Colour carpets make comeback

 

When it comes to carpeting, colour is making a comeback, designers from the custom design arm of Shaw Industries, the US-based manufacturer of tufted carpet, revealed during a recent trip to Dubai. 

 

This is particularly true of the hospitality industry, said Laura Fountain, design manager, international division, Shaw Custom Design. Hospitality was the fastest growing segment for Shaw in 2008, with Marriott International emerging as one of its biggest clients. The company has also supplied Hard Rock Hotels.

 

“As far as trends go, people want textures that are plush looking and they are asking for more bright colours. 

 

There has been a move away from standardised hotel colouring and we are seeing some really innovative ideas coming through,” she said.

 

“Everybody used to want neutrals. Now you are seeing beige but with bright pops of colour. In the Hard Rock Hotel, that pop of colour is matched in the cushions and other accents, and then weaved through the carpet.”

 

In Dubai to carry out training sessions with its local partner, Al Aqili Furnishings, and to meet with Dubai’s interior designs, the focus was very much on raising awareness of Shaw Custom Design. 

 

 

“We offer custom-made solutions, so designers are not limited to our ‘running line’ styles. We are trying to encourage designers to customise their spaces. 

 

“In a market like Dubai, there is a unique need to do this,” said Brenda Gray, department manager, Shaw Custom Design.

 

“People need to know that there is a department at Shaw that does nothing but customised products. People think that it’s too hard, or it takes too long, or it costs too much. That is really not the case,” Fountain added.

 

The custom design team is able to cater to almost any request, said Wiley Jones, regional vice president, Middle East and Africa, and with technology evolving so rapidly, boundaries are constantly being broken down. “Sometimes, I don’t think that even we know the limitations to what we can do. There are certainly not a whole lot of things that we can’t do. We are constantly being challenged by our customers and our designers.” 

 

Moving forward, the plan is to have a Shaw Custom designer visiting the region at least once a quarter. In addition, the company hopes to establish a dedicated Shaw Custom Design representative in Dubai.