Kasthall Opens NYC Showroom
April 3, 2008
NEW YORK, New York – Kasthall, a large designer and manufacturer of custom hand-tufted, hand-woven and wall-to-wall carpeting has just opened its new flagship location in New York City at the New York Design Center. The center will house the Swedish company's first full showroom in the U.S. as well as its offices. Kasthall will use the showroom to strengthen its North American markets as well as to showcase eight new product lines of runners and wall-to-wall carpeting that are set to launch this year.
Though its Lexington Avenue location will be the first to comprehensively showcase Kasthall's three floor-covering divisions and over 50+ product names, the company has been in New York for about three years. "The office we had before at 57th St. was supposed to be a showroom, but there was a problem with the size," said Simone Vingerhoets-Ziesmann, executive vice president of the North America division of Kasthall. It didn't adequately showcase the full capabilities of the company. We liked the size of this space [at the New York Design Center] and the building has a very great reputation. It is very active on the marketing side."
Vingerhoets added, "We are strengthening the existing market in the US and Canada. We have a new wall-to-wall carpet range and we are strengthening our contract here since we rely more heavily on retail in the U.S. Architects, designers, and hotel groups will be coming [to the location] since we cater to several different markets."
On April 3rd, Kasthall will host an event called "Enchanted Evening" to introduce industry professionals to the new space. Product developer Peter Magnusson will demonstrate how hand-tufting is done on a large loom set up for the occasion. "The technique is very free," Magnusson said. "We have been trained for many years and we have over 6,000 colors to use in our designs. This gives us an advantage in the industry – I'd say that we're the best in Europe. I'm not sure about the United States, but definitely in Europe."
The company currently sells to 35 countries worldwide on contract and retail levels. The latest project they did was at the London NYC, for which the wall-to-wall carpet design "Glenn" was used. "Over 50% of our exports are customized," said Kjell Brobacke, export manager. "Nearly everything we do is customized, that is what makes us unique." Gunilla Lagerhem Ullberg, chief designer at Kasthall, added "I could make a product customized for a project 18 years ago and it would still be running because we still have the colors in stock."
Eight new designs are set to launch at the Milan Salone International Furniture Fair and the International Contemporary Furniture Fair. Designer Anna Schou and Johan Carpner have created wall-to-wall carpeting and runners inspired by natural elements of the earth including wildflowers, water, and soil. "When wall-to-wall carpets came back, because they're very popular again, it was necessary for another designer to come on board," said Schou who joined the company about a year and a half ago. "With our new collections I wanted to show that we are doing something new with it."
Though its Lexington Avenue location will be the first to comprehensively showcase Kasthall's three floor-covering divisions and over 50+ product names, the company has been in New York for about three years. "The office we had before at 57th St. was supposed to be a showroom, but there was a problem with the size," said Simone Vingerhoets-Ziesmann, executive vice president of the North America division of Kasthall. It didn't adequately showcase the full capabilities of the company. We liked the size of this space [at the New York Design Center] and the building has a very great reputation. It is very active on the marketing side."
Vingerhoets added, "We are strengthening the existing market in the US and Canada. We have a new wall-to-wall carpet range and we are strengthening our contract here since we rely more heavily on retail in the U.S. Architects, designers, and hotel groups will be coming [to the location] since we cater to several different markets."
On April 3rd, Kasthall will host an event called "Enchanted Evening" to introduce industry professionals to the new space. Product developer Peter Magnusson will demonstrate how hand-tufting is done on a large loom set up for the occasion. "The technique is very free," Magnusson said. "We have been trained for many years and we have over 6,000 colors to use in our designs. This gives us an advantage in the industry – I'd say that we're the best in Europe. I'm not sure about the United States, but definitely in Europe."
The company currently sells to 35 countries worldwide on contract and retail levels. The latest project they did was at the London NYC, for which the wall-to-wall carpet design "Glenn" was used. "Over 50% of our exports are customized," said Kjell Brobacke, export manager. "Nearly everything we do is customized, that is what makes us unique." Gunilla Lagerhem Ullberg, chief designer at Kasthall, added "I could make a product customized for a project 18 years ago and it would still be running because we still have the colors in stock."
Eight new designs are set to launch at the Milan Salone International Furniture Fair and the International Contemporary Furniture Fair. Designer Anna Schou and Johan Carpner have created wall-to-wall carpeting and runners inspired by natural elements of the earth including wildflowers, water, and soil. "When wall-to-wall carpets came back, because they're very popular again, it was necessary for another designer to come on board," said Schou who joined the company about a year and a half ago. "With our new collections I wanted to show that we are doing something new with it."
