This week was hectic and crazy and a little emotional too. A lot was happening at our showroom, the event in Astra restaurant and at the D&D Spring Market. I walked up and down the floors looking at all the beautiful window display in other showrooms, as I got near our window I watched my 11 year old daughter holding a big sign featuring GoodWeave image and our partnership with them, right by our showroom door. It took me a few seconds to “swallow” the moment, then I approached her and asked if she knows what the sign is about. She pointed at the children in the picture and said “oh mom, they to go to school…you sell rugs and give them money so they won’t have to work”. I heard her answer but wasn’t sure what her voice told me. A typical eleven year old? maybe not. But I rushed to explain to her, again and in simple words so an eleven year old would understand the big meaning behind everything she sees, touch even wears, how privileged SHE is, and how many children around the world are not as fortunate and miss out on so much that she, at a young age, have experienced in her childhood.

Some day, I told her, I want my daughters to join me on a trip to Nepal to see and talk to these beautiful children who are lucky enough go to school, eat, visit the doctor when needed and feel loved and cared for. And it is only because of a great effort and compassion, I added, that come from good humans who care enough to help. Simple but fundamental things that many children in this country take advantage of. And just like her, I added, these children have dreams and want to become somebody when they grow up.

I look at the children on the image and think about my daughters who are talented, beautiful and healthy, and can’t stop but thank god for the gift he had given us and for the opportunity to teach, inspire and support others. I hope that some day my daughters too will make a difference in someone’s life. The reward is priceless.

One of my favorite moments when collaborating with a client and creating a custom rug, is that the whole process brings a fresh perspective on my own designs. A well known TV personality (which I cannot reveal his name), chose my Silhouette rug, one of our latest designs, but asked to change the colors. Coincidentally, I’ve created drawings of other colorway for this particular rug, but kept it in a drawer and left Silhouette in its original rich tones. Until this client showed up.

If there’s anyone who loves colors and not afraid to show it is this particular client. Silhouette new colors for this projects are fresh and vivid, to me it looks like a new rug design.

We went on with drawings of the new colors, then sample, approval, then to actual execution of the rug. Everything looked good on paper especially the colors, but when we got pictures of the rug itself completed and ready to ship from Nepal, we were like wow! it made me drool. It is absolutely a stunner. Rich wool in the background shows off a gorgeous layer of bright silk pattern, oh this rug is delicious I want it.

Actually, I would love to sit in this client’s home with the rug in the room (and the client too). I can only imagine how he feels and what the room’s going to look like.

In reference, I’m working on Silhouette rug in its new colorway (slightly different), for our inventory and can’t wait to see it in the coming months. Nothing gets more attention, or expresses sensuality, shows presence and says “here I come” than a pop of color. It’s the ultimate in personalization.

A couple of months ago I had the pleasure to get to know a talented and a lovely Interior Designer from San Francisco CA. The introduction happened quite by accident when I was pinning and happened to see beautiful images of interior design projects that, when I clicked, led me to Anna Fane Pinterest page. Following her on Pinterest made her contact me stating she loves my art work and our rugs. Through interesting back and fourth email chats we’ve got to know each other a little better and now we can say we are pen pals.

Anna Fane runs her own design blog The Design Tray (don’t you love the name), and I love the way she designed it; clean and clear. Recently, I was interviewed by Anna who posted on her design blog. Not only that I like the post (really), but her blog is interesting to read and beautiful to look at.

Thank you Anna for the interview and hope to meet you some day.

Click here to read the interview

Nature has been mastering itself for some time now and it is an honor to be able to capture its beauty. (Justin Beckett)

image credit

Glow, Hand Knotted Himalayan wool and Chinese silk. RUG ART

Ever since I learned scientific illustration I became fascinated by mother nature; rock formations and patterns, stones and plants.

When I was in high school I remember this trip very vividly; I was struck by this ancient magical small Cave in the Judea Mountains. It was an impressive collection of sculpted rocks and frozen drops of water, naturally formed during a period of a hundreds of thousands of years beneath the ground. I was fascinated by its ambiance and bizarre looking stones that like a magnet I was drawn back to see the cave time and again. It was a jaw dropping experience for me; The mood and color, nature’s glorious wonders, even the silence – everything was intriguing. I walked around gazing and speechless. I wanted to touch but wasn’t allowed. I did it when no one was watching. The rocks felt smooth to the touch almost like glass and very cold. The air was moist and strangely, while I walked followed by a path, it felt as if I was floating. I’ve never seen anything so magical, so magnificent and so naturally artistic without a touch of a human hand, as this drip-stone Cave. Still fascinated and in awe by this experience I knew that a rug design was a possibility and I already begun to envision how it’s going be constructed.

When I begun to think this rug in my head, my thought was to achieve something that will have a mystical/vintage feel but modern in design. The colors I worked with are not only subtly complementing each other, but also have an understated elegance. I chose to work with wool and silk. The design itself is layered with unstructured texture of drips-like silk, revealing subtle movement of elegant pattern in the background. Anything else added would distract from its sophisticated elegance. The high mountain wool is rich in oil which gives the rug its natural luster, but with the addition of silk the rug gets this patina shine that only emphasizes the design’s characteristics.

The rug feels very soft under foot and lustrous; a design well appreciated from any angle one chooses to look at. Visit our NY showroom to view the new collection.

What is the secret to a happy kitchen renovation?

a tale of a kitchen re-do. part I

Patience. I choose patience.
You see, we are going through a kitchen renovation mess. My ex-kitchen was a good-looking one: dark glossy cabinets highlighted with stainless steel appliances and knobs. The lower cabinets supported a heavy and expensive black granite imported from Turkey. Glossy Travertine floors illuminated by nice spotlights. My ex held up pretty good with all the cooking and beatings, high traffic,  big spills and lots of crumbs. It knew my good and bad pots. You see, I took care of my ex and kept it in good shape. I used every inch of it because I wanted our love to last. But honestly, I think my ex loved me more than I loved it.

It started on a sunny morning when I made my hot cup of Jo while gazing at my cabinets and sink, then it hit me: I didn’t want dark glossy or that ugly two hole sink with gazillions tiny scratches, even with my high maintenance routine, anymore. There was no love there. No pulse. YouTube movies about a new deep strong one hole sink started to invade my already busy brain. That wasn’t a good sign.
The Mr. noticed my dilemma. He knew. I looked him in the face and told him my dearest humble and honest opinion (I do it all the time). He knew exactly how emotionally disturbed I was by being surrounded with things that…didn’t mean to me anymore. I’m an artist and artists dream.

We knew we can’t change the sink without removing the granite and possibly damaging the cabinets which will make us  spend more money on “the unexpected”. We decided to knock down the wall between the kitchen and dining to create an open concept. “This will light up  the kitchen” the Mr. said, “yeah, but it wont change the color of the cabinets or the sink” I said.  One wall down and an added island in the center for more storage. Agreed. After the first estimate the Mr. said “you know what, let’s get an estimate for refacing the upper cabinets too, just curious”. After we got the estimate we added “one small change”: to replace all the upper cabinets instead of refacing them (talk about staying on a budget). Agreed on that too.

When the guy came back to measure we told him “you know what, give us a number for refacing the bottom cabinets too, just curious”. Yeah right. I knew this curiosity would get out of hand. We finalized it by keeping the old refrigerator that looks like new, the stove that looks like new, the black expensive granite that’s also the backsplash and looks like new and the sink that looks like crap. That’s it! I’ll manage I thought.
But it wasn’t for long. Soon after the project started we were hunting for a new refrigerator…opening and closing french doors and playing with the water dispensers. It felt like a play date.

Now the wall is gone. Yay…we are loving it already. I can finally breath and see the light at the end of the room. Upper cabinets are gone. Phew. Relief. Seeing my kitchen without cabinets makes me want to stay without them. Almost.

Going along with the project it seems that things are on track and we are so excited we can’t wait to see the results. The project manager scheduled installation for the bottom doors and drawers then again, we found ourselves driving to the showroom because guess what? “one more small change”: we purchased Carrera marble for the rest of the kitchen counter top. No to black granite. What??? I looked at my husband thinking we’re crazy, can’t we just keep one word we say?

But the best part of all this: I get. to replace. the sink!
My dream kitchen sink is hand hammered copper that cost 3 years worth of grocery shopping. Should we eat less? Naaa I’ll keep it low…but wait, the faucet I want costs even more. I just can’t get out of it.

Are we on budget? like my mother always says: It’s like giving birth to a baby – it’s hurts like hell then you forget with first smell.

To welcome my new white kitchen I will share with you this amazing Orange roasted sesame cake. It’s to die for. Coming soon.

Are you familiar with the Children book If you give a mouse a cookie? It all started with a two-hole crappy little sink.

I have been asked many times who, among the “rich and famous”, inspires me. It’s not always easy to point at someone and say this or that, there is so much I am inspired by but by people, only few: She is one of the most elegant women I’ve ever seen or heard of. Strong sense of discipline and structure she is a woman who knows her product and not afraid to take risks. Her evening gowns are glamorous and chic just like the designer herself. She is Carolina Herrera, one of my favorite fashion designers. I’m inspired by her talent and the way she works. I love how she uses superb luxurious materials to create beautiful elegant evening gowns, a dress that makes a woman look and feel like a million dollars. I love her oversize patterns, elegance and intricacy, in a word – details. It reminds me of how I design my rugs for RUG ART time and again, with a lot of attention to details, i just love the idea of working that way.

In my designs I like to strike a balance and am always looking for a playful idea to include in my rugs. Herrera’s gowns employ sensual and playfulness and I love that it goes hand in hand. I may be inspired by many other sources but always keep in mind what my client is going to feel when he or she have my rugs in their homes. How it flatters their environment, the mood, style, I take my designs personally almost like designing a dress for myself and knowing myself well, I do not like to compromise. Herrera designs smart and beautiful, it takes precision, meticulous craftsmanship and lots of patience – an approach I feel is key in creating a product that makes people keep coming back to for more.

I love her design compositions, color combination, floral patterns, geometric, all well thought out designs that contribute not only to the overall look of the one who wears it, but also how it feel to have one on. A rug should be treated no less and I get the same vibes when i see a beautiful piece of rug art work in a room. A beauty not to be ignored. I would love to own one of her gowns and if not, would love even more to meet her some day and chat, I have a feeling she is a very down to earth person. I just admire her.

fashion images via and via

Custom hand knotted in Nepal.

There are some patterns I can’t live without, like oversize geometric particularly in carpets. I love all patterns like abstract and floral (abstracts in rugs only not in paintings. I just shockingly surprised myself), but there’s something energizing about bold geometric design that simply “blows” a room and make it look visually enormous, they work in contemporary and traditional interiors. When I work on geometric design I get this whirling sensation, almost disoriented, as my eyes roll around the drawings, checking every line and form making sure it’s where it should be, so many angles and points going across, very different process than if I would design abstract pattern for example.  Bold geometric look beautiful even through the lens and I love to fool around with photo shoot and trying different angles.

The other day I had the pleasure to indulge on a shipment we received for inspection, the rugs came out so beautiful I wanted to keep them all in every room in my house. Patterns like these always add such a sense of order you can’t walk on them without looking twice. We have new patterns at works as I write this post, most are oversize and one in a small geometric scale with a rugged feel to it, makes you overlook the size and focus on texture. I take risks because I love to experiment, it’s the only way i know if it works or not.

If you own a bold geometric pattern rug than you got most of what you need in a room to begin with, because you already have an instant glamour going on. You can always repeat geometric in other rooms and in different scales, it adds such an undeniable personality it makes you take another look.

City Blocks, hand knotted in Nepal. Made to order.

Hand knotted in Nepal. Made to order.

I’m obsessed now and am working on selecting bold geometric rug from our collection for my house, not sure which will win; my bedroom or living room…or dining…there’s so much to choose from and when it comes to choose something for myself -  I am my worst client…

Now you know why i love them so much.

Check out more of our bold geometric patterns here

 ”What is art but a way of seeing?”

I’ve been working on a new rug collections for the past few months, i’d say about two collections coming up for spring 2013. I thought i’d be done by now and submit them for production but it seems that my eyes, and i blame my eyes only, are the reason why its taken forever  to finish. You see, art is in the detail. It really what sums things up. When i design i take my time sometime too much of it, i look at every little detail, color, hair of fiber and its placement. Then the most critical moment that can make it or brake it -  i judge my work like “does this design feels right?” or “isn’t it weird to blend hemp in this section?” or “man…what was i thinking?” -  things like that, if i don’t have an answer i go with it. And most times i don’t have an answer. That being said, i follow my guts. Whatever excites me i go for it. Imagine being excited all the time, wouldn’t that be tiring? Ha. But not for me.

detail detail detail

I love the positive chaotic environment that’s around me…is there even such thing? anyway, i’m surrounded by details of  my designs, rugs, fabric swatches, pictures, silk yarns, paint brushes, pencils…that sometimes i want to scream…you know…that feeling of exhilaration…those moments when you feel you’re exploding with ideas and it seems to me that my space is too small for my loud over loaded mind. Speaking of excitement…

I want to share some of my excitement with you, the colors i’ve been craving lately in this case – all the them. Fibers – all of them. Textures – bring it on. Isn’t that exciting? I hope you’re feeling it.

And these are only a few of the many things i’m working on right now, not to mention I want to draw them all…turn them into paintings…that’s a lot to do…i need to breath.

Expressing one’s creativity is like scrapbooking – it’s full of colors, patterns, ideas – stimulation of the creative mind, the icing on the cake…don’t you think?

The magic of hand made rug making

The process – ever wondered how our hand made rugs “get in shape” after being removed from the loom? well, this is only one of many steps in the ancient process of making hand made rugs in Nepal. Some of the steps are fascinating to me and the one below is one of them.

I remember when we first started this company i’ve always wondered about the process of creating what we have passion for, but never had the opportunity to go to Nepal to see this magic with my own eyes, only the Mr. would go at that time (you know, kids, school, work). He would bring pictures to show me and i would “gobble” every pixel in every photo and ask lots of questions to satisfy my growing curiosity.

When time comes and I plan a trip to Nepal i arm myself with two cameras (in case one brakes or lost) and i take as many pictures of the process as i can. Last time was when our new collection happened to hang on stretchers and i had a chance to really take it all in. When the rugs are removed from the loom they get washed, lay to dry in the hot sun then they must hang face down while stretched on a metal stretcher on rooftops in Nepal, until all edges are uniform and straight.

Our rugs at the stretch zone. Isn’t that something.

Check our site to find out more

Yes, Moroccan design is like magic

In the depths of ancient Morocco you’ll find some of the most exquisite mosaic works originally hand crafted for royalty only. It’s so rich it’s magical. As  rug designers and manufacturers RUG ART provides a bit of inspiration crafting each piece by hand down to the detail. In this rug,  Mosaic from our Hair on Hide collection, we’ve embraces a modern take on an ancient craft. But the pattern is just as impressive.

Some of our Hair on Hide rugs capture a bit of Morocco’s magic and this particular rug is no exception – Mosaic screams craftsmanship and tradition but with a modern twist, which makes it one of my favorite pattern to work with.

I love to write about Morocco be it architecture, food, culture especially craftsmanship and inspirations. If you visit Morocco for the first time I assure you that you’d want to return to this amazing country and soon. As I look at the endless photos I took when i was there i always find a new inspiration or something that makes me think of a new design or collection, or a color. It’s like reading the same book over but your perception changes every time. That’s Morocco.

I stumbled upon this inspiring note late last night, when i checked my last emails before bed and i couldn’t stop but wonder:

This couldn’t be more straight forward. Why live ordinary life? Be exciting, take risks, make people wanna be you even for one day, do the unexpected. Bring your life to new heights.

Do you do something worth writing about?

little notes of design – Pieces rug

Growing up in Israel i remember my dad used to buy my mom flowers every Friday.  But not just flowers. It was a big bouquet of protea flowers, or pin cushion. I  remember them vividly because i would try to draw them. I liked their unique shape and bright colors. Did you know that pin cushion flowers are one of the oldest families of flowers on earth? they are absolutely gorgeous and extraordinary.

It’s no surprise that a design inspired by this beautiful bloom was in order and Pieces rug was born. Drawn by the strange and brilliant structure of this flower, which is a composite bloom and not a single flower as i use to think, I aimed to design something minimal in appearance and abstract but just as unique. Fascinated by the individual pins (flowers), I used them as the inspiration for the pins in my design. After I submit the design for production I knew what to expect in term of vision, but when the rug arrived and i unrolled it for inspection the whole story behind it got a new meaning. I can honestly say this rug has such a unique and exotic mood, tribal in feel and works extremely well in contemporary rooms.

Every time a client orders Pieces rug, especially in the color of their choice, i can’t wait to see the end results, what the rug will look like in its new home. The image below is a project done by one of our clients and she used Pieces rug to pull the beautiful elements around it. I love how the chairs, the lamp, the colors and the rug work so brilliantly together. Some Pieces of inspiration.

It’s just a beauty. Amazing what a single flower can make you do.

check our website for more of our rug design collections

What comes to your mind when you think of the word Art? do you think Van Gogh? Picasso? a large colorful painting hanging a wall? when i looked up the word “art” this is what i found: “Art: skill acquired by experience, study, observation” or “the quality or state of being artful”. Also, “implies a personal, unanalyzable creative power” (what does that mean?). But to me over the years, the word art became much bigger than it sounds, more meaningful in so many ways. It’s not only the results of a creative power that comes out of a vivid sleepless imagination, or this perfect color combo that makes the room or a rug seem so fit, so perfect. To me art is a way of life. culture. love. It could be anything one wishes it to be. At the end of the day when i finally lay down to relax and unwind, my eyes are on the TV screen but not really watching tv, my mind is away, thinking, dreaming, imagining scenes, patterns, colors. The glass of rich red wine with cheese platter my husband prepares for us daily and place it on the coffee table, even that makes me mesmerize. I look at the platter, study the colors, the textures of the cheese down to the littlest crumb, checking out the wine color against the spot light and again, my mind drifts away. I used to trying to stop “thinking work” when i was outside my office, to let go when i don’t work but with not much success. Thinking artistically is in my blood. I just can’t help it. Art in so many ways can change one’s life forever. It did mine. My work and personal life have become one, making my life artistically imperfect – just the way I like it and the inspirations keep pouring in. For the past years each morning when i wake up I’m eager to know what i will discover on this new day. What story will trigger me to design next? what my painting subject will be this time?

This year I’ve decided to reevaluate what art means to me. Art is home. RUG ART is home. And home is where we live and work with people and objects we love and cherish. It’s where we experiment our little secrets before we reveal them to the world, or not. It’s where ideas are conceived. My office speaks RUG ART, my home speaks RUG ART, even my closet and it’s not only about the art of designing rugs. It’s about how we do effects our lives. And here at home, at RUG ART, designing rugs is not only about drawing, sketching and creating beautiful rugs, although it’s a beautiful process in itself, but it’s the people, the clients, employees and all those around us who support us for what we do. It’s also the people on the other side of the globe who understand and know the meaning of a true passion, those who help us create what we love the most, in which our products wouldn’t be as meaningful and beautiful without them. Now to me that is art.

RUG ART is a company I’m happy to be part of since day one. Vidal and I have watched it grow and take shape. We’ve watched it become our favorite activity (even on weekends). Yes, that’s what happens when work becomes a play. So this 2013 we will continue watching it grow all with a good cause. And as for me, this year I will let life discover more for me, I will learn more, let my hand draw more, let my mind drift farther and make my lips laugh often. Last but not least, I will let art simply be what it has always meant to me – home.

I want to thank Vidal, my husband, for his constant strong support and everyone else who knows and our clients, partners and friends – thank you all. I know this year will be even more amazing and i simply can’t wait.

xo, sigal 

We are feeling festive. Are you?

Than look no further than our silky decorative pillows to add a pizazz  and style. Beautifully constructed silk decorative cushions are designed to work seamlessly with our rugs (even if you don’t own one yet). Each pillow pattern is inspired by our myriad rug collection.

Constructed with silk detailed embroidery to add glamour and chic touch. Swen-in lining insuring that you are receiving the highest standard of craftsmanship. Each is overfilled with hypo-allergenic down/feather insert.

Each pillow is 24″x24″, large enough to indulge on. Stop by our NYC showroom to view and gift someone you love, with one or more of our beautiful decorative cushions. To find our pillows outside our NY showroom contact us for details at 212.207.8211

http://www.rug-art.net/

Thank you Samantha Snowden, associate editor from The editor at large in NYC, for such a lovely Q&A with RUG ART designer coverage. She “broke” the interview to two parts, politely explaining that i “had a lot to say” She made me laugh.

Click on the link to read Part 1. Part 2 will come up as soon as Samantha will email me the link. Thanks again and happy Monday.

http://godesigngo.com/showrooms/qa-with-rug-art-designer-sigal-sasson/

The rug is hand knotted 100knot construction, wool and silk, from The Cosmopolitan collection