Abbas M. Firouzi travels the world and scours auctions and estate sales to stock Pasadena Rug Mart, which he bought in 1986 after emigrating from Iran and studying engineering and business. The store, which sells everything from $200 throws to “museum quality” carpets, also picks up its customers’ rugs and brings them in for cleaning.

“In 1932, this business was founded by an Armenian from Turkey, and then his son did the business. I bought the business and the property and the goodwill.

“I came here as a student in 1973, from an ancient city called Mahal, and then after I graduated I decided to stay in this business because I have been in this business for seven generations in Iran. I am the first generation in America. I haven’t been in Iran since 1980.

“My inventory is handpicked by myself from all over the world, or from wholesalers in the U.S. or auction houses or different estates. I have put more than 30,000 rugs in Southern California homes personally since 1986.

“I go all over the world, anywhere that they make hand-made rugs Turkey, warehouses in Germany, New York. I go to the shops and the supplier. I have to enjoy the rugs and believe they are right in terms of quality and condition for our customers. I buy one to 10, and then I give them to a trustee and he will ship them all together. It usually takes one week, by air. They put them in burlap, via any freight company.

“I have four full-time employees and three part-time, depending on the output of the business. I have a main showroom that is 3,000 square feet and another 2,000-square-foot gallery section. We have an average of about 1,200 transactions a year and double that number come to look. Ninety percent of my business is referrals and old customers, 10 percent new customers.

“This is a fun business. I bring the soul of the room to the house. The rug is the soul of the room the tranquility of the color, the design, they are lifetime companions, they are not just floor covering. They are good friends. Life with no color has no value. And these rugs have up to 50 different colors, some of them. You can imagine how much joy and pleasure they bring to a room and a family. You come from a busy day to your home and your family and no matter what mood you’re in, they cheer you up.”