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FACE-TO-FACE
PHOTO: LAURA BOHNE
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Laura Bohne
Lauros Namai
Laura Bohne is owner of the retail store Lauros Namai located in Kaunas, Lithuania, where she mainly sells Persian rugs made in the 19th to 21st centuries. As author of ‘Persian Rugs
– History and Tradition’ published in 2010 (Persiški kilimai – istorija ir tradicijos), culture is an essential part of Bohne’s life. She lives and breathes Persian rugs, she says, describing her energetic fascination. In 2023 Bohne was officially recognised as an independent expert in oriental rugs.
Is there a decor trend you find particularly appealing right now ?
I am pleased to see interior designers paying more attention to the older styles of enduring appeal in recent years. This very quality of Persian rugs is what makes buying one a rather low-risk purchase for the customer, who can be quite certain that it will never go out of style. Classic oriental rugs are always popular, but possess a unique character. Interior designers today are increasingly discovering oriental rugs as unique decorative items as part of minimalistic interior concepts.
If you could change one thing about the carpet industry today, what would that be ?
The carpet industry is emerging from a period of consolidation and stabilisation in recent years, I would say. Now we are seeing individual carpet merchants step up their cultural activities, and I hope things continue moving in that direction. Carpet sellers should do more joint promotional ac- tivities aimed at preserving the solid reputation of handmade rugs.
Do you have a favourite carpet ?
I have been working with Persian rugs for 16 years now, yet I still discover surprising new aspects all the time; it’s impressive. I really love Kurdish rugs and kilims, and old Heriz carpets too. I focus mainly on colour in my work, because I believe colours are more important than patterns.