Michigan Carpet Restorers Do World-Class Makeovers
Grand Rapids, Michigan, November 7, 2005—A career that started with scrubbing toilets has given Ken Koets and his large family an integral link to the world's greatest weavers, one rug at a time, according to the Grand Rapids Press.
Koets, 65, today works with clients ranging from royalty to rummies; anyone who has an interest in world-class rugs and carpets.
Hundreds of West Michigan families likely would benefit from his family's experience, and don't even know it.
It may be a Turkish Taspinar collecting dust in the attic, or an authentic Navajo rug bought at a garage sale so the kids have a place for muddy boots.
Two Navajo rugs bought for $1 a piece at an East Grand Rapids garage sale found their way to the family business, Advanced Restorations, Inc.
"The nicest of the two I don't think I'd sell for $10,000," said Nate Koets, 38, one of four brothers working with their dad.
The family business, tucked inside a white cinder block building in the shadow of Grand Valley State University's ever-expanding downtown campus, is, like the rugs it restores, a rare find.
You won't find college kids bringing in beer-soaked throw rugs -- not that Koets couldn't restore them to pre-kegger splendor.
This place has an international clientele with customers in England, Turkey and major U.S. cities. Among them, a woman in New Mexico who shipped Koets a 100-year-old Persian silk rug with heavy water damage.
Fully restored, it may be worth $7,000 to $10,000. The restoration, however, could exceed $3,000.
