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Forza Tappeti begins tomorrow!

April 15, 2012

COVER’s exhibition ‘Forza Tappetti: The Rug Revolution’ begins in Milan tomorrow night at the Galleria Giacomo Manoukian Noseda! The following exhibitors will be part of this exciting show, which is looking fantastic! TOP FLOOR Designer and owner of London-based Top Floor, Esti Barnes has an inimitable style all of her own, which has provided the firm […]

COVER’s exhibition ‘Forza Tappetti: The Rug Revolution’ begins in Milan tomorrow night at the Galleria Giacomo Manoukian Noseda!

The following exhibitors will be part of this exciting show, which is looking fantastic!

TOP FLOOR

Designer and owner of London-based Top Floor, Esti Barnes has an inimitable style all of her own, which has provided the firm with the excellent reputation it has gained since she began in 1998. Multiple award winner Barnes produces rugs with an understated exuberant style, often with an astonishingly articulated use of carved pile, which gives her designs life and depth. Top Floor’s new rug Esquire Evolution uses both carved pile and graduated colouration to create a remarkably sculptural aesthetic, subtle yet dramatic.

Esquire Evolution, Top Floor, (2.00 x 3.00m, 100% wool, cut-pile and graduating colour. Available to order in any size and shape)

The highly acclaimed, multi-award winning Esquire rug by Top Floor is now available in a dramatic new version for 2012 called Esquire Evolution, which combines colour gradation with the iconic sculpted surface of the original. In this Evolution version, Esti plays with subtle colour tones to exploit the dance of light across the crystal- inspired shapes and geometric textures of the design theme. The on-trend ‘ombre’ effect of graduating tones is as much a signature of Esti’s inspired, imitable and distinctive style as the 3D cut-pile effects embodied in this super soft 100 % wool rug.

WARP & WEFT

Founded by Michael Mandapati in New York City in 2001, Warp & Weft is dedicated to providing the best quality rugs for interior designers throughout the world. The firm has established a reputation for the remarkable quality of its rugs and the aesthetic eye of its owner, who designs many of the rugs himself, resulting in rugs of unique character and texture. Understanding how to find the perfect rug for each and every space has created a design studio that few firms can match and in rugs like wool and silk Verona Ice Blue.

Verona Ice Blue, Warp & Weft, (Modern Concepts 2 Collection, 2.44 x 3.05m, Indian mulberry silk and Himalayan wool, 100 knots/inch2, handknotted in Nepal. Available in 9'x12', and in colourway Mocha, can be made to custom specs in any size, colours, materials and construction)

Warp & Weft’s newest addition to its Modern Concepts 2 Collection, Verona, takes inspiration from the works of the Arts and Crafts period, more specifically, William Morris wallpaper patterns. Oversized floral elements are reinterpreted to achieve a more contemporary look. A tweed of Himalayan wool and Indian mulberry silk gives the rug a vibrancy, depth and an elegant sheen.

Kaleidoscope by Charlotte Rodiere for Warp & Weft, (FIT student Rug Design Competition Collection, 1.83 x 2.74m, semi-worsted merino wool and twisted silk. Can be made to custom specs in any size, colours, materials and construction)

Fashion Institute of Technology student Charlotte Rodiere won the 2nd Prize in Warp & Weft’s FIT Student Rug Design Competition 2011. Rodiere’s inspiration came from the aesthetic effects of a kaleidoscope and resulted in a bold pattern made of angular shapes and strong colours juxtaposed with a neutral ground.The design has been made to show in Milan and at New York’s ICFF show in May 2012.

ZOLLANVARI

Zollanvari are one of the world’s biggest and most influential rug companies. Having been trading in nomadic carpets since the early 1900s the family have been instrumental in the rising global appreciation of traditional Persian nomadic weaves. Gabbehs have become the company’s trademark and Zollanvari’s outstanding examples have influenced collections worldwide. Under the stewardship of Reza Zollanvari the company continue to develop new concepts in pile and flatweave and embroidery.

Baneh Kilim, Square Collection, Zollanvari, (1.38 x 2.27m, handspun wool. Available in different sizes)

Baneh Kilims are woven into 40–50 cm wide ribbons and finally stitched together. Particular emphasis is placed on the elaboration of the weave endings. The endings show a very finely woven ornament which is also partly woven into the kilim. The wool originates from the Iranian province of Kurdistan, and is handspun and handplied. Exclusively natural vegetable colours are used for dyeing.

Madrasa, Isfahan Collection (Reload), designed by SoFar/SoNear for Zollanvari, (2.42 x 3.06m, handspun wool. Available in different colours and sizes)

The idea of Reload, by SoFar/SoNear, was to reproduce the original architecture of a classic Persian carpet, applying symbols from a different cultural background. First the structure and the symbols of a Persian carpet were interpreted using a manual gesture and then an iconic oriental pattern was replaced by a European one. The final design is reminiscent of the fascinating geometries of the Mashrabiya, the traditional oriel windows enclosed by carved wood. Reload can be assimilated to classic designs, but clearly features a more contemporary pattern.

Dots by SoFar/SoNear for Zollanvari, Isfahan Collection (Update), (1.94 x 3.10m, background in handspun wool with lime green dots pattern in handspun silk, handknotted carpet designed in Milan, Italy and made in Iran. Available in different colours and sizes)

Gloss by SoFar/SoNear for Zollanvari, Isfahan Collection (Update), (1.99 x 3.10m, background natural undyed motif in handspun wool with hot pink pattern in handspun silk, handknotted carpet designed in Milan, Italy and made in Iran. Available in different colours and sizes)

The Update rugs from the Isfahan Collection, designed by SoFar/ SoNear, Milan, revive the way in which classic designs are revised and interpreted. In this case, the stylistic values and the symbols remain true to the original but by disassembling the image into ‘dots’ the viewer is unable to immediately identify the original picture. In both designs the original image is visible but it is the structure that changes according to the distance the carpet is looked at.

WERNER WEBER

For over 40 years, Werner Weber has been at the forefront of promoting the tribal weavings of Iran as art, to be considered alongside the works of some of the 20th century masters such as Joseph Albers and Mark Rothko. The clarity of colours and minimalist designs of his current flatweave collection are directly inspired by the old weavings of Iran’s Mazandaran region, of which he owns the world’s largest collection and which were the subject of his recent publication ‘Undiscovered Minimalism’ by Iran’s foremost artist Parviz Tanavoli.

Noor kilim, Werner Weber, (2.37 x 3.03m, wool, flatweave, woven in Iran)

The movement created by the stripes that run through every compositional element of this fine weaving typify the dynamism of the tribal inspired weavings championed by Werner Weber. The changes in volume and temperature of the stripes impart a contemporary sensibility to this kilim which belies the origin and inspiration of the design.

THEKO

The German firm Theo Keller has been making interior products for over sixty years, and its carpet brand Theko is recognised throughout Europe for it versatility and variety. Through its six branded ranges, the company offers rugs in different styles and from various different weaving nations that can be used in every possible setting, from kids’ rooms through to contemporary interiors. The size of the company’s output means that great emphasis is put on innovation and experimenting with design ideas long before the rest of the industry.

Lhasa 50 by Dawa for Theko, One of a Kind Collection, (2.50 x 3.00m, hand-carded Tibetan Highland wool and handknotted silk. Limited edition of 1)

This rug’s pattern depicts the Tibetan designer Dawa’s, imagined topography of the ancient city of Lhasa in Tibet. The texture of the design is achieved though the mixing of particular knotting techniques combined with varying materials in order to achieve an attractive antique or vintage appearance.

BEREKETHALI

The current international trend for overdyed and patchwork rugs, which has taken the rug market by storm in the last few years and shows no signs of abating, owes its existence to one man: Celaladdin Vardarsuyu of Istanbul-based rug company Berekethali. Trend-setting Vardarsuyu works with antique and vintage rugs to not only to breathe new life into them but also to create highly desirable contemporary carpets he calls Reformed Weavings, which are being snapped up across the globe for design- conscious interior spaces.

Sound of Silence, Reformed Weavings Collection, Berekethali, (2.51 x 3.69m, recycled wool pile. Available for order in various sizes)

The vernacular weaving traditions of Anatolia provide an endless supply of inspiration for the design team of Istanbul-based Bereket, one of the most innovative weaving ateliers in the world. This rug uses the soft wool used in old Anatolian weavings that has been replied and repurposed to create this subtle and vibrant composition.

LUKE IRWIN

Since 2003, Luke Irwin has carved a niche for his company vision in the high end design market in the UK with his award-winning designs. His rugs often appear in leading lifestyle and interiors magazines demonstrating the popularity and versatility of his portfolio, ranging in designs from animals and crop circles through to dissolving ikat patterns and eye-dazzling geometrics. He offers from his Chelsea gallery both individual rugs and a bespoke design service for the professional buyer or the private customer.

Ikat 8, Ikat Collection, Luke Irwin, (2.44 x 3.05m, Persian handknotted wool and silk. Each rug is handknotted to order and is available in any size or colour. The rugs can be made in wool, silk and cashmere)

London-based rug designer Luke Irwin is best known for his contemporary creations, but his recently released Ikat Collection captures the look and feel of a centuries-old tradition, crafted in wool and silk that have been coloured in the traditional tie-dye method before being handwoven.

San Marco, Luke Irwin, (1.80 x 2.89m, 100% silk. Each rug is handknotted to order and is available in any size or colour. The rugs can be made in wool, silk and cashmere)

This San Marco design is part of a brand new collection from Luke Irwin, which will debut at Decorex London in September 2012. The collection comprises a series of 100% pure silk rugs, which have an aesthetic pertaining to antique patternation and architecture. Making a merit out of the ravages of time, this design is reminiscent of a well-worn and intricate stucco work.

COME AND JOIN THE REVOLUTION!

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