Swedish furniture brand Hem unveiled the newest addition to its growing range of furniture and accessories, the Rope Rug, during Stockholm Design Week in February. Designed by French designer Pauline Deltour who has previously collaborated with Hem on a range of accessories, the Rope Rug is a contemporary take on traditional carpet crafts using familiar weaving methods and unexpected materials to create functional and beautiful pieces.

Deltour’s design process for the Rope Rug collection began with a period of exploration; experimenting with different materials and weaving patterns to discover the most durable and attractive combination. After trialling over 25 different methods of braiding, the final design features intricately criss-crossed ropes in three sizes, fixed with a subtle vertical thread and is available in four contemporary colour-ways (Terracotta, Seaweed, Salt & Pepper and Night Blue).

“I always enjoy working with the Hem team who encourage exploration and understand the importance of experimentation in the design process. I spent many hours looking at different types of ropes and ribbons and studying the different ways these could be braided together before finalising the design for the Rope Rug.” Pauline Deltour, designer.

The Rope Rug is produced by carefully selected and vetted manufacturers in India who work according to global standards and in collaboration with the designers and Hem’s Stockholm studio. Special dying techniques have been developed in order to enhance the durability of the Rope Rug ensuring that each of the individually dyed ropes are colour-fast which makes cleaning simple.

“We’re very pleased to present our latest collaboration with Pauline Deltour in Stockholm. At Hem experimentation is key and leads to the development of original, eye-catching and tactile designs. With the Rope Rug, extensive trialling has led to the discovery of the most durable materials, complementary colourways and a highly effective braiding technique – all of which are combined to create the most striking pattern.” Petrus Palmer, Founder and CEO of Hem.

Available in two sizes (200cm x 300cm and 170cm x 240cm) and a runner (80cm x 250cm), the Rope Rug will be available to purchase at www.hem.com from February 2019 starting at €399.