A striking display of exclusive High Pile Moroccan rugs scored rave reviews from Art Resources’ High Point shoppers.
HIGH POINT, N.C. – High Point Market shoppers headed to L.A.-based Art Resources for color, fashion, and the exclusivity that has become a rare commodity in the area rug business.
“We do not sell to consumers online,” Art Resources principal Jack Simantob told RugNews.com at market. “We've made a commitment not to bypass our customers.” Indeed, the company’s website, which is directed at trade customers, is being revamped, making for an even more customer-friendly shopping experience, albeit for designers, architects and upscale retailers.
A Moroccan High Pile rug in fashion-forward black and white was a top choice in the Art Resources showroom.
And because Art Resources is a go-to source for designers shopping from inventory brought to the show, Simantob said, the Suites at Market Square showroom will once again be expanded with two adjacent spaces for the show’s October edition.
Swedish kilims from Art Resources were featured for spring High Point Market as interest in a range of flatweaves continues.
Diversity of weaves and designs is the key differentiator for the company, which is a leader in the specialty rug category. “We bring everything from Pakistan, Afghanistan and India and we have a lot of antiques – a huge collection. We do different qualities. All different kinds of specialty rugs from Moroccan high piles to traditional vintage and high-end Moroccans made in Afghanistan – which we have exported to the U.S.”
Art Resources' Navajo Kilim series in contemporary palettes remains a bestseller with clients.
A perennial bestselling category among High Point shoppers is the company’s Navajo Kilim range, popular for its classic southwestern appeal.
In recent years the flatweave category has been expanded to meet designer demand with new collections of Swedish, Turkish, Afghan and Egyptian kilims.
Art Resources showed off its colorful, unique Souf Kilim rugs, each featuring flatweave and pile textures, a bright palette
and bold tribal motifs.
What’s more, Simantob and company co-founder, brother Eddie Simantob, have carved a niche with their Souf Kilim rugs from Iran, each featuring a bright palette of colors, Tulu-style textures combining flatweave and pile, and bold tribal motifs. “Add to that our hand-knotted traditional Persian, contemporary and transitional hand-knotted collections, and we are a one-stop shopping source for high-end rugs,” Simantob said.
The Montana collection is power loomed with a contemporary geometric pattern in tonal neutrals.
Since the company dipped its toes in the high-end machine-made category less than two years ago, its power-loomed rugs have become another designer favorite for their striking quality and designs. The Powerloom collection has grown to 300 SKUs, in both updated Persian bordered patterns and contemporary abstract styles using a two-million-point construction, most woven in viscose yarn – many finished with a high-low carved effect and fringes. The Montana collection is one example, featuring a contemporary geometric pattern in tonal neutrals.
Art Resources showcases its Exotic wools program with a special display.
Among the market hits was the company’s Exotic wools program, which are offered in limited stock but can be special ordered in the designer’s choice of Pantone colors for delivery in three to four months. In the spotlight at Art Resources was a display showing off the company’s wide variety of unusual fibers, including alpaca, merino, mohair, mulberry silk and cashmere. Many of these fibers are used in Moroccan high-pile constructions with abstract or geometric patterns that are accented with tip shear finishing.
Another highlight in the showroom was Falling Sky, a beautiful wool with silk rug with a pattern of interconnecting triangles
shaded for a 3D effect. The shaped edge of the rug echoed the pattern.