Designer Session: Carmellia Indrawati

Designer Session: Carmellia Indrawati

Indonesian graphic designer Carmellia Indrawati’s passion for colour, shape and composition is evident throughout all her work, from her bold, playful textiles to her interior design, architecture and urban planning projects.

Her Marmalade rug was inspired by the architecture of London, in particular the Art Deco cinemas and Tube stations that impressed her when she first arrived in the city, and blends a 1920s aesthetic with a 1970s retro feel. In hand-knotted Tibetan wool and natural silk, Marmalade is sleek, glamorous and joyful, the perfect eye candy for your home if you’re looking to add that little ‘something’ to your interior. Marmalade won the Wool Carpet & Rug Award for best handknotted rug earlier this year.

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How would you describe your style and what has influenced your design?
I enjoy adding a touch of playfulness to all my designs and artwork, which comes from my love of daydreaming. I have a lot of fun playing with colour-blocking and texture to create designs that appear multi-dimensional. The things I see throughout the day and the way they make me feel are the biggest influences in my work. I interpret these visual and emotional experiences into colourful shapes, adding depth with different textures, layering them into my artwork.

Can you tell us a little more about your designs for FLOOR_STORY and exactly what inspired them?

Marmalade was inspired by London. The city has a wide range of architectural styles, but Art Deco stood out the most for me when I first arrived; I was floored by the fact that there’s an Art Deco building on almost every corner. I’ve always been attracted to the sleekness and balance that Art Deco architecture embodies. The final design for Marmalade is based on a pattern I created several years ago while I was still a graphic design student, and when FLOOR_STORY gave me to opportunity to create a rug for them and I knew instantly it would be the perfect base.

Marmalade was inspired by London

Marmalade was inspired by London

What attracted you to working with FLOOR_STORY and more importantly, the process of rug making?
I first found out about FLOOR_STORY when I was preparing to move to London while living in South America. I came across the Instagram page and website and was blown away by the amazing rugs. I was drawn to the bold design approach, specifically, how it teams up with artists to develop rugs that are out-of-the-box, design-wise. I jumped at the opportunity to develop a rug and although it was a demanding experience, it was incredibly gratifying.

Can you describe your new rug?

Marmalade blends two very different design styles from two different eras: the 1920s and 1970s. Its clean lines give it a sleek look overall, while the decorative shapes and silk highlights add glamour, yet it still manages to be comforting thanks to its vibrant pops of colour. The shaped borders complete the overall whimsical visual aesthetic.

How do the rugs make you feel?

Marmalade is all about youthful splendour. And I hope it’s fun, too.