The HRI Performance Rugs program featuring Sunbrella unveils the new Norwalk collection, hand-loomed in a neutral palette from Nepal.
LAS VEGAS -- Since its blockbuster launch of Sunbrella performance rugs in 2019, Harounian Rugs International (HRI) has been steadily growing the program, which debuts six hand-loomed collections this week at Las Vegas Market, all included in a new made-to-order luxury performance rug program.
Retailers and designers shopping HRI's World Market showroom, B433, will be first to preview the lines -- which are hand-loomed in Nepal and India of Sunbrella yarn to assure fade and stain resistance, cleanability (even with bleach) and easy care. "These collections offer a full range of MTO (made-to-order) designs where dealers can order full sized carpets and samples for their waterfall displays," said Lee Harounian, president.
"Our Indian and Nepalese mills will be carrying Sunbrella yarn stocks enabling quick turnaround times on our new MTO luxury performance rug program." HRI is also developing an interactive rug design program where each design will be viewable in 3D, and also within room settings. "This program will help clients visualize alternative colorways, and from this visualization, order a 1x1 strike off for approval. Look forward to seeing this complete offering at the High Point Furniture Market in June," Harounian said.
HRI markets and positions the entire Sunbrella rug collection under the performance rug category, which is nothing new to the company, explained Greg Jordt, executive vice president, sales and marketing. "Obviously, the India product is not as expensive as the Nepal product - so these introductions will appeal to a broad range of customers. But even before Sunbrella, we had always been into the quality level that hits performance. We were known as a wool house -- we never got into the qualities that pill and shed, or don't clean well."
The Network design is from the new Norwalk collection of Nepalese fine hand-loomed Sunbrella rugs from HRI.
The debuting Norwalk collection from HRI Performance Rugs featuring Sunbrella, showcases the luxury look and textures attainable with hand-looming in Nepal.
While Sunbrella rugs can be used in covered outdoor spaces, the intricate weaves and fashion-forward designs are most often specified for indoor use where performance is a requisite. Indeed, prior to the Pandemic, the Sunbrella program was already a hit with buyers at the major markets.
"We're optimistic [about Las Vegas Market], but obviously expectations aren't too high," Jordt told RugNews.com prior to opening day. "Before the pandemic Las Vegas had become a very important and very large market for us. We always did a tremendous amount of business here."
:
Hand-loomed in Nepal, the Bottega collection (above) and Napa collection (below) are among six new Sunbrella debuts launching at HRI's Las Vegas Market showroom.
"We're showing [in Vegas] because the pressure continues to build on retailers, designers and on everybody in the industry to get out and see new products and trends. There's only so much you can do on a Zoom. It's a Zoom and then you can send corner samples. It's not the same. A virtual showroom is fine, but it is not like being there in person, going through a showroom in person - that's for sure. All those ways of doing business were great.
HIGH HOPES FOR HIGH POINT
While market shoppers are braving plane travel and hotels, for many Vegas is the first show in a year. Jordt says HRI is already getting queries about High Point from customers. "I think High Point Market is going to be a real good one. I'm getting a lot of inquiries from customers asking, 'are you going to be open for High Point?' That's an indicator right there.
"We found a lot of interesting ways to keep our business going in 2020, and did quite well actually. But we are turning the corner now. People are beginning to feel more secure about going out and getting to markets."
A classic designer motif is part of the HRI Performance Rugs series' new Bohemian collection, which is hand-loomed in India.
ABOUT SUNBRELLA RUGS
Sunbrella's excellence starts at the core of every fiber. Sunbrella rugs offer an unparalleled combination of style and functionality, of beauty and resilience. The performance qualities needed to withstand heavy use year after year are embedded in everything we do, from fiber to yarn and beyond.
To make exquisite rugs that stand the test of time, HRI offers Sunbrella 100% solution-dyed, acrylic yarn. Acrylic has a soft wool-like feel and is extremely durable. It's easy to clean and quick drying. Because Sunbrella yarn is solution-dyed and engineered for UV stability, it's colorfast, as well as inherently resistant to damage from sunlight.
Solution dyeing is a process that adds color before the yarn is even created. Sunbrella fibers are saturated with color and UV-stabilized pigments before they're spun into yarn – meaning the pigment goes all the way through the fibers and the color stays true over time. The color is continuous throughout the fiber much like a carrot. In other dyeing processes such as piece dyeing, the color is only on the outer surface of the fiber, much like a radish with its red skin and white interior.
Sunbrella's proprietary formulation help make cleaning your rugs easier than ever. Sunbrella rugs withstand wine, coffee, juice, and other household messes. For the toughest of messes, Sunbrella rugs are safe to clean with bleach and will retain their beauty and colors over time.
Market shoppers visiting HRI's Vegas showroom can see samples this week of the entire Sunbrella performance rug collection, including the 600, 700, 1000 series, and six debut collections.