2002 Conference Proceedings - Interior Design Educators Council

During the course of 45 years, Larsen expanded to complete the total interior package.In the early 1970s, Larsen Carpet and Leather was established (Larsen, 1998). Larsen’srevival of coir and sisal in American greatly contributed to the worldwide popularity ofthese fibers used in floorcoverings in the early 1980s. The carpet division was alsoknown for their custom designs involving jacquard-woven wiltons (Feisst, 1984). LarsenFurniture was established in 1976. Top furniture designers, such as Ben Baldwin andErnst Dettinger, teamed with Larsen to introduce new furniture collections (McDevitt,1983).Larsen textile designs have won numerous textile and design industry awards and havebeen sold in 31 showrooms around the world. His work is in the permanent collectionsof some of the world’s major museums including the Museum of Modern Art, New York;the Art Institute of Chicago; the Victoria and Albert Museum, London; the Musée desArts Décoratifs, Paris; and the Museum Bellerive, Zurich (Larsen, 1998).In 1997, the Larsen Company merged with Cowtan & Tout, the American subsidiary ofColefax and Fowler Group of London. Jack Lenor Larsen has remained a consultant tothe firm and still plays a key role in design development.ReferencesFeisst, B. (1984, August). Meeting Swiss carpet friends. Interior/Textiles Swisses, 47-49.Larsen, J. (1998). A Weaver’s Memoir. New York: Harry N. Abrams.McDevitt, L. (1983, June). Contemporary designs from the established creator.Designers West, 224-226.23