Category archives: What’s new
Out with the old & In with the new
Put your feet together and give a warm welcome to Fibre Designs’ new additions to the gallery. As we bid farewell to the first quarter of 2009 we also welcome, just in time for the cool and windy Autumn, some exciting new rugs to the gallery. Amongst others a two-ply bast fibre construction as well as a long pile Shamshi shaggy. Enjoy!
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- Bast Fibre Loop
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- Bubbles II
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- Shamshi Shaggy
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- Wool 5-Count Tight Loop
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- Spring Wool
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- Two-ply Bast Fibre
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The desert never looked this colourful
Just as you thought the desert is a boring, monotone landscape, Fibre Designs introduces a new range of colourful hand-knotted Bedouin inspired rugs made from the eco-friendly bast fibre hemp.
Since the introduction of our first Bedouin inspired range (The desert never looked this cool) many advancements have been made in working with this interesting fibre. Pierre just recently sat down with our partners to discuss all the new possibilities.
Our weaving campuses have, amongst others, managed to improve on the dying process giving us some beautiful hues to choose from for this range. The fibre’s ability to hold the dye colour (colour fastness) has also been improved on, resulting in a rug that will look greater for longer.
This specific range will be launched at the Domotex Rug Fair in Hanover, Germany, and will be in the Fibre Designs Gallery end February.
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Domotex Rug Fair 2009
The best of the rug industry will take to the floor early 2009 at the Domotex Rug Fair in Hanover, Germany.
Pierre Antoine will again represent South Africa at this annual showcase for rug manufacturers and designers. Around 1350 exhibitors are expected to participate from more than 80 countries.
“We are going bold and black with understated elegance,†says Pierre. “Our rug collection will have a strong African influence without being Afro-centric.â€Â The Fibre Designs stand will be situated in Hall 18, which hosts a variety of high-end manufacturers and design houses from around the world.
Stylist Natalie Thiart has taken on the design of the stand which will also be showcased during the Design Indaba next year. Be sure to keep an eye on our blog for the rug and stand designs.
The Domotex Fair takes place from 17-20 January 2009 at the Hanover Exhibition Centre.
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Water Damage
Whether it’s a flood, leak or burst pipe, water damages can’t wait until the next morning. Clive and John opened up the gallery a few weeks ago, only to step onto very wet and damaged rugs.
So while Pierre is sitting behind the computer conjuring up some new and interesting designs for the gallery we thought it good to give all you rug lovers some tips for treating water soaked rugs.
Unsanitary water contains organisms that can infect carpets and rugs and cause health and safety problems. If however the water damage is from a clean water source and it was identified within 24 hours, then cleaning the carpet yourself is an option.
What happens when rugs get wet?
Colour run – Moisture trapped in and between yarn acts as a path for dye to “run†on. This causes the dye to move from one section of the rug to another allowing the colours to mix and blend.
Holes – The build-up of moisture weakens the warps and wefts used in the backing of the rug. Deterioration in the yarn strength can eventually lead to holes being formed.
Shrink or stretch – Some yarns tend to shrink or stretch when exposed to water. There are two kinds of shrinkage. Progressive shrinkage occurs when the fiber itself shrinks. Relaxation shrinkage is when the fabric shrinks. It is caused by the tension applied to yarns and fabrics during construction. Yarn is stretched on a loom when woven up into a rug. The tension is released when the fabric gets wet causing it to shrink to its natural size.
What can I do?
- Quickly remove any furniture that may be damaged or cause stains or damage to the carpet.
- Limit traffic over the wet carpet. Moisture can weaken the backing and walking on the rug can cause the backing to separate. When the backing dries, it regains most of its original strength.
- Place the rug in direct sunlight. Make sure that it is upside down with the pile showing downwards. This will ensure that the water runs away from the backing of the rug. Do not place the rug on a solid surface such as concrete or tiles. The solid surface will restrict the flow of water away from the rug.
- Make sure that you place your rug over a cylinder-like railing with a wide circumference to allow air to move through the rug. Again, make sure that the pile shows downwards. Do not hang it over chairs or tables as the rug will mold to the form of the furniture and will show creases afterwards.
- Use of a heater to further speed up evaporation. Place a heater about 1m away from the rug, or even better underneath the rug. Do not use a blower as this tends to make the rug yellow in colour.
- If you are not happy with the results then make sure that you bring in your rug for professional cleaning and restoration.
- Check the subfloor for moisture as well. If rainwater soaked from the top, it may not have soaked the sub floor. The type of subfloor under the carpet and the length of time it is wet will determine whether it will need to be replaced. Allow to dry completely before placing your beautiful rug back on the floor.
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All the President’s rugs
Antoine Persian Carpets Cleaning and Restoration Studio has been working with some of South Africa’s finest tapestries and rugs for the last 28 years. Amongst these are items at the Groote Schuur Manor in Rondebosch. Myself and the ladies responsible for restoring the collection at Groote Schuur recently visited the estate to learn more about its rich history and its collection of tapestries and rugs.
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- Our team from left to right: Badrunesa, Theresa, Najwaa (Groote Schuur), Verleste and Nadine
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- Groote Schuur Manor Facade
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- Groote Schuur Manor Patio
Groote Schuur curator, Alta Kriel, mentions that the schuur (granary) was built in 1657 and was used to protect harvests from the rainstorms and gales of the Cape winter. Jan van Riebeeck was commissioned to plant vegetables and grains in the Cape for sailors aboard the Dutch East Indian Company ships.
The granary was re-designed and re-built by Sir Herbert Baker to what it is today. The house, which was declared a national monument in 1993, houses priceless treasures of Eastern, European and African provenance. Some of which belonged to Cecil John Rhodes who used to live there.
Groote Schuur is also known for hosting the first official meeting between Nelson Mandela and state president at the time FW De Klerk. De Klerk was the last president to stay in the house. Today, President Thabo Mbeki resides in one of the more practical residences on the estate.
Tapestries and rugs
Of all the tapestries and rugs, the four seventeenth-century hand-woven Flesmish items make a huge impression. Three of the tapestries depict the continents of Africa, Europe and America. The fourth, misidentified as representing Asia for many years, is now known to be a portrayal of the goddess, Victory.
Africa as depicted in one of the four Flemish, hand-woven 19C tapestries (Photographed by Alain Proust; Groote Schuur – Great Granary To Stately Home)
The tapestries representing Africa and Europe was given to Rhodes by his uncle, while the remaining two was given to his cousin Miss Peacock. These two were given to the then President Jan Smuts, who at the time lived at Groote Schuur. The Rhodes Trustees gave these to Smuts as a token of their admiration and gratitude for his contribution to the commonwealth.
This beautiful Hamadan rug greets guests in the lobby of the Groote Schuur Manor (Photographed by Alain Proust; Groote Schuur – Great Granary To Stately Home)
Amongst some of the beautiful rugs that Antoine Persian Carpets Cleaning & Restoration Studio has worked on is this beautiful Hamadan rug featured above.
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Patchwork flatweaves just landed
Feast your eyes on these colourful flatweaves. These patchworks are available as 2x3m and 2.4×1.7m rugs. To read more about these rugs click here.
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Camilla Fraser and Fibre Designs collaborate
Interior designer Camilla Fraser recently approached us with a rug design. Her Cape Town-based clients are involved in both fashion and food and love to entertain in their large Art Deco style home. The task at hand is to update the living rooms of their family home. The wool rug that Camilla designed is about 3m x 4m in size and will be used in the formal sitting room which leads into the library.
Camilla shared a few of her thoughts on the project.
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