It all started 45 years ago when Isam's father, Fred Kaoud had a carpet cleaning company in New Haven. Gradually the company accumulated an assortment of unclaimed carpets. After the sale, which went off rather effortlessly, Fred realized it was easier to sell carpets than breaking their backs to clean them, so he opened a small retail outlet in Orange. When I visited the Wilton store, I found a huge number of carpets ranging from sample size to a 12 foot by 20 foot. Most are handmade and come directly from Kaoud's own weavers in India or from China and Pakistan.
Next door is a store devoted to antique orientals.
I was curious about Persian carpets, which historically are known to be the best. However, many of the craftspeople who made these carpets have gone to other countries bringing their skills along with them and teaching their techniques to the inhabitants of their adopted countries. Isam had recently returned from India where he visited the places that Kaoud has its own carpet-making facilities. By having our own looms, we can control things like the quality of the wool, the dyes and design. We have a few women that tie the fringe, but no children working.