Hannover—The finalists of the Carpet Design Awards 2016 have been named. In November, a jury nominated the best handmade designer carpets for the final round of the international competition. Presented in eight categories, the Carpet Design Awards honor the outstanding quality and design of the world’s best carpets. The number of entrants was particularly high this year, with a total of 320 carpets from 21 countries submitted vs. 250 entrants the previous year. Twenty-four carpets have made it through to the final round and will be on display at Domotex Hannover, slated for Jan. 16-19 here. The categories range from studio artist, classic/traditional and modern designs to best innovation. The winners of each category will be formally announced on Jan. 17 in the Innovations@Domotex area. Finalists are as follows:
Best Studio Artist Design
o   Re Orient, Studio Brieditis & Evans
o   Squeeze, Studio Brieditis & Evans
o   Beauty, Ayka Design
Best Modern Design Superior
o   Crystallized – Ice, Creative Matters
o   Aleph, Naziri OHG
o   Emerald 1, Art Resources
Best Modern Design Deluxe
o   Electric Taupe, Hossein Rezvani Design OHG
o   New Orleans from Bruno Moinard, Chevalier édition
- Taittu, Free Verse, Jaipur Rugs
Best Traditional Design
o   Yildiz, Öz-kent Hali
o   Marta Stripe, Rug and Kelim
o   Suzani, Wool & Silk
Best Transitional Design
o   Secret Garden, Naziri OHG
o   Reflection, Choudhary Exports
o   Persy from Samuel Accoceberry, Chevalier édition
Best Modern Collection
o   Origami Collection, Ayka Design
o   Free Verse, Jaipur Rugs
o   Landscapes Collection, Wool & Silk
Best Traditional Collection
o   Sumak Spezial, Theo Keller GmbH
o   Pine Garden, Rug Star GmbH
o   Ottoman Collection, Wool & Silk
Best Innovation
o   Glow, Zollanvari AG
o   Stereogram, Thibault Van Renne BVBA
o   Canvas, Papilio by Prado Rugs N.V.