A field of expression for passionate designers and publishers, this ancestral object is reborn into its status as a work of art. A centerpiece of scenery that is open from the ground… to the walls.
Christie’s on a sunny May evening. The auction house is exhibiting one of Michelangelo’s first paintings, a 33 x 20 cm pen and ink work, depicting a naked man flanked by two figures at its premises on the avenue Matignon in Paris. it will be sold. the next day for 23 million euros. On the occasion of this presentation, one can also admire on the wall, just a few rooms from Michelangelo, the magnificent carpet designed by the star architect Hugo Toro, with a hand-knotted effect, variations of the same color tones; linen sumac background published by Édition 1.6.9. The two founders of Edition 1.6.9, David and Olivier Ouat and Hugo Toro, met on the construction site of Gigi, a Paris society group restaurant located above the Champs Elysees theater.
Their good understanding has given rise to the creation of this rug. “It’s always rewarding when an interior designer or designer works with us on the carpet following a hotel or restaurant project collaboration,” enthused the two brothers. This is not the first time the couple founded their specialized publishing house in 2014.
Awesome skills!
“We have a design studio to design our own models and to develop capsules with big names in decoration or design, such as Natalie Ryan, Thierry Lemaire, Jean-Philippe Nouel…” in Milan last June at the Salone. del Mobile, the KRJST studio also stood out with its Skrimsli rug, published by Édition 1.6.9. “For this exceptional piece, we used every possible technique in terms of hand tufting. This gives incredible texture and material effects. It’s kind of our signature. We love mixtures, games of heights. And we manage to achieve fabulous results because we master the fourteen artisan techniques of carpet weaving. We don’t have a factory, even though we have special connections with manufacturers, and we travel the world to find the know-how that allows us to make the craziest rugs.
The price of creativity
David and Olivier Ouat’s passion for carpets is in tune with the times. No palace, no place in trend, where carpets or rugs are not measured. Walking on soft and unique floors, visitors in turn want to put them at their feet in their homes. “The rug craze is really driven by this development in hotels and restaurants, but rugs are also the pinnacle of decoration. In freedom, and this is an observation made by all the players in the home sector, people wanted to re-enchant their interiors, down to the details. And the final detail, which gives the last breath of a person, is the carpet. It’s a godsend for creatives because it’s a much wider field of expression than hardwood or marble. They can let go, and without disappointment. We definitely give them the means for that,” David and Olivier continue with the same voice. Of course, this level of creativity and quality comes at a price, in Edition 1.6.9 it averages €900 per square meter. But we are talking here about the haute couture carpets, because, as these experts always say: “In furniture, mid-range and high-end brands can now produce mass-produced furniture that has a big impact. But this is not the case with carpets.
Exclusive technique
Therefore, a luxury rug is now a must-have for anyone who cares about their interior. And it’s no doubt with these more and more amateurs in mind that Hong Kong carpet editor Tai Ping gave carte blanche to French designer Sam Baron. The latter designed three carpet models: Anamorphosis, Borealis and Regalis. More than carpets, they are installations. “Tai Ping contacted me to design special pieces for the opening of their showroom in Milan. Apart from this context, I had no constraints. I surveyed the area of the store where the pillar stood and then thought about the messages I wanted to convey through this rug. I wanted to create a bridge between France, my country, and Italy, where the showroom was located, by welcoming Tai Ping’s incredible know-how with something truly ‘wow’.”
Then comes the idea of combining a large bouquet of Second Empire flowers with anamorphosis, an optical process that had its golden age in Italy during this same period. “So I designed carpets with floral motifs, accompanied by steel columns of three different heights, which are vase columns that can hold flowers. The cylinders are vertical and reflect the floral splendor of the rugs, revealing anamorphic effects. Tai Ping’s excellence is demonstrated in hundreds of colors that reproduce the original watercolor effects, irregular cut, materials and hand tufting techniques. “The hairs vary in length depending on the flower, and it’s even been possible to pull out some wool and silk strands that look like hair,” notes Sam Baron. It is almost a shame to walk on it. By the way, one of the models can be hung on the wall, which creates a new perspective. I wanted to make the carpet a surface to take people into a certain universe. And it’s successful. So much so that these wonders were presented again at Tai Ping’s Paris showroom during Design Week in September.
A true work of art
If Sam Baron praises the excellence of Tai Ping, the architect Fanny Rose fell in love with the French manufacturer Pinton, admiring its pom-poms that allow you to target colors. “I wanted to drown in it,” he laughs. I almost had an overflow of emotions. I then went to visit the factory, at Cruise, then at the paint shop to fully understand the processes. And that convinced me to develop projects with them. Before this meeting, I didn’t think I could get into textile design, as opposed to creating furniture, which is a natural part of the missions for an interior designer. At the opening of my showroom in XVI, I presented two carpets, Infini and Ondese District of Paris, last year. Others are being designed and I also offer more haute couture designs such as Eucalyptus and Écume. Recently I realized that the carpet is a real work of art. This is why I wanted to ditch some of my models with wall hangers. I don’t mind people trampling my works, but I also enjoy having a linear view.”
This artistic approach can be found in the works of Deirdre Dyson. For twenty years, this artist has imagined rugs that she designs as canvases, handwoven in Nepal by Tibetan artisans who perpetuate this ancient practice, or tufted in the UK. Every year he exhibits his collection. The latter, inspired by the sea, is displayed on the walls and floors of galleries in London and Paris, rather than in showrooms. At Serge Lesage, an industry reference, we think of ourselves more like carpet designers. Since the 1980s, the house has also given its noble letters to the carpet.
Excellence made in France
Back to Pinton, which also welcomes designer Margot Keller. His first contact with the carpet happened thanks to Monoprix. Which proves that there is also room for more affordable models. “The brand gave me carte blanche for a collection, she says, in which I integrated a rug. I wanted elongated shapes inspired by Provençal motifs. I peeled them apart to create a more geometric design that somewhat resembles the outline of a cicada. Working on it, I saw that we were not far from the heart, with a chromatic range from black to lime pink, which also speaks of the South and therefore corresponds to my Mark identity.”
When she receives the prototype, Margot Keller is shocked. “The rug had an unexpected shape, a sculptural aspect that I hadn’t thought of. Even before I made this rug for Monoprix, I knew that I would adapt this model to a higher-end version for my own brand. For that I had to find a factory in France. They can be counted on the fingers of one hand. And it was with Pinton that I chose to collaborate. I share the same commitments as this team, especially in terms of ethics. For Bisou, this first carpet signed by my brand, we use New Zealand wool, which is one of the best in the world. It is processed and colored at Pinton with natural pigments before being hand tufted on site,” he explains, who sees the rug as a framework that enables furniture to be enlarged. His passion is such that Bisu, which has become one of his best sellers, will not be left alone. It will be joined by other models. Definitely as stunning in terms of cuts and textures. Because today, if the carpet is mandatory in the decoration, it is due to the fact that it departs from the earthly spirit.
Source: Le Figaro
