The January Furniture Show was accompanied by the second edition of The Furniture Awards, and another collection of worthy winners across each of the awards’ three pricing tiers. Setting out to identify some of the exhibition’s most eye-catching, well-priced and commercially viable launches, The Furniture Awards were created by Furniture News magazine in partnership with the show’s organiser. After shortlisting the most promising entries, the judges, led by awards co-ordinator Paul Farley, walked the halls of the NEC prior to the show’s opening to evaluate the launches in person.

The expert judging panel for this year’s edition comprised: Maxim Romain, general manager for Wayfair Europe; visual merchandising consultant Andrew Durham; ACID CEO and co-founder Dids Macdonald OBE; and Malcolm Walker, director of buying for Furniture Village. This year’s edition was sponsored by bed specialist Dreams.

Entered in a striking mustard and grey colourway, Hong Kong, China 7526 is one of the latest in a popular collection of 100% acrylic rugs from the Stoke-on-Trent-based Think Rugs, a rebrand of Oriental Carpets and Rugs.

Hong Kong, China 7526 is available in three sizes – 90 x 150cm, 120 x 170cm and 150 x 230cm, and represents high value for money.Manufactured and hand-tufted in China, its modern design combines a geometric pattern with a stylish, on-trend colour palette.

“Geometrics are in, and the colours are bang on trend – greys, charcoal and mustards are fashion colours, but also easy to furnish around”

“The combination of a striking design and colours that are exactly what consumers are currently looking for has meant that this product has become incredibly popular,” says product development manager Sam Tippett.

Think Rugs imports and distributes oriental, modern and traditional rugs, and stocks contemporary and traditional designs in wool and acrylic from India, China and various sources in Europe.

That a rug scooped the top place in this category against several shortlisted furniture entries is testament to the strength of Hong Kong, China’s combination of style and value.
“It’s very commercial," said the judges. "Good price point, colour and texture – I imagine the margins are going to be great. It ticks a lot of boxes.

“Lovely colours, and, even though it’s acrylic, it’s got a good quality feel to it. It sold itself – it’s a clear winner in this category.

“Geometrics are in, and the colours are bang on trend – greys, charcoal and mustards are fashion colours, but also easy to furnish around, given the amount of plain fabrics in the marketplace at the moment.”