One thing I love about the design industry is there is always something new to see and take inspiration from. In my opinion (feel free to disagree) scrolling through Pinterest doesn’t unleash those creative vibes in the same way as heading out to visit suppliers in the real world.
I was invited to Front London to tour their showroom and share the incredible process behind creating their bold rugs.
I stepped into the showroom instantly drawn to the loom interpretation weaved across the storefront. The installation as you enter provides an impact of literally tip toeing into the rug process.
We started the evening as all design nights begin with nibbles and glasses flowing with crisp Prosecco.
Front London represents two designers, Jan Kath and Michaela Schleypen – both offering completely different innovative rug designs.
The ground floor of the showroom is where Jan Kath’s rugs are displayed. One of the most iconic rugs in the showroom is part of the Spacecrafted collection.
Jan Kath has cleverly created hand-knotted rugs interpreting a vision of space through striking colours to create asteroids, stars and gas clouds. It really has a mesmerizing quality, I don’t know about you but it makes me have the urge to kick my shoes off lay on top and search of consolations.
The vibrancy of the Spacecrafted rugs obviously means the collection appeals to a niche audience, but many can appreciate the handcrafted process. A square inch alone requires 150-200 hand-knots to create the detailed space effect combining over 60 colours.
We whizzed through the unique selection of stacked rugs, and came across Boro an ancient patchwork art using multi-layered patterns with a mixture of Tibetan wool, nettle and silk.
Jan Kath has received huge recognition with his ability to create distressed effects in luxurious materials. The Erased Heritage rugs are made by skilled weavers in Nepal using traditional knotting techniques, the craft means that no two rugs are the same, as each design can be made entirely bespoke.
There is a wide colour palette that can be used to design the Persian pieces, the weavers hand knot the rugs under direction of the master weavers singing out the pattern – how cool is that? After all their hard work, the rugs are then set on fire and burnt to create the distressed look.
I was quite shocked by the process after months of weaving a rug it must be hard to sit their and watch it up in flames, once it is burnt it is then washed countless times until they are perfectly clean revealing their authentic finish.
The backdrop of the showroom displayed a bold monochromatic phrase that caught all of our attention. If only the world could focus on craft and not conflict, it would surely be a way prettier place.
Not all of Jan Kath’s rugs are focused on traditional design; the abstract collection Artwork uses wool like paint displaying a blend of colourful tones to create the design.
The boundaries of design are really pushed in the Radi Deluxe rug range, I love that no statement is too bold for the designer and daring colours are combined to create some dramatic woven pieces.
The colourful rugs are intended to create a statement to any interior and come complete with a brightly coloured fringe to add a final pop to the rug.
The rugs have received huge appreciation in the industry and provide a sumptuous artistic element to an interior.
The thing that I found most fascinating was the skilled craftsmanship that is undertaken to create the rugs. The weavers can take many months to make the rugs, which are all made by hand by locals in Nepal.
Front London supports fair trade and understand that their talented staff need to be well looked after to keep their passion and creativity flowing to weave many more sumptuous rugs.
As my travel list grows by the day Nepal seem to keep getting bumped higher up the list, I’m desperate to see the weavers in action hand-knotting rugs and am intrigued to watch the rugs be set on fire, ‘cos who doesn’t enjoy the design theatrics.
Taking rugs on a different spin the lower ground of the showroom is dedicated to Michaela Schleypen.
The reflecting light of crystals inspires the three-dimensional soft wool rug. The Diamond rug is made using New Zealand cotton with a hand-tufted process.
As you can see the design direction is very different to that of Jan Kath’s creating a contrasting display downstairs.
Michaela created a Carrara marble rendered rug in cotton with a subtle graduation.
Some of Michaela Schleypen’s rugs are bold in colour and in geometric forms whilst others are calming and subtle like the Beach collection.
My favourite of the designers work is the beach range, not only because I’m a beach bum, but also the gentle gradient and vibrant uplifting hues of the sea really make the rug come to life.
It’s always important to understand the techniques and quality of the designs you are proposing to clients. Only after seeing the level of detail that goes into making a rug of this standard can you understand the reason why it can take months to have a rug made, when manically pulling projects together it’s easy to forget that these items are being made my hand in Nepal.
You should take a trip to one of the Front London showrooms, go explore the different designers work and feel the rich quality of the rugs. I dare you to go kick off your shoes and test out how sumptuous the tightly woven Tibetan silks can feel underneath your feet.
Ooh love reading about the process of these rugs! It must be incredible seeing the rugs being woven by hand.
You should get yourself to Nepal! Or head to the showroom in Chelsea or in Mayfair…