Don and Karen Mudd are seeing increased interest in modern rugs, such as the one shown here.[/caption]

As its name implies, the Woodlands Oriental Rug Gallery specializes in high-quality custom-made rugs from the Middle East, but owners Don and Karen Mudd are seeing an increased interest from customers in modern rugs.

"People don't think we carry modern rugs because our name is Oriental Rug Gallery, but we do. We have a lot of them," Don said.

Karen said many homeowners prefer modern designs, which are leading to customers asking for more contemporary rug styles.

The Mudds have been in the rug business in the Greater Houston area for more than 30 years, and Don has recently retired from the sales business, although he is still active in the management of the store.

The Mudds hired Luis Arce to manage the sale and inventory of the store's more than 3,000 rugs, many of which are authentic Persian rugs. The store is receiving new shipments, particularly in grays and light blues, colors that are popular right now, Karen said.

Woodlands Oriental Rug Gallery relocated from Town Center to FM 2978 in September 2013, and since then has seen more customers from the Village of Creekside Park, Tomball, Magnolia and Woodforest, Karen said.

"We're situated in a growing area back here," she said.

Meanwhile, Karen said the store continued its community outreach efforts by donating a rug worth $25,000 to the Montgomery County Food Bank for a recent auction as well as a rug to ExxonMobil for its auction benefiting the United Way.