Striations - Allo and Silk, Undyed

Medfield, Mass- Boston area colorist and rug designer Barbara Jacobs/Silk Road Weaves introduces the Simply Natural Collection. Taking “green” one step further, Ms. Jacobs creates a new group of designs featuring richly textural variations of luminous dimensions in a range of undyed colors. Hallmarks of the new collection are bold or low-contrast textures and subtle neutrals that are earthy and softly shimmering. The new works are easily customized for shape and size and, as with all collections from Silk Road Weaves, custom fiber combinations are possible, and personalized service is a specialty.

States Jacobs, a member of RUGMARK—the organization working to end child labor in the carpet industry— “All of our rugs are Green, in the sense that they are made of sustainable materials—and “human green” in the sense that there is no child labor used and the weaving companies I work with are pro-active in the social aspects of their company. While I am always intrigued by and focused on color, I’m particularly excited about the potential for creativity that exists within the framework of the more limited—but very beautiful—range of undyed colors that comprises this new collection. I’m starting with a very minimalist approach but additional designs will continue to unfold.

I’m using wool and silk, of course, but there are a number of other fibers that offer intriguing texture and design possibilities that will be great in many settings from informal to opulent. This can even be a wonderful alternative for people who feel they have sensitivity to wool, who may have not been able to find interesting custom carpets until now.”

On a more literally colorful note, Jacobs also introduces the Moonshadows Collection, a group of designs whose variations of related abstract motifs are inspired by plant shapes. The imagery is expressed in four designs of varying scale: Kaleidoscope, Kaleidoscope Lines, Reflections, and Mosaic. Using varied combinations of Himalayan wool, silk, and Himalayan nettle (“allo”), the designs are richly colored in a range of colors and dimensional textures that include highly colored bold hues, low-contrast deep tones, and neutrals that are earthy and softly shimmering.

A new feature of their web site, www.silkroadweaves.com, is a link at the bottom of the page to register for news and updates. Jacobs is currently accepting applications from interested showrooms that are looking for a new and different line of heirloom quality, artisan Tibetan rugs to add to their custom rug offerings.