CREATIVE MATTERS TAKES NEW YORK

Our team. From left: Jessica, Ana, Kat, Carol, Clémence, Amie, Sandra, Ali, Madeleine, Kayla, Anna, Marysol, Lori and Julie.
(Leah and Sarah did not join the trip because of prior commitments.) All photography: Andrea Gibson

In November we celebrated 30 years since our President Carol Sebert founded Creative Matters. To honour the occasion the whole team flew from Toronto to New York for three days staying at a big house in the country and taking the train into the city each morning. “It’s such an exciting place and because we’ve done so much excellent work there, NYC is a big part of Creative Matters. We love our team and we wanted to share an experience together that was fun and personal,” said Vice President Ana Cunningham. “As much as we love designing our floor and wallcoverings, the trip was a gift for all of us to escape the computers and phones to spend relaxed time together. A chance to explore and enjoy an amazing city that we are all connected to,” Carol added.

A sense of camaraderie and adventure made the morning commute into the city a welcome change from Toronto’s transit system.

“For me, the highlight was seeing some of our most notable installations together: the Park Hyatt hotel and Bergdorf Goodman along with other Fifth Avenue and government locations.”

— Ali

Ali shows the group Creative Matters’ biggest ever carpet for the Jewelry Salons at Bergdorf Goodman. Ali managed this project in 2015.

The team takes some time out from city action on a rug designed by Ana in 2014 for the Park Hyatt hotel in mid-town New York.

“As we spend most of our days designing on the computer, it can be easy to forget the impact that our final products will have in a finished space. The New York trip was a really exciting opportunity to see some of our beautiful designs come to life. Getting to walk around on these carpets and see how they interact with other finishes really brought home the power a well-thought-out carpet can have in a room.”

— Madeleine

Vice President Ana Cunningham strides along another rug she designed for the Park Hyatt.

“It was a lot of fun to be able to spend time with coworkers in such a relaxed environment, and it was great to explore a very vibrant and bustling city.”

— Kat

From left: Kat recently saw her lobby rug design in the Four Seasons Toronto come to fruition; Madeleine is currently working on rugs for the Four Seasons Whistler; Jessica Bradshaw is our office manager; Marysol is the latest addition to the team; Lori Hutchinson is our bookkeeper; and Kayla created rugs for Palms Casino Las Vegas and St Regis Residences San Francisco.

Back at the house, Amie leads a spirited walk through the grounds.

“New York City was a visual treat. After being so focused at the studio, I appreciated the opportunity to spend time with the whole CMI team, explore the city and see some of our rugs installed in some impressive interior spaces! ”

— Kayla

Anna and Carol relaxing in the yard. Anna joined Creative Matters in 2016 and has designed floorcoverings for clients such as the Kimpton Hotel, and a number of her works are featured in our design collections.

“Celebrating the team felt like the perfect way to acknowledge the past 30 years. They truly are an inherent part of Creative Matters’ success.”

— Ana

Ali preparing dinner with Sandra (left) and Clémence. Sandra is particularly known for her work with the Anndore House and Clémence for her designs for the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line.

“It was a time to have great laughs, cook food together and enjoy each other’s company outside of work.”

— Carol

Madeleine enjoys the team dinner at Bryant Park. Madeleine focuses on managing our design collections whilst also working on custom projects.

At dinner Carol leads a toast to the past 30 years at Creative Matters and the many more to come.