December, 2009


10
Dec 09

Sisal flooring transforms Monica Pedersen’s spa

Every other year, the Lake Forest Show House in suburban Chicago attracts some of the country’s top interior designers to create beautiful rooms for one of the area’s historic mansions. Last spring we were lucky enough to work with Monica Pedersen of HGTV’s “Designed To Sell” on the lower level of the house, where she was designing a media room, wine lounge and uber-relaxing spa area. Monica selected our sisal rug Elements in Sand for the large area to maintain a consistent flow through the different spaces. We found the spa area particularly striking, as did the designer herself:

“I love the way the sisal flooring warmed the spa area, as opposed to the cold feeling of the existing ceramic tile. The installation was so simple; it was one of the easiest and most dramatic “before and afters” I have ever done.” -Monica Pedersen

I’m sure the simple boucle weave of Elements would also feel like a foot massage when you step out of the bath! It’s a beautiful space and we are so happy to have helped Monica create it.

In need of a simple and easy transformation like this for your next project? This month, get 20% off all in-stock straight cuts when you order online. Use code CUT129 when you begin your quote in our online customer center, or click here to request a sample.

Elements in Sand in the Lake Forest Show House spa, designed by HGTV's Monica Pedersen

Elements in Sand in the Lake Forest Show House spa, designed by HGTV's Monica Pedersen

Wine lounge area of Lake Forest Show House with Merida's Elements sisal flooring. Photo curtesy of Becky McCallum.

Wine lounge area of Lake Forest Show House with Merida's Elements sisal flooring. Photo curtesy of Becky McCallum.

Do you have a photo of a design project featuring a Merida rug? Submit it to marketing@meridameridian.com! If we select your photo, your name and web site will be promoted on our blog, Twitter, and Facebook pages!

  • Share/Bookmark

7
Dec 09

New Merida Home Photography

For the last couple of weeks I have had the pleasure of working with photographer, Kent Dayton, on capturing new images for Merida Home to help tell our incredible story!

GroupThe Team (Left to Right) – Christina  / Carrie  / Kent /  Whitney / Maegan / Heather (Front-Center)

Carrie (Merida’s Marketing Manager) and I planned for 2 separate shoots. The first was at our Fall River facility where product swatch and studio photos were taken.  Kent also explored our manufacturing facility and started capturing the people and development behind our products.

The second shoot was located at a beautiful home on New Hampshire’s Lake Sunapee. This shoot was meant to help express how the rugs are used in an actual room setting. I thought this was a perfect location for Merida Home. The house used to be an old camp, and has now been updated to have a very sophisticated presence with a fun, comfortable feel. Below are some behind the scenes photos of setting up each shot and the final images Kent captured at Lake Sunapee.

BEFORE

livingroomViewing some of the first shots on Kent’s laptop of the living room with our Kona rug

AFTER

picture-2 Final shot of Kona Black Walnut

I ended up using a bunch of throw pillows and blankets to help tie in the rugs with their surroundings. The wood floor in the living room had been painted a deep indigo blue, and walls a warm orange. I thought it would be best to enhance the complimentary colors and add persimmon toned pillows to the couch. With all the hues combined the rug popped and completed the setting!

BEFORE

Kent Shoot 5 Whitney and Christina arranging the children’s room to feature our Kids Viewpoint rug

AFTER

picture-9Final room shot with Fair Isle Capri

We really wanted to keep each photo clean and focused, so for the kids room we eliminated any clutter and simplified the elements. The dark blue throw was a bit too heavy and didn’t work well with all the lighter tones in the room. It wasn’t really allowing the rug to shine. We replaced it with a cream waffle weave throw.  This brought in a new texture and softened the color palette.The final shot shows the light pale yellow walls and sea glass tones of blue in the furniture. This allowed the garden of color from the Viewpoint rug to glow. We threw in accents of toys and pink slippers, but kept the overall feel clean and inviting with the focus being on the rug.

BEFORE

Kent Shoot1Kent snapping images of our Madagascar Glacier rug while Carrie oversees

AFTER

picture-15Final shot of a Madagascar Glacier runner

This was a fun shot to set up. The painted wood floors of solid blue to checked yellow draw your eye through the composition. Even though there are a lot of elements to look at in the shot, the rug still is the main feature. It’s texture is so dimensional against all the other smooth surfaces in the room.

I’m really glad we were able to use this beautiful home to showcase Merida’s rugs.  It was a very successful day and we were able to get 14 different room shots.  We are in the process of finalizing the photos now and I’m excited for them to be posted on our website soon!

  • Share/Bookmark

4
Dec 09

And the winners are…

I’m so excited to announce the winners of our Tufted Rug Design Contest! The three  young designers we selected as the winners are Kelsey Arbona, Massiel Grullon, and Alland Torchon. Chosen by a panel of some of Boston’s top designers, the judges have nothing but great things to say about these young artists and their interpretations of sustainable design. Most of all, everyone is looking forward to seeing these designs translated into a collection of tufted rugs next spring!

Each of the three winners will receive an area rug of their own design as their prize. We also plan to make a $5,000 donation to AFH to help further their arts programs for young people.

It has been a wonderful and collaborative journey for Merida and AFH the past few months. Since our paths crossed a year ago, we have found amazing synergy with AFH in our shared passion of art, design, sustainability, and social responsibility. We look forward to creating brand new products infused with this passion and will keep you updated on our product development process as it progresses over the next few months.

To meet all the young designers who participated in the contest and see their final submissions, come to AFH’s Annual Holiday Open House, “For the Love of Art” on December 15 from 3:00-7:00 p.m. at the EpiCenter. Stop by to peruse and purchase student produced art to support this great non-profit organization just in time for the holidays. And stay tuned for our blog post on the event!

To see all the student submissions, please click here.

From the top: Alland Torchon, Massiel Grullon and Kelsey Arbona

From the top: Alland Torchon, Massiel Grullon and Kelsey Arbona Photo by Mary Nguyen, Artists for Humanity

  • Share/Bookmark

3
Dec 09

Green Design in Chicago

There is nothing average about Karen Kalmek. As the owner of Green Home Chicago, a 3-year-old store in the Windy City that carries Merida’s full line of area rugs, Karen has launched what is fast becoming Chicago’s #1 sustainable home design destination for interior designers, architectural firms, and eco-savvy consumers.  The store’s wide range of sustainable products, including rugs, tile, furniture and all manner of home accessories, has been carefully selected based on a 10-point rating system.  This “Green Scorecard” rates each item in the store based on whether it is vintage/reclaimed,  3rd party certified, locally made, cradle-to-cradle, etc.

I was thrilled to visit Karen in October in her gorgeous Fulton Market showroom.  With her collaborative approach to customer service and passion for beautiful and sustainable products, Green Home Chicago is fast earning a reputation as the midwest’s premiere green design destination.

“We have included Merida rugs in our collection of products because of their commitment to the environment and their community. The Pipeline sisal area rug shown on our showroom floor is both classy and sustainable. We love the fact that Merida’s sisal is completely natural and that the backing is 100% latex.” -Karen Kalmek, owner, Green Home Chicago

Merida's Pipeline Gold rug is the centerpiece of Green Home Chicago

Merida's Pipeline Gold sisal rug is the centerpiece of Green Home Chicago

To request samples of Pipeline in any of the five colorways we offer, click here. Or, to create a quote, visit our online customer center.

Do you have a photo of a design project featuring a Merida rug? Submit it to marketing@meridameridian.com! If we select your photo, your name and web site will be promoted on our blog, Twitter, and Facebook pages!

  • Share/Bookmark