February « 2010 « Open Studio

February, 2010

Design — Comments Off
10
Feb 10

The Ornamentation of Istanbul

I just returned from an amazing trip to Istanbul, Turkey! The main reason for my travels was to learn a new software program for designing on our tufting machine. The training was a success and I’m excited to start creating new tufted rugs at our Fall River facility! Moreover, I was lucky enough to have the time to visit some tourist sights such as, the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, the underground Roman cisterns, and The Grand Bazaar. I was completely inspired and amazed by all the incredible patterns, architecture and ornamentation within the city! It’s a textile designers heaven!

Shopping and trying to bargain at The Grand Bazaar

Video clips from my travels around the city

Handwoven and hand-knotted Silk, Sumac and Kilim rugs filled the shop – Bazaar 55

Embroidered boots, bags and fabric displayed at The Grand Bazaar

Intricately patterned tiles at Topkapi Palace

A beautiful green, blue and yellow color combination

Blush toned foral designs adorned a ceiling in the Palace

One of my favorite finds – a Sumac rug - Here you see the involved craftsmanship from the backside

I gathered as much inspiration as I possibly could throughout my week spent in the city. I’ve had thorough training in creating tufted designs, and I’m ready to start applying all these new insights by translating them into my own unique rug collections!

Working with Farzin on the tufted software

I’d highly recommend a trip to Istanbul (preferably in the summer – as it snowed the first day I arrived and was bitter cold)! Check out this NY Times article on 36 Hours in Istanbul to get all the highlights.

Company / Sustainability — Comments Off
3
Feb 10

Economic sustainability in Brazil

“The hinterland has everything we need; if not, we invent it.”

This phrase, the motto of the Brazilian co-op community where our new sisal rugs are made, summarizes the spirit of the Nordestino – people from the Northeast of Brazil. Living in the poorest region of Brazil and subject to severe periodical droughts, the Nordestino are resourceful, upbeat and entrepreneurial. Our partnership with this community both draws on and fuels that spirit.

We believe that our strong business relationship with the community is the best way we can help them become successful. Rather than simply donating money for their social programs and activities, our business helps the farmers generate their own resources. We pay fair prices for their products and lend our weaving expertise to improve the quality and sophistication of their design capabilities.

The constructions for our newest sisal collection were developed on hand looms by Merida designers in Fall River, MA. The weavers at the co-op in Brazil then creatively transformed the prototypes into machine-woven patterns. Although the designs were created by us, we have allowed our Brazilian partner to sell these patterns in South America themselves. Keeping with our strategy to support the community through business, the co-op will pay Merida a small royalty on all sales they make of our patterns. This money will be used to create a fund to help support the many social and educational programs the co-op provides for its community.

We look forward to reporting on the success of this program and how it has helped the community along on its path to success and self-sufficiency. Merida Partners (customers enrolled in our subscription program) will receive samples of these new items in February. Check back soon for more news, or click here to watch a video about these new items!