COCOCOZY RUGS ON DISPLAY - A TEAR JERKING MOMENT!

COCOCOZY rug display at the Capel showroom in High Point, NC (above)

So I cried yesterday.  I cried in a public place.   Right in the middle of several people.  Here's why.

Yesterday was the debut of the COCOCOZY for Capel Rugs collection here in High Point, NC.
Cameron Capel - grand daughter of the founder of Capel Rugs - took me into the showroom at Market Square with showroom manager Ron Bristow, Deanne O'Connor and Capel President John Magee.  When I first saw the display I was bowled over with joy...giggling, laughing, ooohing and ahhhing.  I chittered and chattered with glee.  I was so happy!  This went on for about 10 minutes.

Then all of a sudden I looked over to my left and I saw a COCOCOZY for Capel Rugs sign pasted onto the showroom window....and that is when I started to cry.

It was overwhelming in a wonderful way.  Here I am, just a normal girl, who started blogging 5 years ago...standing in the middle of a posh showroom with an entire collection of 24 luxury rugs staring at me...and the brand name I made up late one night in my kitchen years ago (COCOCOZY) staring right back at me too...larger than life.  It was a moment.

I know there will be many more ups and downs on this journey I am taking with COCOCOZY.  I am prepared for that.  I've learned a lot about myself...becoming a business owner and all...I hope I've helped you all learn a bit and get inspired too.  So many of the moments I have spent dealing with the twists and turns of running a business have been challenging...some of them lows...some of them were so confusing.

Yesterday, though, was a moment that I did take to pause...I paused and was thankful for all of the wonderful people I've worked with and met along the way.  I was also overcome with emotion.  So I cried right there in public.  A good cry.  A happy cry. A very happy cry.

Heading back to Los Angeles later today.  More from High Point tomorrow!

Happy Tuesday!

xo
Coco

P.S.  Thank you to Ron Bristow and Ken for setting up a marvelous display.

P.P.S.  A huge thank you to Tami Watras who is the former Creative Director at Capel who found me a year and half ago!

P.P.P.S. A big huge thank you to Cameron Capel who has hosted me all weekend!  Such a lovely time having dinners etc.!

P.P.P.P.S.  I'll share more photos later!

INTRODUCING COCOCOZY for CAPEL RUGS - SAMPLE PREVIEW!

COCOCOZY for Capel Rugs - Oxford Rug in Navy (Tibetan hand knotted wool rug) (above)

So...over the last 6 months, I've been alluding to and mentioning partnerships that I've been working on for COCOCOZY.

Today I am thrilled to announce a collaboration and a new COCOCOZY collection that we are bringing to market.

COCOCOZY for Capel Rugs! COCOCOZY rugs are going to market in 2013!  I'm still pinching myself.

These are pictures of the samples of COCOCOZY hand knotted wool Tibetan rugs that will be in stores this year!  We just got these 5'x8' samples in a few weeks ago and now I will be showing them at the New York International Gift Fair in less than two weeks! The rugs will come in other sizes and colors too.

Established in North Carolina in 1917, Capel Rugs is the oldest privately owned rug manufacturer and importer in the United States. Capel is known for their traditional classic braided rugs that are made at their mill in North Carolina.

Most recenlty, Capel has  some fantastic rug collaborations including their latest with television personality and designer Genevieve Gorder. They also do a fabulous line with textile designer Kevin O'Brien.

Here's the short version of the story on how this all started...

Over a year ago, a very smart and sharp Tami Watras, the Vice President and Creative Director of Capel Rugs approached me and COCOCOZY to talk about rugs. Tami sent me a nice email saying she would like to meet.

A few weeks later in July 2011, Tami came by the Atlanta market with Capel Rugs president John Magee and Vice President John Harrison to view my pillow collection. I remember meeting them and thinking, "Wow they look so official, they seem really nice and this is serious stuff!". I was right on all fronts.

It was after that meeting, the rug games began.

As my fab agent SM (I think I mentioned I have Hollywood type agent...or did I?) was negotiaing  the deal, my dear and sweet angel best of friend AM met me for a day trip to North Carolina where we rented a big SUV and drove to the Capel headquarters in Troy.  We were going to Capel to see if this was a deal I wanted to do for COCOCOZY.

While in Troy, we also got to meet the fantastic Cameron Capel, Vice President at Capel and whose grandfather founded the company.  During that sit down with the Capel team, there was instant chemistry...we had a shared vision as to what the rug collection could look like and more importantly we all had such a great time getting to know each other.   On the drive back to the airport, AM who had her nose stuck in the Capel catalog (shopping of course), simply said "You should do this deal.  They are great.  Do it."  That is where it all began.

So a year and half later, after several meetings, swatches, samples and designs going back and forth, here are a few of the designs and colorways in the first COCOCOZY rug collection!

Take a look...please let me know which you like best.

COCOCOZY Fence rug in Charcoal Gray. (above)

COCOCOZY Coco's Flower rug in Gray. (above)

Loop rug in Light Blue. (above)

So...now I have to decide which of these rugs I'll show in the COCOCOZY booth in NYC in two weeks. Again...I need your help. So many decisions. So little time until New York market!

Would love to hear your thoughts on these rugs. Please. Be honest...what do you like, what don't you like and which do you think I should show?

Happy Monday!

xo
Coco

P.S.  For pricing, to order, or for more information on our new rug collection, please email us at sales@cococozy.com!

P.P.S. Yesterday was my birthday. TE was very nice to whisk me away to San Francisco for a birthday fun weekend there. Will tell you a little more about that tomorrow and share some funny pictures from our day on Saturday at the San Francisco 49ers game. Yes...don't gasp...I did go to a 49ers game. I know!