About John

John Hashempour

From the tailor's table to the finished home

John's eye for design started long before furniture. As a boy in Iran, he worked beside his father, a master tailor and clothing manufacturer. There he learned to cut fabric, design dresses, and understand how texture and color work together.

After coming to the United States in 1983, John spent 13 years designing and repairing fine jewelry at J&R Jewelers in Gaithersburg, a business he opened with his brother. Jewelry taught him precision and an eye for detail that still shapes every room he designs.

Travels through Mexico, Turkey and Italy, visiting furniture makers, artisans and art dealers, inspired the next chapter. John began with Persiano Rugs in the Kentlands, then grew it into Persiano Gallery, a full design center offering furniture, handmade rugs, chandeliers, art and window treatments.

John works directly with every client. He visits homes, listens to how each family lives, and builds a plan around their style, often working in pieces they already love. Because his designs draw on in-stock inventory, clients see and touch their furniture before it arrives and enjoy their finished rooms in weeks, not months.

Many of John's clients have been coming back for more than 20 years, and they send their families and friends. That is the measure of success he is proudest of.

Designing homes20+ years · Maryland, Virginia & DC

John, in a great room he designedMaryland

Lower-level diningPaneled walls, pendant light

He designed floor plan options showing how the furniture would fit within the rooms. When my husband walked into the family room he said, ‘Wow! Is this the same room?’
Nadia Rezaeian, client

The gold parlorGold leaf, velvet, crystal

Coffered diningCoffered ceiling, crystal

Condo livingComfort, made to last

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Maryland · Virginia · Washington, D.C.