While traffic was slightly below typical summer markets, Las Vegas Market buyers turned out to shop (and buy) the
latest area rugs.
LAS VEGAS -- Despite not reaching pre-pandemic summer spending levels, retail buyers and designers were out writing orders and reviewing the latest area rug introductions to complete projects across area rug showrooms at the Las Vegas Market, which closed on July 28.
Top area rug top picks featured high-quality machine-made rugs that offer dimensional, textural looks, often comparable to hand-knotted rugs, and fashionable family-friendly easy-care styles, both of which highlighted softness. On the handmade side, textural designs, including plush hand-knotted high-low looks, also scored points, as did dense hand-tufted rugs in colorful patterns.
In this industry exclusive, RugNews.com toured more than a dozen area rug showrooms to find out which buyers attended the show and what their favorite area rugs were.
ART HIDE & GROUND CONTROL
Art Hide and Ground Control's sister duo Kura Perkins, center, and Bree Hay-Hendry, left, introduce SoCal designer
Kristen Barroso of Think Design Interiors to their latest custom designs.
Australian sister companies Art Hide, specializing in Pakistan hand-made custom hide rugs completed in four to six weeks, and Ground Control, which focuses on custom hand-tufted and hand-knotted rugs made in India in eight to 10 weeks, returned to the U.S. for the first time since the COVID pandemic. "It’s been such an interesting time although we have not only survived but thrived over recent months because we quickly pivoted to a range of digital services to help our B2B & B2C client," said co-founder Kura Perkins.The company featured its newest options in Vegas including a vibrant emerald geometric hide design and Palm Springs modernist-inspired textural tufted area rugs, both of which resonated with buyers walking the Expo Center at World Market Center.
Art Hide's custom hair-on-hide area rugs can be turned around within 6 weeks and a new emerald green geometric
proved a showstopper.
CHANDRA
Chandra featured its hand-knotted Eden collection, crafted of fine European wool and offering overscale transitional
classic motifs.
Chandra presented its hand-crafted area rugs in a temporary pop-up shop in Building C at Las Vegas Market. The company, which is seeking a new permanent Vegas showroom, featured its hand-knotted Eden collection, crafted of fine European wool and offering overscale transitional classic motifs. Also, the company's popular hand-woven Saira collection of textural active solids, made of a fine wool and viscose blend yarn, remains a top look for the company.
A source for textural, hand-woven rugs, Chandra top seller Saira, crafted of fine wool land viscose blend yarn,
remains a top look.
COURISTAN
Evan B. Couri, far left, and Steve Couri, second left, show Carpet Exchange's Bruce Odette and Lisa Taylor the
latest rug introductions, including the reversible Art collection, shown.
Couristan has expanded its high-end goods assortment for brick-and-mortar retailers and debuted new assortments for summer. Among the introductions are fresh Siena collection designs, made of 85 percent viscose and 15 percent shrink acrylic, in a bold abstract look featuring a trending palette with bursts of reds and gold. The popular Halli range sees a line extension as well with new abstract addition. This colorful assortment is cross-woven on Wilton looms with a pile of a 100 percent modified polyester fiber, and offers 500,00 points of yarn per square meter, resulting in a durable pile. Also a hit, and on show for the first time, is the Art collection of four reversible designs made of polyester and cotton. Another popular debut that ups the value-added proposition is the new easy-care Avanos collection of fringed indoor-outdoor rugs.
Couristan showcased its latest performance indoor-outdoor debuts in Vegas and this tribal geometric from Avanos
scored points with show shoppers.
DALYN
The La-Z-Boy Furniture Gallery team (from left to right, rear, Eidth Bojorquez, Natasha Navejas, Linda Schuller, Heather
Standridge and Adam Nadel, front) take a break shopping Dalyn's newest rugs. Shown, Antalya 03 in midnight
Dalyn presented several noteworthy introductions for Vegas market, including ultra-soft machine-mades and domestically machine-tufted area rugs. Its recently introduced Urban Rug Craftsmen brand of domestically made indoor-outdoor performance rugs added extended size options and customization in Vegas, plus new custom shapes. That lineup's Winslow collection resonated with retailers shopping the market who appreciate Dalyn's new "power merchandising" approach, which allows for a full-size area rug to be displayed alongside a color blanket of a design's other palette options. Dalyn's new Antalya and Denizi, imported machine-made designs featuring a short fringe and two to three different shrink yarns for textural looks, was a hit for their range of updated traditional looks (Antalya) and more contemporary graphic designs (Denizi) for $299 in 5x8.
Dalyn's U.S. made Winslow performance rug collection, from its Urban Rug Craftmen's label, earns thumbs up from buyers.
DYNAMIC RUGS
Dynamic Rugs shoppers were looking for fashion-driven higher-end machine-mades, such as the textural designs of
Annalise in trending neutral palettes.
Dynamic Rugs found success at both the higher-end of the machine-made category as well as more attainably priced rugs at summer market. Among the upper-end debuts were Annalise and Cullen, both made of space-dyed polyester and shrink polyester, and the Ella collection (made of space-dyed polyester). Transitional styles, which update classic Persian patterns in contemporary natural palettes were popular with shoppers. In addition, Zahara, a moderate priced assortment, offers contemporary geometric and traditional patterns in colors including ivory and gold. The collection is machine-made of heat-set polypropylene and shrink polyester. The material gives them a soft feel, while still being durable.
Shoppers looking for moderately priced machine-made designs gave a thumbs up to Dynamic Rugs' new high-low
Zahara assortment of warmed up geometrics.
FEIZY
Buyers Loree Johns and guest Kelle Meek from Edmond Furniture Gallery, Edmond, Oklahoma, were on the hunt for
textural designs at Feizy's showroom, including fine hand-knotteds from the new curated Revolution program.
Shown, Montfort C6028 (top) and C6030
Feizy offered plenty of summer options for designers and retailers shopping its showroom, ranging from its new curated fine hand-knotted Revolution program for designers and quality machine-made pieces that bring high-end looks to a broader audience. Among the top styles for Vegas attendees were the company's new quality machine-made Clio collection of textural abstract motifs and Celene, an assortment of textural updated classic rug designs. For summer, Feizy also grew its popular hand-woven Eastfield collection, which features textural designs in abstracted geometrics and painterly designs, and erased classic motifs. Finally, shoppers looking for textural, dimensional, easy-to-decorate with contemporary rugs continued to turn to designer Thom Filicia's rugs with Feizy as a solution.
Mother daughter design duo Gina Bauerle and company founder Marilyn D'Amore, of Denver's D'Amore Interiors,
stopped by Feizy to shop rugs and participate in a designer discussion led by New York designer Thom Filicia.
Shown, Thom Filicia's hand-woven Longridge T8002 (top) and hand-knotted Broaddfield T6037
HAROUNIAN RUGS INTERNATIONAL (HRI)
HRI's Greg Jordt walks Mike Piacenti, of Modern Home 2, Palm Springs, California, through the latest rug introductions,
including designs from the brand-new Fusion collection of hand-knotted, cross-hatched linear motifs.
There was plenty of newness on display at HRI's World Market showroom and Vegas shoppers were treated to a first look at several area rug collections making their debut this summer. Among the fresh rug collections is Fusion, a textural hand-knotted multi-tonal lineup of cross-hatched linear motifs crafted of wool and viscose, which caught the eye of retailers. In addition, a generous display of the Glaze collection of abstract, marble-inspired hand-knotted area rugs made of wool with viscose highlights grabbed attention. Also on show for the first time was HRI's Spiral collection, of contemporary abstract doodle-like patterns, hand-knotted in a Tibetan weave made of wool and silk. Another abstract assortment that makes its market debut is Twilight, carrying strarry-sky motif hand-knotted of wool and silk. Finally, buyers seeking earthy, textural designs had to look no further than the hand-woven plush high-low Arizona collection of contemporary geometric and tribal styles crafted of wool. HRI also showcased its new Band collection of indoor-outdoor performance area rugs. Band is hand-woven in durable, easy-care PET yarn.
Previewed in High Point, HRI's marble-inspired Glaze collection, hand-knotted of wool and viscose, resonated with
buyers shopping high-quality abstract looks.
KALATY
Kalaty debuts two high-quality machine-made assortments (Kamaria, on the ground) and fresh additions to existing
hand-knotted collections, including the shaped rugs from Atelier, hanging rear.
For summer market-goers Kalaty amped up its hand-knotted assortment adding mansion sizes up to 16x24, which customers have been clamoring for, and fresh colorways to its popular Ankara hand-knotted range, plus new machine-made constructions and qualities (read more).
The latest additions to the popular K-TWO series, which includes most of the company's machine-made lineup, includes Vegas market debuts such as Kalaty's inaugural rugs designed for nurseries (A to Z collection); ultra-plush, shaped shag designs (Zenith collection); and a new assortment of genuine leather hide geometric rugs (Pelle). In addition, Vegas shoppers where the first to get a peak at machine-made area rugs additions from Kalaty's licensed program with fashion label Natori and the first rugs by Brooklyn artist Katie Merz. Summer shoppers also were treated to a first look at Kalaty's luxe power-loomed Kamaria collection of high-low updated classic and contemporary designs that mimic the look of hand-knotteds; and the high-end machine-made Celeste range of high-low abstract patterns, with a knots per square inch equivalent to hand-knotted styles.
Kalaty grows its popular Oushak-inspired hand-knotted Ankara series, debuting two new color combinations, above.
KALEEN
Kaleen continues to play up its successful area rug launch in partnership with HGTV celebrity Tamara Day. Shown
above, on left, is Day's tufted Charlotte collection TDC01-17 and Juniper collection's TDJ04-85, rear wall.
Based on feedback from spring High Point Market, Kaleen focused summer on its top-selling area rugs for Vegas, including the successful roll out of an area rug collection in partnership with HGTV celebrity Tamara Day. Day's best-selling collection, the indoor-outdoor Lee Boulevard collection, features updated traditional designs. In addition, retail area rug buyers are scooping up Kaleen's new Custom Rug merchandising units, which simplify custom rug orders for rug dealers, furniture and carpet stores that may not have a comfort level or the experience ordering custom area rugs. Finally, the company's high-end, hand-knotted Luxe collection, available in custom sizes up to 15 feet wide and 50 feet long, within six weeks, is resonating with market-goers for its "almost broadloom" capabilities.
A perennial favorite at Kaleen is its hand-tufted Chancellor collection, which remained a top choice with Vegas
shoppers. Shown, CHA09-56
KARASTAN
Karastan's Echo collection was an instant hit with retailers, many of which immediately placed orders for several designs.
Among the top hits at the Karastan showroom were the company's Solitude collection and brand-new Echo assortment, both of which are seeing high placement by retailers who are picking up several designs at the same time. These collections are imported machine-mades, with Solitude offering high/low pile made of premium polyester and viscose and Echo, with a low-cut pile crafted from polyester. The company's two-year-old Tryst range is also a "winning" collection. As are the Karastan's licensed rug introductions alongside Bobby Berk, Drew & Jonathan, and Stacy Garcia, all of which added fresh looks and constructions for Vegas summer shoppers.
Karastan's Drew & Johathan program adds first hand-knotted rugs in Moroccan and global inspired looks.
LOLOI
Laura Huene and Stacia Winkler, owner of Vintage Elements of Orono, Minnesota, were loving Loloi's textural,
tonal traditional motifs of the hand-knotted Emilia collection.
While traffic is still below typical summer markets, buyers stopping by the Loloi showroom were placing orders and conducting business. Instant hits on the hand-knot side of the business include Emilia -- a collection of textural, tonal traditional motifs, made of wool -- and the loose diamond patterns reminiscent of Moroccan rug design of the Anissa Anissa rugs have an added textural kick and neutral color combinations, plus the wool line is GoodWeave certified, an added bonus for buyers to play up with customers. In the machine-made category the romantic and maximalist Botanical caught buyers' attention. With large-scale flowers and vintage fabric styles, these power-loomed area rugs are made polyester and polypropylene in Egypt for both indoor and outdoor settings. Another popular machine-made introduction is Sorrento, power-loomed of 100 percent polyester pile, these detailed classic motifs are reworked in fresh trending palettes and fringed.
Loloi's contemporary floral indoor-outdoor Botanical collection proved a bright spot at market.
NATCO
Natco's popular, US-made Clearwater collection adds the line's first designs crafted of shrink yarn for a textural twist.
Natco presented its latest area rug introductions in a new Building A showroom that grows its Vegas footprint by 50 percent so that it can better present its domestically made assortment. The company highlighted its recently introduced Rugease washable rugs, a collection of 100 percent polyester pile printed area rugs with a non-skid backing. The line's Velveteen quality offers a super-soft hand and is designed to stand up to high traffic, children and pets, and is imported from China. In addition, two domestically made collections, both perennial favorites with retailers, Clearwater and Structures, add new designs featuring the company’s first rugs made with a shrink yarn. These designs are made of heat-set polypropylene and high-shine heat-shrink polyester for textural look.
Natco's recently introduced washable
Rugease label includes Velveteen, a performance collection with an ultra-soft hand.
NOURISON
Nourison's Gerard O'Keefe, far left, Giovanni Marra and William Barlage offer Nebraska Furniture Mart's Erica Perna,
DMM, and Pattie Wojtkiewicz, flooring buyer, a walkthrough of the latest Nourison area rugs. Shown, Prismatic PRS30
Nourison debuted a refreshed and updated showroom for summer marketgoers, adding a second high-profile entry adjacent to the corridor leading to the market's popular Expo center. The changes have improved the visibility and flow of Nourison's Building C lobby space, and the renovation also allowed Nourison to showcase its new Custom Reserve Studio program of hand-knotted area rugs, as well as its broadloom selection, in one airy, easy to shop central location. The Craftworks custom rugs offering attracted Vegas attendees in particular. And, other popular items included the hand-tufted Prismatic addition PRS30, an emerald green and orange abstract; designs from the machine-made distressed styled Sahar collection; and the latest additions to Calvin Klein Balance lineup of subtly carved geometric and abstract linear patterns.
A striking elaborate floral Nourison one-of-a-kind wool and silk rug stopped showroom guests in their tracks.
ORIENTAL WEAVERS
Oriental Weavers introduces the eye-catching Francesca collection, which earned value-added kudos from shoppers
for its space-dyed yarns in one million point construction.
Oriental Weavers rolled out several new area rug collections in Las Vegas, including its brand new Ultimate Performance label for ultra-durable and easy-care indoor-outdoor rugs, which are positioned as an indoor performance range. The debut collection from the new label is the sisal, sea-grass-inspired Tortuga collection of polypropylene area rugs, in tonal, easy-to-decorate with natural-fiber-like patterns. In addition, the indoor Francesca, machine-made of polypropylene in Egypt, showcases a new yarn system that is super soft and crafted of space-dyed polypropylene in one million point construction. Lastly, the OW's new Axis collection debuts a new lineup of plush machine-made shags, crafted from polypropylene and featuring active solid and global looks.
Buyers were instantly attracted to Oriental Weaver's new Ultimate Performance lineup of tonal sisal/seagrass styling.
Shown, Tortuga 8-A
RUG & KILIM
The next generation of Nazmiyals, brothers Sina, left, and Cyrus, manned the Rug & Kilim Expo booth at Vegas
showcasing the company's successful Scandinavian collection.
Armed with samples of its neutral geometric designs from its best-selling Scandinavian collection of flatweaves and kilims, NYC luxury studio Rug & Kilim also introduced an expanded custom program to specialty accounts and furniture stores attending Las Vegas Market.
Another big draw for Vegas shoppers was the company’s growing selection of area rugs reworked from its high-end designs at more attainable price points. “We are bringing our very high-end principles for rugs that sell from $100 to $200 per square foot to wholesale collections we’re showing here for $10 to $30 per square foot – the reaction has been very positive,” Cyrus Nazmiyal, VP, told RugNews.com.
Rug & Kilim's top-selling Scandinavian collection continues to attract buyers, especially in its more affordable qualities.
SAFAVIEH
Safavieh introduces new Izmir patterns, with vintage-style hand-knotted, hand-sheared designs, crafted of finely
worsted New Zealand wool.
Safavieh showcased its handmade area rugs at its Building A showroom, including its new Izmir collection of classic designs, hand-knotted of wool and hand-sheared for a vintage look. Also introduced in Vegas are new handmade Kenya collection additions. Kenya rugs are hand-knotted using pure wool with over-stitched cut-pile yarns adding a fresh twist to tribal and global designs. Safavieh adds to its plush Cyrus Shag collection, hand-tufted of wool, with nine colorful floral and geometric designs.
Playful colors and global designs of Kenya rugs, hand-knotted using pure wool with over-stitched cut pile yarns,
earned buyer attention.
TRANS-OCEAN
Liora Manne designs the Avena Diamond Stripe for a graphic kilim indoor-outdoor look that was a top choice with shoppers.
Trans-Ocean showcased its latest performance area rugs at Las Vegas Market targeting its offering to its West Coast furniture stores, as well as gift and patio buyers. Among the debuts were the new outdoor Avina and Monterey collections, both of which are made of polypropylene with a cost of $119 in 5x7"3'. Vegas shoppers also got a first look of new rounds in the company's popular Marina assortment. Also presented in Vegas was the company's successful new Sahara collection -- a hit at the Casual Market in Chicago and AmericasMart Atlanta -- designed by Liora Manne with the look and feel of jute, but crafted of polypropylene.
A best-selling summer collection for Trans-Ocean was its new indoor-outdoor Sahara series by Liora Manne, which
offers a textured weave and high-quality finish. Shown, Links pattern