North Carolina Firm's Rugs Now in White House

Hendersonville, NC, Jan. 9, 2009--Two rooms in the White House are now adorned with new rugs made in Hendersonville.

Mountain Rug Mills and Spinning Wheel Rugs was commissioned by the White House Preservation Society three years ago to make the rugs, said Judy Morgan, who owns the company along with her husband, Gill.

The rugs were placed in the Family Dining Room and the Diplomatic Reception Room during a formal installation ceremony at the White House on Tuesday. First lady Laura Bush consulted with her on the design of the rugs, said Morgan, who made four trips to Washington. She was unable to attend Tuesday’s ceremony because of a scheduling conflict.

The rug in the Family Dining Room depicts eagles similar to those on the marble fireplace in the dining room. Design highlights include a “flower swag,” which are flowers coming across the eagles’ wings. The rug is 17 feet wide by 21 feet, 10 inches long and will replace a rug that had been in the dining room for the past 25 years. The dining room is on the State Floor, the official residence of the president.

The second rug, which is in the shape of an elliptical oval, features a huge eagle in the center with sun rays extending out, Morgan said. The rug’s border features the official seals of the 50 states and leaves and bands of color. The rug is 22 feet, 5 inches wide by 32 feet, 7 inches long. The Diplomatic Reception Room, on the ground floor, serves as the entrance from the South Lawn and a reception room where foreign ambassadors present their credentials.

Although the president and first lady are transitioning out of the White House to make way for the Obamas, the rugs will remain among the permanent furnishings, Morgan added.

Once the designs were chosen, production of the rugs, which were hand-woven, took a year. There were more than 90 colors used for the rugs and they were made out of New Zealand virgin wool, Morgan said.

“We do our own dyes for the colors and then there is the actual hand weaving of the rug,” she said. “It’s a very tedious, laborious process. These are one of a kind, hand hooked rugs and not many people do that anymore.”

Making rugs for a residence known around the world was an experience she will never forget.

“I think it’s a wonderful thing that they chose American made and as far as the economy and manufacturing goes, it helps U.S. manufacturing and keeps our money here,” Morgan said. “It’s been a privilege.”