Whether you're redecorating your home or searching for a meaningful gift, explore the thoughtfully curated selection at Minimal Chaos, where tradition meets contemporary elegance.
Follow Minimal Chaos on Instagram, and check out the website at minimalchaos.pink
1. How did you come up with the name of your business?
When naming my business, I wasn't sure if I would be selling rugs long-term, so I wanted a name that reflected me as an individual. A professor at UArts inspired the name during my senior year. As a graphic design major, I was working on a typographic narrative. He commented that I had a unique way of making something chaotic (my narrative) appear beautiful and minimal. This had a profound impact on me. The juxtaposition in 'Minimal Chaos' mirrors my cultural identity. I've often felt too Arab for my American friends and too American for my family back home. When you consider Middle Eastern / Islamic art, it's typically intricate and detailed, yet somehow calming and serene to observe.
2. What is your business and who are your customers?
MC specializes in vintage and antique rugs, working with small family businesses abroad to restore and salvage these rugs before shipping them to us. We also offer home accessories, such as pillows and dog mats, as well as shoes, all made from salvaged rugs.
Our customers span a wide range, primarily aged between 30 and 50. These are typically couples redecorating their homes, those who have recently moved, newlyweds, and so on. Vintage rugs are gaining popularity due to an increasing desire for more sustainable home furnishings. We also closely collaborate with numerous interior designers and architects who work directly with their clients.
3. How did you get started in this business?
I'm originally from Syria and spent 3-4 months there every summer during my childhood. I've always had the desire to own a small business and work with Middle Eastern artisans. However, it wasn't until the war began in Syria, causing my family to start visiting Turkey instead, that I became immersed in their textile industry. As a child, my father frequently purchased Persian rugs during our travels around the Middle East, so I've always been familiar with rugs. When we were in Turkey, it all fell into place.
4. How did you choose the location and how is it a good fit for your business?
I initially ran this business from my home in South Philly. However, I quickly ran out of space in my rowhome and had difficulty photographing my products. I needed a location close to home, where I could store my inventory and welcome clients to view my rugs. The Bok Building, a favorite place of mine, appealed to me because it housed like-minded creatives. It's been wonderful to collaborate with my neighbors on projects, and have the convenience of proximity to home.
5. What excites and energizes you most about your work?
I find immense joy in sharing pieces of my history and culture. When my clients express their excitement about learning the history of the rugs and the origin of this business, it creates a memorable connection. The opportunity to assist people in selecting a piece of history that will adorn their homes for generations is truly remarkable.
6. Do you have a favorite memory of running your business since you've started?
My first weekend open in my Bok showroom coincided with Small Business Saturday and I was surprised with so many customers who had been following me on Instagram for the past year, they just kept coming up to me and telling me how excited they were to visit me in a physical space. I had customers show up with paint samples and fabric swatches, ready to purchase their first rug. I wasn’t expecting anything that day, and it was such a ‘wow’ moment for me.
7. What is one thing you need in your workspace to make it your own?
It has to look and feel like a home. I can’t be in a sterile work environment, the first thing I purchased for the showroom was a white sofa. I was on the hunt for the perfect white sofa for weeks, and from there I mainly purchased everything secondhand…it’s the only way I know how to make my space feel cozy and ‘at home’.
8. If you could only choose one song to play every time you walked into a room, what would it be?
This is a tough one because this always depends on my mood and the time of year but if I had to pick, ‘here comes the sun’ by The Beatles
9. What’s your favorite piece of Philly culture?
The community, especially the support for small businesses. I truly feel like Philly is one of the best places to be in this country for small businesses, the support you get from everyone is truly amazing.
10. What’s your favorite local meal?
This is another tough question as there is SO much good food in this city, but for the past year I’ve been eating Taco Heart pretty religiously.
11. What did you want to be when you were younger? Does that have any significance to what you do now?
I never really envisioned myself in a corporate job and ever since I was in high school I’ve had this dream of owning my own shop. It was a long journey getting here, I stuck it out in the corporate world for a few years and went back to school but I knew I wouldn’t be happy doing anything else unless I pursued this dream. It only took a global pandemic to really give me the push to chase the dream.
