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Print This StoryFloor Covering Trends: Creative Contemporaries At Your Feet
POSTED: 1:59 pm EDT October 12,
2007
UPDATED: 4:50 pm EDT October 18,
2007
Rug industry experts say the new aesthetic in rug design includes interesting tone-on-tone textures, luxurious soft shags and custom contemporary designs. They explain that while antique Persians will always be in demand, the new direction is definitely contemporary.
Charlotte interior designer Kelly Cruz says the array of options available in today's rug market is exciting. "There are more styles, colors, designs and textures than we've seen before," she says. "There is truly something for everyone and for every application."
"The rug is the one place clients are willing to venture out, so we're not using Orientals as much," says Cruz. "We are toning things down a bit with rugs that feature cleaner, more continuous lines, tone-on-tone colors and less pattern."Cruz explains that the newest and most exciting designs in contemporary rugs offer an interesting twist on textures. "You will find two completely different textures in one rug. Part of the rug is woven, while the other part is tufted," she says. "Rugs have always been a form of art, and these are truly artistic rugs."One of the companies making these textural beauties is STILE BK Tibetan rugs from Italy. Ali Nikrooz is the Director of USA operations for this innovative rug company, based out of Charlotte, North Carolina. These high-end custom rugs are designed by Italian designer and founder of STILE BK, Behrouz Kolahi.
These contemporary rugs feature a luxurious mix of textures in the highest quality Tibetan wool. The rugs are considered works of art because the designer introduces only a limited number of new designs each year. "We are trendsetters," says Nikrooz. "These rugs are organic and very cutting edge."Tim Cohen, Co-Manager of the Stark Carpet showroom in Charlotte, is another rug industry expert who agrees that contemporary rugs are now the trend. Stark offers a wide variety of rug styles, including high-quality traditional rugs, French Aubussons, needlepoints, Old English and Old French patterns. Cohen says traditional rugs will always be popular, but today Stark is selling a wide range of contemporary designs."People are looking for something more unexpected in a rug," Cohen says. "And more people with traditional or transitional furnishings are pairing them with the clean lines of a modern rug. It's nice to see this kind of creativity."
"We are a fulfillment house for the nation's leading designers," continues Cohen. "There are no boundaries to what we will manufacture to satisfy the artistic mind. These days, we are seeing an incredible amount of creativity from the design world."The rug dealers and Cruz also agree that customization is the wave of the future. "We are customizing rugs to match the home's interior, with custom shape, size and color to match their furniture or whatever the customer wants," says Nikrooz.Cruz points out that more homeowners are choosing carpet and rugs in light colors. She says advances in stain technology make carpets easier to clean, so people are less afraid to buy a white carpet.These trends may also be influenced by a homeowner's lifestyle, and their decision to live for today, making a fun purchase that is based on style rather than an investment in an expensive antique Persian to last a lifetime."People are having more fun with rugs today," says Cruz. "I see a lot of shag carpet in bedrooms now. White shag carpet. People want the comfort, and rugs are more affordable, so homeowners can buy something they like now, enjoy it for several years and change it later if they decide to redecorate."
RESOURCESAdvertisers listed in bold.What's Hot in Floor Coverings for 2008
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