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“My favorite rugs are hand-knotted rugs from Nepal,” McGuire says. “The 100 percent Tibetan wool gives the rugs a very unique texture and body.”
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A hidden gem lies on Kapahulu Avenue. And Kelly McGuire, owner of Island Rug Co., has found it. It’s a bright, airy, open new showroom, perfect for housing his unique and vast inventory. Inside, a myriad of vibrant rugs and carpets abound, hailing from Nepal, China, India, Turkey and Iran. Hand-knotted wool items imported from these countries are Island Rug’s specialty. Whether customers are looking for a floor covering, a complement to their home’s décor or simply a piece of beauty from a distant land, Island Rug Co. has the solution.
McGuire loves helping customers find just what they are looking for, and his hands-on experience in spinning sheep’s wool and dying and knotting yarn have made him both knowledgeable and enthusiastic. He says, “I have always been fascinated by textiles. Traveling abroad and working closely with designers and weavers helped me to understand the creative process that goes into producing an oriental rug. The process is anchored in the natural environment.”
For the green consumer, natural fibers such as wool, silk, seagrass, sisal, jute and cotton are available. Also, sustainably harvested vegetable dyes are used for several of McGuire’s collections.
Since its opening in 2004, Island Rug Co. has also provided customers with the opportunity to create their very own personalized, custom rugs. McGuire works directly with designers and weavers in Nepal to customize rugs in any design, color, size or shape imaginable. Buyers can work with McGuire to produce a new design or have a rug made to replicate their own original artwork. With so many different materials on hand and a palette of more than 3,000 colors, the possibilities are truly endless.
In addition to creating an assortment of carpets and rugs, Island Rug Co. also offers complimentary, in-home consultations; professional cleaning, which is recommended every three to five years; and, if needed, professional repair.
At Island Rug Co., shopping for beautiful, handmade wares need not be an intimidating endeavor. “We strive to make the entire rug-purchasing process exciting and informative,” says McGuire.
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With countless classic, contemporary, Island lifestyle, and custom designs available, customers are sure to find a rug to fit their styles.
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Island Rug Co.
415 Kapahulu Ave.
Open Mon. – Sat. 9a.m. – 5p.m.
Tel: 735-2404
www.islandrugcompany.com 
