Rug producers place big bets on colorful intros at Vegas Market
Furniture Today
Posted: Jan 20 2015 By Thomas Lester
LAS VEGAS — Forget the old Vegas gambling axiom of "bet on black." Rug manufacturers at the Las Vegas Market are pushing their chips in on color.
While the market is still abuzz over Marsala, Pantone’s 2015 Color of the Year, Oriental Weavers figures to strike while that iron is hot. As the holder of the Pantone Universe license, the Dalton, Ga.-based manufacturer figures to pique the interest of buyers in its C-395 showroom with rugs showcasing the new hue.
“Consumers will be clamoring to incorporate the new ‘it’ color into their home’s interior and we will have several new rugs containing Marsala at market,” said Nicki Rayburn, director of marketing for Oriental Weavers.
The Mohawk Inds. rug companies, Karastan and American Rug Craftsmen, show in space C-312 with a spate of colorful new introductions for buyers, including rugs from the recycled PET-based Pacifica Collection and two new patterns in Karastan’s Sovereign Axminster line–Sultana Red and Emir Gray.
“We look to carry the momentum from a good end of 2014 into 2015,” noted Brandon Culpepper, vice president of specialty sales for Mohawk.
“There’s a lot of excitement to get the innovative new fibers out into the market and to continue revamping our Axminster lines in Karastan.”
Jaipur, which shows in B-424, has new introductions from its Traditions Made Modern license, which draws inspiration from museum textiles from Asia, Europe, Latin America and Africa in a variety of colors and patterns.
Company CEO Asha Chaudhary believes good things are in store here noting that, “Since we have consistently increased traffic and sales in Las Vegas we are expecting a similar jump in numbers for this winter market.”
KAS Rugs will feature new chunky and innovative natural products in jute and other fibers, as well as trendy rugs in viscose. Wendy Reiss, vice president of key accounts, said striking new florals in a variety of constructions will also be featured in the Somerset, N.J.-based producer’s B-175 showroom.
Capel Rugs’ High Point Market revolved around the themes of “Color Burst” and “Texture Riot,” and the Troy, N.C.-based producer looks to build on momentum with new entries in its A-226 showroom here. Based on retailer feedback, Capel will bring to market Stoneridge 2.0 and 2.2. – a fresh interpretation on an all-time best-seller; the textural Shadows Collection with contrasting colors; and new, colorful American-made collections including Dramatic Static, Untamed and Crystal Falls.
“These are all unique new braid constructions that are sure to be best sellers,” said Allen Robertson, vice president of sales.
New intros for Surya, which shows in space C-400, include the hand-tufted wool and viscose Clarissa Collection, the reversible flat-woven Savannah Collection, the hand-knotted jute Tangier Collection for DwellStudio and the over-tufted 100% wool Wilmington Collection.
Inside Nourison’s C-112 showroom, buyers will be introduced to two brand new collections. The hand-tufted, abstract Gemstone Collection features rich jewel tones including lapis, fire opal and tourmaline. Twilight is loom-woven in tones, shades and neutrals designed to coordinate with any décor in patterns and abstracts.
“These wool blend rugs have a subtle sheen that will enhance any environment. The craftsmanship of these rugs is exquisite, and they should be seen and felt in order to fully appreciate their beauty,” said Giovanni Marra, Nourison’s director of marketing and digital strategy.
Color across all points of the price spectrum plays into Loloi’s Las Vegas strategy. Inside its B-480 showroom, the Dallas-based producer will show four new hand-knotted collections at the upper end of the market as well as new shags and some medium-end value products.
Cyrus Loloi, a principal of the company expressed high hopes for the new Anastasia Collection, noting “Amir told me it’s the best power loomed collection he’s ever worked on, so we can’t wait to see how buyers react.”
