Creative Matters Inc 2020-03-29 Creative Matters Inc 2020-03-29

THE ART OF HANDKNOTTING A RUG

Art Day - when our whole team takes time away from regular work to indulge in pure creation on a particular theme - is at the heart of the design culture of Creative Matters. Imagine everyone’s delight this month when Senior Designer Sandra Ciganic-McKinney announced that she had booked four Tibetan rug weavers complete with mini-looms to join us for our next Art Day.

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CREATIVE MATTERS’ GLOBAL FOOTPRINT IS OUR COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE. HERE’S WHY.

Creative Matters operates internationally, and our global supply chain is one of our proudest achievements. Our clients benefit from our multi-country manufacturing ecosystem, allowing us to be nimble in the face of changing trade regulations. A key differentiator is our in-house logistics team, who are able to stick-handle the complexities of the changing landscape. This team is empowered through the ability to strategically source while executing seamlessly, all while making sure we’re not compromising on our design vision. Here’s how we do it.

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WELCOME TO THE CREATIVE MATTERS COLOUR LAB

We know how very important colour is to every project. All our designers have a trained and keen eye to see the relationship between colours and how they affect one another. Our studio is set up so the designers (and visiting clients) have ready access to the thousands of colours of yarn to help our clients achieve the look they are seeking.

Creative Matters Inc 2025-01-03 Creative Matters Inc 2025-01-03

ANA CUNNINGHAM AND ALI MCMURTER ON GUIDING CREATIVE MATTERS TOWARD INNOVATION, GLOBAL GROWTH AND DESIGN EXCELLENCE

Creative Matters’ Ana Cunningham and Ali McMurter, co-owners and managing partners, mark the end of their first year at the helm together. As we welcome 2025, we’re looking back at major milestones and looking forward to what will come this year under their ownership and leadership.

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OUR RAVEN RUG TAKES FLIGHT

We were delighted to debut our Raven rug at the Maison&Objet design show in Paris last month. Raven is the first in a series of rugs we are currently calling The Storytelling Collection. Each of the rugs will be based on the artwork of a Canadian indigenous artist and recreated in a handtufted or handknotted technique.

Creative Matters Inc 2024-10-31 Creative Matters Inc 2024-10-31

EXPLORING DESIGN EXCELLENCE AT LES RENDEZ-VOUS DE LA MATIÈRE + FAIR(E)

In October, Creative Matters proudly joined the tenth edition of Les Rendez-vous de la Matière + fair(e). This year marked our third consecutive year at the fair, with our entire European team present, underscoring our deep commitment to the European design community and our dedication to exploring innovative material applications and design trends.

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HIGHLIGHTS OF 2019 BY CAROL SEBERT

As President of Creative Matters I am often asked to choose some highlights from the closing year. This time however, I find myself most excited by the major initiatives we took in 2019 to move our business into the new decade.

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CREATIVE MATTERS UNVEILS NEW DESIGNS AT COVER CONNECT NEW YORK

Creative Matters was thrilled to participate in COVER Connect New York for the fourth consecutive year. Hosted by COVER magazine, this boutique trade show presents a curated selection of handmade floor coverings from global rug brands. This year, we enriched our collections with a stunning array of meticulously crafted designs and sophisticated new colourways, expanding the Vista, Vanguard, Arcadian and Macrame collections.

Creative Matters Inc 2019-11-27 Creative Matters Inc 2019-11-27

ELEGANT, COZY AND MASCULINE - 5 CARPETS FOR A STEAKHOUSE

Last month Hy’s Steakhouse returned to Toronto’s financial district with a spectacular new flagship.The impressive 18,000-square-foot space was designed by our long-time client Elaine Thorsell of BOTI Interiors. Creative Matters President Carol Sebert was tasked with developing the carpet designs for all three storeys.

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SAND MEETS OCEAN IN OUR HARMONIOUS FLOOR COVERINGS FOR GOLDWYNN RESORT & RESIDENCES

In 2021, in collaboration with DIALOG, we started one of our largest projects, designing custom floor coverings for the Goldwynn Resort & Residences in the Bahamas. Our work encompassed the guest suites, master suites, corridors, atrium, lobby, restaurant, and banquet areas. We produced a range of techniques using a variety of fibres for the project, crafting harmonious floor coverings that enhanced the resort’s magnificence and relaxing ambiance.

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TRADITIONAL HANDKNOTTED DESIGN FOR A REVITALIZED WINNIPEG HOME

Erica and Alan McLaughlin undertook the revival of an old home in Winnipeg's River Heights neighbourhood. They spent a good year refinishing and updating the rooms, and once complete, were ready for the final touches.

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CARING FOR WOOL CARPETS WITH CONFIDENCE

Creative Matters has used wool in our floor coverings for over 35 years, highlighting our dedication to this natural material. Over the years, we have worked closely with The International Wool Textile Organisation (IWTO), the leading global authority on wool standards. In 2022, Creative Matters' founder, Carol Sebert, was appointed chairperson of the Wool Interiors Working Group. This group includes members from 41 countries and collaborates with the IWTO Sustainability Group.

Recently, Carol spearheaded the creation of the IWTO Wool Carpet Care Guide with a group of the world’s leading industry experts and WoolSafe, an organization dedicated to advanced research into the care of wool products.

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REVEALING OUR 2019 LOOK BOOK

Following on the success of our two previous look books, we’re excited to announce that Inspired 3 is now available in hard copy (request one here) or for online viewing. Unlike the brochures for our collection rugs, each of our look books contains almost 200 images of original designs that can be used as a jumping off point for custom rug or wallcovering creations.

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INROADS INTO EUROPE: GROWING OUR GLOBAL PRESENCE

Creative Matters’ growth in Europe began with a landmark project — creating 19 carpets for La Samaritaine, the iconic Parisian department store’s grand reopening in 2021. Recognizing our exceptional range of handtufted and woven axminster carpet, Yabu Pushelberg chose us to enhance their prestigious project. This marked the beginning of our commercial entry into the European market.

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ELEGANT YET EDGY DESIGNS FOR A BOSTON INVESTMENT FIRM

Private equity firm Great Hill Partners looked to Gensler Boston to create a workplace that distinctly reflects their culture. Gensler designed a welcoming environment that pairs a dramatic palette with statement features and asked us create a series of six rugs in four complementary designs for the locations most visible to clients.

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A PINCH-ME MOMENT: CREATIVE MATTERS’ MILAN DESIGN WEEK DEBUT

April marked a major month for Creative Matters as we made our grand debut at Fuorisalone’s Milan Design Week. From April 16 - 21, we participated in the exceptional Menu 1 exhibition, hosted by COVER Magazine and Salon Magazine and curated by London-based designer Bodo Sperlein.

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NEED RUGS. MUST TRAVEL.

Rug designer may not sound like a career path that involves a wide variety of international travel but at Creative Matters it surely does. As in many jobs there are trade shows to attend, but what really racks up the passport stamps are the trips we make to supervise production of our rugs.

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DESIGN AND ARTISTRY CONVERGE AT COLLECTIBLE BRUSSELS

in March, Creative Matters took to Brussels to showcase at the seventh edition of COLLECTIBLE, a one-of-a-kind fair for 21st-century collectible design. Presented as an exhibition of art, rather than a traditional trade show, COLLECTIBLE serves as a pioneering international platform showcasing the best of contemporary artistic designs across all mediums.

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SNEAK PEEK AT A NEW COLLECTION

As we write 11 new rug designs are currently on the looms in Nepal. Talented weavers are recreating our two-dimensional compositions into textural beauties comprising thousands of hand-tied knots in wool and silk. Due for delivery in early September, they will form our Halcyon Collection.

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STEP BACK IN TIME: BECKFORD HOUSE’S PREWAR-INSPIRED RUG DESIGNS

In 2021, Beckford House, located in Manhattan’s Upper East Side, underwent an impressive renovation. Working directly with Studio Sofield, we designed eight custom floor coverings specifically tailored to the unique spaces of Beckford House. We created handknotted, handtufted and woven Axminster floor coverings to complement the residential building’s interior.

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EXPLORING ARTISANAL RUG MAKING EXCELLENCE IN NEPAL AND INDIA

Remarkably talented artisans handcraft our artistic floor covering designs. They are masters in traditional weaving methods, turning our designs into beautifully crafted rugs and carpets. In December 2023, Managing Partner Ali McMurter and Creative Director Sandra Ciganic-McKinney explored our mill in Nepal. In January 2024, Director of Design Development Anna Panosyan and Logistics Specialist Suhindhar Raveendiran Santhi ventured to our mill in India.

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

Welcome aboard the Entourage, a superyacht by Moran Yacht & Ship, and experience Creative Matters’ inaugural custom design project for a vessel of this kind. Created in collaboration with interior design studio Burdifilek, our team designed and installed 100% prism nylon handtufted rugs to enhance Entourage’s serene ambiance.

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

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.

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INTRODUCING ECOAX: A BIODEGRADABLE WOVEN AXMINISTER CARPET

When it comes to design, it’s often hard to decipher greenwashing from a true commitment to a product’s ethical life cycle. We have always tried to reduce our impact on the planet as much as possible and have been dedicated to finding solutions for every step of our process. This is why we are thrilled to share a breakthrough innovation in commercial carpeting — our new 100% biodegradable woven Axminster carpet, EcoAx.

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CREATIVE MATTERS RECAPS LES RENDEZ-VOUS DE LA MATIÈRE + FAIR(E)

On October 10 and 11, Creative Matters had the pleasure of participating in the ninth edition of Les Rendez-vous de la Matière + fair(e), an industry event dedicated to the exploration of innovative, artisanal materials for architecture, decoration and interior design.

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INTRODUCING YOU TO OUR NEWEST RUG DESIGNS, LAUNCHED AT COVER CONNECT NEW YORK

For the third consecutive year, Creative Matters had the pleasure of participating in COVER Connect New York, a boutique trade show for top-tier global rug brands, hosted by COVER magazine. This year was our most momentous show yet, unveiling three new collections: Vanguard, Arcadian, and Vista. Additionally, we unveiled our collaboration with Burdifilek and presented new additions to our Sonance and Macrame collections.

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THE END OF AN ERA AS FOUNDER CAROL SEBERT CLOSES HER CHAPTER AT CREATIVE MATTERS

After an incredible 35 years at the helm of Creative Matters and on the world stage of floor covering design, it is with mixed emotions we announce that Carol Sebert is moving on to other creative endeavours. While Carol creates more beautiful art in her studio at an old Ontario country house, Managing Partners Ana Cunningham and Ali McMurter are well-prepared to lead the firm into an exciting future. We asked Carol to look back on some key moments that made Creative Matters what it is today.

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PARIS DESIGN WEEK: BEHIND THE SCENES OF CREATIVE MATTERS’ REDOUX PASSAGER INSTALLATION

Earlier this month, the Creative Matters team took to Paris Design Week to unveil our highly anticipated Redoux Passager art installation. Collaborating for the second time with Paris design studio LOMA, known for their responsible and innovative design ethos, we set out to create an immersive experience representing our commitment to water stewardship in our rug design.

Creative Matters Inc 2023-09-07 Creative Matters Inc 2023-09-07

FUTURE-FOCUSED SOLUTIONS: UNVEILING CREATIVE MATTERS’ 2023 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT

Creative Matters is committed to the earth and the people on it. Our 2023 Sustainability Report highlights this commitment, exploring our current and forward-thinking practices for ensuring sustainability, fair trade and corporate social responsibility.

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STEP INSIDE CHALET: A NEW ADDITION TO THE MACRAME COLLECTION, LAUNCHING AT COVER CONNECT NEW YORK

Introducing the latest addition to Creative Matters' Macrame rug collection: the Chalet rug. The never-before-seen rug is set to make its debut at COVER Connect New York, the boutique trade show, held in central Manhattan, bringing together leading high-end rug designers, buyers and retailers from around the world.

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