The Unveiling

Sensing it was time to strut its stuff, carpet manufacturer Kasthall decided to "seize the United States as the future" in 2008, expanding on its presence with a brand new showroom and head office. And a new range of 100 percent wool wall-to-wall carpets, designed by Anna Schou, will help this company that mostly catered to the retail sector up until now to broaden its scope to the hospitality and contract markets.

With its old showroom in a tiny, by-appointment-only space on Third Avenue in New York City, Kasthall relocated to the New York Design Center. Bright, bold, and fun, the company's spirit comes alive in this small space that is a celebration of beautifully crafted product, like Schou's new line. Schou designed Flora, Frode, Mylla, and Roe as coordinating collections that are based around Flora, a pattern inspired by the view of a flower field as seen from a plane, with four seasons of color combinations (Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter).

When specifying this collection, Simone Vingerhoets, executive vice president, explains, "the designer can have a base color, then pick colors to match out of the other ranges." She says the idea was conceived for boutique hotels that seek a very personalized design and range.

Kasthall is also taking customization to a new artistic level with specialty rugs that have actually replaced paintings or drawings in hotel lobbies. A CEO's signature or an actual work of art can be tufted and hung, rather than placed on the floor.

"You find a lot of companies that either specialize in wall-to-wall or high-end options, but we cover everything also in terms of price range," Vingerhoets says. Kasthall offers hand-tufted, hand-woven, and wall-to-wall ranges, as well as a broad spectrum of pricing from $11 to $180 per square foot. Wide color varieties appeal to those inclined to modern and architectural designs, as well as those with a decorative or traditional penchant.

Experimenting with just about everything from new yarns and materials to turning classic weaves into modern designs, Kasthall is able to cater to a host of project types from the smallest boutique hotel to the most expansive airport. Reader Service No. 201