It is the beginning of October, and the New York-New Jersey area rug industry is still abuzz from the excitement of the two major Fall Market trade shows that took place in September — Cover Connect in Midtown Manhattan and The Rug Show in Secaucus, New Jersey.

From Saturday, September 9 through Monday, September 11, the New York/New Jersey area rug trade was abuzz with the arrival of the annual Autumn trade shows. Cover Connect New York took place in Manhattan, and The Rug Show was held in Secaucus, New Jersey. The two trade shows offered up a combined total of nearly 70 exhibitors, with area rug vendors from the United States and abroad convening on the shows, and displaying their freshest rug offerings.

We are entering Fall 2024, with the sweltering summer heat behind us and the welcome return of more temperate weather. This comes along with the annual return of kids to school and of the workforce to a full-time schedule. For those of us in the area rug industry, the arrival of the Fall season also brings with it the return of our clients and colleagues from their summer vacations, the return to a jam-packed schedule of showroomsits, appointments, and product introductions, and perhaps most significantly, the return of the much-anticipated Fall Rug Market Shows.

RUG INSIDER touches in with Julie Smith Vincenti, Nine Muses Media, who curates the Fall 2023 edition of ANDMORE’s TrendWatch program at High Point Market. #HPMKT

Hand-knotted, low-pile area rugs dominate at the close of 2023. Most examples have a worn appearance—think stonewash or sun-washed—which makes them a shoo-in for heavily trafficked areas in the home. Yarn combinations combine Tibetan wool and silk at the higher price points; look for wool and cotton in the mid-range. Texture is as engaging as color. The knots vary in size, so colors appear in soft focus. Plus, look for hand-serging and fringe treatments.

The role, relevance—and registration rates of exhibitors, buyers and designers, alike—for home furnishings market events are on the rise again, post-pandemic. Even in today’s hyper-digital world, where it’s not just common but de rigueur to connect and conduct business remotely via screens, some exchanges and experiences are better left in person.

As the muggy days of Summer fade and the weather turns crisp and mild we look forward to what autumn has in store. For many, it’s the back-to-school season, and those who have been working remotely from home, or with a hybrid schedule, return to the office on a regular basis.  For the area rug industry, Fall means a busier schedule of showroom visits, appointments, and product introductions, and perhaps most significantly, the return of the Fall Rug Markets.