Opportunity's knock can have unexpected reverberations. For Clayton Miller, head of the well-established hospitality carpet company that bears his name, opportunity came in the form of the Infinity tufting machine. Capable of creating over 215 pile heights in countless combinations, its technology dovetailed nicely with Miller's desire to target the corporate market with a new brand—Cadence—that would marry affordability to an uncommonly high level of design sophistication. But this launch demanded a designer with a deep understanding of the contract market and its products, as well as an ability to design carpets with panache, and for this Miller reached out to Ruth Simon McRae. The two focused on the task at hand: creating large-scale, sophisticated patterns in fashion-forward colors at moderate prices. The Infinity machine gave them the muscle to bring life to patterns in relief, sculpted with contours and curves, and the results of this collaboration are in.Cadence consists of 10 artful patterns including the bold A Cappella, an oversized abstract floating leaf with horizontal bands of varied widths, the conservative but playful Mambo, with irregularly shaded circles that are inspired by the glass forms found in New York's SoHo sidewalks, and Bossa Nova, with undulating waves drifting across the surface. To produce the collection's sophisticated tonal combinations of colors, a two-shade piece-dyeing process was implemented. Two white yarns are tufted into the carpet's structure, each programmed in its molecular composition to accept differing degrees of dye saturation. These yarns, each reacting to the dye in its own manner, produce carpets that deploy shades of the same color. To
heighten the carpets' tonal qualities, piles are tip-sheered—thus the two base colors look like four, as light reflects differently from the loop and the cut piles. The visual result of this process is a sophisticated yet hard-wearing palette of intelligent cashmere-sweater colors that appear to hover between two shades. Think of brown that mixes chocolate and tobacco, red that balances brick and burgundy and a fashionable blond camel called Coconut Grove that has the right tension of ocher and beige. 2304 Dalton Industrial Court, Dalton, GA 30721; 706-281-4501; http://www.clayton-miller.com/. circle 775

Known for her innovative patterns and textures for the contract market, Dorothy Cosonas has designed the Cachet collection. Its five weaves and jacquards include the linear Boulevard and Monaco Stripe, as well as Chateau, decked out in an organic leaf pattern. All are available in nine practical colorways. 607 Norwich Avenue, Taftville, CT 06380; 800-237-1625; http://www.unikavaev.com/. circle 385

New Zealand wool Cabo del Sol cabana-style broadlooms and rugs suggest a laid-back, barefoot style. Color descriptions tell the story: Beach Umbrella is buttery yellow; Seashore is soothing sage; Fiesta showcases red and blue; Harbor Blue offers a mixed bag of blues; and Chris Craft is muted coffee-brown with red. 355 Summit Road, Eden, NC 27288; 800-234-1120; http://www.karastan.com/. circle 556

Embellish the outdoors with the Cabaña collection of tassels and tiebacks. These crazy combinations of sunny colors won't fade. 485 Broadway, New York, NY 10013; 212-925-2777; http://www.donghia.com/. circle 758

The whimsical print Butterfly, the latest in the Painted Papers line, superimposes these creatures of various sizes and shapes over one another, achieving a dimensional, layered effect. This flight of fancy is kept aloft thanks to a rainbow of standard and custom hues. Made to order and available in a variety of finishes, from matte to metallic. 245 West 29th Street, Floor 12A, New York, NY 10001; 212-594-7320. circle 418

Having worked in and provided textiles to some of the world's premier fashion houses, Astrid de Saint Anthost has a background that informs her simple but unerringly sophisticated designs. We appreciate her quality fabric choices, like the double-face leather selected for Brown Leaves. 21-79A 24th Street, Astoria, NY 11105; 718-267-8907; http://www.lestudioanthost.com/. circle 410

Broadband in khaki is a painterly new rug by designers Brad Davis and Janis Provisor. This hand-knotted silk carpet is available in standard dimensions starting at 6 by 9 feet. But, naturally, you may commission custom sizes. 578 Broadway, Suite 506, New York, NY 10012; 212-925-5383; http://www.fortstreetstudio.com/. circle 560

Brasilia 80 case goods and furniture—as hot as South America in summer—are made from solid maple with birch veneer. The multiple-drawer dressers, audio bookcases, media stands, night tables, and platform bed in this collection feature mortise-and-tenon and dovetail joints, leveling feet, and cast-metal handles. Choose from chocolate finish on maple or anthracite finish. 234 Rue Baronet, C.P. 580, Sainte-Marie, Quebec, Canada G6E 3B8; 418-387-5431; http://www.baronet.ca/. circle 447

Known for her innovative use of materials, Sandy Chilewich doesn't disappoint with her latest collection of Box Weave patterned woven vinyl place mats. Available in six earthy hues, the mod mats are washable and virtually indestructible. 7 East 30th Street, New York, NY 10016; 212-679-9204; http://www.chilewich.com/. circle 689

Give in to these ultrasoft suede-cloth box pillows, and relax. The 18-inch-square cushions, made in India, are available in a lively earthy palette of burgundy, terra-cotta, and khaki and feature patchwork corduroy borders. 600 East Sherwood Drive, Union City, TN 38261; 800-394-4225; http://www.cbkhome.com/. circle 691

Each pattern in the Central Park collection evokes a stroll through Frederick Law Olmsted's landscaping marvel. But it's not about just flowers; there are subtle waves, stripes, graphic geometrics, basket weaves, and, yes, a gorgeous floral called Blossom Time that's no less feminine for being Teflon-coated and super-durable like the rest. 79 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016; 800-333-3777. circle 394

There's no drought of fresh inspiration in the dry humor of the Bihar rug. The cracked-earth motif is rendered in cut-pile New Zealand wool just under 3/4 of an inch thick on standard sizes. 508 East Lincoln Avenue, Des Plaines, IL, 60018; 847-298-3611; http://www.peddada.com/. circle 563

The Logo collection's Big Flowers petal-edged washbasin—a daffodil-yellow crystal bloom with leafy green Azzura glass countertop and brushed or painted aluminum floor-mounted stem support—thrives in any home. 1917 NW 82nd Avenue; Miami, FL 33126; 800-990-5539; http://www.pscbath.com/. circle 644

The Allegria collection of 72-inch-wide curtain fabrics for the health care market uses serene color combinations and Asian- and nature-inspired design motifs to add an element of beauty to any healing environment. Brio, Ginkgo, Lucky Bamboo, and Serendipity are available in a total of 26 colors. 17811 Fitch Street, Irvine, CA 92614; 800-366-6839; http://www.memosamples.com/. circle 396

It's disco with a preppy spin. Deborah Czeresko'sPlaids Illuminated Orbs come in blue, green, and black-and-white handblown glass. Suspended from a 30-inch-long steel stem, each globe measures 12 inches in diameter. Custom sizes available. 171 West 12th Street, New York, NY 10011; 212-627-0592; http://www.sitespecificart.com/. circle 327

Light yet heavy, transparent yet opaque. Opposing adjectives best describe the combination of acrylic and walnut in Philippe Cramer’s Intermix lounger and Mix dining table. (The table comes in elliptical and rectangular shapes.) In walnut minus the acrylic, Cramer’s Edit side chair has a plywood seat that can also be upholstered. 1839 Morganton Boulevard, Lenoir, NC 28645; 828-758-9811; http://www.bernhardtdesign.com/. circle 328

Terence Woodgate’s low-slung Lansdowne sofa system updates the button-tufted English chesterfield, substituting foam for feathers. The three-seat frame of solid beech stands on legs of stainless steel. To create an L, connect the sofa and a companion chaise with a single arm. 135-139 Curtain Road, London EC2A 3BX, U.K.; 44-20-7739-1869; http://www.scp.co.uk/. circle 325

The functional centerpiece of London-based Tord Boontje’s experimental Forever collection is Cushion, a monumentally outsize ottoman. The lush pattern of the cover fabric translates Boontje’s signature illusionistic two-color florals into a red-swooshed print named Forest. 60 Via Nazionale, 33010 Cavalicco (Udine), Italy; 39-0432-577111; http://www.moroso.it/. circle 324

Wendy Morrison’s hard-wearing hand-tufted rugs of pure New Zealand wool hail from the windswept western coast of Scotland. But the densely woven yarns of Joy, from her debut collection, capture the earthy warmth of Africa. Comraich, 4 Littleton Farm Lane, Turnberry, South Ayrshire KA26 9JS, U.K.; 44-8453-451744; livingwithcolour.com. circle 326Wendy Morrison’s hard-wearing hand-tufted rugs of pure New Zealand wool hail from the windswept western coast of Scotland. But the densely woven yarns of Joy, from her debut collection, capture the earthy warmth of Africa. Comraich, 4 Littleton Farm Lane, Turnberry, South Ayrshire KA26 9JS, U.K.; 44-8453-451744; http://www.livingwithcolour.com/. circle 326

Slim and elegant, the D'eauville club chair adds Deco lines (check out the delicately rolled arms and solid-maple fluted feet) to spare, modern upholstery and fitted back cushions for comfort and support. Custom sizes and finishes are available; COM only. 1059 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10021; 212-758-0012; http://www.johnbooneinc.com/. circle 344

Inspired by a nostalgia for the post–World War II years, the Clacket Lane retro shade crowns a curvaceous, pale ceramic base with whimsy. 227 West 15th Street, Suite 2, New York, NY 10011; 212-255-7751; http://www.lustre-usa.com/. circle 607

Handblown and stretched into shape, the glass Carillon table lamp is offered in six standard colors (and countless custom options), as well as pendant and shade configurations. 24 Fifth Avenue, Suite 709, New York, NY 10011; 212-475-0479; http://www.jgooddesign.com/. circle 582

BumpIT bumpers install securely on walls without predrilling or special tools, and the interlocking cleat mechanism prevents sliding afterwards; end-caps for the two systems are interchangeable. In 10 colors, with custom color options available. 25811 74th Avenue South, Kent, WA 98032; 800-325-7513; http://www.morseindustries.com/. circle 731

Beauty always loves company. This venerable wallpaper supplier has cloned and updated its frilly Belle Voir archival floral. The new rose-flushed gold metallic print appears on a luscious, subtly striped background. Lee Jofa, 201 Central Avenue South, Bethpage, NY 11714; 888-533-5632; http://www.cole-and-son.com/. circle 323

From a supplier of classic wood-veneer interior wall paneling, Cocoon 02 features a mosaic pattern of nests and branches on a birch background. Custom decorative mural panels are offered at almost 4 by 10 feet, with optional matched edges for multi-panel walls. 47 Rue Eugène Berthoud, Bureau Postale 87, 93402 Saint-Ouen, France; 33-1-49-48-13-60; http://www.marotte.fr/. circle 321