Tappeti Fine Handcrafted Rugs & Carpets have been shortlisted for the Flooring – Carpet/Rug Award in The International Design and Architecture Awards 2022. Read more about Founding Director, Karinna Gobbo, below:

Name: Karinna Gobbo
Company: Tappeti Fine Handcrafted Rugs + Carpets
Position within Company:  Founding Director
Website: www.tappeti.com.au

Tell us a little about your background in design (education, experience, etc)
My background has spanned many interior products including flooring, building materials and textiles.  I have always had a passion for design and interiors and after studying design, Tappeti was born in 2006 in Sydney then followed by Singapore. Starting Tappeti has enabled me to be involved in design and specification across a wide variety of interior projects for residential, commercial and hospitality. I am able to specify, design and develop products that are world-class and not limited to a particular aesthetic. I am committed to the Design community and held positions with the Design Institute of Australia as NSW President and a National Director for several years.

How would you describe your personal design style?  
Versatile and bespoke. I love creating statement pieces for interiors as well as mixing textures and fibres to add luxury to any interior. In my own home, my formal living room has a beautiful bold hand-knotted rug, and my bedrooms are much more elegant and textural, using pashmina to soften the room.

Where does your design inspiration come from?  
 I am inspired every day by natural elements like the Sydney blue sky and the movement of water and our pristine beaches, to the bold colours in Singapore and building shapes in Rome. I love travelling and having time away from my normal environment inspires me greatly.   

In what direction do you feel that design is moving towards in a general sense?   
I have found over the past few years a particular investment in people’s homes mainly due to the shift of versatile working environments. We find ourselves to be designing for sophisticated interiors that are more timeless and grounding.  Layering more on texture and subtle colours.

If you could offer one piece of advice when it comes to design schemes, what would it be?  
Start a mood board, think about how you would like to ‘feel’ in the space and what type of emotion you are wanting to evoke.

How important are The International Design & Architecture Awards?
The awards program is inclusive to architects and designers from across the globe. Managing a brand that is able to foresee trends, explore and offer various textures globally the IDAA awards are crucial for industry leaders to be recognised globally.   

What projects are you currently working on?
Our design team is always working on releasing several new collections a year, we are working on super neutrals for the 2023 launch and exciting custom projects in Perth, Saudi Arabia, and Sydney to name a few. 

What was your favourite project to work on and why?  
Being the lead for Tappeti for the past 15 years we have worked tirelessly with world-class brands, and most have their own unique appeal. One of the key moments was moving into our new purpose build studio and warehouse in 2021. Our art-piece rugs are suspended on an automated system 6.5m from the ceiling. Our meeting room makes a striking impact with custom carpet that has been installed to move up the walls from the floor to create an intimate space. The custom design was inspired by the selection of Italian Marble throughout the fitout. To see our brand and vision take on new life and form was an exciting time for our business and myself personally

What was your most challenging project to work on and why?  
We were engaged through a Singaporean world-class design firm to design and install over 1,200 m2 of custom rugs and carpets for private residences along the Swan River in Perth. The logistics of delivering over 5 tonnes of custom pieces was a wonderful challenge with all pieces being craned in over waterfront balconies.

Which products/services could you not live without when designing?
Colour poms & swatches… and a Mac!

Final thoughts; tell us a little more about yourself and your daily inspirations:
Your most treasured possession? Gold necklace from my late Nonna.
Your favourite holiday destination?  Fiji, it is always ‘Fiji’ time.
Your favourite hotel?  Hotels are my passion, J.K Place Roma and The Lodhi, Delhi.  Can’t go past the Leading Hotels of the World group.
Your favourite food and drink?  Italian food, raised by Italian parents, it warms the soul and unites the family.
Your favourite way to spend an afternoon?  A siesta, ocean swim and a glass of champagne.  

Tappeti Fine Handcrafted Rugs & Carpets

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