Color Reformed Carpets and Over-dyed Rugs: A Major Trend

Have you seen the latest craze in rugs since shag carpet? Over-dyed carpets have taken off like a rocket since I saw them at the Salone in Milan last April. Moroso’s “Carpet Reloaded” styles had lovely colors that set the high mark for this trend. Take a look at these images, top and below. Moroso rocks, don’t they?

Who first came up with this idea? Ask around and you’ll get several answers, but everyone agrees the trend really took off in France. Here’s how they’re made.

Anthropologie’s Cerulean Sea Rug

According to Patrizia Moroso, these are the brainchild of Golran, an Italian rug dealer in Milan. He had a pile of rugs no one wanted. They were too new. To perk them up, he bleached them and then re-dyed them using natural pigments. Sounds easy, doesn’t it? I just might try this on a little carpet of my own. Gulp.

Blue  and Red over-dyed carpets from ABC Home’s Color Reform Collection

The finished effect after re-dying is unique to each carpet. The dye reacts differently depending on the original fibers. What makes them so beautiful is that the faded remains of the original pattern remains. As Patrizia Moroso puts it, “The past meets the present in a mixture of ancient manufacturing skills and contemporary design.”

Carpets from Woven Accents and Cost Plus World Market

My favorite over-dyed carpets are those left in their original form. You’ll also find a lot of patchwork styles.

For more re-dyed carpet fun, scoot over to Pink Peppers and read Erin’s excellent story (see photo below) about her carpet-buying excursion in Turkey.

How many of you would be brave enough to try tackling this project at home? Everyone has an old carpet lying around made of natural fibers, right? Bleach? Natural dye? Google it. Let’s go! Send me the pix. If I ever get a chance to breathe (got a huge project I’m working on), I’m itching to try this. If I do, I’ll be sure to report back. So stay tuned.