About Blue Parakeet Rugs
Blue Parakeet Rugs is based in Los Angeles and owned and operated by Sheba Khodadad. All of our antique and vintage rugs are old world, handwoven wool rugs, and most are over one hundred years old. Not just vintage, but really vintage.
Our rugs have been featured in homes styled by award-winning designers and recognized in the pages of blogs, newspapers, and magazines of taste makers in furnishings and design. Blue Parakeet Rugs was named the top pick in world-class designer Emily Henderson's Ultimate Vintage Rug Resource Guide.
We sell online at our shop and ship all over the world. And for the local stuff, we offer on-site styling and installation with our Rug ‘N’ Roll service. With this perk, rug lovers in the LA area can pick some favorites from our inventory and have a personalized rug shopping experience at home. It’s concierugs!
New arrivals often preview on our Instagram stories before they hit the online shop, so make sure to follow @blueparakeetrugs on Instagram if you want to get a first look and first dibs!
Without the fixed costs of a large brick and mortar retailer, we are able make our rugs available to everyone at honest prices. We sell what we love, and we work hard to give you as much information as possible about each listing including untouched photographs (no filters, ever!) of each piece.
If you’re new to the shop and want to learn what we’re all about, please check out our Press & Bragging Writes to see our old rugs in the wild with some of our latest projects. If you have a question or want to email and chat, please send a message. We love hearing from you!
My Story
I’m a native of both LA and the rug trade. My parents’ home was always as full of food and love as it was of antique Oriental rugs and relatives in the business. After completing my MBA, I launched my first venture, a brand and event consultancy. I loved helping clients build deeper, more lasting connections with their audiences and customers. I have also produced or been part of hundreds of amazing events that make an impact. It actually led to my second small business, which was a spin off of my first! Working with everyone from Hollywood stars to national consumer brands to difference-making nonprofits was incredible, and after a decade of growth and success, I was ready to find my next Everest.
In the summer of 2016, I had started working with my beloved uncle Joseph, who was a world-renowned rug buyer, dealer, and appraiser. He sold rugs wholesale to many of the world class rug retailers that are brick and mortar. Joseph was passionate and more about the art than the business and he wanted to bequeath his incredible knowledge about the art, history, and trade of antique rugs to the next generation and focused his efforts on me. Studying by his side was a gift. Eventually, I learned to see these woven treasures with new, expert eyes and found my new calling. As it turned out, our emerging venture and amazing collaboration was cut short as Joseph tragically passed away at what was still quite a young age and only a few months into this amazing journey I had with him. I was left inspired and heartbroken, but ignited within to keep his legacy alive. I launched Blue Parakeet Rugs in 2017, named in honor of my uncle Joseph and of his favorite blue rose-ring parakeet. I run this business with my whole heart.
It’s been awesome to help build and be embraced by a great community on Instagram and through our shop and to become a trusted source for amazing design gurus as well as amazing home owners who want to have some love and history in their homes.
I never get tired of seeing one of these soulful rugs in its new home, preferably with barefoot kids and pets playing on top! I truly believe everyone should own an old, soulful rug that was handmade for months or years. These rugs are living, woven works of art made more beautiful by every home along their journey through the generations. I hope you find your next family heirloom at Blue Parakeet Rugs.
BPR Stories, Expertise, and Honest Notes
Blue Parakeet Rugs is a small, bustling business born out of inspiration from my upbringing, my family, and the serendipitous way life sometimes unfolds. This journey began thanks to one incredibly wise and gentle man in my family who focused on me and sparked a connection I never saw coming.
Each piece I find and collect carries a unique tale, handwoven over a century ago—or even earlier. This “hobby,” sparked by my uncle Joseph and what began as simply hanging out with him and doing some “rug things,” has blossomed into something truly beautiful. Blue Parakeet Rugs is a labor of love, a part of my soul, and a tribute to my family’s legacy.
As the first woman in my family to continue down this rabbit hole, I find immense joy in hunting for remarkable old rugs and connecting them with people who value their artistry and history. Every antique rug is steeped in mystery, crafted in villages and regions without documentation or labels. Even experts with decades of experience—who often discuss, deliberate and debate about rugs—disagree on their origins. These rugs are identified based on how we interpret their weave and construction and where we believe they were created.
My knowledge, built on years of hands-on experience and a deep-rooted family legacy, is my foundation. While I work tirelessly to provide accurate information about each piece, these historical artifacts can only be described to the best of my understanding and are not a guarantee. By purchasing from me, you embrace their mystery and history, acknowledging that no one—no matter how seasoned—can know it all. I strive to be as transparent as possible, inspecting each rug and providing you with a clear understanding of what I see and of its condition. Every rug comes with its own unique history and age-related character.
At Blue Parakeet Rugs, I strive to preserve stories, share cultures, and help these extraordinary works of art find their next homes. These rugs represent a bygone era, woven with old-world wool, dyeing practices, and artistry that are no longer practiced. I treat each piece with the utmost care because, to me, they are more than just rugs—they are treasures that are to be cherished and respected.
Many of my loyal clients—both private collectors and talented designers—trust my eye and knowledge when it comes to selecting antique rugs. Their confidence humbles me, and while I am deeply grateful for their trust, I see myself as a lifelong student in this ever-evolving world. One thing I can say with certainty is this: I specialize in old, soulful rugs. When you purchase from me, you’re not just buying a handwoven piece—you’re acquiring something rare, storied, and utterly beautiful.
I hope you’ll find a rug here that speaks to you. If you have any questions or want to chat, don’t hesitate to email or call me.