The Art of the Carpet
Beauty and Usefulness of the Decorative Carpet
The founder of the Arts & Crafts Movement, William Morris, advised his readers and clients: "Have nothing in your house that is neither beautiful or useful." As we are often practical people today, we sometimes ask how we can walk on a work of art. But Morris asserted that even utilitarian objects in our homes should possess the qualities of good and honest design, made by artisan workers. He railed at the invasion of bland and faceless goods being spit out by machines in the Industrial Revolution. He revived the enthusiasm -- and the market -- for high quality handcrafted items, including handknotted carpets, supervising the revitalization of handweaving that bore his name. While Europe and America were enjoying the wealth that industrialization and mass production made possible, the great scions of the era -- such as Altman, Vanderbilt, Rothschild and DuPont -- were decorating their houses with the finest handmade carpets from Persia, India, and Turkey.
Today's modern fast-paced world, filled with technology and 12-hour working days, can be stressful and alienating. We need a comfortable place -- tactile, meaningful, personal. We spend a lot of time in the office and on the road...we want to create an special place that fulfills our own psychic needs and where we can entertain with a certain style and flair. Natural, sustainable materials that don't stress the environment, handmade furnishings that reflect our values for patient and quality crafstmanship. Subtle patterns that evoke mystery and interest, or bold abstractions that are full of form. Color that expresses a monochromatic mood of calm and contemplation when needed, or blazes with chromatic passion when we want it. Textures that soothe, connecting us with the skills of the weavers and inescapable pleasures of natural materials -- and feel really good to the touch.
These are the sublime qualities that the best decorative and Oriental carpets bring to our interior settings. We live with them and lie on them, sleep with them and, yes, we walk on them because they're made of such strong and sturdy stuff that nature made, while being supple and soft. We ponder the miraculous circumstances that bring such unexpectedly beautiful things into our homes and lives -- meticulously handmade by good and dedicated people in distant lands.
The role of the floor is a critical design decision...
Hues that vary from the palest beige and mushroom to deep and enchanting tones of yummy plum and seductive scarlet; minimal patterns that recede, haiku-like, with the most subtle line and texture of bamboo, or express explosive designs rendered in rich, glowing tones that evoke the bravura of Stravinsky in stained glass...each one sure to make a stunning statement that can unify the furnishings of any interior setting, whether it be residential, office, or hospitality.
The modern, artisan-made carpets that you will see offered at the New York International Carpet Show display a variety of pattern, texture and color which will inspire your creative imagination. All in the highest quality of materials from countries around the world.
Beautiful carpets, whether antique or modern, can bring great satisfaction and upscale ambience. They make designing a room a lot easier. Begin your design process with the design of the floor and use a handmade decorative or Oriental carpet as the anchor.
The floor is one of the most important elements in any architectural space. How we design this surface deserves our discerning eye and wise investment as much as any other element of furnishing. Decorative and Oriental carpets offer an inexhaustibly rich vocabulary that augments the language of good design and fine home furnishings. As an anchor for the entire room, the carpet enlivens and ornaments the floor and can help establish the room’s palette, scale and textural elements. Smaller weavings, including rare antique examples, are ideal for hanging as focal points on key walls. Myriad motifs of bold, abstract geometry in a Modernist mode offer contemporary looks, while stylized floral themes evoke refreshing images of nature that add a traditional touch.
Above, Mood Indigo from Lapchi Hand-Made Carpets. Contact Kerry@Lapchi.com
Below, two handsome award-winning creations from ZOLLANVARI at NYICS. Contact sanjay@zollanvariusa.com
