In collaboration with COVER and HALI Magazines, exhibitors and carpet designers from around the world presented their latest designs and innovations at Domotex for the Carpet Design Awards (CDA). Considered the most important and prestigious design awards in the world of carpets, the CDA awards celebrate contemporary carpet design, and have been reflecting the innovations and trends in the industry for more than 15 years. 

Many previous winners are among the best in the industry, shaping current and future trends with their designs. A total of 206 carpet designs were submitted worldwide for CDA 2024. Of these, 24 entries reached the final round of the competition.  

Selection criteria 

The Category 1 winner, Maschera, a silk rug by Dena Lawrence of Perth, Australia – best studio artist design/original small-scale production design from an artist or designer.

In addition to the selection criteria of design and design concept, material, execution, structure and quality, the jury also paid attention to the aspects of sustainability and branding. 

“This year the Carpet Design Awards really struck a chord, illustrating the importance of innovation, materiality and craftsmanship in design on a global footing,” said Naomi Scott Dunne, interior designer, trend forecaster and this year’s jury member. 

2024 winners 

All finalist carpets were on display in the CDA area at the Domotex 2024 show.

Under the direction of Jamie Metrick, managing director of Elte, the jury selected the most convincing designs in eight categories: 

• Category 1: Best studio artist design/original small-scale production design from an artist or designer – Maschera, Dena Lawrence, Perth (AU).
• Category 2: Best modern design superior/original contemporary designs showing optimum use of materials – Runner 23 (Prototype), Christopher Farr Editions, London (UK).
• Category 3: Best modern design deluxe/original contemporary design showing optimum use of materials – The Raw Earth (Stefan Heyer), Knots Rugs Ltd, London (UK).
• Category 4: Best traditional design/a new rug that interprets traditional designs for a contemporary audience – Jeevan Manchaha, Jaipur Rugs, Jaipur (IN).
• Category 5: Best flatweave design/original rug design demonstrating the flatweave technique – Illuminata, Edelgrund GmbH, Hamburg (DE).
• Category 6: Best collection/contemporary traditional or transitional design collections demonstrating a common theme – Verso: Gill Thorpe x FLOOR_STORY, FLOOR_STORY, London (UK).
• Category 7: Best interior/a high-end customisation project or rug installation represented by high-quality images – Verso: Gill Thorpe x FLOOR_STORY, FLOOR_STORY, London (UK).
• Category 8: Sustainability Award/a rug that is produced with a low-carbon footprint or/and that incorporates ethical practices – Forest, Gushka, Hutsulshchyna (UA). 

EUCA Award  

The Raw Earth, designed by Stefan Heyer of Knots Rugs Ltd in London, won Category 3 – best modern design deluxe.

During the CDA, the European Carpet Importers Association (EUCA) announced the winner of the EUCA Award. This award has honoured personalities in the European carpet industry since 2007 for outstanding achievements. Wieland Neuberth, this year’s winner of the EUCA Award and owner of Creation Roesner, accepted the award for his lifetime achievements personally on site. 

“The Carpet Design Awards are truly important to the market as they provide invaluable insight into the designs, trends and techniques of a particular period. Furthermore, they push the best of the best artisans to continue to innovate and bring something new to the market each year.” – Jamie Metrick 

Thanks and acknowledgement go to:

https://www.domotex.de/en/ for the information in this article.