From master artisans and trusted suppliers to the team members who welcome you into our showroom, we’re shining a light on the people whose passion, knowledge and creativity shape everything we do. These conversations explore the heritage, techniques and inspiration behind the craft, bringing you closer to the rugs you choose for your home.
We’re starting with someone who has been at the heart of Rugs.ie since day one. Lou is not only a familiar face to many of our customers, but also a guiding force behind the scenes. As the sister of our company co-founder Brendan Holland and aunt to current managing director Phoebe Holland, Louise has helped shape the identity of Rugs.ie from its beginnings on MacCurtain Street in Cork City back in 1994.
With over 30 years of experience in the rug industry and an exceptional flair for design, Louise brings a wealth of insight to our team. Her knowledge of evolving trends, timeless styles and thoughtful design has helped generations of customers find pieces they truly connect with. In this first instalment of Behind the Weave, we speak with Louise about the early days of Rugs.ie, how rug styles have changed over time, and the inspiration that continues to guide her work.
How long have you worked for Rugs.ie?
About 26 years, working mostly part-time. I remember our first store opened on MacCurtain Street, and then we moved to Bridge Street after that. We’ve been based in the Woollen Mills in Douglas since 2004.
What is your favourite part of the process when helping a customer choose a rug?
I love the whole idea that the customer is comfortable with you. You’re bringing them on the right path and understanding their design tastes and needs, and when they get the purchase right, they’re thrilled with their rug.
Can you tell us how the business has changed over the last 30 years?
It has changed dramatically, really. Thirty years ago, it was a two-person operation. It still did very well, but there could be one person working in the store at a time comfortably. Now, you could have heaps of customers waiting to be looked after, and the online store has only added to that. As a result, we now need a much larger team in the shop.
We have a large range of rugs now that’s applicable to everybody - initially it was all Persian rugs. We see a huge volume of people in the shop now, and today the customers look online before visiting. Long ago, they’d visit the shop at the very start of the journey and they often didn’t know what they liked. Now, people will often come in telling you what they like and need. They’ve researched it online.
Which rug styles do people tend to gravitate towards? Has this changed?
I get carried away with Persian rugs - I love them. It’s so individual. People give you a hint of what they like and you go down that avenue to see what suits their individual style. Say a young couple pops in - a Persian rug mightn’t be right for them just now, they might prefer a minimalist or modern piece instead. You just need to understand what they need.
What considerations do you take into account when helping a customer find a rug for their space?
People have busy homes and they often think they need a washable rug. Often wool is more durable. You can easily wash a wool rug - just spot clean it with a clean white cloth and a touch of a non-biological detergent like Woolite. A customer told me about a product for my own stairs - it’s called Dr Beckmann and it’s marvellous. You can find it in a lot of those euro shops, there’s a little brush on the top and it cleans really well.
Don’t soak a rug, it’s tricky to dry them in Ireland. It’s not every day that’s dry!
We heard you got a red wine stain out of a wool rug?
I certainly did spill red wine on a Nordic Touch rug - a neutral wool rug.
I got a bowl filled with warm water and a bit of Woolite and a nice white clean cloth; dabbed it, squeezed the red out, washed it as best I could. It stayed a little purple, but I kept washing it. The following morning, it was still a tiny bit purple, so I cleaned it again, and repeated this about five times. It worked because I started to clean it right away - you couldn’t let the stain sit for long! If you left the red overnight, it would be a different kettle of fish.
Do you have a favourite rug style and material?
The old faithfuls, the Persian rugs, are timeless. A good quality wool rug will last for years. People are often familiar with this from carpets - they might have a wool carpet that lasted 20 years.
How do you help someone choose a rug for their space that will fit with their existing design scheme?
Furnishings are more important than paint. The furniture is often the most important consideration when choosing the right rug; soft furnishings like curtains and cushions don’t matter as much as the furniture. You need to look at the pieces closest to the rug - that’s what the eye will observe. The paint colour will usually change every few years, but you might change a sofa every ten or twenty years.
Do you think rugs are an important part of the interior design process?
They’re essential! Customers know it’s the finishing touch and it’ll bring the scheme together. We don’t need to tell people that; they know. The only problem I see is with people choosing a rug that’s too small. Picking the right-sized rug makes a huge difference.
Do you have a favourite rug that you’ve worked on?
I love the Tabriz Persian rugs, I really do! The silk Tabriz is the pinnacle rug if it’s within budget. I prefer the Tabriz patterns to the more floral styles. In the right spot, an Afghan Kilim can work fabulously.
Have you noticed a shift in which rug materials people tend to choose?
A lot of customers now have underfloor heating, which limits choices, as you can generally only choose a natural fibre rug such as a wool or jute rug if you have underfloor heating; so there may be a phasing out of synthetic fibre rugs made from things like polyester or polypropylene. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing; natural fibre rugs will usually last longer anyway.
A heartfelt thank you to Lou for sharing her time, experience and stories with us!
If you’d like to tap into Lou expertise for your own home, you can book a complimentary one-on-one Design Consultation with her. Whether you’re just starting your search or need help narrowing down the options, Lou will guide you towards a rug that feels right for your space and lifestyle.
Book your consultation here, or explore our full range of rugs at Rugs.ie.
