A few months ago we got a peculiar request to put a vibrant purple leather edge finishing on a Kona sisal runner. Although we trusted Peter Stamberg and Paul Aferiat of Stamberg Aferiat Architecture’s taste, I have to admit that it perked our interested since we could not possibly image the type of space that would cater to such a bold rug. As such, it prompted us to get to know a little more about Stamberg Aferiat and the project that they were working on….
Stamberg Aferiat’s style tends toward a classic modern look that incorporates vibrant color to express emotion. As Stamberg says, their look is “something that had been part of early Modernism but was then lost”, but we like to think it’s early Modernism brought back to life. Stamberg Aferiat has a very special way of revitalizing a space and breathing soul and excitement into it.
For the Saguaro Hotel project, aka the future home of the former purple bound rug in question, Stamberg and Aferiat were given one significant guideline – that the property had to embrace and feel rooted in it’s Scottsdale, AZ location. With the basic goals and guidelines laid out, the dynamic duo focused on how to bring the hotel to life in a very tight time frame and with a resourceful budget. As such, they found reputable locals whose opinion they trusted and asked them about their feelings on the essence of the area. With insider’s perspectives on the town and subsequent understand of people’s respect for the land and their natural surroundings, they drew their color palette from the gorgeous, bright and cheerful abundant indigenous wildflowers found in the local Sonoran Desert.
From there, Stamberg and Aferiat created a vibrant, lively, gorgeous and luxurious hotel. We had an “aha!” moment when, at long last, we saw the installation of the Kona runner. It fit into the space perfectly, and the creative pop of purple was just what the Kona needed to tie in to the overall design.
Thank you Peter and Paul for opening up our eyes to another fun way to dress up our rugs! We are anxiously awaiting the grand opening of the next Saguaro Hotel, fittingly in Palm Springs, CA. Shhh, here’s a sneak preview….





















