Meet Kevin Lawson | Rug Aficionado and Restoration Expert.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kevin Lawson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kevin, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
It was actually quite simple and straightforward. I worked for other companies locally for several years prior, acquiring the skills and knowledge firsthand, then the idea of applying that experience by creating my own business continued to become more and more appealing.

I was passionate about rugs and restoring these beautiful works of functional art. I literally decided one day to pursue it and never looked back!

I also wanted the freedom and ability to evolve this rather niche service industry into something more widely understood, respected and appreciated.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
The preservation and restoration of the functional artform that is a handmade rug. By ensuring that these one of a kind, beautiful pieces, sometimes hundreds of years in age are taken care of properly, to be enjoyed and admired for generations to come.

I set myself apart by willingly and openly educating my clients on the age, province, dyes, materials and value of their art. This trade has been well guarded and very niche for centuries, thus preventing most people access to this knowledge and understanding. I believe through that education and better understanding; they become more invested in the preservation and the importance of it historically.

I take pride in all of my work, whether it is a simple binding on the end of a machine loomed rug, or a complete reweave of a hole in an antique piece dating to the late 19th century (Circa 1880’s). Rugs, like all art can be very emotional and hold nostalgia or value based on the memories attached to a physical object. Therefor there can be personal value that transcends the monetary. Providing that service to preserve those memories or emotion through a piece of art is priceless and is an honor.

The excitement when someone shares the passion and interest in the details, when they desire to learn more about this piece of art laying on their floor, its origin, who made it, age and even why it was made the way it was. These are all factors that have gone into rug weaving for centuries. I love to provide written appraisals to my clients, not just for the function of protecting their investment, but mostly to share the story of the rug and its rich history and the history of the weavers and culture that created it.

Good honest hard work, continued education and my passion for what I do every day is in large part been the key to where I am today professionally. I started small, focused on how I wanted this journey to look, what did I want to accomplish both professionally and in the work, life, balance aspect. I suppose the old adage of “If you do what you love, you never really work a day in your life” is an apt description.

I definitely wouldn’t define this journey as easy, but I have found anything easy is not as appreciated or respected nearly as much. I would Not have had it any other way.

I really just want to share my passion, expertise and knowledge, that basic human connection with shared interests that engages all of us as one.

Beginning my journey working at a rug showroom, cleaning rugs daily, then moving into sales and eventually into the repair and restoration. Upon founding Agra Rug Cleaning & Repair Co. LLC. (DBA Agra Rug Company) in 2006, was the culmination of my experience, study and passion for these unique pieces from Antique to vintage and into modern rugs that are all equal in their beauty and design importance based on the individual preference and how they will be admired for years to come. As in most professions you are always learning and due to the plethora of weaving areas, types of knots used and designs that have evolved for thousands of years, it allows my knowledge and experience to expand year after year.

I love discussing, teaching (as well as learning) on every topic of rugs and carpets, I feel the best way to share this is through the visual medium that these pieces were created for. The mastery from construction of the loom, stringing of the weft & warp (structure of any handmade rug), selection and setting of dyes, from the inception of the design, to creating it knot by knot until it is a finished masterpiece.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
First, I would take them to Sabino Canyon for a day trip/hike. It is absolutely beautiful this time of year in Tucson and the falls and river provide fresh running water for cooling off.

I would plan a ride on motorcycles and overnight stay up to Mt Lemmon. The Catalina state highway has incredible views from top to bottom, having lunch in Summerhaven is always a great option. The Mt Lemmon Cookie Cabin is a must when visiting.

We would definitely play a round of golf at Pusch Ridge Golf course. Their elevation changes and scenic course is my favorite locally.

The rest of the weekdays we would hang at my house in the pool and our beautiful backyard, enjoying the birds, sun and mesquite trees. Grabbing Nico’s burrito’s when we are hungry.

then for the weekend, we would go to eat at my favorite sushi place downtown: Oban. Followed by a nightcap and amazing entertainment in the form of live Jazz at ‘The Century Room’ at Hotel Congress!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are a few, but firstly My Father, Mark Joseph Lawson. He passed last January due to Covid. He was unfailingly supportive and always willing to help me in my journey, whether it was by his council or by his own two hands. He spent many so much time with me over the years contributing to my ideas for creating and growing Agra Rug Company, helping me figure out how to design, build, and evolve the cleaning facility necessary to be efficient and provide a better overall product to my clientele.

while setting up Agra’s first small showroom, we worked side by side, into the following morning laying hardwood, hanging rug racks and just sharing old memories, talking about how far I had come as well as what the future may hold.

He was also a great man and an incredible father to my two brothers and I. He was truly a man who led by example and without that example, his work ethic, guidance in life in general, I would have not had the groundwork for my overall success.

Secondly: My Mother Cheryl Lawson, who like my father has always been supportive and encouraging in pursuing my dreams. My brother Mark and Leo Skrzypczak who have both been instrumental over the years in my success.

Last, but certainly not least, my wife Anna Lawson. She has reinvigorated my passion in life and in my career and gives me advice that is unparallel. She also motivates me in ways that I simply am not capable of myself.

Website: https://agrarugcompany.com/

Instagram: @agrarugco

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-lawson-b36a4476/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AgraRugCompany/

Image Credits
Eva Reyerson Photography