guest blog by Grace Bonney 16

Old World Charm

material_culture_image_1
Its not every day you get to meet with a successful, intelligent, genuine and creative individual, but Alissa and I had just that opportunity when we got a private tour of George Jevremovic’s two businesses – Material Culture and Woven Legends. Back in the early 80’s, George noticed that antique Oriental rugs were in better condition than rugs that were made only 15 or 20 years earlier. He attributed this to the loss of time-tested techniques like the use of naturally dyed wools and hand weaving. Being so displeased with the quality of these “modern” Oriental rugs, he took matters in to his own hands and launched Woven Legends.

material_culture_image_2
Now, with thousands of employees worldwide, Woven Legends produces some of the best modern-day Oriental rugs available. Each piece is made with 100% naturally dyed wool and is never put into, onto, around, through, above or even close to a machine. The end results are pieces that will be bought and sold for decades and become the heirlooms and antiques of tomorrow. His rugs are available at stores such as ABC Carpet and Home in New York City and Woven Accents in LA.

material_culture_image_3
material_culture_image_4
In 1994 George also opened what is now a 90,000 square foot store called Material Culture. Material Culture is dedicated to new, vintage and antique home furnishings (and décor) from the world round. You will find antique copper pots and pans from Turkey, elephant doors from India, hand-carved wood seats from Kenya, architectural structures from China, and for the hard-to-please there is even a 30’ wide building façade that is for sale. The prices you ask? Completely reasonable and there is a little something for everyone.

material_culture_image_5
Furnishing your home? Decorating an office? Or just looking for one special piece to finish a room? This is one place you have to visit.

material_culture_image_6
Photos by Alissa Parker-Walker

Categories
guest blog
Related Posts
No related posts.

16 Comments

Noelia

Just what i need !!! hahaha That stuff will be lovely for my kitchen and living room ;)

Melissa

WOW! I would be like a kid in a candy store in this treasure chest of beautiful things!

KL Dilley

I love the way Material Culture looks. I could spend all day looking at the color patterns in this store!

Angela

Am I imagining it or is there a Material Culture store in Chicago? I swear (but not on D*S!) that there was one in River North with the exact same logo…were they related?

Anne

I’m guessing this place doesn’t have a cat… it would be completely destroyed.

Gillian

This place looks fantastic! I’m going to have to plan a trip to PA now…

Kate

What an awesome find! I’ll definitely add it to my list the next time I am in Philadelphia.

Heather

what a unique find Ryan & Alissa!! I am sending Brendan down there to pick out some surprises for me for when I get back!!

Brendan

What a great write-up and photographs. This store looks amazing. I am definitely making my way down there this week for my new apartment. I’m sure my fiance will be pleasantly surprised with this find!

Dia

wow! This place looks amazing, I would go crazy here. Can’t wait to browse the online store.

Shandell's

This is a candy store of the best candy. Stuff for your soul. I will have to make a trip soon to see.

zoe

it looks amazing…. but what city/country/planet is it located in?

grace

zoe

i’m pretty sure they’re both in philly, at least according to the website contact pages.

grace

Hans

George definitely had the most amazing ideas about this business, and this is a place you would want to go back to once you visit it. I hope I will get a chance to see it myself.

Leave a Comment

Design*Sponge reserves the right to restrict comments that do not contribute constructively to the conversation at hand, contain profanity, personal attacks or seek to promote a personal or unrelated business.