Rug line is Furstenberg's first foray into home

Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 10/20/2003 12:00:00 AM

NEW YORK —

High-end area rug supplier and retailer The Rug Company is producing a collection of hand-made wool and wool and silk rugs from Nepal using archival designs by Diane von Furstenberg. Jennifer Talbott, public relations director, Diane von Furstenberg Studios, said it was the designer's first foray into home textiles.

Initially, the collection comprises five prints — four interpreted into a wool construction and the fifth made of blended wool and silk, Christopher Sharp, owner, The Rug Company, told HTT.

He hopes to build the line in the future.

"Diane's got a fantastic archive of great prints, and that is what attracted us to her," Sharp said. The Rug Company Designer collection has collaborated with other fashion design firms in the past, such as Paul Smith, Marni, Lulu Guinness and Matthew Williamson.

"The Rug Company seemed like the perfect fit for this venture," said Talbott.

At $2,975 for a 5' x 7' wool rug and $4,375 for a 5' x 7' wool and silk blend rug, the collection hits a higher retail price point than The Rug Company's average home-brand offerings, which sell for about $1,900.