We sat down with Shaw Contract design manager Lauryn Pierce to learn more about Awaken, a new hospitality-grade collection of rugs and broadloom carpet that will be on display at BDNY 2024.
Hospitality Design: Tell us more about the Awaken collection.
Lauryn Pierce: Awaken is a custom line of rugs and broadloom designed on a brand-new tufted technology for Shaw Contract that offers us the ability to create cut-and-loop carpet with multiple pile heights and up to 16 colors in one style.
HD: How does this new technology help create unique designs?
LP: Having a 16-color palette allows us to create beautiful ombrés and painterly color blends, and by using different loop levels, we can add even more layers of depth and dimension.
HD: Where did the inspiration for this collection come from?
LP: This collection is a look at how the creative process is evolving with the help of technology. As artists, we start with pen and paper, or other physical elements, but how do we use technology to create even more original and unique designs?
When we first started designing this collection, we went back to the basics and let ourselves create freely. I started with watercolors and acrylic paints. Then, we looked at how we could layer in technology to create more ethereal visuals and texture. I took the paintings and blended them using AI technology, then digitally painted more layers of pattern and texture on top. This layering of different processes pushed the designs to a place that felt new and unexpected.
HD: What is the inspiration behind Awaken?
LP: We’re always looking at trends, whether it be fashion or design, for inspiration. Large-scale, abstract florals are very en vogue right now, and we got excited about the opportunity to design something artistic and also a little feminine, which is new for us. The technology we used with this collection offered us the ability to create a lot of beautiful gradients and color-blending, which lends itself to watercolor and painterly motifs.
HD: What other trends are you seeing in design right now?
LP: People aren’t afraid of adding color in design. But, we’re also seeing a lot of neutrals. This collection has a great balance of dramatic patterns with softer, more ethereal elements, incorporating both bold and lighter colors that can serve as neutral bases.
HD: What else makes this collection unique?
LP: This collection lends itself to organic-shaped rugs. We’ve highlighted some unique cuts for Awaken, which beautifully showcase the watercolor-like qualities of the collection.
Shaw Contract’s Awaken collection is now available.
This sponsored content was created collaboratively by Shaw Contract and HD.
