The over-dyed rug craze trend—what’s next?

Ever since over-dyed rugs started appearing in the market a couple of years ago, I’ve been wondering: “How long can this last?”  I have to confess that I was a bit aghast when I first beheld  old traditional oriental rugs—mostly  worn down to the bone—often patched up and over-dyed in neon blues, greens, purples,  yellows, and more.  My immediate reaction was “This over-dyed rug craze is sure to die soon!” No pun intended, of course!

While some of us may be indeed tempted to say “Basta!” and move on, cutting-edge rug designers are proving that they are taking this trend to the next level.  Three finalist rugs featured at the recent Carpet Design Awards at the Domotex trade show in Hanover, Germany, were over-dyed. So why were they finalists?  Take a look and see!

Jürgen Dalmann’s Rug Star’s ’ “Cross Over” Collection

This rug from “rug addict” Berlin-based Jürgen Dalmann’s  Rug Star’s “Cross Over” Collection—a finalist for the “Best Innovation” category–dramatically combines a very striated abrash with variegated greens and electric blues as the backdrop for a traditional pattern whose outlines are bleached out.  The rug is finished off with a silk pea-green long fringe.

Saraswati Global Ltd.’s Khotan

Consider India’s Saraswati Global Ltd.’s Khotan—a finalist in the “Best Traditional Nomadic design under 150 euros/square meter” where the rug pattern seems to evaporate into some painterly mist. Here the concept of dissolving any traditional barriers is indeed compelling but I can’t pretend to like this particular colorway. While I applaud this daring feat, I would like to see this concept executed in more pleasing—dare I say livable—colors.

“Bidjar Trilogy”

What about the German Jan Kath designer’s “Bidjar Trilogy”—a finalist for the “Best Modern Design over 200 euros/square meter” category? Here you have a set of three over-dyed rugs where the pattern progressively disappears from one rug to the next. Again—very intriguing concept but I would like to see a more inspirational rug design as the base. This particular Bidjar design conjures thoughts of moth-eaten rugs rolled up in a musty old attic…I have seen photos of the “Trilogy” in more appealing colorways than this yellow and green. Does the disappearing pattern signify the decay of our society engineered by the passage of time?  Yes, European angst was present at Domotex.  Also, I wonder:  how viable is it to sell three rugs as a set in this challenging economy?

Are these rugs simply over the top? Will they sustain the test of time or end up rolled up in your basement in 10 years? I’m all ears for your thoughts!

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