GM: "Why don't you make these rugs here in Nova Scotia?"
MC: "You can't! There is no tradition of rug weaving here."
GM: "What about hooked rugs?"
MC: "Well you might be able to do that..."

And so the proverbial light bulb went on…
…and the Red Spruce manifesto was born.

One short year after those words were uttered, we revealed our début collection of Handwork Rugs and Carpets. Carpets that are indeed made in Nova Scotia. Carpets that adhere to the Craftsman Ideal. Carpets that are made with Integrity. Carpets that possess, to borrow a term, terroir. Carpets so inimitable in character they transcend the frontier from merely functional rugs to true artwork for the floor. Carpets that are, in short, perfect.

Our intentions are clear and straightforward, and our goals simple. Working in concert with the existing craft aesthetic of Nova Scotia Rug Hooking, we make rugs and carpets of a different, more modern appeal. Using those same traditional handwork methods, our carpets will endure, just as those before ours have endured, just as those same contemporary craft pieces will endure, to become the antiques of the future. We want you to appreciate any Nova Scotian made rug for its beauty. Of course we want it to be one of ours, but in truth, a broadened appreciation for what Handwork Rugs and Carpets from Nova Scotia can be, will ensure the craft continues into the future.

The path we have chosen to take is today considered unorthodox, but in the age of guilds was the modus operandi. A workshop owner working, collaborating, and learning from his peers, apprentices and even competitors; all for the advancement of the craft itself. That is not to say we aren’t in it to earn a living, as that is a foolish statement. Our reason for being though is to strike a balance between the realities of the modern era and our ideals, while paying homage to the past.

Detractors say what we’ve done cannot be done. So while our ideals are strong, our conviction must be stronger. Making a perfect carpet is not about removing flaws, catering to fashion whims, or trying to make the next best selling carpet design. Making a perfect carpet is about truth in construction, acknowledging all the advantages as well as the limitations of our techniques, innovating where we can and remaining true where we must, incorporating great design both aesthetically and functionally, and beyond all else, simply making the best carpet we can.

I’ve been known to say for every five rug dealers there are six opinions, most often counting my own opinion as the sixth. Our idea of what is best, what is truthful, what is honest, indeed what is perfect is bound to differ from others. That is obviously what makes us different and thus is the foundation of our success. We make the choices we make not because they are easy or least expensive, but because they are right and because they are what we feel makes a prefect carpet.

Our carpets though are not for everyone, as our search for perfection leads us to eccentricity, and moreover comes at a price. Indulgent and recherché materials, fairly negotiated equity in labour, integrity of design, pleasing and ideal proportions, brilliantly executed colours, fine craftsmanship and an unwavering attention to detail all contribute to the uniqueness we call our own. Red Spruce’s rugs and carpets may not be for the everyman, but we’d not have it any other way.

I remain,
Passionate about rugs,