant colors. The softness and sheen of the silk lends the rugs a luxury that cannot be matched. The wool rugs are also luxurious and offer variety in the weave, overall theme and design. With the varied selection, it is difficult to choose a favorite. The rugs are an investment, increasing in value over the years. Meant to last several generations, if not longer, on display were some rugs that were woven 80 -100 years ago and still looked new.

It’s easy to see why Behrooz and Sussan have a passion for their work. They made the decision to have only the best in what they offer, and have extended that criterion to the other beautiful objects and home wares found at Silken Wool. Colorful and unique, the high quality artisans’ crafts include blown glass lights, bowls, and vases, as well as turned wood and ceramics. One of the artisans represented in the store has works displayed in a museum. Silken Wool also carries a selection of specially crafted lamps and lighting, as well as 1200 thread-count Egyptian cotton sheets and bath towels.

Warwick is a charming village with a wide variety of shops and restaurants tucked into the southern tip of Orange County. It is worth a day trip or a weekend getaway to visit Silken Wool and see up close a rug, or two or three, that will literally take your breath away.

Silken Wool is located at 56 Main St. in Warwick, N.Y., and 6 Green Village Rd., Madison, NJ.845.988.1888 (N.Y.), 973.301.2222 (NJ). Both stores open Mo-Sa 10 AM- 6 PM, Su 10 AM- 5 PM.