A LANDMARK MOMENT: WE ARE PROUD SPONSORS OF THE ELLE DECOR & GACHOT STUDIOS KEEBLER J. STRAZ LOUNGE
The Metropolitan Opera’s Keebler J. Straz Lounge. Photo: William Jess Laird
On September 17, we celebrated the grand unveiling of the reimagined Keebler J. Straz Lounge, formerly the Eleanor Belmont Room at the Metropolitan Opera. Creative Matters was thrilled to contribute to this remarkable project spearheaded by ELLE DECOR and GACHOT Studio.
The Metropolitan Opera’s Keebler J. Straz Lounge. Photo: William Jess Laird
CAPTURING LIGHT AND ELEGANCE
The design of the carpet reflects a harmonious blend of elegance and sophistication. Handtufted in India with New Zealand wool and lurex, it showcases a rich whisky-brown hue, with sparkling flecks of champagne gold from the lurex capturing light like a glimmer of sunshine. Spanning an impressive 29 by 74 feet, the carpet offers a tactile experience that enhances the lounge's elegant decor. The intricate detailing highlights the interplay of pops of champagne gold and rich colour, creating a stunning visual impact. Every aspect of the design was thoughtfully considered to ensure the carpet is not only beautiful but also reflects the theatrical atmosphere of this landmark New York opera house.
The Metropolitan Opera’s Keebler J. Straz Lounge. Photo: William Jess Laird
BRING OUR CUSTOM DESIGN TO LIFE
One challenge during production we faced was the timeline, which coincided with the monsoon season in India. While this brought some difficulties, we were able to collaborate closely with our artisans to keep production on track despite the weather constraints. Sandra Ciganic-McKinney, Creative Matters’ Creative Director reflects, "Working across different climates around the world reminds us of the importance of tolerance and adaptability in our processes." The team's commitment to craftsmanship and attention to detail brought this design to life.
A MEMORY FOR THE BOOKS
The Metropolitan Opera’s Keebler J. Straz Lounge. Photo: William Jess Laird
The highlight of this project was the privilege of crafting a custom carpet for the MET Opera, an iconic cultural institution steeped in history and art. It was an extraordinary opportunity to contribute to such a prestigious landmark. Sandra shares, “Being able to witness the transformation from before to after and being part of the design process from beginning to end was incredibly rewarding. Going to the gala to celebrate this beautiful space was the perfect culmination of our hard work and creativity.”
We are delighted to have been a part of such a spectacular project, thank you to ELLE DECOR and GACHOT Studio for the collaboration.
Click here to explore more of our custom design projects.