ICFF rugs: Different world, different attitude, ultra pricey
By Lissa Wyman -- Furniture Today, June 3, 2007
New York — Rugs shown at the recent International Contemporary Furniture Fair here seem to come from a different planet than those shown at more mainstream markets in Atlanta, High Point and Las Vegas.
It's not just a matter of high-end product versus middle and low end. It's a difference in attitude. ICFF exhibitors and attendees are more concerned about quality and uniqueness than competitive prices and speedy delivery. The rugs seen here are ultra high end.
"This is my kind of show. We see people who appreciate the product and the quality that goes into it," said Michael Mandapati, president of rug resource Warp & Weft. "I've tried the Atlanta market, but it's not for me."
At ICFF, products are geared principally to architects, designers, specifiers and high-end retailers. Price points are in the rarefied range of $60 to $200 per square foot and even higher, from $3,240 to over $10,000 for a 6 by 9 size. Mainstream rugs, on the other hand, are typically priced below $1,000 in a 6 by 9.
Liora Manne has a hand in both worlds. She is president of the eponymous Liora Manne multi-product design firm, and also lead designer for mainstream Trans-Ocean Imports. Liora Manne is one of the few ICFF exhibitors that also shows at mainstream markets. In some cases, the line shares space with Trans-Ocean Rugs, which is headed by husband Charley Peck.
While many of the rugs at ICFF are made in Nepal or elsewhere offshore, some are U.S. made.
Merida Meridian, a Massachusetts-based manufacturer best known for its tailored sisal and natural fiber flat-woven rugs geared to the designer market, is branching out to include more patterned products and innovative textures.
Paul Rizzo, Merida Meridian's vice president of sales, said the company recently began production of computer-driven gun-tufted rugs that emulate the look of the high-end Tibetan tufted rugs that are popular with both retailers and designers.
"These rugs are not hand-made products; they are made by a single-needle automated tufting machine," he said. The rugs are made of New Zealand wool pile on a cotton backing. Suggested retail price points are in the $35 to $60 per square foot range, Rizzo said.
On the hand-tufted side, Barbara Barron, president of Classic Rug Collection, said she has shifted production from overseas to North Carolina for a new group of retro designs called the Rya collection. The shaggy wool rugs feature the free-form shapes and psychedelic colors of the '60s and '70s. Retail price is $4,199 for a 6 by 9. Custom sizes and designs are $45 per square foot.
Modular stair treads were show-stoppers at Liza Phillips Designs. Unlike the traditional "waterfall" staircase carpet, these were a series of individual stair rugs to be placed on each tread with a non-slip underlay. Each rug is different, forming an ascending design up the staircase.
Tired of the look? Just switch the mini rugs around for a new look. The tread rugs come in two qualities, a "black sheep" design made in India of undyed wool, or a Tibetan-weave wool set. The treads are available as a set of 12, retailing for $550 in the black sheep quality or $800 in the Tibetan quality. Individual treads are $50 or $70.
"I've been designing rugs for about four years, and this product has been the most successful," said Phillips. "Obviously, there is a huge demand for a non-traditional decorative stair rug."
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