Elizabeth Miller

By Steven Feldman
NEW YORK — Karastan this fall is rolling out what it is calling “a new generation of Karastan products for the next generation of Karastan customers.” The product part capitalizes on the Peshawar trend of softened palettes and less complex color stories, while the customer part refers to those who may have previously thought the Karastan brand was not for them.

According to Elizabeth Miller, senior vice president of style and design, they still offer 29 colors and are inspired by antique rugs. “It’s a different kind of traditional with a quieter, simpler quality. We like to think of these rugs as decorating friendly.”

Shapura is the new collection Karastan will show this fall. The three rugs that comprise the line—Athena, Tiana and Tiana Ivory—are constructed of New Zealand wool and replicate a hand knotted quality due to Karastan’s Axminster production process. Sizes range from 6x9- to 9x12-feet.

Captiva, part of the Samerkand Collection, is a new design in saffron yellow. The rug offers imperfections of a handmade rug and coordinates with lighter hardwood floors. “The mission is do what we can with traditional product and make it relaxed,” Miller said. Also constructed of New Zealand wool, sizes range from 3x5- to 8x11-feet.

Continuing along the lines of expanding on traditional looks, Karastan has added Empress Kirman Black to the Original Karastan series. The design is one of the brand’s signature Panel Kirman patterns transformed by a liberal use of black. “Black appeals to traditional and transitional decors, but its drama allows it to go in a comtemporary direction,” Miller said. Sizes range from 6x9- to 9x12-feet.