New carpets to be featured “DIFFA Collection,” which kicks off the rug leader’s new quick-ship OBEETEE Express Program
NEW YORK, Oct 12, 2017 — OBEETEE, a world leader in hand-woven carpets, announces the addition of V Starr Interiors to its roster of talented creatives designing carpets for the exclusive DIFFA Collection, which will kick off its new quick-ship program, OBEETEE Express. The collection will benefit DIFFA: Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS, one of the largest funders of HIV/AIDS service and education. V Starr Interiors is a full-service commercial and residential design firm owned and operated by tennis icon and entrepreneur Venus Williams.
The West Palm Beach Fla.-based firm’s prestigious portfolio includes hospitality work with the beloved Midtown Athletic Club and the forthcoming Hotel at Midtown in Chicago, expansive residential projects with Modern Doral in Doral, FL and Royal Palm Polo in Boca Raton, and charitable work with the Southeast Tennis & Learning Center in Washington D.C.
“We enjoyed working with OBEETEE on a customizable carpet for their DIFFA Collection, and are happy to support such an important cause,” said Williams, Principal and CEO of V Starr Interiors.
The carpet’s design features dynamic diagonals complemented by a lively color palette. Lines in a variety of widths and lengths are overlaid to create a striking texture that is evocative of movement and energy. The carpet will have one of the fastest lead times in the hand-woven industry, thanks to OBEETEE’s new quick-ship program.
“We are honored to have V Starr Interiors among the designer roster for the DIFFA Collection, part of the new OBEETEE Express quick-ship program, and very much look forward to the launch,” said Rudra Chatterjee, Chairman of OBEETEE, a dynamic, creative and ethical company driven by design excellence, quality craftsmanship and process innovation with an overarching commitment to making a positive social impact.
The DIFFA Collection is part of DIFFA’s industry-leading “Specify with Care” initiative and through this partnership, OBEETEE will support hundreds of nonprofit organizations across the country combating HIV/AIDS through preventive education, treatment, research, direct care, and advocacy.
The participating designers will use the new OBEETEE Express color bank of almost 200 stocked colors to develop unique carpet designs, which will be expertly hand-tufted using 100% New Zealand wool. The dense quality of the construction will allow the collection to perform well in demanding commercial settings, while exuding luxury for the home. The designs will be available on the OBEETEE Express website which will allow customers to choose from a variety of colors, view the rugs in various room settings and print or email the sample to clients. Ten percent of the net sales from the DIFFA Collection will go to DIFFA regardless of the color selections.
The launch event for the DIFFA Collection and OBEETEE Express will take place at the NYC OBEETEE Showroom on October 19th and will showcase the 17 designs as 3’ x 5’ area rugs. These pieces will be sold at the event during a silent auction, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to DIFFA.
The 16 other design talents creating the line include well-known interior designers and architecture firms; Verda Alexander for Studio O+A, Arlene Angard, Asler Valero, William Reue, Christopher Trujillo, Tina Ramchandani, Patrick Hamilton, Darrin Varden, Marks & Frantz, dash design, Antonino Buzzetta, M Moser, Wuno, Wesley Moon, Michael Tavano and Reeta Gyamlani.
About OBEETEE:
OBEETEE is one of the largest handmade rug makers in India and one of the oldest hand-woven rug companies in the world. OBEETEE’s outstanding quality and reputation have earned the interest of many famous and notable people. Founded as Oakley Bowden & Taylor in 1920, OBEETEE has grown to 650 permanent employees and works with 20,000 independent artisans who are engaged in weaving and processing its rugs in India. Thanks to their efforts, OBEETEE is the leading producer and exporter of hand-knotted, hand tufted and flat-woven carpets in India. OBEETEE is the world’s first Woolmark licensee for hand-knotted carpets. OBEETEE has the greatest in-house capabilities of any rug-maker in India, thanks to its modern dyeing plant and inspired design department. The OBEETEE color bank holds over 4,000 color-fast shades of wool. The designers at OBEETEE constantly study new textures and fresh combinations to ensure the production of the finest quality rugs available. OBEETEE cares for the artisans and the environment as much as they care about the quality of their products. Its environmentally friendly power systems run mainly on gas-derived biomass. The company looks after the extended families of its workers and ensures use of safe dyes and chemicals. Internationally recognized as the premier source for the finest of handmade carpets in India, OBEETEE has received countless national awards for being the country’s largest and most reputable exporter. OBEETEE Pvt. Ltd. is based in Mirzapur, India, on the Grand Trunk Road between Delhi and Kolkata. Progressive, dynamic and ethical, OBEETEE is constantly striving to offer the best quality products and a lifetime of beauty and delight to its customers.
About V Starr Interiors:
V STARR Interiors was founded by professional tennis player, Venus Williams, in 2002. Combining Williams’ value for excellence as an athlete with her passion for design, V STARR Interiors is a full-service commercial and residential interior design firm. High-profile clients such as InterContinental Hotels, Midtown Athletic Club and The Hotel at Midtown, Curio by Hilton, and Howard University, among others, have turned to V STARR Interiors to successfully translate their vision into reality. The company is based in West Palm Beach, Florida. For additional information, please visit www.vstarrinteriors.com.
About DIFFA:
DIFFA: Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS raises awareness and grants funds to organizations that fight HIV/AIDS by providing treatment and direct care services for people living with or impacted by the disease, offering preventative education programs targeted to populations at risk of infection, or supporting public policy initiatives. DIFFA is one of the largest funders of HIV/AIDS service and education programs in the United States, mobilizing the immense resources and creativity of the design community. Since its founding in 1984, DIFFA has emerged from a grassroots organization into a national foundation based in New York City with chapters and community partners across the country that, working together, provided more than $42 million to hundreds of HIV/AIDS organizations nationwide.