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Loloi’s power-loomed Heritage collection spans 15 designs and 18 sizes, and mimics vintage looks.
Got you covered: Vegas rug exhibitors awash in new products
Joanne Friedrick //Research Editor//February 6, 2024
Las Vegas — From a fresh take on washables to new collections, designer line extensions and texture stories, the rug showrooms at Las Vegas Market were brimming with product introductions.
While washable rugs have found a market online, Brian VanderWerf, vice president-sales and marketing at Dalyn Rugs, said they haven’t been as successful at traditional brick-and-mortar retailers, in part because of the construction.
Dalyn’s answer is a line of luxury washable rugs that feature a deeper pile for a more substantive look and feel. The line, which sports the tagline “uncommonly good washables,” encompasses three collections: contemporary Trevi, traditional Hatay and Lazio, an ombre with a ghost lattice.
Together, there are 122 rugs in the new washables line, along with coordinating pillows and faux sherpa-backed throws.
VanderWerf said the washables line — with a 5-by-8 retailing for around $299 and an 8-by-10 for $599 — is aimed at furniture retailers. “We wanted to bring them a package that makes it easy for the consumer to make a decision,” he said.
Old world made new
Shown in an opulent setting, complete with a working fountain, Loloi’s new Heritage collection was two years in development, said Christina Ryder, senior director of brand marketing.
Spanning 15 designs and 18 sizes, the power-loomed rugs mimic vintage looks with a shaved pile, side edges that appear hand serged, and a bit of fringe. The rugs are also foldable, making them easier for retailers to display and less expensive to ship.
With retail price points in the $500 to $1,500 range, Ryder said the collection provides the look of one-of-a-kind pieces but makes it more accessible for the everyday consumer. “It democratizes luxury.”
In addition, she said, the old-world styling addresses the uptick in demand they’ve seen for Persian-style rugs. “Heritage can fit a lot of home styles.”
Loloi, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary, also introduced several new lines within its designer brands Chris Loves Julia and its collaboration with Rifle Paper.
Texture and color abound
Texture continues to be a big story in rugs as was seen in the new Malibu line at Jaunty. Along with the visual texture of the ombre, the wool and PET rug features a raised texture throughout.
In that same vein, Capel Rugs’ Boho Bliss hand-woven rugs from India in stone, alabaster and wood, uses texture and pattern to create visual interest. Cameron Capel, president-sales and marketing, added that they used neutral tones to emphasize the sustainable story of the line, which is 100% PET.
Neutrals and texture combine as well in Harounian Rugs International’s Nepali, a new 100% wool introduction that is hand-knotted in India. “Neutrals are like a black dress,” said Greg Jordt, explaining the ongoing popularity of these shades.
He said they have been adding more all-wool offerings after seeing a pushback on synthetics. “Wool and viscose still sells, but there is a segment of the market that doesn’t want it.”
A bold black-and-white look was on display at Unique Loom, which showed off the 100% polyester Milano line, among other new products.
The company also continues to find interest in its Ultra Vintage program, in which they find older rugs with vintage appeal and modernize them by removing some of the pile and overdyeing them. “It speaks to sustainability,” explained Adeleh Nassri, head of business development, who said they have been doing it for several years now at the behest of designers, who really like these one-of-a-kind looks.
Subtle texture is how Giovanni Mara, vice president-marketing and creative at Nourison Home, described the new wool cut-and-loop pile, contemporary botanical-inspired Avra, which emphasizes tonal shades in either blue, taupe or ivory.
Also on display were Plush Cloud rugs from the Reserve by Nourison collection. Made with cashmere and New Zealand wool, the rugs sport a thick texture. “It was a good time to bring this back,” said Mara of the soft, high-pile rugs, which come in ivory, camel and taupe.
The company’s popular hand-carved, hand-tufted Prismatic line saw two additions: one in shades of blue, the other more autumnal hues.
The 12 new rugs in Karastan’s Utopia collection include some bold statement-makers such as the Eden Antelope and the Promised Land, which has predominately neutral shades — brown, beige, tan — but with pops of rust, blue and yellow. Utopia is made with Triexta, a corn-based fiber.
At Kalaty, Mike Kalaty, vice president-sales, noted that green — which was prominent across all home categories in Las Vegas — has been added to many of their collections in tones such as celadon and jade. As part of its texture story, Kalaty added four new offerings to its contemporary Elara collection, which is a cut-and-loop, carved wool and bamboo silk rug.
Two other collections that saw additions — seven for Kosta and eight for Lyra — both use an acid wash finish to give the rugs a distressed look.
