Rankin Rugs have been shortlisted for Carpet/Rugs Award in The International Design and Architecture Awards. Read more about Founder & Creative Director Amber Rankin below:

Name: Amber Rankin
Company: Rankin Rugs
Position within company: Founder & Creative Designer
Website: www.rankinrugs.com

Tell us a little about your background in design (education, experience, etc)

I’ve always been connected to art and design in some way, having been exposed to it from a very young age. I ended up studying Fine Art at the Ruskin School of Art, University of Oxford, and it was during my degree that I completely fell in love with rugs! I went on to design my first collection soon after graduating and have since worked on a number of extraordinary pieces for a range of private projects

How would you describe your personal design style?
Bold and contemporary, with a strong fine art influence.

Where does your design inspiration come from?
I derive inspiration from a huge range of places – travel, art, literature, current events. A lot of my pieces are inspired by the materiality of colour, breaking down the barriers between art and interiors. I enjoy fusing together old and new a lot, transforming traditional motifs into bold contemporary aesthetic.

In what direction do you feel that design is moving towards in a general sense?
People are now more than ever interested in investing in high-quality, eco-friendly design. Issues of sustainability and ethical production have meant clients are eager to invest in handcrafted, natural materials. Alongside this is a move to find out where designs originate from and where they’ve been
produced – most industries today are mechanised to some degree, so having something which highlights a specific craft and artistic heritage has become very worthwhile. In our case, you’re left with a modern heirloom born out of an ancient craft, handcrafted from locally-sourced natural materials.

Name five key themes to consider when approaching design in 2020 and beyond.
Colour
Innovation
Craftsmanship
Customisation
Sustainability/ethical production

If you could offer one piece of advice when it comes to design schemes, what would it be?
Rugs are always the best place to start, and not only help set the mood of a room, but also infuse colour, pattern and texture to any scheme. Whether they’re used as bold centre-pieces, or to help pull a room together, I’d suggest not following interior trends, especially not in the home. In the case of rugs, these tend to be bought as lifelong investments and passed down as heirloom pieces, so you want to make sure that what you choose will stand the test of time. In our case, all rugs are produced on a made to order basis, ensuring complete authenticity in design and craftsmanship. In my opinion, a rug should always take centre-stage!

How important are The International Design & Architecture Awards?
Recognised internationally, these awards include submissions from some of the most reputable designers in the world, and are a great way of bringing the design community together. A chance to celebrate the skillful and impressive work of so many, it’s a great way of showcasing some of the most daring and talented work of the moment. I’m glad to be a part of it!

What projects are you currently working on?
As well as new rug collections in the works, I’m currently working on some collaborations with a range of really exciting designers and creatives – watch this space!

What was your favourite project to work on and why?
An explosive and colourful piece, the ‘Champagne’ rug has to be one of the most exciting rugs I’ve produced yet! With over 70 different hand-dyed and handknotted wool colours, the sheer density of pattern and colour makes it one of the most challenging pieces to date, which is why it’s so great to see it
shortlisted in this year’s International Design & Architecture Awards. Breaking down the boundaries between interiors, fine art and traditional craftsmanship, extensive colour experimentations and rug realisations took place during the colour research process, leading to an array of colour gradients with the slightest of colour differences.

Which products/services could you not live without when designing?
Sketchbook, drawing tablet, camera, Photoshop

What are your aims and goals for the next twelve months?
I hope to keep growing Rankin Rugs both here and worldwide. The brand is still very young but I’m lucky enough to have a range of really exciting collaborations in the works, so I’m looking forward to launching those in the near future.

Anything else interesting?
Just a big thank you to all the weavers I work with – using original wooden looms and a rare and ancient knotting technique originating from the hills of Bulgaria, the artisans selected to handknot the rugs are few and far between, and are some of Europe’s most distinguished artisans, known for their skill and precision. Rankin Rugs focuses on protecting this ancient rug making technique, preserving the expertise and innovation established hundreds of years ago. Investment in the pieces not only provides clients with the chance to own an exclusive, state of the art rug, but more importantly helps to provide jobs for artisans in Bulgaria, and continues to promote and fund an ancient craft from extinction.

Rankin Rugs, shortlisted for Carpet/Rugs Award in The International Design and Architecture Awards 2021.

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