HANNOVER, Germany -- According to a Domotex release called "The Love of Flatweaves," not only is the technique at the heart of the history of textile weaving, but kilims and tapestries remain so relevant and important in the world of contemporary design and interiors that they have earned their own "Best Of" category at the floor covering fair's coveted Carpet Design Awards.
Flatweaves have been well represented during the eleven years of the Carpet Design Awards and many have gone on to win a coveted prize, proof that they are an important element within the language of contemporary carpets, stated Domotex. "For the 2017 edition of the CDA, flat-woven rugs have been granted their own "best of type" category. It is clear that it will be a popular and highly competitive part of the awards."
Domotex added, "The design language of flat-woven textiles is instantly recognizable, where typically weft threads pass horizontally over portions of warps to form geometric blocks of flat color to create the overall design."
"For some people, the mention of a flat-woven rug instantly suggests an Anatolian kilims, for others it is a tightly woven Caucasian sumak or a double-sided striped jajim, an Iranian eating cloth called a sofreh, a Navajo rug, a French Aubusson carpet or a Moroccan kilim, continued the report. The visual language and identities of the flatweave are even more diverse than those of pile carpets.
Rug & Kilim's Swedish folk art inspired flatweave Marta Stripe won Best Traditional Design at the CDA 2016.
"To comprehend the relevance of flat-woven rugs in today's market, you only have to look at some of the previous winners of the Carpet Design Awards and the range of beautiful designs for contemporary flatweaves offered at Domotex and beyond," stated the report. In some cases a traditional design has been reworked for a modern audience, in some the design is completely contemporary, while in many cases the beauty and simplicity of a traditional design is what actually assures its usability today.
"While flatweaves traditionally had a utilitarian purpose such as to decorate the home, to serve as various covers, as mule saddles or to wrap food, today they are a popular floor covering choice the world over. The method with which they are woven lends itself to creating flat planes of color and geometric patterns. These traditional tribal designs perfectly suit our contemporary design sensibilities currently focused on the minimalist aesthetic. The pure blocks of color, simple stripes or checks that flatweaves offer are ideal for modern interior spaces. In addition flatweaves are often offered at lower price points than pile carpets.
"Over the last five years, the design industry has been increasingly focused on the concept of craft, makers, handmade goods, and with designs that are easily recognized as handwoven. Flatweaves fit clearly into this trend. Their flat surfaces are a perfect way to show off excellent quality wool, accomplished weaving and brilliant color, all of which can be the deciding factor when choosing a rug. There is something very open and honest about the design of a kilim, a characteristic much appreciated by design savvy buyers who are able to recognize the integral, genuine texture that the flat-woven surface offers."
AWARD-WINNING FLATWEAVES
"Some examples of highly desirable and popular kilims on the market today include Hamburg-based Naziri's super chic Iranian kilims that have won numerous Carpet Design Awards, four of them over the last two years," stated the Domotex report.
"Their simple tribal patterns have a traditional soul but a contemporary perspective. Werner Webber's Mazandaran kilims from Northwest Iran are beautiful in design and intense in color, akin to works of modern art. Other brands producing striking flatweave designs include Zollanvari, Edelgrund and Rug & Kilim, a New York-based brand whose Swedish folk art inspired flatweave Marta Stripe won Best Traditional Design at the CDA 2016."