Snug as a Bug, Portland Gets a New Rug

After 25 years, it’s out with the old and in with the new for Portland International Airport’s celebrated carpet.

Familiarity may breed contempt, but even after a quarter of a century, travelers to Portland still have a soft spot for the carpet that graces the floor of their airport.

Laid down in 1987 at Portland International Airport (PDX), the fabric – which features red, pink and purple accents on a teal background – is now worn. To the dismay of passengers, the Port of Portland, which operates PDX, has decided to remove and replace all 13 acres of the airport’s carpet.

Clashing colors aside, the floor covering is well-loved by those who pass through the airport. Feted on social media, the carpet gets plenty of attention and has now been memorialized by artist Nancy Wilkins.

Wilkins has created a collage called “Carpet Diem!”, which hangs above the gates of PDX’s Concourse D. The 11×16-foot work is composed of pieces of carpet taken from different locations within the airport.

Wilkins has also incorporated a few snapshots from the carpet’s very own Instagram account.

While the work will remain on display to the end of 2015, the Port of Portland will be giving a lucky few the chance to own a piece of PDX history. The old carpet will be sold off in 1,000-square-yard increments, with buyers hopefully providing smaller strips to those in need. These buyers can be identified by signing up for PDX’s e-mail bulletins here.

But those who miss out on the sale can take heart: it seems that the new carpet – to be installed by Thanksgiving – will look pretty much like the old one.

[Photo: Instagram / PDXcarpet / Carpet Diem!]