When the new Creative Director for Sasaki Associates recently relocated from Chicago, he sought out the quintessential Boston neighborhood, acquiring a unit in a Back Bay building along the Commonwealth Avenue Mall built in the Second Empire style. As fortune would have it, F. Philip Barash soon made the acquaintance of Donna Hicks of Landry & Arcari, another Chicago transplant, at the AD20/21 Gala in April. Mr. Barash charged Donna with identifying a rug that would bridge his mid-century tastes with the space's late 19^th century aesthetics. After some consideration, Donna recommended an Oushak and sent several to his home for him to review.

Oushak rugs have been woven in Turkey since the fifteenth century and use a particular family of designs, called by convention after the city of Usak, Turkey. Historically, Oushaks were classified as 'Anatolian Rugs,' Anatolian literally translating to 'land of the rising sun.' With his relocation from the middle of the country to east coast, this style seemed particularly appropriate for Mr. Barash's new home. The rug that was right for Mr. Barash was an old design with more modern coloring. It perfectly complimented the dark, rich carved wood mantle and paneling in the space with his contemporary and eclectic furnishings. Mr. Barash was thrilled with the results and we think you will be too.