Press / Designer Installations / Events

Holiday Closure December 23 2020

Indoor / Outdoor Patio area rug collection December 01 2020

Our designer liaison Sean introducing Patio Collection. Patio is quite versatile and may be specified in custom colors and sizes.

Lily Banning X Kush Rugs November 16 2020

One of our favorite challenges is translating an artist's work into rugs. It’s not easy, especially when the artwork is a painting. The dimensionality of paint on canvas is an expression. The blending of pigments is a harmony. The quiet detail of a brush stroke is a sixth sense. How does one communicate all of this in a series of knots? How does one mimic a subtle flow of colors in dyed wool and silk?

When Lily Banning visited us, late on a Friday afternoon, to ask us if we ever took on projects like this, we were immediately taken by her. Lily is clearly passionate about her work, but seemed equally as energized by the medium of rugs as an outlet for her creativity. It’s a fine distinction, but an important one. When the artist can possess a love for both mediums, the result is better. This was absolutely true for the Banning Rugs.

The first step in custom rugs is always the same: selecting colors, materials and construction. Lily's paintings, being complex and nuanced, demanded a fine, hand-knotted construction with wools that allow soft shifts in tone.

We felt that raised silk would be an important ingredient as a way to convey the painting’s play with light and shadows. We specified several different ply techniques to convey the texture of brush strokes. And we integrated subtle color tweeds to suggest the flow of pigments.

The artisans in Nepal possess legendary weaving skills, and imbue every rug they create with an artist’s rhythm. Their deep experience with custom work makes it easy to navigate complicated projects like this one. We start with computer renderings-- maps which specify each knot. From approved drawings, we ordered samples, which are treasures all on their own.

After approving the samples, Lily was ready to move on to full size pieces. Weaving took several months, and we were updated by our team in Nepal with regular progress shots. These progress shots are consistently wonderful and remind us of the history of rug weaving- its importance in the world.

The finished rugs, shown below, are magnificent. Shimmering jewels, full of emotion and movement, telling the stories of artists on opposite ends of the earth.

We are honored to have partnered with Lily Banning to produce these remarkable rugs.

Banning Rugs may be ordered direct through the artist. Check out these rugs and her other work here.

Round & Round November 06 2020

Sometimes the perfect rug, is a round rug.

There are two easy ways to generate round options for your space. Kush can re-scale and edit a design from our catalogue, or create a bespoke design. Here's a striking example of a custom round piece.

Custom design | 9' Round | 6mm pile, wool and silk.

FALL SALE!!! October 02 2020

Our Annual Sale is Here!

Since life is more complicated these days, we wanted to give you a run down of how this will work…

Sale Dates: October 5th through October 19th.

4 Ways to Shop the Sale!

Come see us: Gallery visits are by appointment only, Monday through Friday, 10AM-5PM. Please schedule your appointment here. Rugs may be taken home for a 24 hour trial period- please limit to 3 rug options per space.

Curbside Pickup: Rugs can be picked up curbside, Monday through Friday, 10AM-5PM, for a 24 hour trial period. Please make your selections online, email or call with your selections, and give us 24 hours to prepare for your pickup. Please limit to 3 rug options per space. Availability is not guaranteed as sale rugs are on a first come first serve basis.

Porch Drop Off: Rugs can be dropped off at your place (if it’s within Portland or the immediate suburbs), Monday through Friday, 10AM-5PM, for a 24 hour trial period. Please make your selections online, email or call with your selections and requested time frame for drop-off, and give us 24 hours to prepare. Please limit to 3 rug options per space. Availability is not guaranteed as sale rugs are on a first come first serve basis.

Buy Online: Rugs can be purchased online through our website. Shipping is free of charge one way in the continental US. All rugs purchased online are final sales.

All sales are final! We encourage you to take advantage of our 24 hour trial period before making a final selection!

Covid Precautions:

We are limiting the number of people in the gallery at all times. All staff will be masked, and will be keeping 6 foot distance. We ask you to do the same. If you need a mask, one will be provided to you.

We look forward to helping you beautify your home!

Dwell Magazine | Geremia Design June 01 2020

Geremia Design's Presidio Project featured in Dwell Magazine. Infinite thanks to Geremia Design for coming to Kush with your custom rug vision, and photographer Aaron Leitz for taking truly stunning photos of the finished installation.