HIGH POINT — An elegant, 19th-century Victorian needlepoint floral rug that once graced the floor of the White House during the Kennedy presidency will be on display in the new American Home Furnishings Hall of Fame headquarters building, which is set to open in April.
The historic rug is on loan to the Hall of Fame by floor covering and home accent resource Nourison and the Peykar family, the owners of the company. Alex Peykar, CEO of Nourison, purchased the rug in 1996 at an estate auction held by Sotheby’s for the furnishings and other personal belongings of the late Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Onassis was an American socialite, writer, photographer and book editor who served as the first lady of the United States from 1961 to 1963, as the wife of President John F. Kennedy.
“We are so excited that this beautiful historic rug will be on display in the new American Home Furnishings Hall of Fame headquarters,” said Peykar. “It has graced our offices for many years and brought much joy to the Nourison team. We are happy to be able to share this piece of White House history with our industry and other history buffs who will enjoy viewing it.”
Measuring 7’ by 8’4”, the rug features a rich, crimson ground with ivory floral cartouches. Cream scrollwork forms the design of the inner border, with eagles at each corner, complemented by a delicate floral garland border with mask rosettes at each outer corner.
The rug graced the floor of the White House’s Yellow Oval Room during the Kennedy administration, serving as a library, office and family parlor as well as a place to greet dignitaries.
The historic rug will be hung on a wall as part of a temporary exhibit just for the opening of the American Home Furnishings Hall of Fame. The exhibit will be available for viewing by the home furnishings industry during the April 22-26 High Point Market and later by the public.
