CARPET DESIGN WINNER

Press, Volume C, Issue 29435, 10 February 1961, Page 14

CARPET DESIGN WINNER

Visit To Factory

A further step towards the development of a distinctive range of carpets “suitable for

New Zealand homes of the second half of the twentieth century,” took place yesterday at the Riccarton factory of the Carpet Manufacturing Company of New Zealand, when the winner of the carpet section of the Festival of Wellington Industrial Design Competition (Mr D. J. Ramage, of Wellington). and two of the competition's three judges, toured the factory to watch production of the winning design. Accompanied by the public relations officer of the New Zealand firm sponsoring the contest (Felt and Textiles. Ltd.) (Mr I. Crbss), the judges (Mrs I. W. Oelsner and Mr C. H. Firth, of Wellington) were conducted through the factory by the manager (Mr D. R. Hindson), the chief designer (Mr B. Hartwell), and the assistant designer (Mr S. Newsome).

From mid-morning until midafternoon the group followed through the factory the various processes which Mr Ramage's carpet was undergoing before its final finish Valuable Indication

Displayed in three width lengths on a showroom floor, the room length expanse of carpet was pronounced by one of the judges (Mrs Oelsner) “even better now that it’s put together.”

Mr Ramage’s winning design, selected from 279 entries from all over New Zealand, features a bold black outlined bird pattern on a deep olive green background flecked with a lighter green. Amongst the varying stylised shapes of the bird motif small bright dots of vivid orange represent the eyes of the bird

The carpet is expected to be on window display during the next few months in conjunction with the Festival of Wellington and will later become available on the market. Discussing the value of the contest for the future of New Zealand carpet design, the firm's chief designer (Mr B. Hartwell) said that it had been an interesting and valuable indication of what the public of New Zealand were wanting in this respect