Some data on why rug industry isn't
Lissa Wyman, Rug Editor -- Furniture Today, July 9, 2006
The other night, I spent a pleasant social evening with the president of a major rug importing company. During dinner, he commented, "The problem with markets is, there are too many of them." Heard that before? Ho-hum.
But what he said next snapped me to attention: "The problem is that the rug business is not really an industry. Rugs are just a sub-category within the floor covering industry, the home furnishings industry, the textiles industry and even the gift industry. We've got to piggy-back on everybody else's markets."
That got me thinking. What are the defining characteristics of an industry? Using the home electronics and housewares industries as models, I came up with a few criteria:
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A central buying event (the big Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, the housewares show in Chicago).
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A community of participants (everyone knows everyone else).
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A central association and/or repository of statistical information (Carpet and Rug Institute, National Home Builders Assn.).
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Recognition as an industry by U.S. government agencies (Bureau of the Census, the Commerce Department).
How do rugs stack up?
Central buying event? Yes. Major introductions are made at the Atlanta markets in January and July.
A community of participants? Indeed. Some people are born into it, others stumble in and get hooked. Once in the embrace of the rug business, one rarely leaves. A constant round of musical chairs, feuds and company startups keeps tongues wagging and life interesting.
A central repository of information? No. The Oriental Rug Importers Assn. is a well-run organization, but it doesn't represent the entire business, nor does it collect statistics. Despite some efforts to broaden its scope to include machine-made manufacturers and importers, members are mostly traditional Oriental hand-made rug importers.
What about the Carpet and Rug Institute? Puh-leeze. I don't even know why they bother with the "and Rug" part of the name. A few years ago, they claimed they were going after the rug community, but we haven't heard a peep from them since.
Recognition by federal agencies? Rugs aren't even on their radar screens. In fact, Commerce lumps rug statistics in with either carpet or textiles figures, making it impossible to tease apart the various sub-categories.
Do we have an industry or not? Maybe yes, maybe no.
The fact that Atlanta markets provide a home base certainly carries a lot of weight. The fact that rugs are a component of various other industries doesn't rule it out as a separate entity. (It does make the constant stream of markets a vexing necessity, however.)
I'd like to think of the rug category as an industry-in-the-making. I think the primary factor holding it back is the absence of reliable data. We don't even have an accurate head count of rug makers and distributors.
Until there's a central repository for accurate data on sales, production and distribution, rugs will remain a "category," not an "industry."
Big Sky Country
Long-term livability now defines Lodge looks. Refined styling has evolved from moose and bear novelty patterns to designs based on American tribal weavings and sun-baked colors of the high desert.
EBISONS HAROUNIAN: The Tibetan Dreams collection is hand woven in China using Tibetan sheep wool. The use of semi-dyed wool enhances the hand-crafted appearance. $299 in 5′6″ by 8′.
SARTORI: Monte Sol is a Sumak flat weave made of hand-spun Pamir wool using natural mineral dyes. It's inspired by the indigenous weaving and graphic patterns of Pueblo pottery found in the Museum of New Mexico, Santa Fe. $2,754 in 6 by 9.
SHAW LIVING: New designs in the Shaw Accents collection feature earthy shades and vibrant jewel tones in patterns based on the heritage of the American West. Machine woven of olefin. $179 in a 5′5″ by 7′10″.
Clean Classics
Rug makers are paring down busy Oriental design motifs to create streamlined versions of the classics that complement today's more casual interiors.
JAIPUR: Bhoomi, part of the Atlantis collection, is hand knotted in India in an 8/8 construction. $1,499 in 6 by 9.
BOKARA RUG: The Trinity collection is made in India of a 9/9 hand-knot construction. Three-ply wool yarns. $1,195 in 5 by 8.
CENTRAL ORIENTAL: This Basha design is part of the new Platinum collection. Machine made in the United States of space-dyed nylon. $299 in 5 by 8.
HAROUNIAN RUGS: Classic Peshawar styling is featured in the Sierra collection. Hand tufted in India of hard-twisted wool. $459 in 5 by 8.
RUG ONE IMPORTS: The Panacea collection is power-loomed in Belgium of Belgotex heat-set polypropylene. The collection is a coordinated package of rugs, runner and broadloom carpeting. $299 in 5 by 8.
SAFAVIEH: The Organic Persian Weave collection is hand knotted in Pakistan using Persian weaves and indigenous vegetable dyes. $2,800 in 6 by 9.
ORIENTAL WEAVERS/SPHINX: The South of France collection is hand tufted and hand carved in China. In wool, it's part of the National Geographic licensing program. $599 in 5′6″ by 8′6″.
Blue Notes
For the past two seasons, rug makers have tried to find a target blue. It's still covering a broad range of hues, but the direction seems to be moving toward green-blue or gray-blue.
CAPEL: Festival of Flowers is a flat-woven tapestry rug made in Belgium of a blend of viscose, acrylic, cotton and polyester. From the Biltmore Estate For Your Home collection. $399 in 5 by 8.
DYNAMIC RUGS: A classic Persian design is updated in a soft teal color palette. Styling by Posh Fashionation. Hand tufted and hand carved in India of wool. $400 in 5 by 8.
TRANS OCEAN IMPORTS: The Bhutan collection from the Liora by Liora Manne collection is hand knotted in China with carved accents. Wool. $700 in 4′10″ by 7′10″.
MOMENI: Persian Garden is power-loomed in China of New Zealand wool, with abrash striations and hand-serged edges. $439 in 5 by 8.
HOMEFIRES: The Aquamarine Mosaic Shell accent rug collection is hand crafted of soft acrylic yarns. Designed by artist Paul Brent. $99 in 3 by 5.
Easy Does It
Easy to understand. Easy to live with. Easy on the pocketbook. Colorful and casual rugs are an integral part of the Gen-X lifestyle.
AMERICAN COTTAGE: This flame-stitch design, from the Historical collection, is hand hooked in China of wool. $599 in 5 by 8.
NOURISON: The Essex Manor collection is power-loomed of hard-twist wool yarns specially dyed for a subtly striated look. $499 in 6×9.
FEIZY: The Livingston collection is part of the Wrangler Home collection. Hand tufted of wool and faux silk in a textured geometric pattern. $418 in 5 by 8.
L.R. RESOURCES: The Caribbean collection is hand tufted in India of New Zealand wool. $399 in 5 by 8.
MOHAWK SELECT: Anacapri features a pattern inspired by multiple border designs. Machine made of soft-textured nylon pile. $299 in 5′3″ by 7′10″.
Edgy
While mainstream contemporary design has softened in recent seasons, hard-core modernists still seek the cutting edge.
ENDLESS KNOT: String, from the Susan Eslick collection, is hand knotted of hand-spun and hand-dyed Tibetan wool. 80-knot construction. $2,600 in 6 by 9.
KAS: City Skyline, from the Signature collection, is hand tufted of wool. Made in India. $499 in 6 by 9.
RADICI: Sofia is machine made in Italy of Emerlen heat-set polypropylene. $199 in 5′5″ by 7′7″.
SURYA: The Studiorowe collection is designed in collaboration with Rowe Furniture. Hand tufted in India of New Zealand wool. $399 in 5 by 8.
Fabric Inspirations
Upholstery and apparel fabric designs are becoming the latest inspiration for rug design. Chintz, damask, tapestry, chain-stitch and embroidery, calico, wood block and crepe de chine patterns all have become fair game for rugs.
CHANDRA RUGS: Poppy Field is reminiscent of mid-century polished cotton prints in symmetrical repeats. Hand tufted in India of wool. $399 in 5′ by 7′6″.
DELOS: This pattern from the Delos Styles Classic collection was inspired by British fabrics from the 1950s. Designed by England's Forte Cloth studio. Hand tufted in India of New Zealand wool. $599 in 5 by 7.
GULISTAN: Clara is part of the new Gulistan 900 series. Printed and hand carved in Egypt. Made of Tactesse nylon with Stainmaster protection. $199 in 5′3″ by 7′6″.
PEKING HANDICRAFTS: Rambling Roses, by D.L. Rhein, is inspired by a classic chintz pattern and is coordinated with a linen and bedding collection. Hand hooked in China. $160 in 3 by 5.
In the English manner
William Morris brought a unique English sensibility to rugs and carpeting in the Victorian era. Now this aesthetic is returning as part of America's love affair with the English manor house.
828 INTERNATIONAL: The Lauren Brooks licensed collection is hand tufted in India of wool. $699 in 5 by 8.
COURISTAN: Devonshire is based on an archived 18th century English fabric design. Power loomed of wool. The English Manor collection is available in rugs, runners and coordinating broadloom carpeting. $439 in 5′3″ by 7′6″.
KARASTAN: Regent's Park design is based on an antique prayer rug, rendered in the black and khaki palette associated with the English Arts and Crafts movement. Axminster woven of New Zealand wool. $1,199 in 5′9″ by 9′.
MAJESTIC: Ashley is a knitted cotton chenille rug that emulates an antique needlepoint construction. $199 in 6 by 9.
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