As 2023 draws to a close, our team is reflecting on a momentous year. Filled with groundbreaking achievements, innovative designs, and a transformative shift in leadership, the past 12 months have been enriched with great success and creativity.

After an incredible 35 years at the helm of Creative Matters, we bid a heartfelt farewell to our founder Carol Sebert. Moving on to pursue other creative endeavors, Carol paved the way for Managing Partners Ana Cunningham and Ali McMurter to lead the company. She will truly be missed.

Throughout 2023, our team has been busy working towards the launch of a breakthrough innovation in commercial carpeting. This dedicated effort means in January 2024, we will launch our new woven Axminster carpet, EcoAx, which is 100% biodegradable in landfill and compostable when returned to the soil.

2023 saw our team take to Paris on three wonderful occasions. Creative Matters made its mark at Paris Design Week this September to unveil our highly anticipated Redoux Passager art installation, made in collaboration with design studio LOMA. In October, we participated in Rendez Vous de la Matière-fair(e), an industry event dedicated to exploring innovative, artisanal materials for architecture, decoration and interior design. In November, Creative Matters was featured in Carpet Diem, a first-of-its-kind exhibition of sixty rugs and tapestries from around the world.

For the third consecutive year, we had the pleasure of participating in COVER Connect New York, where we unveiled three new collections: Vanguard, Arcadian, and the first Creative Matters collection crafted in Afghanistan, Vista.

Join us as we delve into the design highlights from six key members of the Creative Matters team, each sharing their perspective on standout projects and events that defined the company's 35th year of business.

MICHELLE BOUCHARD, RETAIL & MARKETING COORDINATOR

“From a marketing perspective, my 2023 highlights were our international events and trade shows from September to November. We took part in COVER Connect New York for the third year in a row, and launched a major exhibit during Paris Design Week called Redoux Passager. We also had a strong presence at two prestigious Parisian events: Rendez Vous de la Matière-fair(e) and Carpet Diem, the first show of its kind. This action-packed season, participating in top-tier events and premier trade shows in the carpet industry, provided us with opportunities to enhance our visibility, brand marketing and connect with important clients and media.”

Creative Matters’ work at Carpet Diem, Rendez Vous de la Matière-fair(e)
and Paris Design Week

The incredible Carpet Diem exhibition featured a mesmerizing labyrinth installation, created by the iconic Hervé Sauvage. The distinguished scenographer, known for collaborations with names like Hermès, Chanel, Givenchy and Dior, designed an immersive sixty-piece showcase to host the rugs and tapestries, combining various techniques, materials and textures.

SERENA YU KHINE, BOOKKEEPER

“My design highlight of the year is the new Vanguard collection, particularly the Lino design. Launched at COVER Connect New York Lino is a true work of art. Lino looks very much like an abstract painting you would see in an art gallery. Its distinctive aesthetic adds a contemporary touch and feel to any space. I personally love durable handknotted rugs, like Lino, which are made from wool and silk."

The Lino rug design recognizes illustrious artists Miró, Kandinsky and Obering, incorporating hand drawn lines and abstracted forms in a dance around constructed shapes. The use of silk is skillfully placed to create an exciting dimension, and a touch of opulence.

SUHINDHAR RAVEENDIRAN SANTHI, LOGISTICS SPECIALIST

“Our Paris Design Week installation was a show stealer, as we presented our work and strides towards ethical production. For example, our rug installation, Redoux Passager, was crafted at our Thai mill using completely recycled water. This innovative approach resonated with visitors and sparked a great deal of intrigue into our work and artisan craftsmanship. Partnering with studio LOMA for the second time, this collaboration resulted in a space that harmonized both company’s guiding values, creativity and craftsmanship.”

*Creative Matters ‘Redoux Passager’ exhibit at Paris Design Week*

This year’s Paris Design Week installation, Redoux Passager, followed the success of our 2022 Winter Garden exhibit. Redoux Passager poetically continued last year’s storytelling journey, using a collection of sustainable and natural fibres such as silk, wool and wood, leading visitors through a calming oasis. Our designs called on Paris Design Week visitors to consider the precious nature of water relating to climatic distress, posing as a reflection on the question of sustainability and the management of this natural resource through the ages.

TERI LY, OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR

"My standout moment of 2023 has been witnessing our outstanding custom designs come to life. From the teamwork and expertise of our designers, to the technical capabilities of our artisan mills and the coordination and precision of our installers, it has been a pleasure seeing the entire process for each design unfold. I watch our team of designers lean on each other’s strengths, and I am incredibly proud of them for meeting all the challenges that come their way.”

*The Creative Matters team selecting palettes and interacting with a finished rug*

For 35 years, our team of talented designers have collaborated with interior designers and architects to craft exceptional custom floor and wall coverings. Our portfolio ranges from luxury hotels and retail boutiques, to cruise ships, stylish offices, elegant homes and embassies worldwide.

JULIE BALDWIN, LOGISTICS MANAGER

“Our new woven Axminster carpet construction, EcoAx, launching in January 2024, is my highlight. Years in the making, EcoAx is a sustainable dream realized. It is crafted using 100% wool, woven into a jute backing, as opposed to traditional woven Axminster, composed of 80% wool and 20% nylon. This natural, commercially viable, and biodegradable carpet seamlessly complements our handknotted wool and silk custom area rugs and collections. With landfill diversion legislation just a few years away, EcoAx sets a new standard by biodegrading in just 12 months.”

EcoAx offers superior durability and versatility for custom machine-made floor coverings. In addition to its construction, a ‘no-glue’ stretch-in style installation method is recommended to allow for easy removal and to ensure the carpet remains 100% compostable. In addition, this allows the carpets to be upcycled. We are currently working on our first collection completely done in EcoAx.

As we embark on a new year, we want to express our gratitude to our team, partners, and clients. Your collaboration makes our success possible. Here's to another year of creativity, sustainability, and design excellence!

LOOKING BACK ON 2023, OUR 35TH YEAR OF EXCEPTIONAL RUG DESIGN

STEP ABOARD: EMBARK ON A LUXURY VOYAGE FEATURING OUR EXQUISITE RUGS

INTRODUCING ECOAX: A BIODEGRADABLE WOVEN AXMINISTER CARPET