DALTON, Ga.--Global rug and broadloom giant Oriental Weavers comes to winter markets with a cutting-edge yarn and weaving technology not seen in the rug industry before. Jonathan Witt, senior vice president at Oriental Weavers USA, tells RugNews.com the new technology will be showcased in the Andorra collection, which premieres at the Atlanta International Rug Market along with nine additional collections in a variety of yarns and constructions. 

Andorra's new yarn systems marry textural interest with a dense construction and soft pile as shown in two designs premiering at winter markets.

"Andorra removes former weaving and color boundaries of conventional woven rugs by incorporating an assortment of diverse yarn systems (including twisted, space-dyed and barber-poled), each with an array of shiny and matte lusters to create a dramatic palette of more than 200 colors," Witt explains. Crafted from a blend of different polypropylene yarns, the exclusive variegated yarn system marries textural interest with a dense construction and soft pile. The new collection will carry a 5x8 retail of $449.
 
"There has never been a machine-woven rug with more than 200 color options in one color bank. In fact, we are not aware of a collection that is capable of weaving even half of that number," Witt adds. "Our product development team and engineers came up with a new modification to our looms that make this new construction, and the inclusion of so many colors, possible.
 
"The yarn is also quite unique. We are using yarn with varying twist levels to create surface texture. In addition some colors are space-dyed and others are barber-poled (with two to three solid yarns spun together to create a unique color variance), and we use a blend of yarns: some with more of shiny silken appearance and some with a more matte finish."

100 Designs to Debut

 

In all, Oriental Weavers will debut 100 fresh designs in 10 new collections at Atlanta and Las Vegas markets. The new Elisa range boasts a dramatic hi-low textural effect in soft frieze and chenille featuring simple, soft modern looks in a multi-color yarn system in indigo, ivory and gray colorways. Machine woven of 100 percent polypropylene, Elisa is produced in Egypt and retails for $299 in 5x8.

The Palace collection is added to the Tommy Bahama program and features a hand-knotted quality with traditional Oushak designs in modern yet classic colors. Knotted in India of pure wool, a 6x9 retails for $1,399.

The abstract and painterly Galaxy collection blends of wool and viscose yarn to create a combination of matte and lustrous effects in each rug. Handcrafted in India, a 5x8 retails for $599. Also being showcased at winter markets, the Manor range features simplified traditional patterns in soft tonal shades of neutrals, grays and blues. With a handcrafted tip-sheared loop construction, Manor is made in India of 100 percent wool and a 6x9 will retail for $399.Another market entrant is Foundry, with relaxed traditional patterns in understated color families for an industrial-chic look. Machine woven in Egypt of pure wool, a 5x8 retails for $599.
 

"While durable, stain-resistant and weatherproof for outdoor living areas, the yarn also features the look of textured wool and is a cost-effective, family-friendly alternative to many of hand-knotted looks in the marketplace featuring the same overall appearance," Witt adds.

"Santa Rosa fills the need for higher-end qualities and price points to coordinate with the better outdoor furniture in the marketplace."