With 12,000-plus hand-woven pieces sourced directly from artisans around the world, Kismet Fine Rugs in downtown Jackson turns rug shopping into a hands-on, in-depth design experience.
Jeff Neishabouri founded Kismet Rugs in 1990. He and his wife, Mina, have spent decades curating a collection of more than 12,000 hand-woven pieces from master artisans. Transforming rug shopping into an immersive design experience, the gallery invites visitors to explore global craftsmanship, texture, timeless beauty, and an unwavering commitment to exceptional, personalized service.
Stacks of rugs in every color and style might feel intimidating elsewhere, but at Kismet, they are part of the experience. What stands out as much as the diverse inventory are the gallery’s customer service and passion for education. “Kismet is not just a retail store, but also an experience,” says CEO Ivan Jones. To deepen that experience, the gallery recently published the digital “Kismet Ultimate Guide to Hand-Woven Rugs,” accessible via the QR code to the right.
“Whether you are looking for a single small rug or rugs for an entire home—whether you know exactly what you want or are looking to be inspired—we work to make clients feel at home in our gallery,” Jones says. “We go the extra length to ensure that every client finds something they love and will love for years to come.” Clients are encouraged to watch staff flip through stacks and to handle the rugs themselves. Feeling different weaves and piles, comparing designs and colors, and seeing motifs in person are the best ways to truly understand what you want, Jones says. If nothing in the stacks is quite right, Kismet facilitates custom pieces and collaborates closely with discerning clients to bring their vision to life.
Kismet, founded by Neishabouri in 1990, offers free in-home consultations for clients at any stage of design, from blueprints to fully furnished. “We see the space ourselves, measure rooms, and listen to how clients hope to achieve their design goals,” says Neishabouri, who has furnished thousands of homes with rugs over his career. Kismet will facilitate a preview of selected rugs in local clients’ homes. “Rugs can look very different in different spaces and in different light,” Jones says. “We don’t want clients to have to imagine what a rug might look like in their home; we take the rugs to them so they can actually see them in their space before committing.”
Neishabouri’s trips to meet and buy directly from weavers shape more than just the look of Kismet’s inventory. “We don’t have any middlemen or buyers,” Jones explains. “Working directly with weavers ensures our pricing is the most aggressive it can be. To find a similar rug in a different gallery, you’re almost certainly looking at a mark-up.” Kismet also offers designer and industry discounts, and runs frequent sales for budget-conscious clients. The gallery ships rugs free in the U.S.
“We’re a small family business, locally owned and operated for 36 years,” Jones says. “We pride ourselves on our prices and service. We go the extra mile for all of our clients so that each of them gets the experience they want out of the gallery and leaves with a rug they love.”
