We interviewed our rug-loving colleagues at Layout to find out where their love for rugs comes from.
This time, we asked the store manager, Komatsu, who is also well-known for his Instagram Live, all sorts of questions!
Manager's job
"Rather than me doing anything as the store manager, I try to look over the entire showroom from a bird's-eye view and notice the small details. That might sound cool to say, but (laughs).
Thankfully, each of our staff members has their own strengths. Some are good at displays, some are good at talking to customers, some are good at design, etc. I think what makes Layout unique is that we all think and work together, making the most of each individual's individuality.
It seems that what prompted Komatsu to join the company was a television program.
"At the time, I had moved from the interior design industry to the jewelry industry, and I was thinking about getting back into interior design work. I was watching Matsuko Deluxe's show, Wandering the Streets at Night, and Layout, before it moved, came on. I had been interested in rugs from a previous trip to Morocco, and the staff there were so nice, it seemed like a fun place to work, so I followed them on Instagram. Then, they posted a job opening, and that's how I got in touch."
Imperfect and therefore lovable
Komatsu was just one of Layout's Instagram followers, but now she's a central figure who appears in posts and Instagram Lives. When she introduces rugs by comparing them to things like Ghibli and Doraemon, the rugs feel somehow familiar.
You can enjoy these posts on Instagram and " RUG isGood," but we asked them what they think about when they look at rugs.
"I like the fact that Gabbeh and tribal rugs are imperfect from a Japanese perspective and make me chuckle. When I start imagining things like, 'Why did they stop weaving here?' or 'Maybe the craftsmen got too caught up in chatting?' I find them really endearing."
(The bird in the tribal rug has been on Komatsu's mind lately. Its turquoise-blue eyes are beautiful, and it seems like a story could be told about this bird as well.)
"When I think back, ever since I was a child, I loved falling asleep daydreaming and writing picture books. Even now, I love imagining, 'This pattern has a story behind it...'
When explaining rugs to customers, I sometimes talk about their history and tribes, but I would be happy if they could feel closer to the rug just by saying, 'This pattern seems to have a story behind it.'"
A new me
"RUG is Good" is a Layout specialty that is packed with Komatsu's imagination, and in which each staff member talks about their love for rugs.
"We want everyone to know the appeal of rugs, so our staff members talk about their favorite rugs subjectively. It's fun to see each staff member's individuality come out, and it makes people think, 'Oh, I never knew there was another way to look at it.'
I discovered so many things that I couldn't help but want to share them with my customers."
Being able to imagine freely like this and communicate it to customers is something only Layout can do, but it was a shock to Komatsu when he first joined the company. "At the interior design shop where I used to work, I was expected to accurately communicate the specifications and sizes of the furniture. But with handmade rugs, there are some that don't have design drawings and are woven by artisans using their own ideas. I was surprised to learn that we, who receive them, can also use our imagination freely. It's a lot of fun to think together with customers, wondering, 'I wonder what pattern this is...'
I think that since I came to Layout, I've been able to break out of my shell and reveal my true self. I've actually wanted to communicate with customers in this way for a long time.
Now I can be myself without having to try and act like someone I'm not, and I really enjoy talking to customers."
We will continue to be like Layout
We asked Komatsu what Layout is like for him.
"We want to convey to customers that rugs are fun. Perhaps that's what Layout is all about. Handmade rugs are often thought to be intimidating, but once customers come into the store, they'll be able to talk frankly about them and realize that they are something much more familiar, which puts them at ease. Rather than having customers buy rugs, we want to make this a place where people can learn about and enjoy the appeal of rugs. So when customers tell us, 'It was fun. I'll come visit again,' I feel so happy and think, 'Yay!'
This applies not only to customer service in the store, but also to consultations over LINE and Instagram Live. It feels like I'm finding the perfect rug for the customer and handing it over to them. I always feel like I'm choosing a rug for my family.
"I want Layout to continue to be a place where people think, 'If you want to go and look at rugs, you have to start at Layout.' More specifically, I want it to be a familiar place where people can come and look at rugs in the same way they would go to a gallery to look at art. When choosing interior decor, it's a shame to think of rugs as something you don't really need. Once you find that one, it becomes an indispensable piece. I think my goal right now is to create more Layout fans! To that end, we, the staff, want to have fun while also conveying our love for rugs."
