Rug buyers remain optimistic about the category's prospects as they shopped new introductions at Las Vegas Market.
LAS VEGAS -- The turnout of major national accounts, furniture retailers, area rug galleries, trade showrooms and designers shopping rugs at the winter edition of Las Vegas Market was impressive and lived up to projections.
Most rug executives reported comparable attendance to the winter 2023 edition, adding that their clients remain optimistic about the industry's prospects. What's more, several vendors noted that they met with customers well in advance of the market's official opening on Sunday, Jan. 28. And some of those buyers included attendees in town for major flooring expo, The International Surface Event, which ran from Jan. 24-26 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center.
Top choices ran the gamut from stylish and affordable machine-made rugs to luxurious hand-knotted pieces crafted of sumptuous materials, including cashmere and silk. In between, high-quality machine-made designs, hand-tufted mid-priced options and more accessibly priced hand-knotted rugs also continued to trend. Custom options, whether customizable area rug designs or cut-and-sew, continue to be among the brightest spots for the rug industry as well.
And while the thousands of new looks, color palettes and weaves on show truly offered something for everyone, the editors at RugNews.com pinpoint several key trends that are sure to figure big in what’s seen on retail floors in the coming months. Plush organic rugs crafted of thick yarn were seen in many showrooms, often in undyed natural tones or colored from natural dyes. These pieces featured soft geometric high-low looks, or solids that showcased nubby texture. Mid-century modern and Art Deco looks continue to trend, sometimes rendered in vibrant hues and clear designs, and in other instances offered in softer palettes with subtle patterns. Finally, the popularity of abstract motifs still hasn't waned though the latest introductions offer updated color combinations which blend warm and cool tones, regularly showcased with shimmering accents and high-low detailing.
Soft fibers, whether plush synthetic yarns or natural wool blends, continue to be a popular choice for inviting comfort underfoot. Easy to decorate with rugs also remain a top selection, with many debuts executing patterns via the weave, letting texture speak for itself and presenting an updated take on solid-colored rug.
In Part 1 of this two-part roundup, RugNews.com reviews some of the most important introductions and best-received collections at rug showrooms from A to K. Part 2 continues the coverage with showrooms from K to U.
ANNIE SELKIE
A display of Annie Selke's new machine-washable area rugs, including Paint Chip in blue, on the wall far left, Nimes Ticking
and Koto Indigo.
In the CODARUS multi-line showroom, rug label Annie Selke, which includes Dash & Albert Rugs, introduces its new machine-washable rugs at winter market. The washable assortment includes 30 iconic Annie Selke designs made of 100 percent polyester with an anti-slip backing.
In addition, Annie Selke revamped its custom area rug display for winter Las Vegas shoppers as the company's cut and sew business continues to grow. "Custom is a huge focus for us," said Jess Fitzgerald Evans, VP of product development & design at Annie Selke, of the refreshed easy to browse, easy to relax in section of the spacious third floor Building C showroom. The program includes custom sisal, wool, in-out and performance options in sizes up to 30 feet long and 15 feet wide. A top-seller is the new Jackson collection, a custom-only rug crafted of New Zealand wool, with a plaid pattern in various colorways -- charcoal/brown being the favorite. Other best-sellers include Annie Selke's popular painterly-styled Paint Chip, which is a wool hand micro-hooked design, and Malta, hand woven of wool with a casual coastal styling.
Custom area rugs continue to grow in importance at Annie Selke, which revamped its custom display merchandising for
winter market. Shown, on the ground, Paint Chip in natural
BALTA
Balta continues to add to its handmade assortment in its effort to become a top supplier to major retailers. Shown, Como
Balta Home, which debuted its Las Vegas Market Building C showroom during summer 2023 market, returns with hundreds of new introductions to its best-selling collections. Among the company's most popular programs is its children's lineup of whimsical designs, which adds a new snake motif called Re_Lease. Balta’s successful Cocoon collection of solid color designs debuted a new mid-century-inspired arch pattern in colors including ivory, ultramarine blue and mustard-like yellow. These rugs combine two different yarn types to create a 3D effect with an ultra-soft hand and a high-low pile.
Balta also continues to expand its lineup of handmade rugs with the intention of growing that category to offer customers a step-up product that remains accessible. New additions are textural solid fringed styles such as Como, tufted of 80 percent wool and 20 percent cotton, and Maggiore, a high-low geometric design in natural colors, also made of wool and cotton.
Balta's kids-focused area rugs remain among its most popular categories at market. Shown, Re_Lease
CAPEL
Capel showcases its Boho Bliss collection of handwoven area rugs crafted of 100 percent PET and featuring trending
high-textured solid looks.
Capel highlighted its latest natural-styled area rugs, some crafted of undyed wool (Vail collection) others crafted of PET (Boho Bliss collection) offering customers two variations on popular textural solids. In addition, some of Capel's popular hand-knotted collections -- Ethereal, Pinnacle and Kerrington -- received line extensions this winter. Ethereal and Pinnacle are Capel's heaviest-weight wool rugs and the company added two new colorways in each. Kerrington is crafted of space-dyed wool and added fresh palettes to its Eisley floral pattern. The company had a busy schedule, notably with designers, who made appointments in advance instead of just walking in, for the winter edition.
Capel adds fresh colorways to its popular hand-knotted Kerrington collection's Eisley design, crafted of space-dyed wool.
COURISTAN
Couristan re-focuses on handmade qualities, showcasing a range of innovative constructions and designs. Shown Acadia
Couristan created a special window display paying homage to the late Ron Couri's important contributions to the company's innovative outdoor area rug assortment. Beginning with the Recife collection more than 20 years ago, he modified the standard construction of outdoor rugs by changing the weft from jute to polypropylene thus creating more enduring outdoor pieces. Today the company continues to push the envelope with its outdoor rugs, now positioning its latest introductions as go-anywhere performance pieces. New introductions include the textured, raised motifs of Liguria, which offers classic patterns and boho styling in neutral colorations. Both Carson and Fez rework traditional geometric patterns in warmed up neutral tones and with a handmade appeal that is suitable for indoors and out. And the York collection offers a circular design with the look of a handmade braided rug.
What's more, the company made a major push into handmade pieces, introducing several collections in a range of qualities and styles. Among the rollouts is Hancock, hand-knotted of wool, offering raised multi-textured soft contemporary and transitional designs. Acadia collection is a line of hand-woven printed rugs of wool and PET, offering subtle traditional motifs with soft colorations for a vintage effect. Couristan also rolled out several indoor machine-woven collections with a focus on fashion, among them Madagascar, a graphic range of black and white motifs, including animal prints, with soft hand.
Couristan grows its indoor-outdoor assortment with new styles that are equally suitable for indoor settings. Shown, Carson 003
DALYN
City Furniture's Kristina DiBartolomeo was browsing Dalyn's new Luxury Washables with Dalyn's Heath Perkins, left,
and Brian VanderWerf. Shown, Trevi collection
Dalyn, which started seeing customers prior to the official opening of LVMKT, saw all its major retailers come in -- plus several new customers. "We are taking market share," said Brian VanderWerf, president. For the winter market, the company revamped its showroom in Building A, removing a series of racks to make way for an eye-catching display of its abstract printed Odyssey collection, which was a major hit at its rollout at the 2023 fall High Point show. Across the showroom floor was another perimeter wall exclusively devoted to the company's debuting Luxury Washables program, which features a plush hand and coordinating pillows, plus throws lined with a cozy polyester faux shearling. This assortment was introduced in a range of styles with 320 SKUs, and immediately was a top-choice of buyers.
Finally, Dalyn introduces its highest-quality machine-made collection: the Vizcia collection of traditional motifs. This assortment is power-loomed in a super tight 1.3 million point weave with an overdye process for rich colors and substantial hand. Brown and silver are the top colorways within that range.
Dalyn introduces its Luxury Washables assortment at winter market showcasing the Trevi rug collection and coordinating
washable pillows and throws.
DYNAMIC RUGS
Among Dynamic Rugs' Vegas hits was the new high-quality machine-woven Wade collection, crafted of 80 percent wool
and 20 percent nylon.
Dynamic Rugs brought dozens of new designs in a range of qualities from indoor-outdoor machine-made pieces to high-quality machine-mades and step-up hand-tufted wool rugs in a range of styles. Among the top choices of winter market-goers were the hand-tufted wool designs from the new Daisy collection, which offers subtly colored raised floral motifs.
Another hit was the high-quality machine-woven Wade, crafted of 80 percent wool and 20 percent nylon, with its vibrant colorations and striking traditional motifs. These rugs feature 20 colors, including classic red and blue designs but also more neutral color combinations such as ivory and soft blues. As a counter point, the company's Mesa, made of polyester, offers a range of high-low styles from medallion to checkerboard patterns, however rendered in tonal colorations of ivory and soft browns.
Customers gave a thumbs up to the textural Daisy collection of tufted wool rugs in a range of floral motifs.
EXQUISITE RUGS
Jennifer Scott and Jaeger Stander, with J Home Interiors, Sheridan, Wyoming, take Exquisite Rugs' plush Alpine rugs
for a test run alongside David Beck, Exquisite Rugs’ director of international trade.
Exquisite Rugs returned to Las Vegas Market with a permanent Building B showroom, celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The company announced an exciting new collaboration with the estate of celebrated Mexican modernist Frida Kahlo, widely known for her bold and vibrant self-portraits -- two of which were on display for winter market-goers.
The company's Metropolitan Museum of Art collection is doing "phenomenal" and continues to attract buyers. Featuring a broad range of classic designs offered in 1 million and 2 million point constructions, the series includes the Antique Loom, Legacy and Vintage Loom collections.
Finally, the company's Carmel lineup of soft organic geometric rugs hand-knotted of 100 pure wool, was a hit for its warmth, comfort and natural styling.
Exquisite Rugs' Metropolitan Museum of Art area rug collaboration is a major hit with customers.
FEIZY
John Feizy joins Kami Olmstead and Shannon Hardest, Dwell Design, St. George, Utah, for a photo op. Shown, Wendover 6848F
Feizy continues to expand its high-quality machine-made lineup with several notable standouts. The company's new Melrose collection features distressed floral and Oushak motifs in a palette including blue, green, taupe, ivory and red. Melrose was an immediate hit for its colorations, ultra-soft hand and transitional styling. It was rolled out alongside companion collection, Sonora, produced in the same creel but offering modern looks with a ribbed texture and accents of viscose for subtle sheen, in patterns that blend cool and warm tones. Both these collections feature a soft and pliable cotton back.
As a counterpoint to its machine-mades, Feizy added several luxe hand-knotted looks, and introduced the sumptuous Livingston collection. Hand-knotted of raw Indian wool and silk, this series of abstract painterly designs offers a sophisticated color palette of cool and warm tones with textured motifs. The popular hand-knotted Gia collection of abstract designs also added fresh styles for winter that buyers gave a thumbs up. It's more affordable Wendover collection, hand-knotted of PET, and offering subtle Oushak-inspired patterns in warm neutrals, remains a top choice as well.
Feizy rolled out its ultra-soft Melrose collection of transitional motifs rendered in fashion-forward palettes.
GLOBAL VIEWS
The Agate rug, hand-tufted of wool, took center stage at the Global Views Vegas showroom.
Global Views and sister brand Studio A made a point of anchoring its Las Vegas Market inspirational showroom vignettes with area rugs, including the top-selling Agate design and the Genome rug, part of the Ashley Childers program and both based on abstract watercolor paintings by Childers. Global Views, which now includes a link to parent company Surya’s rugs on its website, artfully fashions its area rugs to complement design themes in its furniture and decorative accessories, often with similar shapes and patterns.
The Genome rug in blue and taupe viscose by Global Views licensed partner, Ashley Childers, is a top choice with clients.
HAROUNIAN RUGS INTERNATIONAL (HRI)
HRI's Lee Harounian, his daughter Jessica, and Greg Jordt walk David B. Mink, second from right, and
Ted Evens, left, both with the Fine Rug Gallery at Macy's, through the latest additions.
HRI's recent introductions span the style gamut, but its new Retro collection, featuring the highest knot quality in its arsenal, is already a home run. Offering a contemporary take on classic Oushak motifs with overscale designs in fashion forward colorations that pair cool and warm tones, the line offers a micro pile and distressed look. As a counterpoint, Nepoli, another debut that is hot out the gate, is also hand-knotted of wool. Motifs include textural geometric and linear looks with an earthy vibe and are a more affordably priced products.
In addition, the company's recently introduced Coco sees a line extension with a new pale blue toned mid-century pattern. Hand-knotted of wool, viscose and Tencel, these pieces are full of lustrous detail for a polished look.
HRI introduced the hand-knotted Nepoli lineup, which became an instant success, for its organic styling and geometric motifs.
JAUNTY
Jaunty's new handwoven Parker collection offers an ombre-style base that is lighter on the ends than in the center. Shown, PK-33
At the Jaunty showroom several popular collections (Normandy, Hillcrest, Jovani and Normandy) saw line extensions for winter market. But there were plenty of brand-new collections rolling out as well.
Parker collection debuted and this abstract high/low lineup, handcrafted of wool and viscose, features an ombre-style base that is lighter at the edges than at the center. Also, the ombre-look of Malibu, launched late last year, continues to gain traction after its High Point introduction. "People love the look," said Kami Navid, owner. "We are excited about 2024 -- our customers are optimistic." Sterling collection was introduced at winter market and these rugs offer raised a motif hand-tufted of wool.
Sterling collection was rolled out this winter by Jaunty and these rugs offer raised motif hand-tufted of wool. Shown, SL-23
KARASTAN
Karastan's Bobby Berk assortment introduces the eclectic Voyage collection of performance rugs.
Karastan dedicated a sizable display to its latest additions to the Bobby Berk licensed rug program, which added several understated tribal motifs for winter market. The interior designer and Emmy-nominated host of “Queer Eye” added the pet-friendly Voyage collection to his lineup. These performance rugs are crafted of polyester in eclectic designs in a warm palette of browns.
Utopia collection is resonating with buyers seeking bolder-colored designs and a plush finish. These abstract patterns are machine-woven using Karastan's high-quality polyester yarn, offering plush softness, superior strength and stain resistance. Utopia rugs are machine-woven with a cut pile that is 10 mm high, and crafted of 100 percent space-dyed SmartStrand.
Karastan's Utopia collection was a hit with shopper looking for bolder-colored designs and a plush finish.
-- Continue reading Part 2 of RugNews' Las Vegas Rug Stories