Which is your rug?
Twine

What was your concept?
I was inspired by cardboard as a design material used in lighting. It is an understated material but I adore it. I am a little obsessed with the gorgeous “Graypants” pendants from ECC. They are pendants handcrafted from recycled cardboard producing warmth, shadows and patterns throughout a room. Adopting cardboard, I have endeavoured to create the same kind of warmth, light, shade, and texture in a rug.

How did you develop your design?
The concept was developed using acrylic paint and cardboard on paper. The cardboard edges were dipped in the paint and used as stamps to create the pattern for ‘Twine’. My colour palette was restrained and simple.

How was the texture worked through your design?
Trying to convey the use of light and shade through texture was the challenging part in the whole process. I achieved this by using a combination of wool and bamboo silk. The silk was used in the lighter, softer areas and the wool in the darker, more shaded areas. The lighting in a room – including natural light – delivers the texture in my rug. When light hits the silk and wool, it shimmers with warmth and rich lustre.

What did you learn from the overall process?
The concept stage like all design work was great fun! But the real learning curve was understanding the different compositions and processes behind making a rug. It was a process that in the end helped convey my concept and create a rug that I am happy with.

How does it feel to see the finished product?
Seeing the finished product is gratifying. Having a tangible product from something that began as such a simple concept is really rewarding.

The Hare + Klein Designer Rugs Collection is available From Designer Rugs.

Photography by: Jenni Hare