Skip to main content
Read page text
page 154
152 Marketplace: Reviews SUMMER 2024 01 Design fairs DOMOTEX ASIA/ CHINAFLOOR 28–30 May 2024 National Convention & Exhibition Center domotexasiachinafloor.com Shanghai scintillates during the month of May. Its distinctive skyscrapers reflect their busy surroundings in the spring sunlight. The National Convention & Exhibition Center is testament to this, and as I stood before it on the first day of DOMOTEX asia/ CHINAFloor, I started to anticipate what awaited me beyond its gleaming, mirrored facade. After attending last year’s impressive edition, my expectations were high for Asia’s largest flooring event.. The mega-show offers everything imaginable in the realm of flooring, with many this year clearly taking heed of the keynote theme, ‘live with nature’ through their innovative products. This is particularly true of rug brands which were seeking to be more sustainable by incorporating sisal and jute in their designs. While machine-made rugs and carpets dominated the show, there were also companies offering exciting handmade and handtufted options. One standout was Mahesh Exports, which featured a mix of minimalistic handmade carpets manufactured using a combination of wool and jute. The brand’s owner, Chirag Maheshwari, explained that not only does using jute appeal to a
page 155
I S SUE Marketplace: Reviews 153 01 DOMOTEX asia/ CHINAFloor 2024 02 Rug from the Ombre Collection, Mahesh Exports 03 The Paradise Collection, Bikaner Carpets 04 DOMOTEX asia/ CHINAFloor 2024 opening ceremony 05 DOMOTEX asia/ CHINAFloor 2024 02 03 04 05 more eco-conscious clientele, but it also allows for interesting experimentations with texture. This seemed to be a recurring theme throughout the show, with textural complexity being favoured above intricate designs. Adjacent to the Mahesh Exports stand was that of Bikaner Carpets, another Indian brand exclusively producing handmade rugs. Its new Paradise Collection was a hit amongst those seeking monochromatic pieces. Further down the hall, Karupannya Rangpur Ltd., whose workforce is comprised entirely of women, was attracting swathes of visitors with its handmade sisal and jute rugs in a variety of shapes and sizes. Other eye-catching rugs could be found at the Bulckaert stand, which was hosting designs from the playful Salsa + Beat Collection by Paulig. These were immediately recognisable for their pastel colour palettes and chunky wool. Once the last day of the show drew to a close, I decided that my initial expectations had been met. The next edition is set for 26–28 May 2025, and it will be interesting to see what new trends will be important. EW

Page Text

View plaintext

152 Marketplace: Reviews SUMMER 2024

01

Design fairs DOMOTEX ASIA/ CHINAFLOOR 28–30 May 2024 National Convention & Exhibition Center domotexasiachinafloor.com

Shanghai scintillates during the month of May. Its distinctive skyscrapers reflect their busy surroundings in the spring sunlight. The National Convention & Exhibition Center is testament to this, and as I stood before it on the first day of DOMOTEX asia/ CHINAFloor, I started to anticipate what awaited me beyond its gleaming, mirrored facade. After attending last year’s impressive edition, my expectations were high for Asia’s largest flooring event.. The mega-show offers everything imaginable in the realm of flooring, with many this year clearly taking heed of the keynote theme, ‘live with nature’ through their innovative products. This is particularly true of rug brands which were seeking to be more sustainable by incorporating sisal and jute in their designs. While machine-made rugs and carpets dominated the show, there were also companies offering exciting handmade and handtufted options. One standout was Mahesh Exports, which featured a mix of minimalistic handmade carpets manufactured using a combination of wool and jute. The brand’s owner, Chirag Maheshwari, explained that not only does using jute appeal to a

read next page

My Bookmarks

Buy this Book
Skip to main content