Hand-tufted rugs in a variety of design styles and new construction techniques were in the spotlight at HPMKT showrooms.

HIGH POINT, N.C. -- Hand-tufted area rugs' popularity has ebbed and flowed over the seasons, but judging from the fashion-driven introductions seen at this week’s spring High Point Market, the construction is back in favor.

Indeed, rug makers here are doubling down on hand-tufted rugs, introducing innovative designs and improved techniques at a more competitive price to capture a slice of this resurgent category and its handmade attributes.

In fact, tufted rugs are one way to offer retailers and designers trending handmade quality rugs of sustainable, natural wool at a more attainable price point. They are also quicker to produce than hand-knotted rugs and offer a fresh range of design possibilities to explore.

NOURISON HOME


A hit right out of the gate when it debuted was Nourison Home's Graceful collection of tufted motifs.

"The quality has been improved, and wool prices have become lower. There is great opportunity for great products and very organic looks, which are very much in demand," Alexander Peykar, co-chairman and co-founder of Nourison Home, told RugNews.com. He added that Nourison now offers several all-natural wool tufted collections that are undyed, including the latest addition to its DKNY Pure program called Framework. "For retailers on the lower end of the spectrum it allows them to step up a little bit to a handmade product which is still very affordable," he said.

ORIENTAL WEAVERS


Oriental Weavers' textural Kipton collection features trending organic motifs crafted of space-dyed-wool.

During a High Point Market line review, an Oriental Weavers exec said there has always been a demand for tufted, but now all-natural wool hand-tufted products like its Anastasia, which is crafted of undyed wool, and the colorful Kipton collections are garnering more attention, as is the Craft collection, which is also crafted of undyed wool. With consumers asking for more sustainable and natural products, wool tufted rugs are a viable choice. 

MOMENI


Momeni introduced the new Bauhaus-inspired Fletcher collection, with a high-low tufted cut and loop motif.

At Momeni, which celebrated its 50th anniversary at spring market, tufteds have always been part of the mix, but the company continues to push the design envelope in the construction to offer more clients an option in the handmade category. For spring market-goers there were several new options to choose from including new additions to its Momeni Basics collection, its popular Bristol lineup and the just debuted Form and Fletcher collections.

FEIZY 


Feizy's new Wallace collection offers fashion-forward tufted designs in a loop construction, with the design shown on the ground
(8A41F in gray) the Market favorite.

Tufted rugs are an important handmade offering from Feizy, which provides a range of high-quality options in a range of price points. New for this market, Wallace is hand-tufted of wool in India, with programmed sizes up to 12x15. The bold, oversized patterns, in ivory with a contrasting color such as brown, blue, gray, or beige, include biophilic inspirations like stylized flower petals or leaves, as well as a geometric pattern and a symmetrical pattern reminiscent of an Ikat design. Kimball is another hand-tufted assortment from Feizy and comes in the same wide range of sizes. It has a mid-century modern look and plays on texture, with a high-low effect and motifs that include oversized interlocking chains -- the spring market favorite in the category.

LR HOME


A go-to for hand-crafted rugs, LR Home introduces several new wool tufted collections, including the eye-catching Elize.

“We are doing a lot in tufted,” said Vinamra Laddha, owner/COO, LR Home. One stunning new offering is the Elize collection of hand-tufted rugs of blended New Zealand wool. These rugs feature traditional floral and vine motifs with borders, utilizing colorways ranging from a more traditional blue-and-neutral palette to more updated colorways of bold pinks, teal, and mustard.

For a different look in hand-tufted, LR Home’s Delta collection offers a more contemporary vibe, with subtle oversized geometric patterns executed in variegated neutral solids. Marina is another wool hand-tufted collection that uses a neutral palette, featuring organic stripes or grid patterns in a raised cut pile over a loop pile ground.
 
JAUNTY


A go-to designer source for hand-tufted rugs, Jaunty expands several of its best-selling collections such as the hand-tufted 
Solara. Shown, design 46 in shadow.

Jaunty, an established player in the wool hand-tufted category, continues to grow its offering with directional designer focused introductions. The company adds new patterns to the Solara collection, ranging from traditional elements like oversized medallions to more transitional or contemporary abstracts. The hand-tufted rugs are made of polyester and wool. And its Mangolia hand-tufted collection in wool pile is full of texture, with raised patterns executed in cream-colored yarn over a soft striated background in colors like clay, leaf, or aqua. Paradise, a new collection, and Hudson and Porto, existing collections that are being expanded with new designs, offer a more traditional look in hand-tufted, with traditional bordered florals and medallions.

CAPEL RUGS


Capel's hand-tufted Mesa collection is a favorite for its natural fibers and price point.

One of Capel Rugs’ biggest hits at market is its Mesa collection, which is hand-tufted in a loop pile with different sizes
of natural-hued wool that’s been twisted for a heathered effect. These rugs are a "value offering,” Cameron Capel, tells
RugNews.com of the plush pieces.

JAIPUR LIVING


Jaipur Living’s rolls out Casen, the company's first wool hand-tufted collection with printed vintage designs. 

Jaipur Living’s rolls out Casen, the company's first wool hand-tufted collection with printed vintage designs. “This is our first
100 percent wool rug that’s hand-tufted and printed,” said Meredith Garcia, vice president, brand and creative for Jaipur. 
“It has a solid, durable backing that decreases shedding. You get the look and feel of a vintage rug, but you still get that soft 
feeling underfoot.”

LAVIN RUGS


Lavin pushes into the hand-tufted category at spring market with several debuts including its first tufted designs crafted
of PET recycled material. Shown, Kali N5017

“A handmade piece gives you more texture, thickness, and heft,” says Kim Chaumont, director at Lavin. “The end result is more plush underfoot. And some people just prefer having a handmade item." What's more the company introduced its first PET rugs, including several hand-tufted designs. “There are not a lot of handmade, hand-tufted rugs out there that are made of recycled PET,” says Chaumont. “They’re sustainable and eco-friendly, and are great for families, parties, and rental homes. We’ve demonstrated spilling coffee or red wine—they can just be hosed off!”

MORE OF OUR FAVORITE HAND-TUFTED DEBUTS


Amer Rugs continues to expand its hand-tufted offering, rolling out the new Alpen collection at spring market, which
was an instant hit for its organic, understated design hand-tufted of undyed wool. Shown, APN-3

COURISTAN


Couristan continues to grow its handmade lineup introducing the new Blossom collection of floral patterns hand-tufted in
loop construction.

KARASTAN


Karastan adds to its handmade assortment with the new Thomas Square, tufted of mostly wool fiber.

KAS RUGS


Kas Rugs' hand-tufted Denali collection offers densely constructed tonal patterns crafted of undyed wool. Shown, 2913

LOLOI


The Waylon collection, part of Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines x Loloi, is among several introductions at the Loloi showroom.

OBEETEE


Obeetee expands its plush tonal Turin collection, which is table-tufted of natural wool and features low and high pile, 
as well as directional tufting.

SAFAVIEH


Safavieh introduced a range of cheery hand-tufted wool botanicals including a new collection of scallop-edged florals called 
Jardin. 

SURYA


Surya's new painterly Diva collection is hand-tufted in an unexpected blend of blend of rayon, a silk-like natural plant fiber, 
and wool, for sumptuous tread underfoot.  

TRANS-OCEAN


Trans-Ocean has focused on wool tufted area rugs season after season injecting the genre with trend-driven designs. 
Shown, Havana's Catalonia Tile in navy