A Thoroughly Modern Traditional Rug

Last January I attended the Domotex Home Show in Hanover Germany. It is arguably the biggest, most important rug showing in the world, especially when it comes to newly created designs. I wrote about it here.

 

At that show, a Turkish-American designer from New York won the prize for the Best Modern Rug Design. His name is Erbil Tezcan. He is a fascinating character as well as a fabulous designer.

 

He named the rug Bohemian Rhapsody. I need to ask him if it's honoring the Queen song of same name.
 

Awaiting the awarding of the Best Modern Rug at Domotex
Erbil (in the flat cap) awaits the annoucing of the best design awards at Domotex. His son is behind him. His wife smiles at me taking the picture.

I ordered a 9x12 Bohemian Rhapsody and am happy to say that it has arrived, fresh off the loom, and is hanging in a prominent spot at our Tampa showroom.

 

According to Erbil, he drew a basic structural design from the Serape tradition of Central Asia, but then let his imagination do the rest. It has several unique, value-adding features.

 

The yarn is a combination of Tibetan wool, yak wool and silk, hand-spun to Erbil's specifications. He said that no other rug contains this blend. Why? "It stands up better." 

 

A pile that is firm-standing yet soft is hugely important because the rug has three-dimensional elements. The raised elements are highlighted by color and by the firm pile of the uinque yarn. In the finishing process, the raised elements are beveled and shaved along with the un-raised, flat field of the rug.
 

Here are some closeups, showing the raised design elements.

 

 

 



 

In addition, the foundation of the rug, the weft and warp, is made of wool, not cotton. "The wool foundation gives a warmer, tribal-village-rug look in to rug. It also feels much softer under your feet," said Erbil.
 

Bohemian Rhapsody


Whether you are in the market or not, I invite you to do drop by the showroom and have a look. I can promise that you will find something that you like about Bohemian Rhapsody. If you need more detail, Wendy, Mike, Harry, Drew or I will be glad to tell you all we know about it.