Surya to Debut Smithsonian Collection

By Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 12/15/2008 12:00:00 AM

Calhoun, Ga. —

Surya Inc. and the Smithsonian Institution have partnered to create a high-end collection of area rugs.

Dubbed the Smithsonian Collection, Surya will create 12 hand-tufted area rugs made in India of 100% New Zealand wool for this new licensed program. Each will coordinate with giclée printed wall art pieces, also by Surya.

"It has been exciting to re-invent patterns and designs that seem familiar yet forgotten, and translate them into floor accents for today's interiors," said Satya Tiwari, president of Surya.

Inspiration for the rugs stems from artifacts found within the Smithsonian's vast museum and gallery archives. "They represent a variety of cultures and historical provenances including 19th century studies of ornamental and decorative designs from Egypt, China and the Middle Ages, 18th and 19th Century French wall coverings, and 19th century American textiles," the company said.

While the palettes employed in the rugs are equally inspired by these artifacts, Surya added the rugs are "graphic and stylized, and keep with today's modern sense of aesthetics."

Surya is a vertically integrated manufacturing company established in India in 1976. Aside from area rug varieties, Surya also supplies wall décor, home textiles and lighting. The company operates showrooms in Atlanta, High Point, Las Vegas, New York and New Delhi.