As the number of carpet companies exhibiting at Surfaces continues to dwindle, mills are looking for ways to separate themselves from a shrinking field. Many are targeting color as the differentiator—and staking their claim to it.
“We are the color PET kings in solution dyed,” said Greg Scott, director of product development, carpet, at Shaw Floors.
“2026 is the year of color,” said Eric Ruppert, vice president of soft surface product development and marketing for Engineered Floors. “Everyone can do color, but we can do color better than anyone else, even with solution dyed. Our color is the fiber.”
T.M. Nuckols, president of the residential division of The Dixie Group, added, “Color is a separator. We can custom color to match the sample the customer sends to us. From 35 yards and up we can customize it through our regular dyeing process.”
Indeed, color was a prevailing theme no matter which booth you visited. Mohawk unveiled a major refresh of its SmartStrand Color Wall, with new 70-oz. options and expanded multicolor and accent offerings. Patterns such as Luxuriant Path and Luxuriant Weave will now be incorporated into the Color Wall assortment, allowing consumers to visualize coordinated styles throughout their home.
“We are investing in the product lines and innovations that matter most,” said Jared Coffin, vice president of product management, soft surface. “When we pair SmartStrand with other fibers, we create carpets that deliver enhanced design aesthetics, rich color depth and superior performance. This year’s updates bring more coordinated colorations into the mix, giving consumers a whole-home solution.”
Shaw Floors offers its own reimagined ColorWall, which is exclusive to Shaw Flooring Network members and designed to simplify whole-home design. The updated destination features six new carpet styles, each available in 35 colors. Designed to work seamlessly alongside Shaw Floors’ hard surface portfolio, ColorWall gives consumers a single, cohesive starting point to design their home.
Something old … and something really old
Berber carpet is experiencing something of a resurgence in popularity due to its reputation as one of the most durable and long-lasting carpet types available. Originally known for its looped, often wool construction, modern iterations are popular for their thick texture and ability to handle high-traffic areas.
A case in point is Engineered Floors, which introduced five new carpets with Berber, led by Meteoric PureColor. “The Berbs are back,” Ruppert said. “This is not your grandma’s Berber.”
Ruppert said Berber appeals to Gen Z customers who are “nostalgia” buyers, “which is why you are seeing colors from the 1990s coming back. This is soft Berber that performs.”
While Berber carpet—named after the North African Berber people—has been around for thousands of years, with roots tracing back to the Paleolithic era (Stone Age), Stanton Design was showcasing another type of fiber that has been around for a mere 500 years. That would be Lincoln wool, a rare, historic breed originating from Lincolnshire, England, known for producing the heaviest, longest and most lustrous fleece of any sheep.
Baragos, the first Lincoln wool Stanton has introduced for broadloom, and Artistic Studios, also made of 100% Lincoln wool, were among the standouts at the Stanton booth. “It’s the most expensive carpet we’ve ever sold, and I’ve had customers buy rolls of them,” said Adam Feldberg, senior director of product and innovation for Stanton.
Stanton did not have its usual 100+ introductions of soft surface, preferring instead for a curated selection of around 50. They included Cherry Blossom, a 100% solution-dyed polypropelene. A few new offerings were constructed of UV-stabilized, 100% solution-dyed acrylic fiber, which has been tested for all types of stains. “We wanted to develop a synthetic fiber that was 100% bulletproof,” Feldberg said.
Coming of age
The presence of carpet mills continues to decrease at Surfaces, but as some mills stay away, others are growing their footprint.
Ten years ago, Kaleen exhibited in a 10 x 15-foot space and showed nine products. This year, it showcased 23 new styles in a 40 x 60 booth. “Surfaces has turned out better results for us each year, and we’re not taking a step back,” said Blake Dennard, senior vice president of sales. “It would take us nine months in the field to accomplish what we accomplish here in three days.”
At Surfaces, Kaleen held nearly 300 meetings, during which it showcased products from its four divisions. “Our customers were calling us and saying, ‘We need new products,’” said Monty Rathi, co-owner/COO.
On that point, Kaleen delivered.
Couristan celebrated its 100th anniversary in grand fashion at Surfaces, inviting guests to the booth for a three-hour cocktail reception on day one. The company set up a commemorative wall with video screens honoring the past. As for the present and future, Couristan met the moment with 112 new products, the biggest launch in company history. “We have two to three years of introductions here,” said Len Andolino, president. “We wanted to make sure we filled the pipeline with outstanding products.”
Calling it “the honor of a lifetime to hold the mantle of president of this great company,” Andolino said it is remarkable that one family, the Couris, have run the company for a century. “Our industry should celebrate one of their own,” Andolino said.
Business on the show floor
Tarkett Home had reason to celebrate its booth activity, which turned into business and exceeded the expectations of executives including Jason Surratt, president. “This can be a selling show,” Surratt said. “Display placements, orders, stocking buys. I’m seeing a lot of activity.”
A hit at the show was PAWSH, a solution-dyed nylon. “It fills a void for us,” Surratt said. “There are still plenty of customers who want nylon. I think the SD story is resonating.”
The company also showed Icon, a solution-dyed PET Cloud 9 product that features a dimensional surface enhanced by soft stria highlights.
Southwind, too, got down to business at the show, introducing four new patterns, all solution-dyed polyester, at price points that it said will hit the mark. Highlights included Coastal Image, which is produced using specialized tufting equipment and advance color twist technology; and Natural Terrain, a patterned level cut and loop carpet with a stylish random design created through layers or loops and cuts that add depth and contrast. “From soup to nuts I’d put our carpet up with anyone,” said Drew Hash, president and CEO of Southwind.
