Portland’s Ancient Carpet Refuses to Die, Will Live On as Apparel, Coasters & Cat Accessories

The Portland airport will provide four organizations with batches of its strange, yet beloved, carpeting to be used in future merchandising projects.

Fans of Portland International Airport’s (PDX) iconic terminal carpeting are rejoicing at the news that the trendy, 30-year-old material will live on through four local organizations.

When PDX announced it was undergoing a remodel that would involve removing the patterned flooring, there was an unexpected outcry, with the rug’s fans making their voices heard on social media. The carpeting, installed in the 1980s, became its own kind of celebrity amongst travelers, complete with its own socks, scarves and other accessories. Facebook, Twitter and Instragram all boast fan pages dedicated to the PDX carpet.

In response to fans’ widespread cries for preservation, PDX officials offered to give 1,000-square-yard pieces of the rug to applicants who submitted creative ideas for repurposing the material. Last week, after evaluating 32 proposals, the Port of Portland announced the four winning organizations. The winners will receive their carpeting in May and use it to create a variety of products, including apparel, furniture, coasters, cat accessories and more, with some winners opting to share the beloved carpet with the community.

Recipients of the carpet swatches include Portland’s City Liquidators, Carpet Mill Outlet, Nagl Floor Covering and Two Dogs in a Boat.

[Photos: The PDX Project; My PDX Carpet]