Rug exhibitors at the contemporary furnishings fair ICFF showcased elaborate textures and luxurious fibers.
 
NEW YORK – Area rug artistry was a bright spot for designers shopping the 2026 edition of the International Contemporary Furniture Fair, held May 17 – May 19 at the Javitz Center here.
 
Indeed, area rugs wove their way throughout the show floors and design sectors, from the main floor aisles to areas dubbed Bespoke, Wanted Design, even artist collabs, sustainable design and more. You name it – and brilliantly colored, artfully woven rugs stole the show.
 
Many of the top luxury area rug houses showed their newest designs destined to set future trends, while others displayed their most extravagant antiques – some showing both categories side by side. Customization was a key component at most ICFF rug stands, as were luxurious fibers from cashmere to silk – all meant to offer designers a point of difference and exclusivity for their clients. Elaborate textures dominated the area rug scene as did equal doses of the ever-popular neutral palettes alongside the newest bold fashion colors and deep earth tones.
 
Shop the ICFF show floor with RugNews.com as we cover a baker’s dozen of designer rug companies.
 
APADANA FINE RUGS


Left to right, a Modern Abstract collection Cubist wool rug, a Modern Tribal Geometric wool rug, and a display of tile-
inspired rug designs from Apadana’s collaboration with designer Laura Gottwald. Samples shown hanging right:
Abstract Artletty, Bamako and Fantasia

Cap: Outer display photo: ICFF shoppers were drawn to the six colorful tile-inspired designs by interior designer Laura Gottwald for Apadana

Cap: Designers gravitated to the colors and unique design of this Cubist wool area rug from Apadana’s Modern Abstract collection.

At Apadana’s stand the company’s collaboration with award-winning tile designer Laura Gottwald was a hit of show. “She’s an interior designer and people loved the colors and the tile patterns translated into custom rugs and broadloom,” said Michael Alidadi, founder of Apadana. The line was presented in sets of samples on two different walls and includes six designs which are hand-tufted of virgin Persian wool and hand-dyed in Gottwald’s bespoke colors.

The company showcased a range of weaves and collections from vintage to modern contemporary, with Moroccan looks and designs nodding to African culture earning thumbs up.

ATELIER BOCCARA


Atelier Boccara’s nod to Cubism is based on an original composition by Albert Gleizes

One of 14 high-end French brands elected by Business France magazine to exhibit at ICFF, Atelier Boccara is known for high-end rugs that combine traditional French hand-weaving techniques with a refined, contemporary design approach. With galleries in Paris and New York, the company showcased two limited edition rugs by artists in the Bespoke Hall.

Design N.41 rug is based on an original composition by Albert Gleizes, a leading figure in the evolution of Cubism. It is customizable in wool, silk or both yarns, replete with woven signature and numbering integrated into the piece.

Also on show was Bespoke Design N.47 by Portland, Oregon artist Benjamin Ewing in white with black motif. This rug is hand-knotted of wool and silk in a Boccara workshop in Egypt and finished in France.

CICIL


The Curvy Runner, right, was Cicil’s best of show, and a new category of dec pillows debuting at ICFF also caught visitors’ eyes
 
American rug and textile studio Cicil showcased its sustainable braided and woven rugs in the Wanted Design section at ICFF, alongside its first-ever collection of decorative pillows, a new category for the company. Most popular at the show, the Curvy Runner is a perennial favorite with designers. With production near Durham, North Carolina, the company operates a fully traceable supply chain, emphasizing both regional manufacturing and sustainable design, natural fibers and a reduced production footprint.

DECORALLE
 

Boogie Woogie by Dutch artist Edward van Vliet (left) for Decoralle celebrates the Mondrian work Broadway Boogie Woogie.

Texture and form were the stars at the Decoralle stand for ICFF 2026. The Sao Paolo, Brazil-based company’s name designer rugs were peppered throughout the show floor, as well as featured in their own booth where Leandro Marques told RugNews.com that Boogie Woogie was the big attention grabber. One of three rugs on show from a debut collection by Dutch artist by Edward van Vliet for Decoralle, the rug celebrates Dutch master Piet Mondrian’s renowned work, Broadway Boogie Woogie in the textile medium using recycled plastic fiber from fishing nets. In his exclusive collaboration with Decoralle, van Vliet translates art, architecture and personal experiences into surfaces that invite touch and sensory interaction. More rugs from the partnership will debut at Casacor Sao Paulo in June.

ELIKO RUGS BY DAVID ARIEL


Paloma (white rug center) and Adorne Shroom (right) from the Ann Marie Barton x Eliko Rugs by David Ariel collection
were hits with ICFF show shoppers.

Eliko’s entire ICFF space was devoted to the Ann Marie Barton x Eliko Rugs by David Ariel luxury rug collection. Rugs are crafted of New Zealand wool, alpaca, mohair, and other fibers, with neutral color palettes of ivory, soft browns, and beiges. Everything is available in customizable sizes, up to 24 by 48 feet.

The hit of the show according to Ariel Basalely was Adorne Shroom, a mohair high/low with flatweave wool foundation shaved to the foundation in spots, and a three-inch plus mohair pile height. A close second was white Paloma rug handwoven in India of wool.

IZZA BERBER


Created in an exclusive collaboration with designer Christoph Hefti, this palm tree design celebrates craftsmanship,
material and contemporary design.

Moroccan rug weaving traditions were feted by the Izza Berber team from Rabat, Morocco where they support Berber women whose ancestral weaving knowledge has been passed down for generations. The rugs are custom made in the company’s cooperative, and on display garnering equal attention were a 3D palm tree design by Christoph Hefti and traditional Berber flatweaves backed with the same palm leaves adorning the Hefti rug.

Winner of the ICFF award for Best Booth Design, the company recently received Label STEP accreditation, and the Excellence Award (for Rugs) during Morocco’s National Crafts Week.

FJ KASHANIAN


Kashanian shines a spotlight on rugs from its Modern Luxury collection hand knotted of pure natural fibers.

Returning ICFF exhibitor, F.J. Kashanian, exhibited full rugs from the hand-knotted modern Luxury collection as well as sample sizes of myriad collections from Oushaks to abstract modern. Jonathan A. Kashanian, vice president, of the Secaucus, New Jersey-based company, said traffic at the booth was good and was busy working with designers choosing color poms for custom possibilities.

LAWRENCE OF LA BREA


The Tetris rug from Lawrence of La Brea is hand knotted in white and black in a blend of wool and viscose

“We named this rug Tetris after the game, which we love,” said xx at the Lawrence of La Brea ICFF stand. Displayed in white and black in wool and viscose blend, the rug’s graphic patterning struck a note with architects shopping the show, as did the tactile new Modern High Low design, also in wool and viscose.

Designers flocked to the LA-based company’s space to view newness in everything from modern abstracts to its growing assortment of zero-pile Persian looks, both antiques and new productions.

RUG & KILIM


Rug & Kilim featured a Rene Perrot c.1968 tapastry was the centerpiece of the show stand, and stopped shoppers in
their track.

From its curated collection of vintage and antique pieces to its own designs in a range of styles, weaves and collections, Rug & Kilim always draws crowds at shows. And ICFF 2026 was no exception. A massive wool tapestry by Rene Perrot c.1968, was the centerpiece of the show stand, and stopped shoppers in their tracks for its intricacy and significance in decorative arts history.

Also popular was a vintage Moroccan rug with unique floral motif, and a Chinese Deco Moroccan rug of high pile wool on the floor. Throughout the day, visitors poured over samples of the company’s newest intros.

SCANDECOR


A stack of samples featuring Scandecor’s new copper and earth tones in popular designs.

Marjatta Rautionmaa and daughters Alexandra and Rebekka return to ICFF with their Scandinavian crafted sustainable area rugs. “A lot of attention has been given to our new copper and earth toned colorways, but neutrals are still the best sellers at the show, said Alexandra Rautionmaa, vp.

Crafted from sustainable New Zealand wool and wood fiber, the premium performance machine-made flatweaves are used as rugs and broadloom, and are suitable for both commercial and residential spaces. Shown in the new colorways of copper, clay, tierra, saddle and sandalwood were designs Aviano, Palladian and more.

SCOTT GROUP


A rug from the new Scott Group Studio x Mary Ratcliffe Studio collection illustrates the sculptural look popular with designers.

ICFF showgoers were first to preview a new collaboration between Scott Group Studio and furniture designer Mary Ratcliffe. To be formally introduced in June, the full Scott Group Studio x Mary Ratcliffe Studio, designs are drawn from memories of Mary’s family farm in an earthy palette of terra cotta, warm beige and soft neutrals.

The Scott Group stand was devoted exclusively to the collaboration, with both companies pushing the envelope of hand-tufting artistry to create tactile, sculptural carpets. Michigan-based Scott Group is now among the largest hand-tufters in American, with partners in Nepal and India for hand-knotted rugs as well.

TIBETANO


At Tibetano, shoppers gravitated to Deco Chic 5 in new cognac colorway (hanging left), and also gave a thumbs up to
Terni, a Moroccan-inspired design (hanging right).

Brimming with designers shopping its fashion-forward selection of designs and colors, Tibetano offered a range of weaves and design styles curated for the sophisticated ICFF shopper. Best of show, according to Shahram Naza, Tibetan’s founder, was Deco Chic 5, a Tibetan all wool rug in a new cognac/rust colorway. Also a hit was the Terni wool hand-knotted rug from the company’s Moroccan Inspired collection.

On the booth’s outside wall, the Abruzzo all-wool modern rug in tusk colorway was popular, as were the custom possibilities through myriad sample squares.

VICTOR GALLERY


Upscale Victor Gallery previews its diverse collection of antique, vintage and new rugs at ICFF.
 
A sampling of exclusive rugs and tapestries from Victor Gallery gave designers and architects at ICFF a peek into the selection awaiting in the company’s New York and Washington, D.C. showrooms. Bardia Yaghmaei, executive director, told RugNews.com show shoppers were equally attracted to its vintage tapestry on the floor as they were to its new production, Art Deco and modernist designs.

WARP & WEFT


Warp & Weft's Kia Sar 26252, a flatwoven Mazandaran-inspired kilim panel design, featured the bold colors and ombre
effect that many architects and designers are seeking.

Warp & Weft presented five of its exceptional rugs at ICFF 2026 as a sampling of the company’s range of designs and weaves. “Together, they articulate the foundation of our practice and the principles that continue to shape us: heritage, soul, authenticity, and the belief in the rug as sanctuary,” noted Michael Mandapati, founder.

On view in the main display space was a showstopping fine flatweave panel rug, Kia Sar 26252, predominately in red, blue and gold, and hand-woven of wool. On the floor on the right is the Current rug, inspired by ancient Silk Road maps, and hand-knotted of wool and mulberry silk. Featured at the New York studio's stand is a vintage Turkish kilim of vintage carded wool, and on the floor at left, an Arts & Crafts design hand-knotted of wool with a special finish wash.