Welcome back! Today in the Lounge, Nick speaks with Lori Weitzner from her studio in Chelsea, New York, and Edmond Hagopian, owner of Detroit Rug Restoration. Edmond chats with Nick about the family business and the vintage market. Nick and Lori discuss her journey into textile design, getting a book deal, and her color quiz.

Watch Designer Chad James Talks Color to learn about some of his favorite Benjamin Moore paints!

Getting to Know Lori

As a girl, Lori wanted to be a fashion designer, so made her way to Syracuse University to study fine arts. One mentor, whom she attributes much of her success to, recommended her to switch to textile design. After graduating and working for Fieldcrest, she went on to sell her textile designs, or croquis, at a fair in France. Her career took off from there with her own business and she went from selling to licensing her designs. To focus on creative and design aspects, she partnered with Pollack to take over the business side.

Ode to Color

Ode to Color The Ten Essential Palettes for Living and Design, Lori’s book, was carefully planned over two years. She encourages readers to understand color better and implement the tips after taking her Color Analysis Test. Through the psychology of color, the test helps you to find what works best for you. Lori believes color is a tool that allows you to be more productive in your personal life and work.

Beyond her upcoming trip to Nepal to collaborate with artisans, forthcoming projects include a painter series, woven and printed Weitzner products, and rug work with Perennials. Come November, her jewelry line will be available!

Detroit Rug Restoration Company

A third-generation Armenian, whose grandfather started the Hagopian and Sons business in 1939, Edmond specializes in rug and carpet cleaning services. Employing a company of 150, the successful business has been running for over 80 years. Evolving the original family company, the Hagopian brother-sister team manage the e-business and Detroit Rug Restoration, a spin-off from their other business. Edmond says the secret to running the family business is a lot of love, trust, and hard work.

For more information about Detroit Rug Restoration, check out www.detriotrugrestoration.com or https://www.originalhagopian.com/

Learn more about Lori on her Instagram and website. Don’t forget to take her Ode to Color Test here! Share your results on Instagram with #thechaiselounge and @LoriWeitzner.