RugNews tours fall High Point Market to rub shoulders with buyers and designers shopping area rug showrooms, and to suss out top-sellers.
HIGH POINT, N.C. -- Our tour of the hottest area rug showrooms and product introductions continues in Part 2 with more top sellers and trends spotted at the fall 2023 High Point Market.
When it came to color, rug companies ticked all the boxes, but with a new sophistication and ahead-of-the-curve fashion flair once confined to boutique European studios. Exhibitors showed on-point color trends in all price points, especially in the category of neutrals. Indeed, neutrals were omnipresent in new warmer tones, and a recurring theme in hand-knotted lineups was the undyed organic wool rug in various natural tonal gradations. Greens, especially moss, and myriad tones of rust edged out the prevailing palette of blues and grays. And spicy reds are popping up as well.
A recurring trend were mid-century modern and Art Deco looks with simple graphics and color options from pale pastels to bold tones. Increasingly popular at the high end in designer-quality flatweaves and some hand-knotteds in recent years, they were shown this market in hand-loomed, hand-tufted and even machine-made intros. Persian and Turkish classics are tweaked with simplified pattern placement and updated palettes to complement transitional and even contemporary interiors. And abstracts continue to evolve -- and sell well -- in all price points.
Below we continue the coverage with showrooms from Momeni to Well Woven -- and make sure not to miss Part 1, where RugNews.com visits showrooms from Amer to LR Home.
MOMENI
Momeni's new hand-tufted Cotswold collection was a market hit for its fun, updated English country styling.
A standout from Momeni’s introductions is the Cotswold collection. The rugs have an English country look, but the fun combinations of floral designs and borders, provide a fresh, updated eclectic look. The collection, two years in the making, is hand-tufted in wool. At market, the Archer lineup also got a lot of attention. This collection, made of 100 percent wool, features a simple pattern of rows of squares over a solid background of beige, charcoal, blue, or ivory.
The new Asher collection is hand-loomed with hand-carving giving a fluted stripe effect to the plush rugs, which come in rust, cream or blue. A sister collection, Everett, is hand-tufted of wool with lots of texture and simple geometric designs. Momeni also added to its hand-knotted wool Nomad collection with a new rug in a trendy palette of pink, sage green, gold, black, brown, blue and cream. The design features a zig-zag pattern with an elaborate, intricate border. The Oliver collection also got some new additions, including a wool/polyester hand-loomed design with simple white stitching over a solid background of beige, blue or charcoal.
From the company’s popular Erin Gates licensed collection comes Dorset, a printed line that replicates vintage rugs that Gates herself chose to be replicated. For each design a high-resolution copy of the original rug was created, and printed onto a machine-made, 100 percent polyester base.
Fall High Point market-shoppers gave a big thumbs up to Momeni's plush hand-loomed and hand-carved Asher collection.
NATCO HOME
From Natco Home’s Trisha Yearwood program, the Relax collection’s Maisie design was popular for its soothing palette
and plush hand.
High Point is an appointment only show for Natco Home and sister brand Central Oriental, and Mark Ferullo, executive VP, told RugNews.com he was pleased with the roster of buyers seeking out the company at its showroom in the IHFC main building. Based on response at both New York Home Fashions and High Point markets, Ferullo said, “We are optimistic we will finish the year close to last year in sales volume. The accounts that were at market were very enthusiastic about 2024. The key to success will be selection, value and delivery. As an industry, our consumers are drawn to design and color, and we need to deliver design, color and value.” That said, the Relax collection from the company’s program with Trisha Yearwood and its Structures collection, both woven in its Maine facilities, were top sellers. They offer the trending motifs and plush construction that designers continue to scoop up.
Natco Home got a great response to its Structures rugs, made in Maine, including an ivory block design launched at High Point.
NEW MOON
Abstracts in vibrant colors were a draw to New Moon’s SAMS booth, and rugs like Veil in the moss colorway (left) and
Mandalay in sea blue were showstoppers.
New Moon had plenty of looks to meet designers’ needs and one of its sumptuous hand-knotted pieces -- Bonaire, crafted of Tibetan wool and finished with a grey-blue Chinese silk frame -- took home a 2023 People's Choice Award.
Prominently displayed were boldly colored abstracts, including the new Veil design which blends myriad tones of green in Tibetan wool, and Mandalay, with waves of blues, platinum and ivory in Tibetan wool with Chinese silk accents. A go-to source at High Point for the the luxury lodge looks in its Southwest inspired designs, New Moon's Mesa collection continues to be a top-seller. And market hits were scattered among the company's varied design styles, including the delicate, intricately woven Secret Garden collection rugs illustrating flora and fauna with myriad colors of Tibetan wool accented with black Chinese silk.
NOURISON HOME
New hand-crafted Calvin Klein collections by Nourison earned a big thumbs up for their simple, elegant styling. Shown, Wander
The big excitement for Nourison Home, and the entire rug industry at High Point Market was the induction of Alex Peykar into the American Home Furnishings Hall of Fame. And in the company's InterHall showroom, the big product news was the introduction of a number of new Calvin Klein rugs. The rugs all are hand-knotted of wool, with a variety of weaving techniques but all in the brand’s signature sophisticated, luxurious, yet simple aesthetic. Abrash is on the higher end of the spectrum, woven of space-dyed wool to create a dimensional, self-striping look rendered in warm neutrals.
Market shoppers also loved Calvin Klein’s Architectura with its tip sheared Tibetan weave and a unique stitched look, and Billows for its thick, dense weave, and dappled look. The Spun design from Calvin Klein is hand-knotted with a twisted yarn for a nubby texture, and warm neutral tones in a very subtle pattern of wide stripes. And Wander caught buyers' eyes with its herringbone flatweave in pale brown yarn combined with a lighter-hued hand-knotted pattern of scattered intersecting lines.
Of course, no market would be complete without a new addition to the company’s best-selling Prismatic collection of dense hand-tufted designs. This market's showstopper is a bold, abstract design reminiscent of petals or waves, with hand-carving giving a three-dimensional effect and definition to the swirling lines. The rich, vibrant color palette includes blues and purples contrasted with gold, rose, and orange.
The latest Prismatic design featured a watercolor effect vibrant abstract carved pattern hand-tufted of New Zealand wool
and Luxcelle. Shown, PRS37
OBEETEE
Obeetee returned to High Point Market, and showcased its latest rug introductions. Shown, the Midcentury inspired Nova.
Long known for its private label work with retailers, Obeetee, which debuted at the fall 2023 show, is forging ahead with products under its own brand name, with a fully stocked, US-based program for the first time in 20 years. The company will have in-stock area rugs to drop ship and plans to add pillows in the coming months.
“We are committed entirely to being the best in world in terms of quality, a commitment to sustainability, and excellent design,” said Stephen Hoberman. One new collection, Retro, is hand-tufted of 100 percent wool, offering 1970s-inspired styling. It has a high-low construction and an elongated Harlequin-inspired pattern rendered in shades of brown and cream. Nova is a nod to mid-century, with a 100 percent wool, hand-tufted cut-and-loop pile weave. It features a pattern of curved and straight lines over blocks of varying shades of cream. Zulu has an African/tribal look, with the cut-and-loop pattern of 100 percent wool crafted of varying shades of undyed yarn. The pattern is an undulating geometric design.
The company is exploring more shapes for its area, beginning with rounds. Marble, for instance, has a veined motif crafted of wool with viscose accents, for which there has been a large demand. The company also has a wide assortment of throw pillows, which were an instant hit with market shoppers.
Obeetee's new Zulu line features the trending colors and contemporary motifs so popular among buyers.
ORIAN RUGS
Sydney Brunsvold, left, and Julie Weaver, right, of Orian shows Tisha Ballowe of Slumberland Furniture the latest introductions.
Orian debuted a number of new collections at High Point, each offering about a dozen patterns. Among the new offerings is Astrid, a collection made in America of 100 percent polypropylene. The rugs have a lower pile with a slight sheen, and geometric mid-century-inspired patterns executed in varying shades of grey and cream. The Moroccan look distinguishes Farah, crafted using a drop-stitch construction for pattern depth of texture. The collection includes geometrics, such as the Desert Trellis pattern of repeating diamonds, and stripes.
The company’s Bespoke collection, previewed at Las Vegas Market, has been revamped with a fiber the company describes as “like wool but better.” It doesn’t shed, is easy to clean, durable, and stain resistant, making it ideal for high traffic areas. A favorite from that line includes the Barley, which has an interlocking geometric pattern created with contrasting weaves in a linen and gray colorway.
Eminence is an ultra-soft rug made in India of microfiber polyester, and another example of a rug in which the pattern is in the weave, creating a textural, sophisticated solid-colored look.
Orian debuts Astrid and brings a mid-century modern design, with slight sheen, to value-driven consumers.
ORIENTAL WEAVERS
OW's new Soleri collection, a wool/nylon Axminster range, was an instant hit for its rich colors and abstract designs.
Three important rug collections -- Soleri, Circa and Fiji -- were in the spotlight in the Oriental Weavers showroom. Buyers gravitated to Soleri, a new Axminster range with an emphasis on modern abstract designs with a short incorporated fringe. Made of wool with a touch of nylon for texture, these rugs have pops of bold colors like pink, blue, green, gold and brick red.
Circa was another hit. This tufted lineup is constructed with a combination of cut pile viscose and wool loop in two contrasting yarn colorways for a textured striped design. One pattern features ivory-colored cut pile juxtaposed against a multicolored base.
Known for its acumen and innovation in the indoor/outdoor rug category, OW made news with Fiji, the company’s newest indoor/outdoor collection, its first made of polyester. The collection has a coastal vibe and is digitally printed for vibrant and detailed patterns, with one unique pattern featuring a motif of birds, birdcages, flowers, and foliage a showstopper. Fiji rugs have an integrated non-skid backing.
OW's Circa collection was a favorite for its tufted cut-and-loop weave, which creates a ribbed effect so popular this season.
PARVIZ ORIENTAL RUGS
Allison Raines and Kelly Gentry of Gentry Raines Interior Design, in Oilville, Virginia, flank Parviz Beikzadeh at his SAMS stand.
Designers shopping the Parviz Oriental Rugs’ expansive Suites at Market Square space had plenty of Turkish Oushaks and pale colored Afghan looks to peruse. The company, which operates a wholesale showroom in Atlanta, also offers a wide selection of Heriz carpets from Iran in classic colorways, as well as vintage Persian and Oushak styles.
RUG & KILIM
Rug & Kilim's Ryan Moghadasian, far left, and Cyrus Nazmiyal, center right, welcome renowned architect Barry Goralnick,
second left, and Keith Gordon of Goralnick Architecture Design Studio, New York.
With two High Point showrooms, one in IHFC and another in SAMs, Rug & Kilim was busy showing off its latest additions to its ever-popular Scandinavian collection. This collection give the genre a modern twist, and includes a vast array of designs, weaves and textures from mid-century modern to updated Scandinavian. Also on display for fall buyers and designers was the company's new Rez Kilim collection, which pairs Rug & Kilim’s innovative construction techniques with a modern take on classic panel weaving that is durable enough for high traffic areas. Hand-woven in wool to create a series of stripes, the rug on show featured fashion shades of green and teal with seafoam accents.
High Point shoppers gave a thumbs up to Rug & Kilim’s Rez Kilim line, a more durable take on classic panel-woven rugs.
SAFAVIEH
This eye-catching display features Safavieh’s Bedford collection rug in wool with raised motif in lustrous viscose.
There were plenty of fashion trends in the spotlight at Safavieh’s Market Square showrooms, many prominently displayed like the new Bedford collection, launched this market. This line features classic designs woven in wool with raised motifs in on-point colors spiced up with viscose for a silky metallic luster. In the updated traditional genre, Safavieh also showcased new additions to its best-selling Sultanabad collection, which is hand-knotted in 100 percent wool and offers new designer colors.
Shaped rugs are a growing trend and Safavieh’s contribution to the movement is its Fifth Avenue lineup, many of the designs with a decidedly mid-century modern feel. New this market was a line extension with an organic elongated asymmetrical shape executed in cream, black, and grey hand-tufted wool. Another nod to mid-century is the Genre collection, hand-tufted of wool, with a hit design featuring a checkerboard motif combined with panels of stripes.
A winner at Safavieh’s showroom, the Sultanabad rug collection is hand-knotted of wool in fresh new colorways.
SAMS
SAMS debuted the Nube collection, which was a fall favorite for its plush hand and carved geometric motifs.
One of the big hits from SAMS is Nube, a 100 percent polyester machine-woven line with shrink polyester and a high-low carving effect that accentuates a simple abstract line design. The designs are offered in saturated but neutral colors, including rust, medium brown, copper and charcoal, as well as lighter shades of beige and gray. “People are gravitating toward [this collection] because of the soft dense pile” said Ryan Galbreith, vice president of sales.
Eno is another machine-woven collection. This one made of 100 percent viscose and featuring traditional bordered designs and transitional looks with a low pile. Eno, which has a lustrous finish, is designed to emulate the look of hand-knotted silk rugs.
Finally, Annie and Ella are complementary collections, both hand-woven in India and featuring high-low textures accentuating abstract patterns.
SAMS' new hand-woven Annie and Ella collections are designed to complement one another.
SHOPPE OBJECT
Bob Maricich, CEO, and ANDMORE execs celebrate the opening of Shoppe High Point at Market Square with the Shoppe
Object team. From left Bob Maricich, Renata Bokala, Cameron Hall, Jennifer Muna, Greg Avitable, JoJo Feld, Jessee James
(cutting the ribbon) and Dorothy Belshaw.
The first Shoppe High Point opened with over 100 curated brands exhibiting on the third floor of Historic Market Square including artisanal area rug brands Fells Andes, Kilim and Tantuvi. Chilewich showed its iconic floor mats along with table fashions. It’s just a year since IMC's acquisition of Shoppe Object, the New York-based trade show for home and giftware.
SURYA
Surya continues to expand its Becki Owens rug program adding two fashion-forward hand-knotted collections for fall.
There is always plenty of fresh fashion to see in Surya’s expansive showroom and this market was no exception. From the company’s Becki Owens license comes two coordinating collections, Davey and Gina. Both are hand-knotted and feature geometric patterns in warm neutrals full of texture. Surya's focus on hand-knotted collections gave designers several new collections: Aleyna is hand-knotted in a combination of viscose and wool for a soft hand, in transitional patterns in a warm brown palette. Ghazni, featuring transitional classic patterns, is hand-knotted in 100 percent wool with a short fringe and muted colors. The new Shiraz collection is hand-knotted of New Zealand wool and a hint of viscose. It was an instant hit for its vintage-inspired, antiqued patterns with pops of white outlining details of the motifs.
Contemporary collections were also represented, such as Odyssey, an abstract painterly look in blues and yellows made of 100 percent hand-knotted wool. Amani is another hand-knot collection crafted of wool, but offering a solid color amped up with a wide textured stripe.
Also on show were Surya's latest tufted designs incorporating the looks and features important with buyers. The Brooks collection features a broad array of on-point geometric styles, from mid-century inflected to tailored two-tone geometrics. And Dreamscape is made of wool with viscose and hand-tufted with carving accentuating a swirly pattern broken up into panels. Tallinn is hand-tufted of 70 percent wool and 30 percent viscose. Available in both neutral and colorful options, it has a high-low texture that complements a pattern of abstract stripes.
Surya debuts the on-trend Brooks collection, and its tailored geometric motifs were a popular choice with fall shoppers.
TAMARIAN
Tea Cloth made news in Tamarian’s showroom as the company’s first-ever 200-knot count wool design offered as an in-stock item.
There were many new introductions on offer in Tamarian’s showroom, including Tea Cloth, a 200-knot wool design, which features a repeating pattern reminiscent of ink blots, in shades of tan. “People are asking us for even higher qualities, and this is the first 200-knot rug we have done as an in-stock item,” notes Chris Saliga, vice president of sales for Tamarian.
The company showed off a number of intros this market, among them Glassworks in olive, in new quality and new weave of 150 knots. The artisans use a wider rod during weaving for a thicker, higher-pile rug.
The 100-knot Todim, has an abrash effect and a raised pattern of puzzle-like shapes. It features a blocky, abstract line design over a cream ground for a Mid-century modern look. Haring, inspired by the work of the artist of the same name, features a pattern of abstract outlined shapes in light brown on a creamy beige background. Envie, made of wool and silk, is an abstract, watercolor-like pattern with accents of pink amidst warm neutral hues.
Tamarian debuts the wool and silk
Envie design offering an abstract, watercolor-like pattern.
TRANS-OCEAN
Trans-Ocean adds a fresh colorway for its Ribbons design from the Horizon collection.
Color was in focus in the Trans-Ocean showroom, where a new fiery red colorway has been added to several patterns in a variety of collection. Called chili, the rich new red was spotted in the Carmel collection, in the Kilim pattern, a traditional bordered design, as well as the Pyramid pattern, a repeating geometric pattern. A similar shade of red shows up in the Horizon's lineup's Ribbons design, this time dominating a fall-friendly colorway with undulating ribbons of oranges and ivory on a rich red ground.
Also in the spotlight was Lhasa, a new chunky wool and cotton collection which comes in geometric patterns like checkerboards and stripes, in warm neutral colors. Taos was also new and equally as textural: woven of wool and cotton, with multiple thicknesses of a multicolored yarn giving the rugs a subtle raised stripe pattern. The checked pattern makes another appearance in Checkerboard, a hand-tufted wool pile rug in the Savannah collection. It’s available in four colorways, including sage green and a dark blue, contrasting with white.
Trans-Ocean's Taos collection's Horizon design features a braided-style linear motif in multi-count yarns.
UNIQUE LOOM
The Unique Loom team pose with celebrity designer Jill Zarin (center holding Pomeranian, Miss Bossi) celebrating the
debut of her Hamptons rug collection at their Market Square showroom.
Unique Loom launched its custom rug program with a series of Lunch and Learn events which introduced customers to the variety of weaves and styles offered in its initial 117 SKUs. The selection includes naturals, indoor outdoor, and machine woven rugs, and right now is limited to custom sizes. Market shoppers also queued up to see Bravo star Jill Zarin at the launch of her new Hamptons rug collection of awning stripe flatweaves. And the company reports brisk sales of its Eco-Traditional rugs, woven of 100 percent recycled yarn.
Bravo star Jill Zarin met with Unique Loom's fall market shoppers for the launch of her new Hamptons flatweave rug collection.
WELL WOVEN
Well Woven debuts at High Point featuring its best-selling Asha collection of printed rugs.
At its first High Point Market in IHFC, Well Woven showed off its Asha collection, weathered vintage patterns printed on polyester chenille. The patterns are replicated from handmade rugs and texturized digitally for a realistic look.
The company also displayed its just-released new licensed collection of rugs based on data-driven art by Georgia Lupi. Unravelling Stories features bands of color, each corresponding to certain movements in the textiles world, such as techniques and traditions. The rugs come with a guide so the owner can interpret the design.
And Well Woven is taking the colorful Crayola license in a new direction. “It’s trending upward in age,” explained Adem Ogunc of Well Woven. The new rugs feature blocky, repeating patterns of geometric shapes, with colors based on the traditional 96-crayon box. They’d be equally at home in an adult living space as they would a kid’s room. Printed on polyester chenille, the rugs are machine washable and feature a recycled textile backing.
High Point shoppers were the first to see Well Woven's new Georgia Lupi licensed rug collection, Unravelling Stories.
-- Make sure not to miss HPMKT Rug Extravaganza: People & Product, Part 1