We first heard of Loloi Rugs at the 2017 Summer Las Vegas Market, a biannual expo that brings together companies manufacturing and/or distributing furniture, home decor, and accessories in the United States. But from the moment we began browsing Loloi’s booth, we knew they brought something very special to the table.

Thankfully, we were given the opportunity to sit down and talk with Austin Craley, VP of Sales. He walked us through their entrancing exhibit and gave us the low-down on all the latest and greatest trends Loloi brings to Market and retailers across the country.

Here’s the inside scoop on Loloi Rugs from our exclusive interview with Austin Craley.

Craftsmanship Above All Else

According to Austin, many of Loloi’s product line is quite affordable to both retailers and is sold at a reasonable price-point for consumers. He describes the average buyer of Loloi Rugs as someone who has “champagne taste but a beer budget.”

Surprisingly, even though their offerings are for the “Average Joe,” you’ll be hard-pressed to find similar quality and craftsmanship from competing companies. In fact, Loloi takes craftsmanship very seriously. Their eye for detail has made them a staple in the rug industry—and as a result, they’ve earned more awards than any other rug company in the last decade.

From the high-end, hand-knotted rugs to hooked designs, the quality you find in Loloi rugs is impressive, to say the least.

More Than Just Rugs

In recent years, Loloi has broadened their product line to include rug complements, including pillows and throws.

We were first drawn to the pillows Loloi displayed at the Las Vegas Market because they’re so luxurious. Pillows like this Plum/Silver one made of rayon silk and this eccentric taupe and gold cotton one are the perfect addition to any living room or sitting area.

And on cold winter nights (the one’s we’re all dreaming about right now in the dead of summer), is there anything better than a comfortable throw blanket? Absolutely not! That’s why we love their comfy acrylic Duke collection.

Collaborations

One of the most exciting aspects of the company, aside from their rock star product offerings and amazing quality, is their collaborations. Loloi works with several world-famous celebrities and designers to put their creative designs on the map.

Here are a couple fan favorites, according to Austin:

Magnolia Home

HGTV’s Joanna Gaines of Fixer Upper is one of the most notable television figures for consumer and industry professionals. She’s made us all obsess over shiplap and gray walls. And now we have one more obsession, her collection through Loloi.

It’s no surprise that the entire line is 100% Joanna, from her Santa Fe Spice rug (a personal favorite) that’s hand-hooked in India, to the June Collection, if you’re a fan of Joanna’s style, this collection is a must-see.

Ellen DeGeneres

Ellen’s line is everything you’d hope it would be and more. Although it was just put on the market back in January of 2017, Austin tells us they face a constant effort to keep up with the demand.

You’ll notice that the line has a heavy focus on solid and more traditional patterns, such as this blue rug from the Trousdale Collection. This ivory and red power loomed rug is also one of our favorites.

In addition to these big collaborations, Loloi also partners to create these lines: Ernest Hemingway Lifestyles and Justina Blakeney.

Market & More

It was a pleasure speaking with Austin at Market to learn more about Loloi’s products and partnerships and to browse their tremendous booth.

Just being able to run our hands over the rugs, it was evident that they’re doing something very right at this company. Be on the lookout for Loloi rugs at major retailers in the home decor and furniture world in the coming months!

To check out more of their selection of rugs, pillows, and throws, view the Loloi Rugs online catalog here.

Everything in your house has a story. You may have picked up your sofa at an estate sale downtown. It’s possible you have artwork on your walls from a visit to Mexico or the Caribbean. Your curtains may have once been hanging in your great grandmother’s parlor. It’s these stories — your experiences — that make a house a home.

Those stories are what also motive Nick Alain from the lifestyle brand of the same name. You see, Nick Alain has a lot of stories and experiences. Over the past 25 years, he’s traveled the globe and taken note of the true culture and natural designs of the places he visits. Then, he brings that inspiration back to the United States and creates one-of-a-kind furniture, home decor, and more.

We chatted with Nick Alain himself at the Las Vegas Market, and we found his story enthralling. Then, we checked out his product line and it matched his vibe perfectly.

If you’re dying to know all about the ideas behind the art that’s Nick Alain, read on.

The Backstory

Today, he’s referred to as “timeless, ” but the current Nick Alain collections have evolved a bit over time.

Growing up in Santa Fe, Nick was surrounded by the arts, which fueled his creative juices. His parents also guided Nick by allowing him to help design and make furniture in their own homes. By the ripe old age of 9, he won his first design award.

Since then, Nick has perfected his craft. Aside from designing furniture and decor for a slew of celebrities and co-founding a nationally-recognized brand Luna Bella, he’s currently expanding his own line of products via Nick Alain (the company) alongside his creative partner Elena Solomahko.

Today, as Nick continues to travel the globe, he brings those design ideas back to his Miami, Florida factory and gets to work creating perfection with Elena.

Shopping Nick Alain

At Las Vegas Market, we had the chance to take a look at some of the newest designs of the Nick Alain product line.

Nick tells us, “The new line for this season was heavily inspired by a trip to Moscow.” By traveling the city, viewing the architecture, and taking in the history, sights, smells, and sounds, he came up with the current furniture, lighting, and decorations designs.

Furniture

Similar to other designers we met at Las Vegas Market, Nick Alain believes that working with mixed media is the way to go, especially in today’s consumer-driven market. Nick likes to use a combination of metals, wood, and glass to create his furniture pieces.

He also uses high-quality fabrics, including 100% cotton and silky smooth velvet in his upholstery.

Again, everything you’ll find in his collection includes trinkets from his travels, such as beading and jewels.

Lighting and Accessories

The lighting options in the Nick Alain product line are stunning and surprisingly unique. You can immediately notice the strong Russian influence in the chandeliers and pendant light fixtures, especially in the details of the metal.

We also loved the more classic light fixtures featured in his showroom. The use of crystals and other glitzy materials, which were sourced all over the world, make for a dramatic conversation starter.

The accessories on display also have a very worldly feel to them. So whether you collect vases or are always looking for a trendy mirror, Nick Alain has something in his collection for you.

What’s Next for Nick Alain?

At Las Vegas Market, we learned that Nick Alain is determined to bring his goods to the west coast audience as well as Europe. He’s currently working on logistics to make sure his products make it overseas in perfect condition.

No matter what, with products like these, demand is bound to be high!

You’ll be seeing more and more Nick Alain in furniture stores and other retailers near you. Until then, follow his Facebook page to stay up with the latest designs and company-related news.

Jaipur Living started with two looms and a vision. But talk about coming a long way! This Atlanta, Ga., company is now a leader in the rug industry and a source of inspiration for many of the designers visiting Las Vegas Market.

We at House Tipster just had to see for ourselves what the excitement was all about, so we met with Jaipur’s trade show manager, Matt Peterson, to explore the company’s trendy collection of rugs and accents.

Jaipur Living manufactures and distributes rugs for all lifestyles, most of which are weaved in India. They had lots of products to show off to the Vegas audience this week, including outdoor rugs, modern designs, and even the natural weaves so popular on the West Coast.

According to Peterson, modern design is what’s really shaping home décor today. He’s reporting a shift from traditional to contemporary with more blacks, grays, and sophisticated colors, which Jaipur’s rugs are quick to pick up on.

One hot designer known for her modern sophisticated designs is Nikki Chu, he said, but also popular at Jaipur Living is the Kate Spade line of rugs, all part of the designer series.

As for another trend that’s big at Market this year, Peterson pointed to Jaipur Living’s new outdoor rugs.

“The newest thing is the woven outdoor rug that looks like flatweaves,” he told House Tipster.

Yet another trend – and particularly popular in California and Vegas – is the natural fiber rug.

“It’s sustainable, and we’re able to weave other materials like cotton and rayon in with them to give more interest, texture, and feel,” said Peterson.

Although a little trendier on the West Coast, these natural fibers are getting a second look everywhere that Jaipur Living sells rugs.

No interview with Jaipur Living would be complete without reflecting on the products that shaped the company from its inception.

Peterson explained, “The heart of our company is the high-end, hand-knotted rugs. That’s how our company actually started, and that’s what a lot of our weavers are doing. We sell everything from these, to machine-made rugs, every kind of construction.”

Want an accent to go along with your new carpet? Jaipur Living also has pillows, throws, and poufs, and we got to see some on display in Vegas.

The folks at Jaipur Living consider their success story to be one with a humble beginning. We mentioned the two looms and one vision, but didn’t touch upon the impressive journey that started with the company’s founder N.K. Chaudhary connecting people around the world with talented artisans in India.

“Through the coming years two looms would turn to 20, then 200 and beyond due to the attention gained from the artistry and quality Jaipur has become synonymous with today,” states Jaipur’s website.

Its key to success has been sustainability, a strong business model, and a passion for design seen in its bold colors, distinctive styles, and fashion-forward trending.

We can’t wait to see what surprises Jaipur Living may have in store for us at the next Las Vegas Market.

What happens in Vegas isn’t staying in Vegas, at least for this week! The designs we’ve seen over a number of categories including furniture, home decor, gifts, and bedding are bound to be heading to the shelves of your nearest retailer in the very near future.

While the thrill and excitement of Market hasn’t yet worn off since Day 1, our House Tipster team has finally gotten the lay of the land (which, after all, encompasses over 5 million square feet!) and we’ve been eagerly talking with some of our favorite vendors and manufacturers from across the US and abroad.

Below, you’ll see some highlights of our favorite exhibitions and interviewees from Day 4 of the Summer 2017 Las Vegas Market.

Nick Alain

Nick Alain, the founder and creative genius behind the Nick Alain furniture and design company, was chock-full of information about his company and products. We were taken by Nick’s focus on using worldly designs but manufacturing them here on US soil in Miami.

After a quick glimpse at his line, we noticed his designs didn’t focus on one type of material. Instead, he uses a mixture of metals, wood, glass, and upholstery to tell a story through his furnishings and accessories.

The inspiration behind every product comes from Nick’s travels abroad. Most recently, he came back from an extended stay in Moscow where he took notice of the architecture and the art-deco styles of the city. You’ll see a lot of that influence in his line moving forward.

Although he’s focused on reaching east coast-based markets in the past, Nick Alain is now heading west. We’re sure you’ll be seeing a lot more from Nick in the near future.

Browse the Nick Alain collection of elaborate lighting, furniture, and accessories here.

Loloi Rugs: Austin Craley

If you’re a fan of rug collaborations from your favorite designers and celebrities then there’s a chance you’re already introduced to Loloi Rugs. We spoke with Austin Craley, VP of Sales for Loloi who filled us in on all the great partnerships and products they’ve been creating over the years.

The first collection we looked at was the licensed collection from Ellen DeGeneres. According to Austin, Ellen has been very active in the design process for her line, which includes not just rugs, but pillows and throws. Although the line just launched in January, sales have been through the roof!

Fixer Upper star Joanna Gaines also works closely with Loloi for her Magnolia Home rug collection. The line is true to her style and she’s worked diligently to ensure the price point is reasonable for her audience.

Throughout the Loloi product catalog,  you’ll notice a lot of oversized pieces that are upwards of 12’x18’, high-end, and hand knotted. If you have “champagne taste on a beer budget,” you’re bound to find something you love from Loloi Rugs.

The 2017 Catalog is available online, so window shop to your heart’s desire.

Karastan

Karastan is one of the most popular rug companies here in the US, so we were excited to speak with Kent Wilkins and get the scoop on their latest and greatest designs.

According to Kent, as more homeowners switch over to hardwood and tile floors, the demand from area rugs increases. They’ve taken note of that trend over at Karastan and are in the process of modernizing their line to meet consumer demand. Yes, Karastan has been known for their traditional designs in the past, but everything we saw today was definitely verging on transitional.

For the eco-friendly buyer, Karstan offers Smartstrand, a renewably sourced polymer.  In some of their newest rugs, they’re combining the Smartstrand technology with sustainable New Zealand wool and the result is nothing short of extraordinary.

Karastan rugs are found at many furniture and carpet stores such as Macy’s. To find a retailer, follow this link.

Jaipur Living

Thanks to Matt Peterson of Jaipur Living, we learned a lot about the current state of the rug and carpet industry. We had no idea that people were going crazy over outdoor rugs, but according to Matt, they sure are.

Jaipur has seen a significant increase in sales in their outdoor rug and pillow collection, which is made from hand-hooked polypropylene. They’re even learning that consumers are loving their outdoor rugs so much, they’re using them indoors as well!

The majority of these rugs are imported straight from their factories in India.

Similar to other rug and carpet companies we’ve talked with here at Market, Jaipur also collaborates with designers, including Nikki Chu and Kate Spade. Both lines are high-end and remarkably versatile for any room in a home.

Most products sold under Jaipur are found on their website, but you can also browse their online catalog here.

Classic Home: Thomas Andonian

If a generic, traditional piece of furniture or decor doesn’t cut it for you, look no further than Classic Home.  “Our best selling product for the past 3 seasons has been the bicycle console made of repurposed bikes. We hit on this style accidentally and the response has been incredible,” says Thomas Andonian of Classic Home.

Yes, you read that right—bicycles! They actually come from scrap yards in India and make for the perfect conversation piece for any home or business, for that matter.

Classic Home is all about creating eclectic, different, fun new products made of practically anything. Concrete is currently everywhere throughout their product line, as well as reclaimed wood, stone, and metal.

Here at Market, they’re introducing their ever-expanding line of stylized office furniture, including 15 new desk styles.

Whether you’re looking for one-of-a-kind or just some-of-a-kind pieces (Thomas’s words, not ours!) check out the Classic Home lifestyle galleries on their website.

Codarus

Codarus, a sales management group, runs showrooms across the country in Las Vegas, High Point, Atlanta, Dallas, and Laguna. What sets them apart from the crowd is, you guessed it, their collaborations.

The latest collection, called Handley Drive, is the brainchild of creative director Rick Janecek. He infuses details, including glitzy hardware into lighting, furniture, and other accessories.

Budding art collectors should check out their Finn and Ivy line, which is aimed for the newer art collector at a lower price-point. However, quality is definitely not lacking as you’ll notice with the detailed framing and matting options.

Most of the products sold by Codarus are cross-category, meaning there’s something for everyone. “No matter your aesthetic, you can find something you love.”

Visit one of the Codarus showrooms in Atlanta, Vegas, High Point or Dallas to check out their latest designs.

Are you “Marketed-out” yet? We hope not! We have one day left to find the best brands and products you need for your own home.

Through the use of vibrant colors like Tiffany blue, Abbyson has truly revolutionized leather with a display of home furnishings at Las Vegas Market that stand out as visionary.

We knew Los Angeles-based Abbyson for incorporating lots of leather in its home furnishings, but we never expected to see it portrayed with colors that pop, like lavender. We were amazed at this completely trendy twist on an ancient material that probably goes back to the cavemen days.

But this is Abbyson’s 10^th anniversary at Market, and the company was determined to mark the occasion with showroom designs powerful enough to influence the design world in 2018.

“Our history is leather,” Tara Bahri, designer and trade manager for Abbyson, told House Tipster’s Media Team. “That’s what we’ve excelled in. That’s what we’re known for, and that’s where our quality really rises to excellence,” she said.

“What we’ve done is brought all these beautiful colors to life, but in leather, so as you go around our showroom, you’re going to see the Tiffany blues, the pops of lavender. You’re going to see these blues, and you’re going to be like, ‘Wow, I’ve never seen that in a leather!’”

As Abbyson’s design team reflected on what’s new for 2018, they identified the most distinct trend as the explosion of brilliant colors and embraced the same for the company’s own furniture and home décor.

“We really wanted to position ourselves uniquely so as you’re walking around all these showrooms, you’re seeing a burst of color but a lot in fabric,” Bahri said.

Abbyson is a company known for its innovations, but it never shifts from a commitment to being “makers of the living experience.”

According to this philosophy, Bahri said, Abbyson doesn’t work to just create a product but to create an experience for all of its buyers.

A home-furnishings company inspired by art and design from all around the world, Abbyson has long been committed to the exciting design force that is almost in its backyard – the Las Vegas Market.

With the care the company put into its showrooms, interior designers were being drawn like a magnet to the new designs at Market. These are the styles they hope to bring back to their clients, and Abbyson was primed to partner with them. The company really thrives on the passion of designers and seeks to mirror that passion in its own products.

“Our design team works tirelessly to really create pieces and colors that connect with culture and trends…,” Bahri said.

With Abbyson furnishings, there’s a commitment to quality each step of the way, she said. After all, furniture you love has to withstand the test of everyday use.

It’s what one might expect of a family-based company, named after founder Abby Rafieha and his sons.

We were fascinated with the history of Abbyson, after learning how Rafieha visited Tibet in 1987 where he met with members of the Dalai Lama family and was introduced to Buddhism. Through this visit, Rafieha found inspiration for his home-furnishings line. He continued traveling the globe in search of ideas, visiting some 50 countries, and then in 1989, Abbyson started importing one-of-a-kind Tibetan products, rugs, and furniture.

For more than 30 years Abbyson has taken pride in being a home-furnishings brand that keeps on redefining itself through modern-day living.

We’d glad Abbyson continues to keep Las Vegas Market as one of its destinations.