Article Number : 1207 |
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| Date | 7/19/2006 12:08:39 PM |
| Written By | LGM & Associates Technical Flooring Services |
| View this article at: | //floorbiz.com/BizResources/NPViewArticle.asp?ArticleID=1207 |
| Abstract | By Deena Bouknight Columbia, S.C.—Throughout the year, area rug companies add new products to their lineup, but it is at the July Rug Market in Atlanta (see related story) where some of the most eye-appealing and retail-driven product will be unveiled... |
| Article | By Deena Bouknight Columbia, S.C.—Throughout the year, area rug companies add new products to their lineup, but it is at the July Rug Market in Atlanta (see related story) where some of the most eye-appealing and retail-driven product will be unveiled. This season, mills are focusing on color, style and construction. Karastan, for example, recognizes that black is as chic and trendy as ever in both fashion and home furnishings design. That is why it chose to wed the hue into its Panel Kirman pattern, to create Empress Kirman Black. “It is a dramatic and fresh interpretation of a perennial classic that is easy to imagine in almost any style decor,” said Anne Carley, rug product marketing manager. “It’s also a perfect coordinate to Agra Black introduced less than a year ago.” As part of the Original Karastan Collection, the new Empress Kirman Black shares all of the group’s attributes, including an Axminster woven construction of fully worsted New Zealand wool. A 5X9-ft. retails for $1,199. In Karastan’s English Manor collection, black is also a focal point. Regent’s Park is an antique prayer rug pattern rendered in a black and khaki combination. The estimated retail of a 5X7-ft. is $899. Also leaning toward black is Jaunty Co. As one of the largest importers of handmade rugs on the West Coast, Jaunty came out with Capistrano Blac, a 100% wool rug. This is handtufted in India and has a “unique multi-textured structure,” according to Kami Navid, vice president of sales. Navid pointed out Jaunty controls all the spinning and dying of its own wool to “maintain superior quality standards.” Rugs are made in vertically integrated plants in India, China and other countries. Capistrano Black has a full-cut background with hard-twist wool used in flowers and accent motifs. Even though black is the focus, it is available in other colors: sable brown, green and red. A 5X8-ft. retails for $399. Jaunty also added berry and beige to its Metro Collection, which is handtufted in India and uses a combination of full-cut pile, with hard-twist wool and mercerized cotton accents. At Capel, it is all about color. “Neutrals gain further ground as brights retreat,” said Lou Webster, director of product development and design, “with the mixture of warm and cool hues being the most directional. Rose gold is emerging…” Sphinx by Oriental Weavers is focused on construction with a new machine-made collection and additions to Grandeur and Cottage. The Nexus collection is considered a “textural innovation in machine-made rugs,” according to Jonathan Witt, vice president of marketing. Styles within Nexus range from updated traditional to transitional florals in chocolates, blues and beiges. These are machine-made in Egypt of 100% polypropylene and retail for $299 for a 5X7-ft. Grandeur, which was overwhelmingly successful for retailers last July, said Witt, is handcrafted of 100% wool in China and offers traditional patterns and rich colors. Also expanded was Sphinx’s Cottage collection with new floral, traditional and lodge style. Momeni added new rugs to its popular New Wave modern collection, as well as to Guild and Pasha in handtufted, and Dorado, Palace, Delano and Bergamo in hand-knotted. Three new power-loomed collections were added that have a transitional or contemporary bent: Chelsea, a transitional floral grouping; Deco, a combination of fresh designs; and Nouveau, an arts and crafts inspired line. All feature space dying and hand-finishing. Also added was Trek, a hand-looped quality rug with hand-tufting to give it a high/low effect. Trek has bold abstracts and damask designs. At Shaw Living, the Accents collection covers the gamut of interior design themes, including organic, nature, Asian, Santa Fe, sleek modern stripes and geometrics, transitional images, and classic European and Persian influences. The color palette blends earthy shades with vibrant jewel tones so that the rugs can complement traditional decors, yet work well in contemporary and transitional settings, noted Kim Barta, brand manager. Accents is woven of heat-set olefin fiber, and has a finish that resists soil, stains, and fading. |