The Recent Scene in the Indian Carpet Export Industry

The carpeting industry first made its appearance in the sixteenth century, and today it has become the largest producer and exporter of handmade carpets in both value and volume. Approximately, 90 percent of such handmade carpets are exported to other countries due to their magnificent designs, brilliant colors and excellent quality. That’s not all; Indian handwoven carpets are featured in the best home decorating magazines all over the world as well. India is home to a rich testimony of craftsmanship and cultural diversity in the variety of carpets that produced on an annual basis, as follows:

•        Indo-Persian: Produced in Varanasi, Shahjahanpur, Agra, and Jodhpur
•          Silk: Produced in Kashmir
•         Wool and Silk: Produced in Jaipur and Agra
•         Handtufted: Produced in Panipat and Bhadohi
•         Ziegler: Produced in Agra
•          Kilim: Produced in Panipat, Mirzapur, and Rajasthan

Apart from the types of carpets mentioned, the industry includes Chindi (recycled) and contemporary carpets as well. These carpets are exported to the United States of America, Germany, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the United Arab Emirates. Though Denmark and Sweden comprise a very small market, they are in turn connected to large retail chains such as IKEA. All the exports are handled by the apex body Carpet Export Promotion Council (CEPC) that identifies new markets, sponsors participation in international events, provides financial aid, resolves trade disputes and arranges buyer-seller gatherings.

Though Indian carpets are revered for their assortment in design and colors, the export industry has slumped in the last five years. Traditionally, carpet trade was separated from other home textile products but has been recently integrated into the same channel. They are now readily available in mainstream retail chains and departmental stores at the expense of the wholesalers and importers. In other words, customers have resorted to buying from the suppliers due to larger quantities at a reasonable cost. Customers now lean towards sustainable products using natural wood and recycled yarns with natural dyes.

Mahavir Pratap Sharma (Immediate Past Chairman of the CEPC) has been quoted as saying, exporters need constant funding at an international interest rate and the retraction of state taxes and duty at par with international competitors. However,Sanjay Kumar (Director of the CEPC) is more hopeful as he aims to goal a 50 percent share in the global carpet export. On the other hand, India’s import and export chart has remained unchanged in 2018-2019 as per the Economic Survey of India (2019).

As per the current insights, the carpet industry is dominated by the mid-end segment due to the increasing demand for high quality and attractive designs yet at a reasonable price. Yet, the growth in the real estate sector and product quality is likely to impact the carpet market in the USA as well. Since most carpet business owners are seasoned individuals, they prefer upfront payment over online medium due to better checking of quality, color, and design.

Coming to future trends of the carpet export industry, buyers now demand mid-segment carpets while the demand for high-end products is expected to rise only marginally. However, there are vendor challenges such as delayed delivery, and disparities regarding sample and product at hand. Thus, the Indian government is expected to ensure improved quality and online payment options, online and social media marketing along with participation in international trade fairs to promote the handwoven carpet business.

Interior design spreads its wings to office spaces

The 2019 offices take most of our time, so much so that we easily end up spending more than half of a day at work. When the workplace becomes more than just a place to work, the need for happy and creative vibes arises. And that is why we see interior designing not just limited to homes anymore. Scrolling through top interior design magazines will give an idea of how the present-day workspaces are being done to take care of employee health.

The idea of a workspace can no longer be constrained to the binomial chair-desk archetype. Most offices are divided into a mix of spaces allowing for one or other or a mix of these: private offices, open plan seating, and collaborative spaces. While private offices are sanctuaries providing scope for heightened concentration, open-plan offices, and collaborative spaces are ideal spaces to explore ideas and synergies. The solution thus lies in combination with the above-mentioned spaces.

The ideal office

The homo sapiens frame isn’t meant to sit on chairs and in cubicles all day. The remedy is to use meaningful design interventions. An ideal work environment is a space like home yet not the same as home; without rigid spaces or clearly marked hierarchies, but a balance between comfort and discipline.

The de-stress fundamentals of light and color

Natural light is essential, it being the most evenly balanced source of white light and because of the beauty in its capacity to change through the day. Spaces that receive minimum sunlight should have a combination of general, task, and daylight-replicating lighting. Experts say, yellow-cast illumination is the most-effective lighting and placement angles between computer screens and light are important to avoid glare and eyestrain.

A no-tech zone is a must in the present-day workspace where all we see is a lot of wires, cables and chargers, personal computers and laptops, and multiple gadgets. A space to unwind would only gear up an employee and increase efficiency.

Green mind-set

                                                                 

While offering comfort, a workplace must consider sustainability. Items such as recycled glass countertops, use of woods from sustainable forestry and products that are recyclable are steps towards a lower carbon footprint.

Also, at the pace urban spaces are growing, suffocation levels are increasing, and it certainly makes sense to incorporate greenery at workplaces. This is where interior designing and architecture steps in, as bringing the outdoors inside should not only be about flair but functionality as well.

In the end, to think that workspaces follow a trend would be naïve, they evolve with the need of the user. The office of the future could be several styles mixed together or follow no pattern at all but it will definitely offer sovereignty.

Go ahead with an interior design magazinesubscription and you will see where the office design is headed in the future. Architects have been reshaping the office for decades now, and the current layout points towards flexibility and multipurpose spaces.