Styling Subtlety, Design Nuance Come to the Fore at International Area Rug Market

As a result, designs this year have more nuance and less flash. This trend is exemplified in highly refined wool and silk looks. Vendors as diverse as Nourison, Feizy, Costikyan, Harounian Rugs International, Karastan, Trans Ocean, Shaw, Oriental Weavers USA, and Oriental Weavers Sphinx had introductions in this style category. Price points ranged from as low as $199 to well in excess of $1,000. The rugs are sometimes made in true wool and true silk, but manufacturers are also stretching their fiber technology with combinations of wool and viscose, wool and mercerized cotton, wool and linen, polypropylene and nylon, and even polypropylene and polypropylene.

Contemporary styling is another significant trend that was manifested most consistently in relaxed "lifestyle" looks such as geometrics, basketweaves and easy-going swirl motifs. "It's a friendly kind of contemporary, not something that consumers are afraid of," said Ray Ehsani, Feizy Rugs' vice president of sales.