Michael Graves designing Glen Eden rugs
Lissa Wyman -- Furniture Today, January 13, 2003
Calhoun, Ga. — Architect and designer Michael Graves is developing a transitionally styled rug line for Glen Eden Wool Carpets.
The hand-tufted wool rugs will be introduced at the Surfaces Market in Las Vegas, Jan. 29–31. The collection of 12 designs in 36 colors will retail for about $40 to $50 per square foot, said Eric Scharff, vice president of sales and marketing.
The collection will reflect architectural elements and echoes from Graves' past works. His designs are often infused with humor, and his new collection for Glen Eden will include pieces such as Rug on a Rug, based on a concept he used in a carpet design for the Dolphin Hotel in Florida, with multiple beach blanket motifs.
The collection also will feature architectural linear forms and organic themes, including botanicals. Scharff said the Graves collection is part of a trend toward transitional.
"Younger, more sophisticated customers are opting for transitional over traditional," he said. "They want a classic design, but don't want the formality found in traditional. Instead of an intricate flower design, they're more likely to opt for the outline of a flower."
The trend is particularly strong in Colorado, Los Angeles and San Francisco, he added. "The buyer tends to be younger, maybe 35 to 50, as opposed to our traditional customer base of 55 to 70."
Glen Eden specializes in high-end rugs and carpeting for the design and architectural trade.
