Carpets as Art, in Wool, Silk and Cashmere

Julia Tonconogy Pfeiffer studied art in Buenos Aires and at Parsons in New York.

Then three years ago, she started her own line of carpets at Jt. Pfeiffer.

They’re not just for floors. Some of her pieces are designed to hang on walls as well – in homes, hotels and corporate offices.

They’re all about craftsmanship. “I love art and design and want to use them both,” she says. “These are functional pieces of art.”

They’re woven in Nepal by skilled artisans working in Tibetan wool, silk and cashmere.

Jt. Pfeiffer is a member of Goodweave, the international organization committed to end child labor in the carpet industry and offer educational opportunities to children in weaving communities in India, Nepal and Afghanistan. It is the only organization working in carpet communities that rescues children from labor and provides them long-term support.

She’s inspired and influenced in her designs for handmade rugs by designs from the 1930s, ‘50s and ‘70s. “But I work with modern and basic furniture for ambience and style,” she says.

Her target market? Architects and interior designers in search of custom weaving for large or small spaces.

Carpet sizes could be as small as two feet by three feet, or three feet by four. But they could be as large as needed for a hotel or corporate lobby as well.

All are made completely by hand, with prices for the smaller pieces that begin at $650 and range up to $1,200.

All, though, share a common symmetry and geometry, reminiscent of oil on canvas.

For more, go here.

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