Don’t Call It a Comeback

By Ariel Schuster, Sales and Design Consultant at Artaic

You may be familiar with Artaic’s Lasting Rugs collection circa 2010. Just like an episode of Queer Eye, we are rounding out 2021 with a fabulous design collection makeover, complete with new designs and updated colorways to suit any aesthetic. This revamped Lasting Rugs collection celebrates the woven art form through traditional, contemporary, and eclectic mosaic designs – and boy, it does not disappoint! Designed with all four of our tile types in mind, our design director Kait Paradowski notes that “our goal was to find a way to get traditional woven rugs covering more than just the floor and celebrate these designs to their fullest potential.” The Artaic design team reimagined the most popular rug designs on a wide range of surfaces, including the floor, walls, ceilings, pools, and exterior facades.

What inspired the overhaul of this collection, now? The team saw the opportunity for taking an innovative approach to delivering clients stunning and classic beauty with exceptional cleanability, durability, and sustainability. We wanted to honor the storied history of rugs by blending two ancient and intricate art forms  – mosaic tile and floor tapestries. 

Traditional – If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!

When I picture traditional rugs I think of showrooms stacked four feet high with intricate, luxurious, (and dusty) old rugs. I can smell the centuries old fibers and envision the homes, countries, and cities those rugs have traveled through over the years. There is something intriguing about these rugs – you are not just buying the pattern, you are buying the history. When was it made?  By who, and where?  Sell me the story and you sell me the rug. Now not all traditional rugs are these romanticized  heirlooms, but as a testament to them, many of those same patterns have remained wildly popular today!

We did our homework and identified what we believe to be three traditional rug patterns that will not only be familiar, but will also appeal to a broad range of aesthetics. I believe wholeheartedly in the freedom to mix styles within my space.  

Manor, a traditional Persian rug pattern, features borders and medallions inspired by the florals and tile work that surround Iranian mosques.

Adana, is inspired by the flatweave kilim rugs we all know and love showcasing classic sharp patterns and geometric designs – the perfect addition to any traditional or modern space.

Finally, Konya is our homage to the Oushak rug. Another traditional design that stands apart with its bold often overdyed wool fibers featuring medallion and star patterns.  Use the border on your backsplash and the center pattern on your floor to play with this traditional pattern to create a cohesive space.

With a nod to the old world, these designs bring classic style to the new world. I picture Manor adorning the basin of a pool, giving it that extra luxe decorative flourish.  Adana feels right at home in an upscale cafe, grounding the space in a familiar tribal design.  Konya feels like home to me – turn your patio into a place to gather with this colorful design that won’t go out of style!

Contemporary – Sleek, Chic & Totally in Control

Understated, deliberate, sophisticated – we all can recognize and appreciate contemporary design, but not all of us can live it.  Swathed in subtle, accessible tones and emulating organic textures our contemporary Lasting Rugs mosaics are designed to be used by all. Whether a healthcare setting is hoping to create some textural interest along a corridor, or a homeowner is wanting sleek wallcovering in tile, this collection is meant to ground us all in the clean unmistakable aesthetic of contemporary design.

Strie is a dimensionally interlaced pattern, often seen as a hand-knotted design, and inspires both interest and familiarity. Simple and understated, Strie adds palatable texture to any surface.

SoHo Stripe is a modern take on a traditional ticking stripe; this geometric design of offset blocking is one that makes a bold statement without being loud.

Crushed Velvet – need I say more?  This pattern encapsulates that lustrous high viscose fabric with an unmistakable look and feel; smooth clean directionality that is interrupted suddenly by a change of course.  Use it to create texture and add a pop of color.

The applications for Strie, SoHo Stripe, and Crushed Velvet are limitless.  I picture Strie sitting pretty in a coastal home, and Crushed Velvet adorning some swanky midtown late night jaunt. While these designs are simple and familiar they add immense dimension to any surface ,which makes for an interesting play on texture. A floor – designed to look like a fabric – but made out of tile?! Dynamic design at its finest.

Eclectic – Take a Walk on the Wild Side

I like to think of eclectic decor as the David Bowie of interiors – artful, pattern filled and oftentimes colorful. It is a mix of styles that cohesively creates dynamic, carefully curated spaces full of visual interest.  When it comes to eclectic floorcoverings – the sky’s the limit, but my mind goes straight to animal print.  It’s familiar, it’s grounded in nature, and it runs the gamut of styles.  With maximalism trending in interior decorating, these eclectic designs are perfectly positioned to contribute to that “go big or go home” aesthetic.  

Antelope, with a spine running down the center,  is perfectly suited to scale down to a hallway or backsplash. Neutrals center this eclectic hide-style design in more traditional settings, while the bolder inorganic colorways make Antelope stand out in any trendy home.

The Real Housewives called – and we answered! Cheetah is here to stay – an iconic pattern that has been ever present in fashion and interiors alike for decades. It’s high time we pay homage to this big cat. Whether your style is full glam, or you just want some animal friendly “trophies” in your man cave, you can’t go wrong with Cheetah.  

Taking inspiration from the skies is Quill – reminiscent of the delicate color play of a feather this pattern feels weightless. This abstract and textural design, with multiple repeats, shares the stage with classic tie-dye and shibori designs.  

I can envision Antelope as a feature wall in a ski home or a boutique hotel hallway, and Quill creating a serene sense of calm in a yoga studio, or a luxurious master bathroom.  David Bowie said “I don’t see any boundaries between any of the art forms. I think they all inter-relate completely.” So, buy the ticket, take the ride, and jump into eclectic mosaic tile rug design!

Need more design ideas? I’m here to help! Send me an email at ariel@artaic.com, or give me a call at 1.508.523.7922.