Vail Valley HOME: 11 Questions with The Scarab Rug Studio
Dominique Taylor/Vail Valley HOME Magazine
Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared in Vail Valley HOME Magazine.
The Scarab Rug Studio in Minturn offers distinctive rugs, home goods and specialty items from around the world. Born in 1992 out of a love of travel and treasure hunting, the boutique is filled with works of art, each with its own story; all of its custom, handmade rugs originate from producers rooted in artisanship and traditions passed throughout generations.
Vail Valley HOME: What originally drew you to the Vail Valley?
Larry Stone: It was the love of the mountains that drew me to Colorado, the kindness of the people in Vail who stood out from other resorts, and it was the World Alpine Ski Championship of 1988-89 that was the gateway to resort living and planting roots here.
Jane Rohr: In the summer of 1988, I joined a group of college friends and made Minturn my home. It was the nature and lifestyle that drew me here the most. Growing up in the Turkish and Swiss mountains, all of it felt very familiar — a perfect place to land for a young liberal arts graduate who was looking to create a colorful life.
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VVH: Why did you start The Scarab?
LS: The setting offered good timing, and we started The Scarab from a multitude of intentions. It was early in 1990, and Jane and I were both working with an amazing group of talented people at Slifer Designs. Beth and Rod Slifer were very influential to our community, and we wanted to be part of the creative sphere of Beaver Creek and Vail Resorts. Jane was also looking for a way to support her travel between the U.S. and Turkey, where family and culture were the driving factors. We wanted to start something exciting for ourselves, and The Scarab gave us that opportunity.
VVH: How do you choose the items in your boutique?
LS: We prefer handmade merchandise. Our clients have traveled near and far and always appreciate quality craftsmanship for their homes and personal accessories. Through networking with artisans, weavers and craftspeople, we relish the beautiful surprises that come from resourcing in this way.
VVH: Tell us how choosing an area rug is like choosing a piece of art.
JR: When choosing art, rugs or anything to enhance our atmosphere, it is exciting to pay attention to how we feel. We choose based on how material objects enhance our mood, add to an atmosphere and support our individual aesthetic. If we are breaking out of old ideas and exploring a new sense of self, we might turn to each other to confirm our interests. Our clients will wisely turn to a design professional to gain a deeper understanding of what makes something resonate in this way.
VVH: What goes into crafting a quality rug?
JR: Quality comes from enduring value. We try to educate and encourage the idea that buying a well-made rug gives a lasting experience. A well-made rug is easy to care for and develops a patina that enhances its beauty over time. It is the materials used and the weaver’s craftsmanship that make for an excellent rug choice.
VVM: How do you help clients choose rugs?
LS: It’s important to recognize the space and use of a room along with the aesthetic. From there we consider what, how and when to apply certain elements of a rug’s characteristics: color, texture, materials and, of course, its size. When we enter a luxury resort home, we fully appreciate and recognize the value of respectfully attending to the homeowner’s needs.
VVH: What style rug does your home feature and what do you love most about that style?
LS: My personal taste is influenced by years of developing The Scarab and working with exceptional interior design professionals. In my small Minturn home, I have an eclectic collection of rugs. I have a vintage pink Moroccan in my living room. That rug is next to an abstract Tibetan rug in my dining room. Both pieces are playful and fun, supporting the art I’ve collected. There are more rugs there, and I have combined classic with contemporary designs.
JR: My home is a reflection of my Turkish culture and love of handmade textiles. It’s a compilation of pieces that tell my story: layered, colorful and precious. My rugs are all handmade, vintage and bit imperfect, which makes me smile every day, because that’s just how life is.
VVH: What are some other favorite items in the store?
LS: Currently: natural black sheep’s wool rugs, fun coffee table books and interesting three-dimensional wall art.
JR: I love all the interesting personal and home accessories in the store. Each one is unique in its own way and tells a nice story. We have a great collection of crystals that are gathered by our friends in Arkansas, and I love the natural beauty they add to our homes.
VVH: What’s your favorite place to travel and why?
JR: Growing up in a multicultural home, it was natural to travel. My work has allowed me to travel back to Turkey and introduce my kids to their relatives and culture, which has been such a blessing. I find now connecting to my loved ones is what still inspires my travels the most. I tend to go places that offer me heartfelt experiences, connection and curiosity.
LS: My favorite places to travel recently have been Montreal, New York City, Philadelphia and San Francisco — all for different reasons. I always appreciate how each subculture is expressed in its art and architecture.
VVH: They say “adventure” simply means danger or obstacles “romanticized” (as in, you lived to tell about it). Tell us about one of your most memorable “adventures” that involved travel.
LS: Adventure comes from exploring the unknown, discovering, inventing and creating something new. I recently took a Waymo, Google’s unmanned transportation service in San Francisco. I felt reluctant and then stepped into this car at night. I was absolutely charmed and enamored by the experience of letting go. I love it when life supports us and challenges our sense of fear and those things that are new.
VVH: How do you collaborate with other design and building professionals in the valley?
LS: Many people know of The Scarab as a rug store. However true that is, we are a support company for interior design professionals. We always collaborate with the trade. We carefully listen to what interior designers are creating for their clients and the parameters established. Then, we rely on our experience to assure we are providing the absolute best options. The 30-plus years of experience working with very seasoned, creative and talented people gives us diverse tools to draw on.
After selecting rug options, we become the designer’s rug resource for service — creating custom rugs, shipping, scheduling installations, delivery, approvals, moving furniture, and professional services for cleaning is just part of the process.
