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Douglas Thayer, Editorial Correspondent for The Trend Curve, was in Atlanta for the semi-annual Rug Market (see AmericasMart). His top-line trends are below. For more details about this show, read the August 2010 issue of The Trend Curve.
Most important:
COLOR
– Simple tonality reigned supreme
– Blued Grays staked their claim as the neutral of choice
– Grayed Purple emerged as a new tonal neutral
– Magma hues (Red, Orange, Yellow all together) edged toward preferred status
– Soft, mid-shade Green refreshed neutrals and Blues
– The been-there/done-that brown/blue story revived on a new lighter, pastel level
MATERIALS AND TEXTURES
– Modern, retro shag and loop rugs flamed up in importance
– Wool/silk and wool/rayon combinations remained key in transitional stories
– Novel yarns—ribbon, seed, eyelash, chunky wool—were woven into fine substrates
– Hemp and aloe appeared in high, lush pile to increase softness
– Two-color weave effects created complex fine textures, and read as solids or slightly modulated stripes
– Atmospheric textures pushed aubrush backgrounds out of the way
PATTERN/CONCEPT
– Modern and transitional designs shoved traditional aside
– Morocan, Belgian and Spanish tile designs heated up
– Tibetan or Nepalese and boxy Oushak weaves firmed up contemporary designs
– Arts & Crafts went to the next level
– Axminster looks broke from their traditional roots
– Classic Navajo patterns in traditional desert colorations returned.