SANTA MONICA, Calif. -- Designer source Marc Phillips Decorative Rugs is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, which gives co-owner and founder Bobby Partial a unique perspective on trends in the luxury segment of the interior furnishings market.
With showrooms in Los Angeles and New York, Partial spoke with RugNews.com at the WestEdge Design Fair in Santa Monica as his brother and company co-owner Marc Partial was setting up a booth on the east coast for their debut exhibit at Boutique Design New York (BDNY), a hospitality design show (
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At the California fair, third-year exhibitor Marc Phillips showcased its new collections featuring neutrals and blacks, which Bobby Partial said is a trend that will not be going away anytime soon.
Marc Phillips makes a statement with a sophisticated black and white graphic rug.
"I still see contemporary as strong, but there is definitely going to be a shift from that. I think neutrals are strong, but color is getting stronger. Different shades of blues are still the most popular as a staple color. There were years of light blue, now it's getting darker, greyer, greener, blacker. But, the base is still blue."
Marc Phillips featured rugs crafted in India, Nepal, and Thailand in its WestEdge display, with materials ranging from wool and silk to bamboo. Partial said the company went for a neutral and earthy look in its booth this year with the added touch of luxurious chairs by Brazilian designer, Sergio Rodriguez.
Response from WestEdge show shoppers to Marc Phillips' Casade design indicates that the no-color look of neutral colors is on point and not going away soon.
"It is exciting to see furniture evolve. It is exciting to see a lot of the people displaying here at the show: This show has been really strong -- it looks better than ever."
Partial explained that what sets his company apart from other exhibitors: "We collaborate with different interior designers and artists, including Kimberly McDonald, who is a jewelry designer."
Asked how the company's name came about, Partial recalled: "My younger brother's name is Marc. When I started the company, I didn't even think I'd survive. I didn't think long term. I also don't like the spotlight, so I just made up the name based on my brother's name. I kept bouncing last names off of a friend, and Phillips worked."
Now celebrating the company's 25th year, Partial says he has drawn inspiration from textiles, hieroglyphics, fashion, and nature. But he says he is still most inspired by his customers.
"Most of my clients are so much more visually superior than I am in all aspects of design, where I'm a little more focused with rugs. I have a lot of clients who really open up my eyes to other avenues," Partial said. "So, really, I owe most of what I know to my clients, and I am very lucky to have worked with some of the best designers in the world."
