By Andrea Lillo
The new year kicks off in Atlanta for the rug industry, and color remains at the forefront as it continues in two directions: tonal, sophisticated neutrals and bold, vibrant hues. Manufacturers will also expand designer collections, debut new fibers and constructions and offer even more geometric and ethnic designs.
But the consumer is attracted to color, and designs with a rainbow range of shades will be on tap this month—including Pantone’s color of the year, emerald.
“We’ve got that color covered in our popular Genevieve Gorder line,” said Tami Watras, vice-president, product and creative director, Capel, regarding emerald, “and based on the success of that program we plan to grow it with new, really cool interpretations in 2013.”
At Momeni, color is always a focal point, said Ashley Alford, design and marketing associate, and for the upcoming markets the company is using jewel tones in the emerald family, including new designs in its handhooked polyester Geo collection. “We are also focusing on the importance of neutral color palettes with the accents of a bold color,” she added. “Consumers will be seeing some interesting tonal rugs that can be brought into an existing room or give a customer a great base to start designing their room around.”
Flatweaves are still a strong category, said Watras, due to their design versatility and price points. “We’re doing really well with geometrics and modern looks that appeal to a trendier buyer and we get more and more requests for modern every day.” On a recent trip to India she also saw prices coming down in “decent quality” tufted products. “It allows us to have a competitive edge by offering great style, color and design at compelling pricing.”
Licensed designer collections will also grow this month in Atlanta. At Safavieh, designer Thomas O’Brien expands his collection with a new handknotted line made of hemp and jute yarns, which will retail for $800 for a 5-by-8. Thom Filicia has created a system of matching indoor and outdoor rugs for Safavieh, using handtufted wool and viscose for indoor use and recycled plastic bottles for the outdoor rug program; the collection is called Hanover Square and retails for $600 for a 5-by-8. The company’s line with Martha Stewart will debut flatwoven wool dhurries for the first time, including Sequence, in three colorways.
Two of Nourison’s licensed collections will expand in Atlanta. The Calvin Klein brand adds more constructions with a new sisal line called Kerala and a new flatweave line called Plateau. In the Calvin Klein Home collection, the Lunar line now has four additional colorways for a total of 12, and the Urban line has new styles and colors. Nourison’s Joseph Abboud collection will now offer the new Griffith line, which recreates classic designs to suit today’s cosmopolitan trends, including an updated houndstooth pattern and a new twist on a border rug, as well as the Mulholland line, a group of multidimensional, textural designs with tonal variations.
Shaw expands its handtufted offering with the introduction of World Market, a versatile collection of both traditional and contemporary styles. Constructions will include “heavy handed” wool to silks with cut and loop patterns showcasing handcarved details. The four initial groups include Craft, a textural group with a thick and nubby pile, Highlands, which has floral motifs ranging from traditional to casual contemporary; Indonesia, a group of ikat patterns; and Casablanca, a traditional line inspired by Persian antiquity for a heirloom feel.
“These lines are designed to provide a grand selection of beautiful patterns and impeccable quality at a great value,” said Kim Barta, brand manager for Shaw Living.
Shaw will also debut its color-inspired Melrose collection, a 60-piece group that is both design-forward and value priced. Looks range from ancient Persian to American mid-century modern, and the line will feature Shaw’s exclusive ombre dying technique for a handmade look.
Momeni will continue to build its accessories line, adding decorative pillows with coordinating poufs in the popular Lil Mo’ line as well as in some of its top-selling rug designs.
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