Rug Insider Magazine
News for the Rug and Carpet Professional 
|
|
 |
Domestic and global rug manufacturers alike are redefining what “Made in America” means—blending automation, agility, and design innovation to thrive amid shifting consumer trends.
As consumer expectations evolve and the retail landscape shift America’s area rug makers are rewriting the playbook on how to compete — and win — in a changing global market.
45 Years of Tradition, Innovation, and Family Friendliness in the Rug Industry
In the area rug industry, there is an elite group of industry veterans who have not only been in the rug trade for over four decades, but who have been trendsetters and taste makers in the industry, and who have had their family along with them to carry the business forward for the new generation.
The design-build firm Vanillawood was founded by Kricken and James Yaker in 2006. Over nineteen years in business, they’ve perfected the integration of clean, modern design with practical livability, ensuring that each space reflects the client’s personality and lifestyle. The firm’s contemporary creations are visually stunning and provide a calming oasis in an ever-shifting world.
RUG INSIDER sat down with co-principal Kricken Yaker, for a refreshingly candid conversation about her design and business philosophies.
From domestic production to global diversification, the soft flooring industry is confronting a new era of trade challenges.
As the U.S. area rug industry navigates a shifting global trade landscape, tariffs have emerged as a powerful dichotomy—at once a disruptive force and a catalyst for reinvention. Manufacturers, suppliers, and retailers alike are recalibrating sourcing, pricing, and distribution strategies to adapt and stay flexible, all while contending with the broader headwinds of inflation, volatile shipping logistics, and persistent economic uncertainty.
RUG INSIDER takes a look at fall happenings in High Point with a few of your market favorites! October 25-29, 2025.
MOMENI
Showroom: IHFC H-345 | momeni.com
What new introductions will you be showing in High Point at the fall market?
In past issues of Rug Insider Magazine, we have examined numerous antique rug styles, including Sarouk, Tabriz, Kerman, Kashan, Heriz, Bidjar, among others. One thing that all of these rug styles have had in common is that they are all pile rugs, with wool pile that sticks out above the foundational warp and weft of the carpet. In contrast, one of the most beloved traditional rug styles of the Middle East is the Kilim rug, a flat-woven rug style with no pile, but hand- made with the rich history of the various locations from which it emanates.
“We believe labor is an important part of the supply chain, and our workers must be treated with the dignity and respect they deserve,” declares Patrick McDarrah, President of Emma Gardner Design, in New York City.
Numerous well-known area rug vendors are exhibiting their latest introductions in a number of home decor industry shows in New York City this season, notably ICFF, Wanted Design, NYCxDesign, and NY NOW. These home decor industry shows take place at different points during the summer months.