Santa Fe, NM, July 14, 2006--Gary Coles-Christensen, a founding partner of Packards West, has acquired G. Coles-Christensen, Rug Merchants. The transaction was finalized July 1, 2006.
The store will continue to operate at its long-standing 125 W. San Francisco Street location.
Since its founding in 1999, Packards West has been a premier oriental rug sources in the United States. G. Coles-Christensen, Rug Merchants will maintain the high standard of service of the Packard’s tradition since 1920.
The same professional staff will be retained. They will continue to be the exclusive representatives for important workshops like Odegard, Tufenkian, Woven Legends, Sartori, Lapchi, Rugs by Robinson, Megerian and Michaelian and Kholberg.
Coles-Christensen believes that his role as world merchant is important to the history of Santa Fe. Through his travels to destinations such as Venice and Istanbul, he respects standards of design and quality while infusing his work with the passion, beauty and adventure that is an integral part of oriental carpet art.
He said he will expand his carpet design efforts to include a private label collection. He has a proven record of producing compelling traditional and modern textile designs.
Coles-Christensen will continue to seek out rare textiles overseas during his frequent buying trips.
The Monte Sol carpets are produced by Sartori through a licensing agreement with the Museum of International Folk Art and the Museum of Indian Arts and culture. Coles-Christensen assisted in the selection of the original textiles reproduced and in the development of the collection.
Clients from Santa Fe, nationally and internationally in Sweden, Greece, Italy, France, Qatar, London and Hong Kong, have trusted Coles-Christensen’s uniqueinternational style that transcends regional influences. He has always represented important designers like Barbara Barry, Kevin Walz, Klodagh, Vincente Wolf, Stephanie Odegard and Paolo Sartori.
This purchase is the culmination of 15 years of work in oriental rugs for Gary Coles-Christensen. During those years, Coles-Christensen has devised new methods of service, creating display and showcasing techniques, revisiting historically significant rug centers worldwide, and championing the rights of the diverse peoples who weave carpets.
In 2005, Coles-Christensen was nominated to be the chairman of the Board for Rugmark, a global organization based in Washington, D.C., which advocates for children’s rights and supports schools in India, Pakistan and Nepal.
