Today we’d like to introduce you to Barry and Diana Hornig.
In 1974, Topanga Rug Company owner Barry Hornig was given permission to open a weaving factory and school in the ancient city of Balkh, 18 miles from the Russian border. He designed cotton dhuries that he sold to Stark Carpet and Patterson Flynn & Martin in New York City. After the coup, he returned to New York where he continued to import Afghan tribal rugs that were sold to Bloomingdale’s and other top designers. In 1984, Barry and his wife, Diana, moved to Santa Fe, NM, and opened the first indoor/outdoor rug shop. It was featured in Town & Country as well as Architectural Digest. They moved to California in 1984 and opened Topanga Rug Shop. In 1992, it was named Best Rug Store in LA. The shop soon became a destination and landmark for interior designers, celebrities, and customers who appreciated owning a rug with the integrity inherent in handmade products. All of Barry’s imported rugs are made of natural fibers and vegetable dyes and are not mass produced. Now, Barry and Diana divide their time between Santa Monica, California, Missoula, Montana, and San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, each with a vibrant international community.
Barry was involved in joint ventures with Stark Carpet, Patterson Flynn & Martin in New York City. He has worked with top designers such as Albert Hadley. His rugs have been sold at Sotheby’s and Christie’s. His interests are fishing, reading, writing, and taking trips to Montana.
Diana has had an extensive career in design and fashion in New York City and Europe. She worked with Tiffany’s and Bloomingdale’s room settings. Her travels gave her the opportunity to explore the leading trends in home interiors. Her interests are yoga, natural cooking, and taking trips to Montana.
Has it been a smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road… We were forced to close our factory in Afghanistan when the Russians invaded in the 1970s. We survived fires and earthquakes in Topanga. We have found the influx badly made rugs that are flooding the market and the purchasing power of the internet to be real challenges.
There are very few people left who specialize in repair and restoration; it is a dying art. Our clients search us out for finely made kilims and carpets.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Topanga Rugs – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
We do repair work, cleaning, and restoration. We thrive on saving old rugs from being thrown away. We are a unique family business that’s been around for over 25 years. Barry has a specialized knowledge of kilims, carpets, and American Indian rugs, as well as hands-on experience traveling to countries of origin.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
We love the diversity. But too much traffic — and the construction in Santa Monica — make it difficult to get around.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://topangarugs.com/
- Phone: 310-309-1522
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: Topanga Rug Company
- Facebook: Topanga Rug Company
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/topanga-rugs-santa-monica-2
