South Palm Canyond Drive in Palm Springs, CA with palm trees and Modernism Week banner

Edward Fields Carpet Makers, in collaboration with Aspire Film and Thurlkill Studios, proudly presents The Fifth Wall: The Edward Fields Story.

Edward Fields Carpet Makers is a vanguard of American Design and has been creating bespoke luxury carpets and rugs for eight decades. In 1935 at the age of 23, founder Edward Fields married his sweetheart, Eleanor. They spent their honeymoon setting up a modest showroom in Manhattan with the goal of becoming a luxury custom house. Fields developed a tufting tool in the mid-1930s - the Magic Needle - which would go on to define the company’s signature hand-tufting texture and forever change carpet production.

Fields invented the term ‘area rug’ and produced the pieces, which he called ‘art for the floor’. In the early 1950s, the golden age of American design, he took a cue from the fashion world by formulating design collections. The first collaboration was with Raymond Loewy in 1952, and later with Mies Van der Rohe, Phillip Johnson, George Nakashima, Van Day Truex and Marion Dorn. This collaborative spirit continues with current design giants like House of Tai Ping, The Alpha Workshops, Fernando Mastrangelo and Bec Brittain.

His pioneering approach to carpet making transformed rugs into artistic masterpieces, cementing his influence on American interiors for generations, and could be found in some of the most iconic locations in America, including Philip Johnson’s Glass House, Richard Neutra’s Desert Kaufmann House, Eero Saarinen’s Miller House, John Lautner’s Elrod House, at Lever House, the original TWA Terminal and The White House Oval Office and Air Force One.

For decades, Edward Fields’ unparalleled custom capabilities and dedication to quality have made it a trade secret among the design elite. The Fifth Wall not only honors this rich history but also reaffirms the brand’s continued influence and commitment to innovation in contemporary design.

Photo Credits: Courtesy Edward Fields

Location & Attendee Information

  • What are the appropriate ages for this activity?Person Ages 13 and older
  • Are pets, animals, or service animals permitted?Dog on a leash No pets, service animals permitted
  • What are the mobility considerations for this activity?Person walking Seated activity
  • What type of parking is available?Car Parking & handicap parking available
  • Are restrooms available?Restroom sign Restrooms available
  • Is this an indoor or outdoor activity?Sun Indoor activity
  • What is the policy regarding smoking?Cigarette with smoke No smoking or e-cigarettes
  • What type of ADA accessibility is available?Wheelchair Wheelchair accessible
The organizer of this event is: Modernism Week Annenberg Theater Activity

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