The Studio
The Studio, located in a rural village in Turkey, is family run by locals and are one of the last standing hidden gems that still do this kind of work. This is an art that is going extinct in the near future as the new generation doesn’t know how to continue this level of craftsmanship and vintage rug supplies continue to dwindle. We are here to share the stories left untold due to language barriers and lack of foot traffic in rural Turkey through our collection of vintage rugs as a testament to the enduring legacy of the Anatolian culture. We invite you to bring a piece of this legacy into your home.
The History
The history of Turkish rugs are as world famous as original works of art and were developed in the areas where the climate was not too welcoming, enforcing a wandering way of life. Nomadic tribes of central Asia, Turkey and the ancient regions east of Anatolia, needed something to cover tent floors with and sleep on that was easily transportable. That’s how the Turkish rug was born, and reached maturity during the early Ottoman Empire.
Traditionally, this cultural practice has been passed down from generation to generation, from mothers to daughters as women have been the master designers and weavers of these rugs that stretch back to the 11th century, and for most, this dying art is their livelihood.
In history, these East-Meets-West carpets would be purchased and displayed by the wealthy to show their socio-economic status as they were too valuable to be put on floors, except under the feet of the Holy Mother and royalty. By the beginning of the 16th century, every European Prince owned a private collection. They’ve adorned the palaces of sultans and queens, inspired fairy tales and legends and cushioned the footsteps of generations. Turkish rugs, with their ruby reds and misted blues, their entwined botanical designs and rhythmic geometries, are in high demand as they acquire value as they are used. You can never go wrong with a vintage Turkish rug as they only get better with time.
TALYA
“Believe what you want, live what you believe, I believe in Magic”
Talya was born in New York and raised in Istanbul, Turkey. Being half and half, her family split their time between the US and Turkey, but at 17 she moved to London where she studied Luxury Brand Management. After working for the family manufacturing business, Talya moved on to create her own company, YAMA, out of Los Angeles. She collaborates with a team that scouts Middle Anatolia to find, collect and restore vintage rugs. With her passion for vintage and rare Turkish textiles, and giving a voice to the voiceless, she built a platform to display these works of art that has accumulated an international following amongst decorators and personal collectors. Each rug is one-of-a-kind but the only thing they all have in common is magic.