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11102015 J. Namnoun Owner Taps Perrachon for Gallery's First Book-Signing Event

11/10/2015

J. NAMNOUN OWNER TAPS PERRACHON FOR HARTFORD GALLERY'S FIRST
BOOK-SIGNING EVENT

Owner Marianne Donahue was inspired to hold J. Namnoun Oriental Rug Gallery's first book-signing event after reading The Decorative Carpet by Alix G. Perrachon.

 


HARTFORD, CT - J. Namnoun Oriental Rug Gallery held a presentation headlined by rug expert and author Alix G. Perrachon on Oct. 22 at its showroom here. "This was our first in-store book signing event, and we attracted a great blend of consumers and designers. We are a small boutique and it brought a buzz to our company," explained owner Marianne Donahue, who says she read Perrachon's book, The Decorative Carpet: Fine Handmade Rugs in Contemporary Interiors, when it was first published. "Alix succeeded in writing the book I always dreamed of writing myself," added Donahue, an interior designer by trade.

 
Alix Perrachon of Alix Unlimited and Andrew Jean, manager of J. Namnoun Oriental Rug Gallery, at last week's book signing event for designers and consumers.

"The event fit our niche in the market perfectly," Andrew Jean, gallery manager told RugNews.com. Following a presentation entitled, The Decorative Carpet in Interior Design, Perrachon signed copies of her book, which features decorating tips, rug selection advice and interiors by 32 of America's most celebrated designers, who explain their choice of rugs as well as rug placement.

 
At J. Namnoun Oriental Rug Gallery, Perrachon advises guests on the do's and don'ts of decorating with rugs gleaned from her 20-plus year career as a consultant to the design trade.

J. Namnoun has 8,000 square feet in its Hartford location, half dedicated to a rug showroom, and another half to its rug restoration and cleaning facility. Asked what is selling in Hartford, Jean said grey has been very popular for the past couple of years and still is.  "In the decorative market RH and Pottery Barn are still pushing grey and our customers notice that.  All shades of grey and silver are popular, but color is coming back.  And traditional designs are coming back.  Everything goes around, even bell bottoms came back," Jean quipped.  

He noted that the Hartford business community draws a huge influx of employees who transfer in from other parts of the country.  "Tastes in rugs and interior design vary so much that we can't say any one style is the most popular here."  

The company does a great deal of custom work with two lines from Nepal that can be ordered in any color, size or material, and a line from India that can be custom colored.  "In this world you can make anything; you just have to make it right," Jean said.

He describes market conditions as picking up following a "brutal winter."  Fall is a great selling season for the store, he explained, adding that people have already come in to buy rugs for the upcoming holiday season.

 
The J. Namnoun assortment appeals to Hartford area consumers with a number of decorating styles and color options.
 
An interior view of the J. Namnoun Oriental Rug Gallery's 4,000-foot showroom.

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