The Smiths Have Art to Go on the Floor

by Jane Hines

Antique oriental rugs have become a profitable retirement interest for Don and Claire Smith of Tuscaloosa, Alabama. They have traveled to Britain and New England to find the most beautiful rugs. They attend antiques shows to display and sell them. They also clean and repair rugs and shown them by appointment at their home in Tuscaloosa.

It all started when they became interested in beautifying their own home. "We wanted to buy paintings and then discovered that the best value in beauty is in rugs," Don says. Collecting antique rugs became a hobby and "Soon we had rugs all over the house," Claire says.

Then their friends asked them to find pretty rugs for their homes. One show for an alumni group led to other shows and now they have developed a comfortable seasonal travel schedule that makes these durable and beautiful antiques available to people at shows around the country. "We've learned to buy carefully and selectively and learned from mistakes we've made," they say.

Don, a Presbyterian minister, was the first in the family to pursue the rug interest when he retired as Development Director at Stillman College in 1982. Claire retired in 1989 from clinical social work at the University of Alabama and became an active partner. "Rugs are fascinating," says Don. "They express nature and the culture of the village and nomadic people who make them."

At a recent antiques show at Battle Ground Academy in Franklin, Tennessee, the Smiths were joined by two of their adult children in their sales and display booth. Elizabeth is a social worker in Nashville and David is a horticulturist and landscape designer in Tuscaloosa. "They are getting interested in rugs," says Claire. Another daughter, Mary, is their bookkeeper in Tuscaloosa.

The Smiths have definitely discovered that retirement years can be as interesting as any previous years. When they are not traveling with their rugs, they may be contacted at home in Tuscaloosa at 205/758-4314. "The bonus for us," says Claire, "is meeting nice people everywhere."

Among their rugs, from left to right:
Don, Elizabeth, Claire and David Smith