Today's rugs run gamut of styles

Lissa Wyman -- Furniture Today, April 10, 2005

High Point — A few years ago, rugs could be neatly compartmentalized into "traditional," "transitional" and "contemporary" categories. But those old-fashioned words no longer adequately describe the rapidly expanding world of rug design. Here are a few of the trends now surfacing on the rug scene.

Techno

Inspired by pulsating music and swirling electronic light shows, this emerging trend captures the edgy energy of Gen-Z.

Momeni

IHFC D-308
Op art design is updated for the 21st century. From the new Odyssey collection, this rug is power-loomed in China of New Zealand wool. Hand carved and hand-serged. $499 in 5 by 8.

Masland

MS 215
Jubilee, a playful tone-on-tone geometric, is part of the Serendipity rug collection. Machine tufted of Stainmaster nylon. $999 in 6 by 9.

Nourison

MS 190
Slinky abstract wave design is hand tufted of wool, with hand carving for added textural interest. Dimensions collection. $400 in 6 by 9.

Botanical Gardens

Who says a rose is a rose is a rose? In rugs, florals and botanicals are moving in several directions. They cover a broad range from bold to subtle, realistic to stylized, high end to low end and traditional to contemporary.

Surya

SP 3234
The Goa collection has been developed in collaboration with Rowe Furniture to create rugs that complement Rowe fabrics. Hand tufted of New Zealand wool, Goa G-44 is $399 in 5 by 8.

Company C

SMS G-1304
The sprightly colors of Deerfield make a strong contemporary statement. Hand hooked of 100% wool, $745 in 6 by 9.

Abbyson

IHFC D-337
The Serenity collection is inspired by the tranquility of a Zen garden. Hand knotted of Himalayan sheep wool with carved silk flowers. Natural vegetable dyes create an antique effect. AB-5120 is $999 in 6 by 9.

Hellenic

MS M-57
The Westervelt collection brings a fresh approach to botanical and organic shapes. Power-loomed in million-point construction. Made of heat-set polypropylene with artificial silk highlights, $299 in 6 by 9. Designed by Dan Westervelt.

Just for Fun

Everyone knows that niche designs are not for everyone. That's what makes the category so much fun. This spring, however, this category is trending away from the wild and way out toward more refined and livable themes.

Delos

SMS 1-700
Primitive Legacy 65005 is based on the steel sculptures of Primitive Twig. The African folk art motifs are transformed into leading-edge contemporary looks. Hand tufted of Chinese wool with silk-like accents of mercerized cotton. $999 in 5 by 8.

Chandler 4 Corners

SMS G-212
Combining hooked and braided construction, Good Catch captures the mood of an Adirondacks lodge. Made in China. Wool, three-foot round is $120.

Homefires

IHFC D-302
Both far out and traditional, Hawaiian Shirt exemplifies how the accent rug category is moving away from "jokey" looks to more classic approaches. By licensed designer Shan. Made in China of cut-and-loop, hand-tufted construction. Wool, $350 in 5 by 8.

Casual Traditional

The traditional design category is making a subtle shift to less formal looks. New patterns are less ornate, fields are more open and colors are updated to reflect modern furnishings trends. Many casual traditional rugs are machine made or hand tufted, bringing them into the affordable price range. Consumers are embracing the new approach to the classics by using them in contemporary as well as traditional settings.

Safavieh

MS 300
Anatolia AN512A captures the look and feel of decorative rugs from the late 19th century. Traditional hand dyeing and spinning techniques combine with modern hand-tufted construction. Made in China's Mongolia region, $499 in 5 by 8.

Karastan

MS 120
Shiraz 310-00103 is part of the Aria collection of traditional designs. Machine made of wool with drop-stitch detailing. $499 in 5 by 8.

Shaw Living

MS 204
Jillies' Tapestry is part of the Kathy Ireland Home First Lady collection. Based on an historic rug pattern, it is updated with a modern color palette. Made of fine-denier EverTouch nylon. $499 in 5 by 8.

Jaipur

SMS I-700
Jaimak 13863 is a traditional design interpreted in the casual Sumak flatwoven construction. Made in India, wool, $995 in 6 by 9.

Dynamic Rugs

MS 211
Ottoman collection U814090 is based on a traditional design from the historic city of Ushak, Turkey. The power-loomed rugs have the finish of hand-knotted rugs. Made of skein-dyed worsted wool. $599 for 5′3″by 7′7″.

Urban Chic

Contemporary design has become the norm rather than the exception in the rug world, and the category is fragmenting into various style groups. Urban contemporary reflects the refined taste levels and adventurous use of colors for those who refuse to play it safe.

Sphinx by Oriental Weavers

IHFC D-319
Large-scale, rounded forms in deep earthy colors create a look of sleek chic. From the Tones collection. Machine-made in Egypt of heat-set polypropylene in soft, dense pile with deep hand carving. $299 in 5′3″ by 7′9″.

828 International Trading

MS 123
Dynasty 101-90 is part of 828's inaugural collection of Chinese power-loomed rugs. Made of heat-set polypropylene with hand carving. Million-point construction. $299 in 5′3″ by 7′7."

Foreign Accents

SMS G-105
Fusion HFH 2306 features asymmetric geometric forms with a mid-century retro feel. Hand-tufted in a blend of 70% wool and 30% acrylic. Made in China. $599 in 6 by 8.

Loloi

224 East Kivett Drive
Astro AT-05 recreates the exuberantly ornate mood of the Viennese art world in the early 20th century. Hand tufted in cut-and-loop construction for added textural interest. $349 in 5′3″ by 7′7."

Many Moods of Red

A red rug is a warm island in a sea of beige and brown home furnishings. Red crept into the rug scene two years ago, and now it's become a significant part of every style category from traditional to ultra-modern.

KAS

IHFC D-301
Large geometric shapes are ultra-contemporary, but the tone-on-tone red palette softens the edges. Hand tufted of wool, with hand-carved detailing, Dreamword is part of the Signature collection. $499 in a 6 by 9.

Couristan

IHFC D-320
Aruba 53267125 makes a definitive casual contemporary statement. Machine made with a dense, million-point construction using softly textured polypropylene yarns. $659 in 5′5″ by 7′10″.

Trans Ocean

MS 125
Designed by Liora Manne, Ombre's muted palette moves across the warm spectrum. Wool, hand tufted in India. $299 in 4′10″ by 7′10."

Capel

MS 112
Provencal 500 is based on an 1880s-period French country design updated with a deep red field. Micro-point loop construction. Made in China of Chinese wool. $600 in 5 by 8.