10152015 Meet SAMS at High Point

10/15/2015

MEET SAMS: HIGH POINT'S NEW DESTINATION FOR HIGH-END RUG MAKERS

High-end rugs make a major statement at the Suites at Market Square, with innovative looks such as this hand-distressed carpet from Asia Minor, which is debuting this week at SAMS, but has exhibited in High Point for 30 years.

HIGH POINT, NC - High Point Market has grown its selection of luxury home accessories this October with the consolidation of all temporary exhibitors across the market campus into the Suites at Market Square (SAMS). The surprising result is that the Market Square complex has morphed into a destination for high-end rugs, making it easy to shop hand-knotteds and one-of-a-kinds at big-name showrooms in Historic Market Square as well as the SAMS designer-focused lines.

In fact, Market Square now brings together some of the top U.S. and international designer names under one roof: prominent players Michaelian & Kohlberg, Eliko and Louis de Poortere return to High Point after a long hiatus joining the ranks of SAMS returning exhibitors Asia Minor, Banu Home, Creative Touch, FJ Kashanian, Mastour, Nashville Rug Gallery, New Moon, New England Collection, Orientalist Home, Summit Rug, and Tamarian exhibiting at the Suites at Market Square. While many of these rug suppliers participated last month in the industry's luxury rug exhibitions such as the Rug Show at Javits and New York International Carpet Show, some hope SAMS will open the doors to new dealer and designer relationships.

High Hopes for High-End Lines

"I have seen the presence of higher-end rug companies evolve at the High Point Market over the last few years to become a category you now see with some regularity - as opposed to previous years where you would see a few such showrooms sprinkled amongst lower-end categories," said Tamarian Carpet's Ned Baker. "This may be in response to a trade market that has worked itself "closer to the source" as technologies and recessions have forced a different business model."

"We use the High Point Market to promote goods to trade clients but steer the transaction to our stocking dealers. We have seen an increase in our existing wholesale accounts attending High Point, but these showrooms almost always have a furniture element to them that draws them to High Point," Baker said.

Gabriel Vaknin, president of long-time High Point participant Bokara Rugs said location is vital for repeat business at market. "You are going to have follow ups if people feel comfortable with you and that is why location is so important - the moment you start hopping around you might lose customers," he explained.

At Creative Touch, which has exhibited at High Point for the past five years, owner Baki Ildiz said, "As the economy is getting stronger, more design oriented clients are visiting the show. They are requesting products that are unique, boutique and high-end. As the competition elevates itself to higher levels, the product lines represented in the market evolved accordingly to meet the clients' needs," said Ildiz.

Kazem Fatahi, owner of Summit Rug, a two-time Market Square exhibitor, added, "Initially I participated at High Point to show products. Then it was to make contacts. However, now my primary goal is to educate myself about the market, about what are people looking for: what styles, colors, and prices. High Point is different from the New York shows in that it does not primarily have interior designers. It also has retail stores looking for items to purchase and to use for displays."

"I have been doing this show since 1984, 31 years. We were a handful of rug companies doing this show and there weren't as many rug buyers back then," said Asia Minor's Alp Basdogan, who exhibited at the same location for the past 30 years, but for the first time is at High Point as a temporary exhibitor at the Suites at Market Square, as is Eliko, which is getting double exposure with a SAMS booth and its Lindsay Street showroom.

Louis de Poortere has also returned to High Point. "It's a joyful return to after a 15-year absence," said Thierry Flamant, VP Sales Americas for De Poortere Group. In High Point we seek to visit with our traditional designer customers and also to meet furniture store chain buyers or even strike a partnership with a boutique furniture manufacturer. We have struck successful alliances in the past at this market, and are looking forward to new similar opportunities."

New to market is International companies Nakta Designs, which imports shyrdak rugs made by artisans in Kyrgyzstan, and California-based Mat the Basics, a subsidiary company of M.A. Trading in India., Inc. established its presence in the US with sales and distribution facilities in Redondo Beach, CA and permanent showrooms across the states.

Inspired by ancient Middle Eastern tile works, Kare collection's Kabartma design in Chartreuse by Asia Minor pairs traditional kiilim and hand-knotted weaving techniques. These customizable rugs are made in Turkey of hand spun, 100% pure new Turkish wool and colored with natural vegetable and mineral dyes.

Alex Kimia continues to promote his two-year-old Banu Home collection of rugs made in 10 different countries in a range of weaves, colors, textures, shapes and sizes.

To be featured at High Point Market, Bokara Rug's new Canvas Art Select collection of 12/12 silk and hand-spun wool is hand-knotted in Pakistan.

A Capel Rugs' collection of hand-knotted transitional designs with a Persian flair, Kasbah is expanding with two new patterns, Crystal in a black colorway (shown) and Nomad, in cream. Made of 100% Lincoln wool, the collection may retail for $899.

Creative Touch presents several new collections made in India of wool, and wool and bamboo silk including the hand-loomed Nevada collection (shown).

The new hand-knotted Olivier collection from the Fine Collection by John F features an elegant pixel design with the sheen and softness of bamboo viscose.

Kalaty's new Avalon collection of contemporary loop-and-pile area hand knotted in a Lori-Loom weave uses premium wool and Silkette in various multi-level motifs. Retail price for a 6x9 is $1,000.

From the new Mad Men collection by De Poortere Deco, a Jacquard flatweave in white and gold. Part of the De Poortere Deco line, the rug is also available as broadloom.

New England Collection continues to showcase its Navaho-styled Four Corners collection, which is introducing new designs, also NEC adds to its hooked rugs with an all over diamond pattern and introduces fresh styles in the Scandia Swedish weave rugs (shown).

From New Moon Rugs comes Haze in bright teal, a hand knotted blend of Tibetan wool, Chinese silk and natural nettle fibers.

Safavieh appeals to designers with the high-end Centennial collection of hand knotted rugs made in India from the finest silk and wool. The artistically textured rugs have an MSRP of $8,316 in 6x9.

Fledgling High Point exhibitor Summit Rug continues to showcase its new range of flat weaves with fresh styles debuted at market.

Long-time SAMS exhibitor Tamarian Carpets presents the new contemporary Bowery collection in the Masquerade colorway, featuring a proprietary Phoenix Weave using hard-twisted wool triple dyed, and washed in small batches for enhanced texture.

RUG GUIDE TO MARKET SQUARE AND SAMS

Anji Mountain
M - 1035 - Suites At Market Square, Mezzanine

Artistic Weavers
2-212 - Market Square, Floor 2

Asia Minor
1-140 - Market Square, Floor 1

Banu Home
1-802 - Suites At Market Square, Floor 1

Bokara Rug Company
2-204 - Market Square, Floor 2

Capel
1-112 - Market Square, Floor 1

Chesterfield Leather
M-1034 - Suites At Market Square, Mezzanine

Citak Rugs
M-1033 - Suites At Market Square, Mezzanine

Creative Touch
G-3042 - Suites At Market Square, Ground

Due Process Stable Trading Co.
2-216 - Market Square, Floor 2

Eliko Rugs
1-849 - Suites At Market Square, Floor 1;

Eliko Showroom: 108 S. Lindsay St.

Feizy
1-143 - Market Square, Floor 1

FJ Kashanian Rugs
G-2037, 2041 - Suites At Market Square, Ground

Kalaty Rug Corp.
2-220 - Market Square, Floor 2

Kravet, Lee Jofa, Brunschwig & Fils and Kravet Furniture
2-217 - Market Square, Floor 2

Louis de Poortere
1-903 - Suites At Market Square, Floor 1

Manglam Arts
M-8011 - Suites At Market Square, Mezzanine

Mastour
G-3039 - Suites At Market Square, Ground

Mat the Basics
1-510 - Suites At Market Square, Floor 1

Michaelian & Kohlberg, Inc.
1-720 - Suites At Market Square, Floor 1

Natka Designs
1-828 - Suites At Market Square, Floor 1

Nashville Rug Gallery
M-2042 - Suites At Market Square, Mezzanine

New England Collection
G-1033 - Suites At Market Square, Ground

New Moon Rugs
G-4029 - Suites At Market Square, Ground

Nomadic Trading Company
G-8005 - Suites At Market Square, Ground

Orientalist Home
G-1037 - Suites At Market Square, Ground

Patrick Charles Ltd.
G-1015 - Suites At Market Square, Ground

Rug Market America
M-1000A - Suites At Market Square, Mezzanine

Saddleman's
G-1044, G-1038 - Suites At Market Square, Ground

Safavieh
117, 120, 121, 112 - Market Square, Floor 1

Summit Rug
1-902 - Suites At Market Square, Floor 1

Tamarian Carpets
G-5000 - Suites At Market Square, Ground

Togar Rugs
2-278 - Market Square, Floor 2

Vintage Persian Rugs by Jubin Tavakol
G-60 - Market Square, Ground

10.15.15

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