Buyers from across the country shop the latest high-end hand-crafted rugs and carpets at the CCNY 2023.

NEW YORK -- The third edition of boutique area rug trade event COVER Connect New York, held from Sept. 9-11, was buzzing with rug dealers looking for the latest innovations from some 30 luxury rug exhibitors.

The boutique rug trade show, which grew its footprint to include not just the Metropolitan Pavilion, but the adjacent Altman Building, located at 125 W. 18th St., earned thumbs up from attendees who were able to shop a much broader array of contemporary area rugs and reimagined classics.

Joining the elite cadre of high-end rug exhibitors that participated in earlier events were several fresh faces including Ariana, HRI, Jan Kath, Paulig, Rebel Carpets, Rhyme Studio, Sahar and several others -- each with its own special weaving story to tell.

Returning exhibitors didn't disappoint, and innovations whether it be in cutting-edge weaving techniques, unexpected fibers or avant-garde designs, were at the forefront.

Among the notable trends on show were ombre styles, whether in plush Moroccan iterations or bold art-inspired motifs; fresh takes on classic Oushak patterns; show-stopping abstract designs; next-generation textures and geometrics; and one-of-a-kind scores.

In this industry-exclusive, RugNews.com tours COVER Connect New York to catch up with designers and with buyers replenishing their store inventories or just checking out the latest exquisite hand-made pieces.

ARIANA RUGS


Karissa Hasser and Thilo Horstmann of Domotex, right, stop by the Ariana Rug booth to catch up with Ahmad Ahmadi.

BATTILOSSI


Maurizio Battilossi helms his family's Turino, Italy-based area rug studio and showcased cutting-edge textures at CCNY.


Battilossi developed 14 Mood Board concept to showcase its inventory of contemporary hand-knotted area rugs and
how they can seamlessly work together in interiors.

CREATIVE TOUCH


Baki Ildiz takes a break with Umit Kucuk, left, of Trendie Home (Lyndhurst, New Jersey) and Mustafa Dagdelen, who
gave a thumbs up to a vivid pure silk piece from Creative Touch.

DESIGN MATERIALS


Design Materials, originally known for its sisal and grass custom carpets, continues to grow its offering to include
a broad range of materials and styles.

FRENCH ACCENTS


St. Louis' LK2 Kaim Eisner Studio owners Teri and Andy LaPlante check out French Accent's latest rug designs.

HAROUNIAN RUGS INTERNATIONAL (HRI)


Lee Harounian greets Sarkis Tatosian, right, and Mesrop Darian, both with Oscar Iberian Rugs at HRI's booth. Shown,
Charlotte #67


HRI showcased its brand-new watercolor inspired Milo collection, right, next to its graphic Charlotte lineup, and on the
stack, sits Lola, an instant success.

JAN KATH DESIGNS


Jan Kath debuted its new psychedelic ombre-styled Insert Coin collection, which renders the work by Frankfurt,
Germany, artist Raphael Brunk.

KNOTS & CO.


The Knots & Co.'s team take a photo op with Anna Concha, owner of Woven Designs, San Francisco.


Knots & Co. joined COVER Connect for the first time to showcase its range of customizable hand-crafted options.

KNOTS RUGS


A striking abstract design instantly captured the eyes of CCNY attendees. The Dawn design, by the artist
known as Nat Maks, pairs Tibetan wool, Chinese silk and linen in a 150-knot quality.

LAPCHI


Lapchi showcased trend-forward textural and tonal designs including the Mithrill in paprika and Koan 2, both hand-woven
in Nepal.

NEW MOON


New Moon showcased vibrant colors at its CCNY stand with an edgy crimson snake and skull hand-knotted design
called Note Scura.


Green designs were not only trending at other summer and fall rug events, they also made an appearance at CCNY
including at New Moon's booth.

PAULIG


Lisa Slappey, owner, Pride of Persia, Houston, shops Paulig's textural designs including its popular Beat Mode lineup.


Moroccan styles were a popular choice and Paulig, which debuted at the event, and showcased Gradient, crafted of
New Zealand and Moroccan wool.

REBEL CARPET


Boutique custom carpet and rug studio Rebel Carpets debuted at COVER Connect showcasing its range of styles,
textures and materials. JD Staron's Jakub Staron, who designs the line, helped man the booth with champagne.
on hand to celebrate.


Rebel Carpets debuted a new indoor-outdoor series featuring classic-grass-inspired geometric motifs.

RHYME STUDIO


Brooklyn-based design atelier Rhyme Studio showcased its hand-knotted area rugs, made Hamed Derakhshanin Ireland of pure Irish wool.

RUG & KILIM


Arsin Gallery's Abbas Arsin, left, and James Arsin, right, check out Rug & Kilim's vintage Moroccans with Cyrus Nazmiyal.


Rug & Kilim, a longtime source for vintage Moroccans featured color-drenched pieces at the fall show.

SAHAR


Sahar founders Haynes Robinson, right, Hamed Derakhshan, center, and Behrouz Sarlak in front of the latest Tusutto design.


First-time CCNY participant Sahar showcased its new programmed Patina collection, offering a vintage-style look.

SAMAD


David Samad, far left, and Malcolm Samad with Beau and Barbie Presnell of The Rug Gallery, Cincinnati, Ohio.


STARK STUDIO RUGS


Stark showcased its Missoni licensed area rugs at the 2023 edition of COVER Connect and its signature colors
and motifs were on point.


Pastel colored textural designs and tonal neutrals are trending and Stark showcased this new palette for its Performance
customizable range.

TAMARIAN


Michael Pourvakil, second left, and his son, Bahador, far left, shop the Tamarian booth with Ryan Higgins, owner, who
also caught up with DOMOTEX' Thilo Horstmann. Shown, two on-trend tonal geometrics: hanging, the pure wool Haring PW
in cream-beige, HiLo, and on the ground Mazadra TK Silver Flax, crafted of 80 percent wool and 20 percent silk.

TIBET RUG CO.


Tibet Rug Co. makes its CCNY debut featuring its sumptuous Reflections design (hanging) and Kimono, both crafted
of hand-spun Tibetan wool.

WOOL & SILK


Jack Schmalfeld, Artisan Rug Gallery, Charlotte, North Carolina, gets a walkthrough of Wool & Silk debuts from
Georgia, left, and Andrea Pahl.

WENDY MORRISON


Scottish designer Wendy Morrison debuts at CCNY highlighting her vibrant chinoiserie-inspired hand-crafted designs.

ZOLLANVARI


Zollanvari showcased a new abstracted geometric style from its Fine Gabbeh collection.


Contemporary florals continue to gain ground and Zollanvari offered its take on the genre.