Abrash Galleries

Rugs and Antiquities

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40 Main St N Woodbury, CT 06798

203-263-7847

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Fine Italian Jewelry Trunk Show to Benefit the Female Soldiers Forgotten Heroes Project

October 22, 2015 By Karen Leave a Comment

Enjoy wine, cheese and small bites while browsing the fine Italian jewelry for your special someone on Veterans karen_3658Day, Wednesday, November 11, 2015 from 3-7pm at Abrash Galleries , 40 Main Street North, Woodbury, Ct. Exclusive Italian designer pieces will be offered. This is a fund raiser for the Forgotten Heros Project which provides community based transitional housing and special services to female soldiers in Ct. These female soldiers who have served in our military often return with physical, mental and emotional scars of combat. Some of them wind up on the streets homeless and without the special services that they need. The Forgotten Heroes/ Homes for the Brave provide the referrals and case management services that are necessary in the transitional process to ensure a higher level of success for these exceptional women.

The Ct Junior Womenʼs Club of which Woodbury is a chapter, has chosen to embrace fundraising for Female Soldiers: Forgotten Heroes/ Homes for the Brave as a state project . This is a wonderful opportunity to give back to those who gave of themselves so freely for you and your country and at the same time make a loved one very happy.

For additional information please call 203-263-7847.

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Rug Lecture at John Bale Book Company

September 6, 2015 By Karen Leave a Comment

booksKaren will be giving a lecture on oriental rugs at the John Bale Book Company at 158 Grand Street in Waterbury Ct on October 10th. The lunch/tea begins at 12noon and concludes shortly before 2pm. The price of the lecture and lunch is 20.00 per person and reservations can be made by calling 203-757-2279. Space is limited so all are encouraged to make arrangements ahead of time. John Bale Book Company is a premier seller of antiquarian and used books, and has an outstanding cafe.
The discussion will cover the origin, designs and history of rugs. If there are questions on a particular piece that you own please bring it along with you she will be happy to give you the information on it.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

From Woodbury, CT to Dubai – In Search of Carpets on the Silk Road

September 4, 2015 By Karen Leave a Comment

Karen Reddington-Hughes of Abrash Galleries , Woodbury, Ct has been asked to be part of a USAID/ABADE (Assistance In Building Afghanistan By Developing Enterprises) program that will meet in Dubai to facilitate business relations with Afghan carpet producers. It is a 3 day event and the purpose is to improve Afghanistan’s economic and political stability through the development of its most important sector- while connecting directly with their best carpet producers. The event takes place from Sept 10-13th.

Afghanistan is a country that has been known for its beautiful hand knotted rugs replete with designs that at times tell their stories. The weavers are many times women that are working on looms in their own homes and the rugs may take as long as 8 months to complete. Once the piece is completed though the journey often just begins. There are very few finishing facilities in Afghanistan to shear the wool and wash the rug to ready it for sale. The rugs are trucked to Pakistan where they are then finished and a “Made in Pakistan “ label affixed to a rug that was actually created in Afghanistan. The weavers are paid a significantly reduced price for this unfinished piece. Finding a more direct route for Afghan rugs would most assuredly benefit all concerned.

“The native motifs and patterns tell the history of the country and provide a snapshot of the grit and determination of its people. It is with much enthusiasm that I go forward to meet with the suppliers of such treasures. I have always marveled that the weaver- like an artist , knows at the beginning of their creation that they will then let it go once completed. What a beautiful gift to us all!”

It is Karen’s hope that she can bring back some of these original designs that have defined the people of Afghanistan and share them with her customers and friends.

Abrash Gallerie’s hours will be from 1pm – 5pm from September 9-20th.
Closed on Mondays.

Karen Reddington-Hughes
Abrash Galleries
40 Main Street North
Woodbury, Ct 06798

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CT Female Soldiers Forgotten Heroes Veterans Day Benefit

November 2, 2014 By Karen Leave a Comment

Abrash Galleries
40 Main Street North
Woodbury, CT 06798
November 11 3-7 PM

Please join us for a fine Italian Jewelry Trunk Show Tuesday November 11, 2014 from 3pm-7pm. Proceeds will help to provide case management services to female soldiers throughout the state of CT. This is a fundraiser for the Forgotten Heroes Project which provides community based transitional housing and special services to female soldiers in CT. These female soldiers who have servced in our military often return with physical, mental and emotional scars of combat. Some of them wind up on the streets homeless and without the special services that they need. The Forgotten Heroes/Homes for the Brave provide the referrals and case management services that are necessary in the transitional process to ensure a higher level of success for these exceptional women.

If these times are not convenient please call for a private appointment. 203-263-7847

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Abrash Galleries 10th Anniversary Featured in Connecticut Magazine

October 5, 2014 By Karen Leave a Comment

Check out “Oriental Rugs as Essential Style: Woodbury Shop Marks 10th Anniversary” in Connecticut Magazine here!

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What is the proper way to maintain an oriental rug?

June 13, 2014 By Karen Leave a Comment

Many people wonder just how frequently an oriental rug needs to be cleaned. Much depends on where the rug is placed and just how much traffic it is getting. The rule of thumb is that oriental rugs need to be washed at least every 5 years. The foundation of the rug is usually a cotton warp that the wool fibers are woven through. It is important to keep that cotton foundation in good condition. If a rug is not maintained the foundation may get dry and this is what causes the rug to crack. Very much like a fur coat is cleaned, oiled and stored an oriental rug needs the same treatment to ensure its health.

When the rug is brought for cleaning it is dusted first to get all the dirt and grit out and then submerged in water and hand washed on both sides to ensure that the piece is thoroughly clean. It is then rinsed in a clean pool of water and put on a large drying rack in a climate controlled room so that it can air dry.
Once a rug has come back from washing it is a good time to examine whether or not there are any repairs that need to be made. The overcasting is the individual knots that secure the natural fringe on either side of the rug. Many times the fringe may get caught in a vacuum cleaner and pulled out. This causes the side of fringe to become uneven. By overcasting the fringe in a uniform line it prevents the rug from unravelling into the border of the piece.

The sides of the rug are secured by wool binding . Through the years this too may need some repair as it sometimes becomes frayed. It is important to maintain the binding so that the gaurd border that goes around the perimeter of the piece is protected and will not unravel.

The above repairs are considered common maintenance on a rug. Damage done by moths or animals may require reweaving or using a kashmir knot.

Properly maintained your oriental rugs will last for generations to come! Oriental rugs are the foundation of every great room.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: maintenance, oriental rug, rugs

Abrash Galleries

40 Main St North

Woodbury, CT 06798

203-263-7847

Fine Italian Jewelry Trunk Show to Benefit the Female Soldiers Forgotten Heroes Project

Enjoy wine, cheese and small bites while browsing the fine Italian jewelry for your special someone on Veterans Day, Wednesday, November 11, 2015 from … [Read More...]

Rug Lecture at John Bale Book Company

Karen will be giving a lecture on oriental rugs at the John Bale Book Company at 158 Grand Street in Waterbury Ct on October 10th. The lunch/tea … [Read More...]

From Woodbury, CT to Dubai – In Search of Carpets on the Silk Road

Karen Reddington-Hughes of Abrash Galleries , Woodbury, Ct has been asked to be part of a USAID/ABADE (Assistance In Building Afghanistan By … [Read More...]

Located on 40 Main Street North, Abrash Galleries is your one-stop shop for all rug-related needs. From washing, restoration, and appraisals to design services, Karen will make sure that every need is met.

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About the Owner

KarenKaren Reddington-Hughes is an oriental rug expert with extensive experience working with corporate and private interior... Keep reading

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