Rug Insider Magazine
News for the Rug and Carpet Professional 
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It is the beginning of October, and the New York-New Jersey area rug industry is still abuzz from the excitement of the two major Fall Market trade shows that took place in September — Cover Connect in Midtown Manhattan and The Rug Show in Secaucus, New Jersey.
We are entering Fall 2024, with the sweltering summer heat behind us and the welcome return of more temperate weather. This comes along with the annual return of kids to school and of the workforce to a full-time schedule. For those of us in the area rug industry, the arrival of the Fall season also brings with it the return of our clients and colleagues from their summer vacations, the return to a jam-packed schedule of showroomsits, appointments, and product introductions, and perhaps most significantly, the return of the much-anticipated Fall Rug Market Shows.
Zollanvari International returned to the recent Maison&Objet Paris, September 5 – 9, 2024. Located on one of the main red-carpet aisles in the prestigious FOREVER sector of the fair, the company presented an entirely new stand concept, with a featured artist presentation and the debut of its new Zollanvari International Contract Collection. RUG INSIDER spoke with Ramin Zollanvari just ahead of this weekend's COVER Connect NY about this exciting and diverse production.
We had the privilege of speaking with two Portland, OR-based interior designers who are at different points in their careers. Kinsey Bagwell is working towards her third year, while Donna DuFresne owns a respected and well-established practice. Both provided keen insight into the field of design and how the rug industry can better serve the profession.
“We already have close relations with our factories,” observes Daisy Barquist of Tamarian, “but we are NOT in Nepal 24/7!” She and her colleagues want to stay up-to-date about conditions in each of their locations, to make sure all the weavers have what they need and are treated safely and fairly. Now, “There’s something very reassuring knowing that they are being monitored frequently.”
There is a saying, “what’s old is new again.” Fashion works in cycles, and what is popular at a certain time might fall out of favor for a while, only to be rediscovered some time later, and celebrated once again as the trendy “new” item of the moment.
Dover Rug and Home is one of the select few area rug companies that has been around for over three decades and has grown from one store into multiple stores. Spanning several generations, this community-oriented and philanthropic company has also expanded into—sports and fitness.
This year marks a major milestone for not just one company but the global rug industry as a whole. Oriental Weavers USA is turning 35, and this domestic division of its Egypt-based parent has much to celebrate about its role and relevance over the past three and a half decades—and counting.
