Odegard’s Verte Collection Wins Innovative Green Design Award for Floor Coverings


Rays shown in maize
Odegard was recognized for its long history of socially conscious practices and its innovative use of hemp in its Verte Collection and was recognized for usage of this innately sustainable material because it is an underutilized fabric that has a much smaller production burden than others. The Verte Collection utilizes hemp, Shishnu, a giant Himalayan nettle plant, wool and other natural fibers to create carpets that are as ecofriendly as they are beautiful.  Stephanie Odegard is a founding board member of GoodWeave, which has curtailed child labor in weaving industries.  For more information, please click here.

Winners Announced in The Odegard Award For Excellence In Rug Design Competition


Stephanie Odegard and gold prize recipient Alice Serres
New York, NYJune 8, 2010

View all winning designs here

The top three winners were announced on Monday, June 7th at The Odegard Award for Excellence in Rug Design Awards Ceremony, hosted at the Museum of Arts and Design, in New York City.  Industry luminaries Holly Hotchner, the Directorof the Museum of Arts and Design together with David McFadden, the Museum’s Chief Curator; industrial designer Stephen Burks; textile designer Jack Lenor Larsen; fashion designer Mary McFadden; artist Michele Oka Doner; Cavin Tsao, co-founder of Tsao & McKown Architects; and Stephanie Odegard, founder of Odegard Inc., juried over 400 handcrafted student submissions. The competition was created to show student designers how combining modern designs with traditional hand knotting techniques can increase awareness and respect for the legacy of textile and carpet weaving.

The Gold prizewinner Alice Serres of University of Georgia receives a 6 x 9 carpet produced by Odegard from her design, and a $1,500 cash prize. The winning design will also be offered for sale in all Odegard showrooms, with the winner receiving a royalty on the sales of her design. The Silver and a $1,000 cash prize went to Rebeccah Hardman of Utah State University. The Bronze was presented to Lindsey Brown of Utah State University who received a $500 cash prize. All three students were awarded complimentary roundtrip airfare and two nights at a hotel to attend the awards ceremony last evening at the Museum of Arts and Design.

The Stephen Burks Jurors Awards went to Chelsea Bush, Syracuse University.  The Michele Oka Jurors Awards went to Nicole Martin, Florida State University.  The Holly Hotchner Jurors Awards went to Abby Savage, Utah State University.  The Jack Lenor Jurors Awards went to Cassandra Carter, Utah State University.  The David Revere McFadden Jurors Awards went to Tracey Darragh, Western Kentucky University.  The Mary McFadden Jurors Awards went to Emily Kozik, School of the Art Institute of Chicago.  The Stephanie Odegard Jurors Awards went to Abby Savage, Utah State University.  The Calvin Tsao Jurors Awards went to Martha Rex, Utah State University.

Addressed exclusively to university and college students in the field of the arts, applicants were encouraged to offer designs with inspiration reflecting the spirit of Odegard’s mission by combining a modern aesthetic with traditional weaving methods. The entries were judged on the merits of artistic execution and the originality of their design vision combined with the use of natural materials. Odegard hopes the competition will launch careers and help aspiring designers bridge the gap between academia and a professional life in the design world.

Following the work Stephanie Odegard has been personally involved in for over two decades; she believes this competition will demonstrate for a new generation of designers that it is possible to create luxury design through traditional industries while sustaining the artisans and local communities responsible for their production.
Odegard’s Navaratna Rug at the Cooper Hewitt’s Triennial: Why Design Now?


Navaratna shown in amaranth red
On View May 14, 2010 to January 9, 2011

Cooper Hewitt, National Design Museum
2 East 91st Street, New York, NY 10128

In the exhibition, Stephanie Odegard’s rugs embody the idea that beautifully—and responsibly—made objects reflect a higher level of awareness, appreciation, and compassion. In this representational design, the Navaratna, depicts nine gemstones, whose traditional arrangement symbolizes celestial forces in Indian culture. The rug carries the GoodWeave label. GoodWeave is an certification program that seeks to end illegal child labor in the rug industry; surprise inspections ensure factories are compliant. Odegard’s was the first American company to work with GoodWeave. Sales of her carpets carrying the label support educational opportunities for children in South Asia.

For more information, visit the Cooper Hewitt Triennial website.
Stephanie Odegard’s Presentation at NYSID


Stephanie Odegard
Weaving Together Sustainability & Design
The Sally Henderson Memorial Lecture on Green Design

Wednesday, April 28, 6 pm

New York School of Interior Design
170 East 70th Street
New York, NY 10021

Stephanie Odegard’s fascinating presentation will illustrate the time-honored craft of handmade rugs and furniture as well as share highlights of her journeys in remote places with traditional artisans. She will demonstrate how, with Odegard’s pioneering designs and environmentally sustainable practices, a socially responsible business is not only viable, but provides for and enriches a dignified way of life for artisans, craftspeople and their families. Learn about Odegard’s commitment to the future of sustainable interior design and how GoodWeave’s certification standard will include a new, more comprehensive set of environmental and social requirements.
In Observance of Earth Day, Stephanie Odegard Presents at the Philbrook Museum



Sustainable Design and Social Responsibility

Thursday, April 15, Presentation at 6:30 PM
Patti Johnson Wilson Auditorium

From 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM, enter a Vegetable Dye Identification Contest and join Stephanie for a Carding and Spinning Demonstration

PHILBROOK MUSEUM OF ART
2727 SOUTH ROCKFORD ROAD
TULSA, OK 74114

For more information, www.philbrook.org or tel. 918 749 7941
Art Basel Miami 2009 Artist's Series On Display


Blame It on My Youth, oil on canvas
"Garden of Re-Enchantment", with abstract paintings by Yolanda Sánchez will be on display through April 30, 2010.

Odegard Miami is pleased to show paintings by Yolanda Sánchez.  Between the bold strokes and the paint, the colors poetically and romantically burst like an enchanted garden which results in a playful tension between the abstract and the tangible and physical.  A working artist, Yolanda Sánchez has exhibited her work in dozens of venues and her paintings form part of public collections at the Graham University Center and The Art Museum at Florida International University, and the Museum of Art in Fort Lauderdale.


Odegard Miami
Miami Design District
3621 NE Miami Court
305 576 7166
Faces of Freedom: Behind the Looms and Odegard at the Miami Airport Galleries


RugMark's photography exhibition by U. Roberto Romano documenting efforts to end child labor in South Asia's carpet industry and a selection of child-labor-free carpets by Odegard are on display:

November 19, 2009 to July 2010 
Miami International Airport Galleries
South Terminal Gallery
Terminal J. International Greeters Lobby and
4th Floor Level Mezzanine

On, Thursday, November 19, 2:00 to 5:00 pm
Reception with keynote speaker: Donna E. Shalala, University of Miami
In addition, the returned Peace Corps volunteers of South Florida will be honored

On behalf of Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Alvarez, Chairman Dennis C. Moss and the Board of County Commissioners,

The Division of Fine Arts & Cultural Affairs at Miami International Airport gratefully acknowledges our partners,


Odegard is Interior Design Magazine Awards Honoree


Felt Stripes, shown in multi color
Odegard is chosen as a 2009 Interior Design Magazine Best of Year Product Design honoree for Carpet: Rugs category for the Best of Year Awards 2009 for its Felt Stripes rug.  Product Design honorees were selected by interior designers and architects via an online vote and winners are determined by a jury of leading architects and designers.  For more information, click here. 
Stephanie Odegard Presents at Green on Three in San Francisco Design Center


Sepen, shown in husk
World Sustainability and Social Responsibility
Presentation by Stephanie Odegard
11:30 am to 12:30 pm

A Global Vision of the Next Phase of Interior Design:
World Sustainability, Social Responsibility and Greening Your Business Model
A discussion with Stephanie Odegard, Deniece Duscheone of SKIN Design and
Barbara Hall of Dekayu; moderated by Laurie de Jong of Chimere.
3:00 pm to 4:00 pm

 These events are part of Green on Three, at the San Francisco Design Center Showplace, where you can learn how to make design and product decisions that are harmonious for your business, your clients, and your world. 

Wednesday, October 21
SFDC Showplace Building - Third Floor
2 Henry Adams Street, San Francisco
The Most Beautiful Rug Has a More Beautiful Label


RugMark presents GoodWeave, the new label for its rug certification program. Like the RugMark label that it replaces, GoodWeave offers the best assurance that your carpet or rug is child-labor-free, and will reflect a new rug industry standard to incorporate broader labor and environmental criteria.

RugMark's mission remains the same: to eliminate exploitative child labor and provide educational opportunities for children in South Asian weaving communities.

Odegard is deeply committed to the RugMark Foundation and Odegard rugs bear the new GoodWeave label.
Stephanie Odegard Awarded the ASID Individual Product Prize


The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) is the leading organization for interior design professionals.  Each year, ASID honors the Society’s most distinguished members and design visionaries as recipients of the annual ASID Awards. This year’s honorees were recognized at Celebration: The ASID Design Awards, during the Society’s annual Chapter Leadership Conference. A jury of esteemed members of the design community, including Deborah Lloyd Forrest, FASID; Robert Nieminem, editor, Interiors & Sources magazine; and Brad Powell, editor, Office Insight, selected winners in six categories: Designer of Distinction, Design for Humanity, Corporate and Individual Product Prizes, Educator of Distinction and Patron’s Prize.  Stephanie Odegard was selected and awarded the 2009 ASID Individual Product Prize for leading the way for socially-conscious carpet manufacturing.
Odegard Unveils New Showroom in the Dallas Design District


The new street level, 4,400-square-foot showroom, will feature an expanded selection of Odegard's luxurious hand-knotted carpets and meticulously crafted one-of-a-kind furniture pieces and objects from The Stephanie Odegard Collection.

Odegard is hosting an opening party, sponsored by FDLuxe Magazine, on July 30, 2009.  The showroom will showcase carpets from the recently launched Mughal and Mughal Jewelry Collection, inspired by the unsurpassed design legacy of 17th-century India. At the opening will be a live demonstration on the hand knotting techniques that goes into the making of every Odegard Carpet.

To help celebrate their grand opening, Faces of Freedom, a traveling photo exhibit from the Rugmark Foundation with photography by U. Roberto Romano, will be on display until August 28, 2009.  Visit http://facesoffreedom.rugmark.org/gallery for more information.  In conjunction is an exhibit of the moving and poignant photography of Tibetan refugees by Nancy Jo Johnson.

The Odegard Dallas Showroom,
has moved from Slocum Street, to
154 Glass Street, Suite 102 in Dallas, Texas 75207
Odegard and Interior Design Magazine Hosts Panel Discussion during Neocon in Chicago
Moderated by Editor in Chief Cindy Allen


 
Featuring Hall of Fame Designer Lauren Rottet, and award winning carpet
designer and Odegard founder Stephanie Odegard.

Find out how two successful design pioneers are steering their global
businesses during this challenging environment and about their plans to
emerge stronger than ever suing innovative design, international expansion
and a focused vision.

Learn about Rottet Studio's latest projects and preview Odegard's Decorative
+ Architectural Surfaces collection, a new division of Odegard featuring
handmade hard surfaces for use as architectural paneling, wall coverings and
custom case goods.

Monday, June 15, 2:00 pm

Odegard Chicago
1828 Chicago Merchandise Mart Plaza, 18th Floor
312 644 9638 or chicago@odegardinc.com

During Neocon, express elevators to the 18th floor
Odegard Opens Flagship Showroom in the San Francisco Design Center

The third-floor, 2,875-square-foot San Francisco Design Center showroom will feature Odegard’s iconic, elegant and luxurious hand-knotted classic yet modern wool carpets and meticulously crafted one-of-a-kind furniture pieces and objects from The Stephanie Odegard Collection.

Odegard is hosting an opening party, sponsored by Dwell Magazine, on May 14, 2009.  The showroom will showcase carpets from the recently launched Mughal Collection, inspired by the unsurpassed design legacy of 17th-century India.

To help celebrate their grand opening, Faces of Freedom, a traveling photo exhibit from the Rugmark Foundation with photography by U. Roberto Romano, will be on display until June 13, 2009.  Visit http://facesoffreedom.rugmark.org/gallery for more information.

The Odegard San Francisco Showroom, is located in the San Francisco Design Center at 2 Henry Adams Street, Suite 330, San Francisco, CA 94103.
“Faces of Freedom” Photography Exhibit Opens in Russell Rotunda February 2


The Exhibit Commemorates the 10th Anniversary of International Labor Organization Convention 182 Against Worst Forms of Child Labor & Honors Senator Tom Harkin for His Work to End Exploitative Child Labor

RugMark’s nationally touring “Faces of Freedom” photography exhibit makes its Capitol Hill debut at the Russell Senate Rotunda. The photographs were taken by acclaimed documentary photographer and human rights advocate U. Roberto Romano during visits to South Asia from 1996 through 2007. This collection of black and white and color photographs depicts illegal child labor in the handmade rug industry and RugMark’s innovative human rights programs and child-labor free rug certification program designed to eradicate it. For many of these children, RugMark schools and centers provided their first opportunity to be in a classroom or playground.

The exhibit is offered by RugMark Foundation USA, a nonprofit working to end exploitative child labor in South Asia’s handmade carpet industry, in partnership with the U.S. Fund for UNICEF. The foundation maintains the only recognized certification program to insure that carpets are made free of child labor; its funds are used for education and welfare of the children. All Odegard® carpets bear the RugMark® label.

The exhibit is open February 2 to February 6, 2009, at the Russell Senate Building, Independence Avenue and Constitution Avenue, Washington, DC 20510 (Union Station, red line); building hours are 7am-10pm; admission is free and open to the public.

For more information, visit www.facesoffreedom.rugmark.org

Faces of Freedom will be hosted in venues across North America throughout 2009 to herald the progress that has been made in the fight against child labor worldwide. Venues include the Miami International Airport and the Children’s Theater of Minneapolis.

Odegard Hand-Knotted Carpets Decorate the Floors of Luxury Hotels


Valeriana rug at the Cove at the Atlantis


Ribs & Loops rug with white metal tables at the Roger Williams

The new luxury hotel in New York's Tribeca neighborhood, Greenwich Hotel, features Odegard hand knotted carpets, hand carved marble side-tables and handcrafted copper clad furniture in its lobby and corridors. The hotel opened in April 2008, designed by the Rockwell Group, Grayling Design and Samantha Crasco.

Recently installed in the lobby of the Roger Williams hotel in New York, Odegard’s hand knotted vegetal dyed carpets add warmth to the lobby. The reception desk, clad with hand hammered white metal, was custom made from the Stephanie Odegard Environments Collection.

For the Cove at the Atlantis on Paradise Island, architect Jeffrey Beers customized Odegard’s hand-knotted carpets to be inset in a marble floor for the VIP check in area as well as other vignettes in the lobby.
Odegard Showcases Mughal Hand Paintings in Washington Design Center DC Showroom


Stephanie Odegard has selected a collection of arguably some of the most acclaimed current Jaipur reproduction artists’ paintings to exhibit in her showroom. The Odegard DC showroom presents this collection along with Stephanie’s carpet and home furnishings collections inspired by the rich Mughal period of India (1560-1660).

The Odegard DC showroom in the Washington Design Center hosts a display collection of Mughal paintings reproduced by contemporary artisans from Jaipur, India. This display is running in concurrence with The Sackler Museum’s MURAQQA exhibition: Imperial Mughal Albums from the Chester Beatty Library, Dublin May 3, 2008 – August 3, 2008.

Open to the public: Monday through Friday 9 am – 5 pm

Odegard
Washington Design Center
300 D Street, Suite # 519 SW
Orange / Blue Line @ Federal Center SW
202.484.5888

Letter from Stephanie Odegard - April 2008


 Every day, think as you wake up, today I am fortunate to have woken up, I am alive, I have a precious human life, I am not going to waste it, I am going to use all my energies to develop myself, to expand my heart out to others, to achieve enlightenment for the benefit of all beings…I am going to benefit others as much as I can.

H.H. the XIV Dalai Lama

Everything would be a lot different if that were always among our first thoughts every morning. Given the conditions today in many parts of the world, it is tempting to turn away and to shield oneself from the reality…the turmoil, the terrorism, the extreme poverty and abuse of basic human rights that has led to this most disturbing state of affairs.

During my travels, while visiting places where our work is done, conditions in many cases are harsh. Looking at everything with my eyes wide open is difficult to bear. Sometimes I think it would be easier to go someplace else and do something different, and not to look at it at all.

But there is another way of viewing this condition and a far better way of dealing with these issues than to turn a blind eye. We can encourage, and embrace any opportunity to better understand our place and purpose in the global existence, and to affect change, however slight. There are opportunities and ways for us to do this, to benefit others as much as we can.

One is through the work that we do. Mine, is to bring you - an appreciative, sophisticated, enlightened audience - a beautiful handmade product from a place and a people who greatly benefit from being able to participate in its production.

Another way is through one’s knowledgeable and educated purchase, in consciously choosing products made in a responsible, sustainable manner, and in conditions where human rights are respected, where people are paid fairly, and where standards of living are being improved through fair labor practices. We are working through a lot of tough issues surrounding our production in many places and it is not the time to abandon them. Now, more than ever, to continue engaging through improving the lives of our producers through the process can make a difference and we can all have a hand in that.

Stephanie Odegard
Odegard Introduces Extravagant Design and Felt Collections


 Created by designer Stephanie Odegard, several new collections are being introduced this fall and winter including Extravagant Design: the Mughal, Mughal Jewelry, Musical, and Damask collections and the premier of her Felt collection of carpets.

Stephanie Odegard will be giving exclusive previews of her newest rug design collections and the stories behind their inspiration this fall and winter.

Odegard’s newest collections will be on view in the following Odegard showrooms:
Odegard Miami
12/17/08 through 1/25/08
Stephanie Odegard presentation Wednesday, January 23rd, 2008 at 1:30 pm

Odegard DC
February 19, 2008 through March 14, 2008
Stephanie Odegard presentation Tuesday, March 11th, 2008 at 2:00 pm as a part of Capital Design Week


Shown: Aurea in pumpernickel
Stephanie Odegard awarded the 2008 Twin Cities International Citizen Award


 Stephanie Odegard has been selected to receive the 2008 Twin Cities International Citizen Award presented by the International Leadership Institute of Minneapolis. The Twin Cities International Citizens Award honors individuals and corporations whose work has contributed significantly to international understanding, cooperation, friendship and development.

Although Stephanie Odegard has personally garnered numerous accolades and awards that acknowledge her design talents, commitment to social progress and philanthropic accountability, this award is especially meaningful to her because, “it is the first time I will be honored in such a way, in the city I consider my home, my birthplace, Minneapolis”.

The 2008 Twin Cities International Citizen Awards recognition dinner and gala will be held on April 23, 2008 at the Minneapolis Club from 5 – 9 PM. The event will also include a Silent Auction supporting International Leadership Institute international projects.

click to view full press release

Former Odegard Employee opens Weaving Studio


 Former Odegard employee Cynthia Alberto has founded The Weaving Hand (www.weavinghand.com) a Brooklyn based studio for children and adults that celebrates the art of hand weaving. Students work with their hands in classes, special events and private parties. Inspired by Stephanie Odegard’s hand knotted rugs that support weaving communities and raise awareness and respect for the legacy of textile and carpet weaving, Cynthia’s studio focuses on the weaving styles from countries such as Nepal, Guatemala, Bolivia, Philippines, Japan, Laos, Morocco and Tibet. Prior to working at Odegard Cynthia had studied textile surface design, with a specialization in weaving, at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York City.

Classes at The Weaving Hand include the use of table, floor and lap looms, traditional teachings and uses of different materials. The Weaving Hand invites you for an international artistic experience in Park Slope Brooklyn. Please visit their website for more information.

Guatemalan TextileTrunk Show


April 25 & 26, 2008 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Guatemalan TextileTrunk Show
to benefit Guatemalan women through microcredit and education

Odegard
210 N Second St., Suite 100 Minneapolis, MN
ph 612-455-6100 

Please Join us.

www.friendshipbridge.org

The trunk show collection features exquisite indigenous and fair trade fabrics curated by textile artist Mary Anne Wise.

Eight Twin Cities interior designers have selected choice pieces from the collection to create one-of-a-kind home furnishings.

Participating designers include: Carol Belz, Lynn Barnhouse, Wendy Coggins, Tom Gunkelman, Sally Wheaton Hushcha, Marcia Morine, Gay Parker, Mary Wozniak.

For more information: www.maryannewise.com
Art Basel Artist's Series On Display




Odegard’s artist’s series featuring Robert Miller, Philippe Croq and Melissa Braddock will be on display through February 29, 2008.

Having shown Russell Sharon, Mira Lehr, Carlos Betancourt, and Raul Perdomo at past exhibits, and on the heels of hosting a successful art auction to benefit RugMark this past spring, Stephanie Odegard is honored to presenting such a wide range of artistic expression.

MELISSA BRADDOCK

Melissa Braddock, a visual artist, continues this tradition with her latest series “afternoons holding company with the boys” Originally from Tennessee she currently lives in Miami Beach, Florida. Melissa’s work is abstract expressionism. Each painting evolves as a work of art during the painting process. Her pieces are a declaration of independence from the styles and manners of many of her contemporaries, a strong poetic statement, flavored with color, free from imitation or limitation. Recent Exhibitions include: Griffin Gallery, Minneapolis, MN, Stephen Gallery, Minneapolis, MN, Holly Hunt Showroom, Minneapolis, MN.

PHILIPPE CROQ

After a cancer diagnosis Philippe Croq radically changed his life by leaving the aerospace sector where he worked and dedicated himself to painting. His original works are the result of games with sand on linen cloths and the joining of different typeset elements. His pictures are a constant search for balance where throws light on the chaos within. His “second life” has been accompanied by international recognition of his paintings, and awards in several exhibitions: XVII the Biennial of Umam in Nize, Henri Matisse award, “d'or Toison” of “Artjonction” and the first prize at the “Mossa”. Philippe Croq currently lives and works in Marseilles, France. Since 1991, his work has been exhibited in Europe and was shown for the first time in Florida at Odegard during Art Basel 2007.

ROBERT MILLER

Robert Miller continues along his Tibetan Buddhist inspired Journey, with the latest series, " Thoughts on Mt. Kailash". His previous works in this series include "Near Tibet”, " Lama Norlha” and "Remembering the future". Mr. Miller lives and paints in El Portal, Florida. His work has been exhibited at Dorothy Blau Gallery, Broward County Public Library in Ft. Lauderdale, Brook Dorsch Gallery, J. Johnson Gallery, World Arts Building, M-D Public Library Main Branch and Florida International University. He is a co-founder in " Art for World Peace", and continues to mentor artists from around the world.

Odegard at Paradeisos
The Miami Design District
3621 Northeast Miami Court
305-576-7166

Shown at left: Chrysanthemum by Melissa Braddock
Untitled 6 (not what I expected) by Phillip Croq
Thoughts on Mt Kailash 5, by Robert Miller
Stephanie Odegard Interview with Metropolitan Home



Metropolitan Home
Interviews
Stephanie Odegard and Sherri Donghia
about how Donghia textiles are turned into Odegard Rugs

click to watch video
Odegard Miami carries Karen Brown


Odegard announces a new line of chandeliers by Carl Dern Studio with Karen Brown now being sold exclusively in Miami through Odegard’s showroom in the Miami Design District.

Shown: Top Left - Cobweb Chandelier cast bonze branches tied with metal rope, draped with webs of serpentine, rock crystal, peridot, citrine, canelian, calcite and jasper.
44”d x 55” h
Bottom Left & Below - As seen in the November issue of the Miami Herald Home & Design Magazine

Custom commissions available

Contact Odegard’s Miami showroom at odegardmiami@odegardinc.com
Odegard Miami Carries Alpha Workshops


A highly regarded design studio, Alpha Workshops is the only not-for-profit organization in the country that trains and employs people living with HIV to work in the decorative arts field. Their hand painted wall coverings line, including Ling Ling Kimono as seen above, consists of 20 original patterns and won the 2002 ELLE DECO Design Award and was featured in O at Home, the New York Times, Interior Design, Metropolitan Home and House & Garden. Alpha Workshops wallpapers and lamps are available in Miami exclusively through Odegard.

Contact Odegard’s Miami showroom at odegardmiami@odegardinc.com


 Ling Ling Kimono, Alpha Workshops Wall Covering as seen in the September issue of the Miami Herald’s Home & Design Magazine.

The Odegard Award For Excellence In Rug Design Competition Winners' Tour


The Winners' Tour is coming to:

Mount Ida College
November 19th through January 4th, 2008
777 Dedham Street
Newton, MA 02459

This display is open to the public.

We invite you to experience the creativity of the next generation of designers as well as visit Odegard’s showroom in suite 519 to see Stephanie Odegard’s newest introductions to her carpet and furniture collections.
Winners Announced in The Odegard Award For Excellence In Rug Design Competition



New York, NY June 29, 2007

View all winning designs here
View images from the event here

Design Competition Coverage on RugNews.com

Design Competition Winner Laura Valentine featured on Virginia Tech Website

The top three winners were announced last evening at The Odegard Award for Excellence in Rug Design Awards Ceremony. Industry luminaries Dr. Barbara Bloemink, Sherri Donghia, Matilda McQuaid, Jack Lenor Larsen, and Stephanie Odegard juried over 930 student submissions and were on hand to present the awards. The competition was created to show student designers how combining modern designs with traditional hand knotting techniques can increase awareness and respect for the legacy of textile and carpet weaving.

The Gold prizewinner Laura Valentine of Virginia Tech receives a 6 x 9 carpet produced by Odegard from her design, a $2,500 cash prize, and will be offered a three month paid internship at one of Odegard’s US showrooms. The winning design will also be offered for sale in all Odegard showrooms, with the winner receiving a royalty on the sales of her design. The Silver and a $2,000 cash prize went to Jason Neufeld of the Pratt Institute. The Bronze was presented to Beth Taylor of the University of Texas, School of Architecture who received a $1,500 cash prize. All three students were awarded complimentary roundtrip airfare and two nights at the Waldorf Astoria to attend the awards ceremony last evening at the New York School of Interior Design. Also in attendance was Prof. Gina Tanner of the Miami Art Institute. Selected from a list of faculty members who incorporated the Odegard Design Competition into their curriculum, she received a trip to the awards ceremony compliments of Odegard.

Honorable mentions were presented to: Justin Losego, Miami University, Laura Shirreff, Rhode Island School of Design, Johil Wiemann, Rhode Island School of Design, and Shannon Ireland, Mount Ida College.

The Barbara Bloemink Jurors Awards went to Kyle Coburn, Miami University and Kerra Killingsworth, Samford University. The Sherri Donghia Jurors Awards went to Ruth Bohn, Rhode Island School of Design and Lauren Paul, University of Wisconsin-Madison. The Matilda McQuaid Jurors Awards went to Katrina Mosher, Miami University and Frances Nelson, Rhode Island School of Design. The Jack Lenor Larsen Jurors Awards went to Randi Tanley, O'More College and Isabel Wilson, Rhode Island School of Design. The Stephanie Odegard Jurors Awards went to Lauren Gerdeman, Miami University and Jacqueline Williams, West Valley College.

Addressed exclusively to students in the field of the arts, Odegard invited design students from over 400 U.S. colleges and universities to submit original carpet designs and received 930 submissions from 37 states, plus Canada, Cyprus, Greece, India and Turkey. Applicants were encouraged to offer designs with inspiration reflecting the spirit of Odegard’s mission by combining a modern esthetic with traditional weaving methods. The entries were judged on the merits of artistic execution and the originality of their design vision combined with the use of natural materials. Odegard hopes the competition will launch careers and help aspiring designers bridge the gap between academia and a professional life in the design world.

Following the work Stephanie Odegard has been personally involved in for over two decades; she believes this competition will demonstrate for a new generation of designers that it is possible to create luxury design through traditional industries while sustaining the artisans and local communities responsible for their production.

Stephanie Odegard Television Interview - KARE11 Minneapolis



Online Video of Stephanie Odegard Interview

Stephanie Odegard recently visted the studios of KARE11 in Minneapolis to do an interview about Odegard and her work with Rugmark.

Click here to watch the full interview
Windows Media Video file - 5MB
Odegard Gains Attention & Awards for Sustainability



Odegard Named to Domino Magazine's 2007 Green List

Click here to see Odegard in Domino

Odegard also featured on Treehugger:

TreeHugger is a fast-growing web magazine, dedicated to everything that has a modern aesthetic yet is environmentally responsible. Their goal is to make sustainability mainstream and to be the one-stop for the environment. They are looking for solutions, constructive developments and positive initiatives.

Odegard on the Green List
Treehugger article on environmentally & socially responsible rug manufacturing

Odegard Makes Fast Company's Prestigious Fast 50 List



Fast Company Magazine has named "Odegard Inc. - Weaving a Solution to Child Labor" in its 6th annual Fast 50 - Profit driven solutions for what ails the planet.

Click here to read article
Stephanie Odegard on Martha Stewart Living Radio




Click here to listen to Stephanie Odegard's interview with Gael Towey, of Design Trends on Martha Stewart Living Radio.

Stephanie discusses her line of traditional crafts and Aid to Artisans, a group that connects third-world artists and artisans with potential buyers. (www.aidtoartisans.org)

Odegard Wins ICFF Editors Award for Carpet and Flooring


May 2006

Odegard, Inc. was presented with the Editors Award for Carpet and Flooring at the 18th annual International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) in New York on Sunday May 21st. Exhibiting for the first time in over six years, Odegard was selected by a jury of 10 of the top magazine editorial staff member from shelter publications worldwide as having the best-of-show products in the carpet and flooring category.
Odegard Wins in 3 categories at the Domotex 2006 Carpet Design Awards:
Best liked by Visitors
Best Modern Collection
Best Modern Design in the price range >250 Euros/square meter

When the organizers of DOMOTEX HANOVER, HALI and Modern Carpets & Textiles (MCT) announced the winners of the Carpet Design Awards (CDA) on Sunday 15th January 2006, Odegard took more awards then another other carpet company including "Best liked By Visitors". Odegard's Valeriana II voted Best Modern Design in the price range >250 Euros/square meter, was "chosen for its elegance, its subtle hues and its clever off-center design". Odegard was also awarded best Best Modern Collection for Sashiko "because of its coherence and strong theme running through the rugs as well as the great attention to detail and beautiful finish". Stephanie Odegard was most honored to have been selected in the Special Category "Best Liked by DOMOTEX Visitors". This "People's Choice award went to the Odegard company for its "Valeriana II" creation"

For full coverage of the awards visit the Domotex Website: click here

Photo: Stephan Ph. Kühne, Member of the Board of Deutsche Messe AG, Stephanie Odegard, Sebastian Ghandchi, Publisher of Hali Publications Ltd.
Photo: Valeriana II "Best Liked By Visitors" "Best Modern Design >250 Euros per sq meter"
Traditional Home Magazine hosts Collection Showroom Opening in Chicago
(November 2005)

Traditional Home Magazine's editor in chief, Ann Omvig Maine and Life style Editor Jenny Bradley hosted a party on Thursday November 19, 2005 to welcome the Stephanie Odegard Collection of hand made furniture, lighting, decorative accessories and architectural elements to the Merchandise Mart in Chicago.

Click to view images from the event.
D Home Magazine celebrates the Holidays with Odegard in Dallas

World-renowned designer Stephanie Odegard opened her first Texas showroom in the Dallas Design District in June of 2005. To celebrate Odegard's opening as well as the holidays D Home's Senior Editor Rebecca Sherman co-hosted a holiday event with Odegard's showroom manager Michael Reagan.

Although the weather made it a challenge many designers still managed to attend including Loyd Taylor of Loyd-Paxton Design, Harriett Adams, Fallon Pastore, Abby Smith and Katie Wilson both of Quorum Design and Paul Garzotto. Limor Goren Odegard's VP of Business Development as well as Odegard's Marketing Director Kirsten Brant came in from New York to enjoy the event. Also in attendance were D Home's Susan Neill, Account executive, Chris Phelps, Associate Publisher, Diana Nelson,Marketing manager ,and Casey Armijo ,marketing specialist.

Located at 1525 Slocum Street, Odegard’s signature hand knotted rug collections are now be available to design professionals in the Dallas area.

Click to view images from the event.
Odegard Donates Rugs for Lobby of Museum of Arts & Design

New York, NY – April 1, 2005 – When Steve Wanta was given the architectural challenge of a re-design of the lobby of the Museum of Arts & Design the first person he told was Stephanie Odegard.

Having worked with Stephanie Odegard on many projects over the past decade including the design of several of Odegard’s showrooms, Stephen Wanta, “knew Odegard would be a great match with the Museum and its mission to work with hand crafted pieces of art from around the globe”.

Although faced with several obstacles including only two weeks to complete the project, Stephanie agreed to design a custom wall-to-wall floor covering for the Museum of Arts & Design. Working with existing pieces from Odegard’s hearty Chickpo Collection, she formed an open spacious patchwork of rich saturated color to cover the entire lobby and store totaling over 1,400 square feet. This created a handmade artful floor designed in keeping with the spirit of the Museum of Art and Design.

“Given the institution, which has recently re-opened with an exciting new store design and new name, I was challenged and excited by the prospect of creating a floor with such great visibility to show visitors how appropriate hand made carpets are even for highly trafficked commercial areas,” said Stephanie Odegard.

“We are delighted to celebrate the hand-made with great design in our new lobby and store, perfectly exemplified by Odegard carpets,” says Holly Hotchner, director of the Museum of Arts & Design. “These beautiful, hand-knotted creations underscore our passionate commitment to the finest in materials and craftsmanship.”

Architect Stephen Wanta’s artful and elegant redesign of the Museum’s lobby and admissions spaces, as well as The Store was unveiled in early winter. Visitors now enter a much more welcoming lobby, featuring Odegard’s patchwork floor design as well as a 200-foot-long banner of Jack Lenor Larsen-designed fabric donated by Cowtan & Tout. A striking model of the Museum’s new home at Two Columbus Circle is also on prominent display.

"Company Helps Forming Economies"

October 14, 2004

To read Odegard's article in The Daily Pennsylvanian click here

To listen to a live interview of Stephanie Odegard by Startup Nation Radio on Feb 28th 2004 click here.

Odegard will be previewing its new Environments Line for commercial interiors at:
Hospitality Design 2004 (www.hdexpo.com) from April 29 - May 1 at the Sands Exposition & Convention Center in Las Vegas Nevada.
Innovation in Craft
In recognition of her innovation in design and socially responsible businesspractices, Aid to Artisans is proud to award Ms. Odegard the 2004 award for Innovation in Craft. Ms. Odegard, Founder and President of Odegard, Inc., has designed, produced and imported innovative carpets from Nepal since 1987. Her creations cover the floors of the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles. One of her goals is to encourage a revival of interest in Tibetan carpets, whose tribal motifs were falling out of vogue. She is involved with RugMark, a foundation combating illegal child labor in the industry. A percentage of Odegard Inc. sales also goes back to Nepal to rehabilitate children rescued from illegal situations.

To read Stephanie Odegard's acceptance speach click here
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