NEW YORK, NY.- In a city like New York, where residents have access to the some of the best contemporary design firms and shopping destinations in the world, something unexpected is happening: Despite their access to the newest trends, fashionable New Yorkers are looking to the past for their contemporary style inspiration. From vintage clothing, to classic cars, to antique rugs and furnishings, it seems that in one of the world's most modern cities, the taste for antique and vintage wares is only gaining strength. Indeed, when it comes to style, the mantra of New York's hippest seems to be out with the new, in with the old.

What can account for this shift? Perhaps, with the ever-expanding access and thirst for increasingly ephemeral technologies, we've begun to long for more tangible, made-to-last, items that have historical significance. In our ever-changing cultural climate, in which what's hip today is passé tomorrow, well-made, hand-crafted objects that have stood the test of time seem to have an almost magical appeal.

There's a romanticism to these historical objects. Each has a story, whether known or unknown, that evokes in us a sense of nostalgia for a past we have not ourselves lived. These items, offer windows into the lives of people and civilizations that may not be around today. They are true testaments to our ability to create objects of great beauty that may very well exist long past our own generations' passing. They are heirloom pieces that symbolize the continuity and evolution of human culture.

Antique and vintage rugs have, for centuries, symbolized a mysterious sort of exoticism to Western collectors. In the past, that exoticism was wrapped up in Westerners' imperial aspirations and fetishizing of the Eastern Other. Now, that same sense of mystery remains, but comes instead from a sense of wonder that these incredibly intricate objects were, in fact, produced by human hands without the aid of modern technology and have withstood the test of time. For this reason, contemporary reproductions of oriental carpet won’t do for many clients. They simply lack the sense of history, romance and soul of the true antiques.

One man who is actively involved in New York City’s renewed interest in antique rugs is Jason Nazmiyal - owner of The Nazmiyal Collection, in Manhattan. Mr. Nazmiyal has been in business for over thirty years and throughout the course of his career has witnessed the ebb and flow of popular interest in antique carpets. Currently he asserts that the demand for vintage rugs is on the upswing:

“A new generation of customer has emerged. One filled with younger people interested in expressing their own personality and individuality through the décor of their homes. With so much contemporary design coming from mass-produced sources, one-of-a-kind vintage rugs and antique carpets have the ability to give a client’s space a touch of history, culture and color. It renders their space unlike anyone else’s.”

Furthermore, Nazmiyal has noticed, that the average age of people who shop for good antique and vintage rugs has dropped significantly. Mr. Nazmiyal indicates that “previously, clients tended to begin to invest in these pieces during their later middle-age. Now, clients want to buy the rugs earlier on in life so that they may enjoy them in their homes for a longer period of time”.

For these new and savvy customers, the Nazmiyal Collection (which includes over 2,500 vintage and antique carpets from all regions including North Africa, the Middle East, and Scandinavia) is able to accommodate the spike in demand.

New York is a notoriously fast city. Here we talk fast, walk fast and we are quick to adapt to any changes the world throws our way. That said, when we do slow down, we're able to appreciate the beauty, complexity and history of these gorgeous hand-made pieces.

For those looking for a home accent piece that speaks to their specific aesthetic sensibilities, which also transcends the fleeting trends characteristic of our current zeitgeist - a vintage or antique rug may be just the thing!