Industry Voices: Auda Sinda and Knots Rugs

Two voices from the rug industry—one from Europe and one from the US—discuss the changes their businesses have undergone due the pandemic. Amy Tyson, CEO & Creative Director of Auda Sinda in Bellingham, WA, and Bonnie Sutton MD and Head Designer at Knots Rugs, London also look to the year...

In the latest issue, COVER 65, Editor Lucy Upward talks to six international rug retailers about how the pandemic has changed their business and how they see the industry moving forwards in 2022. Here we present the fifth and sixth extended interviews online with Amy Tyson, CEO & Creative Director of Auda Sinda in Bellingham, WA, and Bonnie Sutton, MD and Head Designer at Knots Rugs, London.

Amy Tyson, CEO & Creative Director of Auda Sinda

What changes to your company have you noticed occur during the pandemic? I have noticed more conversation around purpose.

Is this something you see likely to stay in place post pandemic? Absolutely. We’re talking more about not only where we want to go but what is the appropriate speed to get there. I’ve needed reevaluate what it means to have healthy work boundaries and how to model that for the weavers.

Have customer buying habits changed due to Covid-19? The seasons are off. I have seen a drop off in orders at time when we are normally ramping up and also the opposite, a deluge of new projects in months we would normally see a slowdown.

How do you see design trends and buying trends developing in 2022? We are focused on what we can offer that is unique more so than upcoming design trends. We do have to pay attention to colour because people need our rugs to match fabrics and other products in the marketplace. We are getting a lot more requests for colourful rugs than ever before.

Bonnie Sutton, MD and Head Designer at Knots Rugs

What changes to your company have you noticed occur during the pandemic? A lot of projects are taking longer than usual, designers are taking their time, not all of them are back working in their offices. Shipping has gone up in price and continues to rise. We have made great progress in the USA and have found that this area of our business as seen good growth in this time.

Is this something you see likely to stay in place post pandemic? Difficult to say but we don’t think there will be much change in the near future.

Have customer buying habits changed due to Covid-19? Retail not so much, as we are high end product and customers still need to see the product, though we are working more on an appointment basis in our London showroom

How do you see design trends and buying trends developing in 2022? We are still seeing an upward trend towards traditional rug designs. There is a much higher focus and demand for sustainable products and materials.