The theme of this issue is “Comforts of Home,” and Nomadic Trading Company definitely comes to mind for its massive collection of rare antique rugs – stacks upon stacks of them. The colors, the textures and the designs of each one adds a layer of comfort in a space.
Based in Durham, N.C., Nomadic Trading Company has hand-picked items from markets around the world, including Turkey, Hungary and Germany. Since 1995, Nomadic Trading Company has stayed true to progressive vintage design concepts and specializing in reclaimed, handwoven rugs as well as vintage furniture, industrial lighting and other practical pieces for the home and commercial projects.
Nomadic has been making the trip to Round Top for more than 10 years now.
“In my opinion, it’s the premier market for showing vintage goods in the world”
“In my opinion, it’s the premier market for showing vintage goods in the world,” owner Demir Williford says. “Market Hill has upped the ante in Round Top. It has created a canvas for some of the best vintage dealers. It has become the premier destination, and it has allowed us to introduce products that we were not able to do before.”
“Our style is progressive vintage design,” he says. “In order for us to showcase products in the most effective way, it requires a lot of logistical things. At Market Hill, I am not restricted by an eight-foot tent. I have walls. I can hang lights. I can hang rugs on the walls. I am not able to do that in other spaces, exposed to the elements, where I may get mud on them. Things like cement floors help us move quicker, load and unload faster, get the product in and out. It makes a better show for us overall.”
Demir is involved in every part of the business.
“A lot of people go to market once or twice a year, and they hire people to do everything for them. They usually don’t touch the merchandise. We drive our own trucks. We load and unload the trucks. We load and unload our containers. We are hands-on,” he says.
As for how he chooses what to bring to Market Hill, Demir says, “Our creative process is constantly evolving, but it’s very simple. We look at every product with an open mind, beyond its appearance. We also keep our clients in mind. ‘Who would like this?’ is the question I’m always asking.”
Even after all of these years, Demir still loves the thrill of the hunt.
“The hunt excites me the most,” Demir says. “What are we going to find around the corner? What’s under there? There’s always something new to discover and to create. Along with the prospect of finding the unusual, there’s always something out there that hasn’t been seen, or if it has been seen, it’s been overlooked. In that case, you have an opportunity to transform it, to make it something valuable.”
Something new for the fall show for Nomadic Trading Company is an expanded showroom at Market Hill and is bringing more pieces of furniture as well as their collection of rugs.
“Our space has doubled. That’s going to allow us to express our style and showcase our products much more efficiently. Now I can bring all of my stuff.”
When we asked him to share a product that he’s most excited about bringing, he says, “This is hard for me. I don’t have one single piece I can talk about; I have an entire collection of unique found goods from France, Spain, Turkey, Hungary and Germany.”
To see some examples of what Nomadic has in store, follow @nomadictradingco on Instagram or visit nomadictrading.com.