History
Barbara Barran founded Classic Rug Collection in 1999. For several years, Barbara had been making quilt-patterned floorcloths and selling them to the Smithsonian, Old Sturbridge Village, the Whitney Museum's Store Next Door, and other fine retailers. She then had the idea of making quilt-patterned carpets out of pieces of broadloom that were cut and bonded together to form the patterns. This new idea was quickly picked up by The New York Times and Elle Decor, and the business took off. Several years later, Barbara saw the Gee's Bend Quilts at the Whitney Museum, and she immediately tracked down the Arnett family, owners of many of the quilts and the people responsible for bringing the quilters to the attention of the public. Barbara was one of the first people to sign a licensing agreement with the quilters, and she still produces a line of rugs based on these outstanding pieces of folk art. Today, Barbara creates rugs designs that are inspired by a variety of periods and sources.