About
Hi and welcome to my website. My name is Chris and I’m the owner of Rug Addiction.
There’s the usual stuff further down about what got me here, where you can find me, a little interview and another video interview I did during the Coronavirus lockdown (please excuse the quality - I was battling 2 Netflix addicted teens for the internet!)
Everything I buy, whether it’s an antique rug, a new rug or a small kilim is because a) I like it and b) it’s a great example of its type.
As well as the descriptions, age and where they were made, all my antique rugs have a brief condition report. I mention things like wear, what the fringes and edges look like and any issues like repairs, usually with photos. Occasionally, I may miss something (like a small well done repair). If you notice something and this bothers you, please feel free to send it back to me for a full refund. Actually, even if you don’t find anything and you’re just not 100% sure you like it, send it back for a full refund. Or we can find something even more awesome.
If you’re not sure what will work in your home, try it first. Ideally, try 4 or 5 different options (just call or email me with the rugs you’d like to see). I’m constantly travelling up and down the country. If you think you’re too far away, give me a call or send me an email - we can usually work something out!
My rugs (and me!) can be found on the 3rd floor of the Home & Colonial shop in the historic market town of Berkhamsted in Hertfordshire.
The town is situated in the Chiltern Hills, a designated Area of Natural beauty and is a 35 minute train ride from central London. It boasts a number of independent shops and restaurants as well as the famous Rex cinema (described by Dame Judy Dench in 2014 as “absolutely awe-inspiring”).
Home & Colonial is a fabulous antiques and interiors shop offering inspirational and unique pieces; all beautifully displayed over 5 floors.
The shop is open 7 days a week, 10.00am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday, 10.00am to 5.00pm on Saturdays and 10am to 4pm on Sundays. I will be in the showroom most weekdays and Saturdays but, if you want to be sure of seeing me, I suggest giving me a call or sending me an email.
I started in the oriental carpet business in 1987 and, during that time, I have worked for, and supplied, some of the industry’s leading wholesalers and retailers, including John Lewis, Harrods and Fired Earth.
Whether it’s antique or contemporary rugs, my aim is to obtain interesting, unusual and rare samples all of which must meet my high expectations for quality and provenance. For this, I travel extensively to carpet weaving countries including India, Turkey, Nepal, Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan.
A little bit about me…
Chris Vin
Where does your passion for oriental rugs come from?
My first job after leaving school was working for one of the world’s leading rug importers in Wembley. I spent the first two years trying to get an understanding of this fascinating and bewildering world and then came my first trip to India & Nepal in 1989. Seeing the craft and skill involved in each step of the process, from the dyeing to the designing and weaving had (and still has!) me addicted!*
* if you wondered where the name came from!
What are your favourite rugs?
Almost impossible to answer as it changes all the time! The first rug I ever bought for myself was a Persian Soffreh kilim - a tribal piece from south-west Iran which is woven to eat meals on - a bit like a tribal picnic blanket! I was amazed that something so utilitarian could be so beautiful.
My tastes have ebbed and flowed over the years but my three favourite types of rugs at the moment are antique Persian Qashqai rugs, Persian Isfahan rugs (especially from the early 20th Century, the wilder the better!) and Chinese Art Deco carpets from the 1920’s and 1930’s (a fab rug tale if ever there was one!). Head over to my blog section for more info.
PS I still have the Soffreh kilim and I love it as much today as the day I bought it!
What’s the best bit about what you do?
There are two - the first is the buying. As there are so many different styles, I never know what I will find next. Whether it is buying new rugs abroad or finding an antique piece in an auction, nothing gives me as much pleasure as finding the next gem.
The second is when a rug finds it’s new home - I love going round to a client’s home with a selection of great rugs and seeing how they each change the look and feel of the room. Followed by lots of discussion about the history of each rug and what works best. Here are a few of my faves!