Rug Insider Magazine
News for the Rug and Carpet Professional 
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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.
In the Summer 2024 issue of RUG INSIDER, we discussed the sustainability in the world of area rugs, and the idea of “Going Green.” For the portion of the rug industry that is focused on modern and contemporary rugs, being green and sustainable generally means being eco-friendly, and transitioning from the usage of synthetic materials, such as viscose and polypropylene, to more natural materials, including wool, cotton, and silk. Similarly, it marks a process of “going green,” and a transition from synthetic dyes to natural dyes, decreasing environmental impact.
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.
There is poetry in knots. A thread that connects us from material, to color, to form. The right rug stirs the subconscious. You almost don’t know why you love it, you just do. Rugs call to artistic souls who hunger for beauty. Jane Rohr is one such soul. As co-owner of the Scarab in Minturn, Colorado, Jane has made her life in the rug world. She’s organically intertwined art, craft, and commerce, resulting in a thriving business that commands a loyal following.
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.
Like some of the best in the business, Oriental Designer Rugs had humble beginnings. The Golchha family started the company out of a modest 600-square-foot space in Manhattan in 1984, and since then they have grown the company to be a powerhouse in the rug industry.
What’s Hot this Summer in the New York City Area Rug Sector? Summer brings with it many things. For most people, it’s the time when kids are off from school, and it’s time to head off to the beach, to the park, to vacation, or to otherwise rest, relax, and soak up the summertime sun. New York City, however, being the ‘city that never sleeps,’ is also the city that keeps busy during the summer months, with plenty of red-hot activities taking place in the area rug sector, including trendy items, care and cleaning, exciting trade shows, and more.
We’ve been hearing about “green” products and practices for years now. With rugs and carpets, environmental awareness has evolved to encompass broad concerns. Today, they’re created with consideration for not only content and production, but also benefits to humanity.