In 2021, we partnered with KLC Interior Design School and launched a contemporary rug design competition. The result is a luxury modern rug design, created in collaboration between KLC student Alice Hislop and Sonya. It is available in two colours and bespoke options.
The competition brief asked for a contemporary rug design for Susan, a fictitious person with a loft-style room in her modern home. Susan is a 58-65-year-old artist/art gallery owner with a colourful and playful style. She lives in Hampstead, a London neighbourhood known for its artistic and thespian inhabitants. Susan is playful yet professional and business-oriented, and she moves in artistic and multicultural circles. Her interests include art, discovering new talent, nature, travelling, and exploring.
Here is an interpretation of Susan and her Interior design aesthetic:
Alice’s presentation demonstrated the in-depth thought processes and workings that we value when designing new pieces at our studio. Therefore, the rug design successfully reflects Susan’s personality and her modern home.
“The main source of inspiration came from ‘Structural Fluidity’, exploring unique, organic structures in the natural world. This led to interest in the shapes of wild mushrooms, fungi, and lichen, and their range of colours. I felt a rug inspired by these natural wonders would create an abstract, unique design that would suit the client’s space. Additionally, it would work well within the Sonya Winner Rug Collection.”
Alice guided the shape and colour scheme based on the client’s space, furniture, and her inspiration images. She selected muted purples, pinks, and neutrals for the final colour scheme. The contemporary rug style was abstract, fluid, organic, aiming to be a feature that adds interest, texture, and colour, uniting the space.
After selecting Alice Hislop as the winner of the Sonya Winner Studio x KLC School of Interior Design competition, Sonya and her team began bringing Alice’s design to life. Using our modern rug design expertise, we refined Alice’s concept into a luxury handwoven rug, included in our Contemporary Rug Collection.
Sonya and the design team revisited Alice’s research phase and focused on organic shapes of fungi and lichens. We then explored a new direction by emphasizing rhythmic, flowing, curvaceous designs and patterns found in lichens, drawing inspiration from their gem-like colours and shapes.
Upon delving into the world of lichens, we discovered they cover 8% of the planet’s surface, larger than rainforests! Lichens are sensitive to air pollution; in clean areas, they are larger and more abundant, while in polluted areas, they are smaller. Thus, abundant lichens indicate clean air.
With over 18,000 lichen species worldwide, 3,600 of which are in North America, we found a stunning range of contrasting colours and shapes. These images became the primary inspiration for our new organic rug design series. Take a look at some of our inspiring lichen research images below:
The end result, titled ‘The Lichen Rug’, is a stunning design showcasing new weaving complexity, available in 2023. This modern design represents high-quality, ethical craftsmanship, hand-crafted by our artisanal weavers at each stage.
In January 2023, Sonya worked with our weaving teams in India to perfect the sculpting of the pile levels. The rug’s 3D elements show a new level of skill, resulting in a luxurious rug that pleases the eye and touch.
This luxury rug design features gentle, flowing forms that aim to soften the hard surfaces commonly found in modern interiors. Additionally, its whimsical nature-inspired design, this designer rug adds a sense of rhythm and flow to your space, setting it apart from typical rugs that feature geometric patterns commonly found in modern décor. Available now in two distinct colors, this designer rug is sure to enhance your living space.
This electric colourway blends baby blue, navy, violet, cobalt, lapis lazuli, and vibrant blue with a pop of orange.
Pair this blue rug with ‘Juniper Ash’ from Little Green to create depth, sophistication, and energy flow. Alternatively, surround this nature-inspired wool rug with Farrow and Ball’s ‘Cabbage White’, which has a hint of blue.
. 
This beautifully subtle colourway is the perfect marriage between warm and cool greys with a highlight of creamy white lines.
Pair this grey rug with Cool Arbour, French Grey, and Cerviche wall paints from Little Green for depth and sophistication. Alternatively, make this nature-inspired wool rug a focal point by surrounding it with Little Green’s Gauze.
. 
We have also explored other color options for this contemporary rug design, which are available upon request. Additionally, if you have a specific color in mind, we welcome bespoke color references and can accommodate accordingly on rugs that are 6 sqm or bigger.
We would love to welcome you in a homely environment, with a glass of wine, freshly ground coffee and artisanal nibbles. Viewing by appointment is recommended to ensure that we are available to give you our full attention.
Monday to Friday
10am - 6pm (GMT)
14 York Rise, London
NW5 1ST
United Kingdom
