Maison Rhizomes creates colourful, abstract ‘art’ rugs that bring tactility and personality to interior space. The founders, Provence-based artist Charlotte Culot and Berlin-based Hannah Vagedes, serendipitously met in Nepal in 2019 and went on to set up the company in 2022. Their first designs translated paintings by Culot into rugs hand-crafted in Nepal; now, they have launched a new collaboration with painter Ludovic Philippon
OnOffice: How would you describe Maison Rhizomes’ approach to creating an ‘art’ rug?
Charlotte Culot: Our rugs are not mere decoration; they are works of art, embodying a sense of preciousness. We think of rugs as treasures passed down through generations, enduring the ever-shifting tides of trends. Translating existing paintings into rugs is a beautiful process and it is our utmost goal to maintain the authenticity of the artist while bringing an artwork to life in a new medium. All of our rugs are designed for the floor, but increasingly our customers choose to hang them on the wall, which offers a distinctive feeling, quite different from a painting.
OO: What is Maison Rhizomes’ philosophy on colour in art and interior space?
Hannah Vagedes: For us, colour is life. Colours give us energy, balance and have healing properties. Everything is in colour. In space, colours are reflectors that play a central role; they create ambiance and directly interact with people.
OO: How would you describe the artists you work with and how you translate their work?
HV: Charlotte creates paintings that encompass both vibrant and soothing compositions, which we translate with 100 Nepalese knots, using a mixture of wool, silk and linen to capture the mystery expressed through layers and water-based paint. Ludovic’s work, In contrast, features sharper lines, denser colours and a unique duality that nods to his architectural background. His rugs are crafted in merino wool with 150 Nepalese knots for a sleek appearance to emphasis the dense colours.
OO: Please can you tell us more about the production of the rugs in Nepal?
HV: Our rugs are crafted in a small Buddhist mill in Nepal, where we blend high-quality wool with mulberry silk sourced from silkworms that feed exclusively on mulberry leaves, resulting in a premium quality fibre structure. We meticulously mix and card the fibres before skilled craftspeople hand-spin them into yarn. It takes around a month to achieve this distinctly textural blend of wool and silk, with one person processing just 1kg of yarn per day. We skilfully adjust the height of the fibres, creating an interplay between high and low piles to mirror an artwork and create a tactile experience.
OO: Each pattern is limited to 22 pieces per size. Why is it important for you to create limited-edition rugs?
CC: Creating limited editions adds intrinsic value to each rug, akin to editions in the art world, emphasising the collectibility of our pieces. Even though the 22 pieces do feature the same pattern, each is still unique due to the craftsmanship involved and the individual touch of the artisans working on them. This uniqueness adds to the allure of our rugs and strengthens the connection we have with collectors.
OO: What does the future hold for Maison Rhizomes?
HV: In the near future, you can expect to see new pieces by Ludovic and Charlotte, but we are also actively on the lookout for new artists to join our creative journey, which is a thoughtful process that requires time. We have plans to participate in more exhibitions and are seeking partnerships and gallery representation, particularly in the UK, with those who share our values and appreciation for artful interior design. Our journey continues to evolve.
For more information visit maisonrhizomes.com
Images courtesy of Maison Rhizomes
