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Our director Matthew Wailes is no stranger to successful collaborations with fellow creative talents. He has already partnered with interior designer Juliette Byrne, and multi-media designer and artist Jan Erika, to produce exclusive designer rug collections. Now he is poised to reveal his latest collaboration, with Ilaria Perra, at London Design Week in March.

Who is llaria Perra?

Ilaria Perra is an Italian artist who specialises in multiple media and disciplines. An accomplished graphic designer, she is known for her creative vision, commercial awareness, and a background in fashion and textiles design. Ilaria’s qualifications include a National Diploma in Design & Applied Arts at Chelsea College of Art and Design. She also has a BA in Fashion Design at Central Saint Martins. She also studied Graphic Design at London’s Shillington College, in addition to various courses in Illustration and Screen Printing.

Since 2004, Ilaria has been working as an associate lecturer in CAD for Fashion Design at Central Saint Martins (and at Buckinghamshire New University since 2017). In 2005, Ilaria founded her own company Stilelibero Ltd, and created the world’s first ever cork yoga mat. Over the years she has exhibited and published fashion illustrations, and exhibited and sold her brushed aluminium artistic panels at the Affordable Art Fair and Wimbledon Art Fair in London.

Italian artist Ilaria Perra and Matthew Wailes have joined forces to create a new luxury designer rug collection, which will be unveiled in March during London Design Week 2022

A new chapter

As an accomplished – and versatile – artist, Ilaria’s portfolio to date encompasses everything from fashion prints to airline branding. What is it about multi-media design that appeals to her? And how did she approach translating her work into luxury rugs?

“My background is broad, and I have a solid foundation in many areas of design,” Ilaria replies. “I guess now all my skills are merging together; they can easily translate into any surface. Rugs can really lift and add character to interiors. I think my patterns and textures can add a special touch and create a unique look and feel.”

Full details of this latest collaboration are still under wraps. But there’s not long to wait. Ilaria’s new collection with Matthew Wailes will showcase on our stand during London Design Week. However, we can reveal that the name is The Impressioni Collection (which means Impressions in Italian) – and that texture will play a key role.

Different textures found in nature will be a key feature of The Impressioni Collection, the latest collaboration between Matthew Wailes and artist Ilaria Perra, which is currently under wraps

This artist's new collection

“The inspiration for this new collection comes from my passion for the textures found in nature. This combines with the emotions I feel while creating them,” Ilaria confirms. “The colours and the marks are traces and impressions of my emotions, memories, and feelings of specific experiences captured on paper.”

As an artist, Ilaria is used to working with a huge range of different materials and media. Which processes has she adopted – and adapted – in order to create rugs from her artwork? “I love experimenting with different tools and media,” she replies. “But my favourite is creating mono-prints of textures with acrylic paint on glass using a variety of objects such as knives, forks, cards, feathers. I consider anything that can leave an interesting mark on the surface. The result is always unexpected and unique to that moment in time - the emotion, the force, the speed and the direction of my marks.”

Interiors’ appeal

Ilaria’s broad portfolio spans many different industries, but fashion and interior design retain a special place in her heart. “I love the way fashion can transform and empower, adding confidence as well as disguising and minimising imperfections,” she explains. “Fashion is a fundamental expression of our culture, personal beliefs, identity statements, status and aspirations. It can convey a lot of meaning, and communicate so much about what we want people to perceive about ourselves. I find it extremely significant, as well as very fickle and superfluous at times.”

Interior design, in contrast, has much more to offer in terms of depth, sustainability and longevity. In fact, this partly explains the attraction of this latest collaboration with Matthew Wailes . “Interior design has always been my greatest passion,” Ilaria declares. “When I was studying art and design at Chelsea College, my most successful projects were spatial design, textiles and product design.” She continues: “What I love about interior design is the slower pace at which collections are created and consumed. [Unlike our wardrobes] we would not change our rugs or curtains every couple of months.”

She adds: “Interiors has a more relaxing approach. You can enjoy and appreciate products for a long time, unlike clothes, which you can discard much faster thanks to fashion cycles and trends. I think...interiors can really add long-lasting value and quality to people’s lives.”

In addition to ceramics, Ilaria doodles on many other materials, including stones, candles and clothes. One of her favourite designs is flip flops and swimsuits, in line with her ambition to one day design a limited-edition beachwear resort fashion collection

This artist's vision & experience

Ilaria’s artist credentials mean she is comfortable working with a wide variety of materials, from cork to ceramics. While she is no longer making her ground-breaking cork yoga mats, she remains a champion of this material. Ilaria doesn’t discount the possibility of using it to explore other options, including rugs, in the future.

Ilaria explains: “Cork is organic, durable, practical, eco-friendly, lightweight, anti-bacterial, anti-static, sound-absorbing, fire-retardant, anti-allergenic and rot-resistant. It’s also waterproof yet breathable – just like human skin. I came up with the idea of using cork material for yoga mats, as I was unable to use ordinary PVC due to an allergic reaction. Although I don’t make them anymore, over the years, many companies have since followed suit. In fact, I’m proud to be the creator of the very first cork yoga mat in the world.”

As an accomplished artist, Ilaria is used to working with a wide range of materials and media. She even created the world’s first ever cork yoga mat under the brand name Stileblibero! Here cork rugs are showcased here

The art of doodling

Co-creating with nature is a passion for Ilaria who enjoys creating extensive doodles on beaches. Each day, the sea wipes everything away to create a clean slate for her to create another masterpiece, which finds therapeutic

Then there’s the Doodle Art Ceramics collection. “Doodling has always been a way for me to relax and flow with my emotions,” Ilaria reveals. “It helps me release negative feelings, and transmute them into beautiful patterns on paper and other surfaces. I create my doodles in a trance-like state – I never know how they will turn out. The end result is always unpredictable. I am just a medium through which creative energy flows, guided by my emotional state. I doodle on almost anything, not just ceramics: sand, leaves, stones, paper, candles, food and clothes.”

Ilaria has transformed her love of doodling – which helps her to relax and release negative feelings – into a successful ceramics collection

A powerful design force

But how did Ilaria make the leap from cork and ceramics to rugs? “I met Matthew at Decorex last October,” she reveals. “I was interested in making some samples of my prints to see how they would translate as luxury rugs. Fortunately, he loved my designs, and decided to welcome me onboard as one of his artist collaborations. I am so excited and I cannot wait to make this collaboration a great creative success.”

Ilaria is confident that her designs will translate well into rugs that suit the high-end market perfectly. “I believe my designs are unique and diverse. They are particularly suitable for private residential and boutique hotels, yachts and luxury resorts,” she explains. “My designs appeal to art and design lovers, as well as creative audiences seeking a bold and vibrant aesthetic.”

Ilaria is hugely looking forward to exhibiting on the Matthew Wailes stand at the 2022 London Design Week. This takes place at the Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour, from 13-18 March.

She concludes: “I have always dreamt of showcasing my designs at a high-profile show. So, I feel really grateful and excited to be part of such a prestigious professional exhibition and trade show thanks to this golden opportunity.”

Watch our Instagram feed to find out which stand we will be showcasing Ilaria's works on and more details on London Design Week.

Established in 1978, Decorex provides unparalleled opportunities for the international design community to meet, exhibit, flourish and grow. This year, the physical event takes place at Olympia London, from 10-13th October. "As the leading destination for high-end interior design, I’m so excited to return to Decorex this year,” declares director Matthew Wailes. “There is simply no substitute for face-to-face events like this.”

“In line with my commitment to eco-friendly creativity, our key focus this year will be on upcycling and sustainability,” notes Matthew. “For the first time, we are joining forces at the show with interior designer Juliette Byrne and her team, to preview our new ‘green’ collaboration.” In addition, we will showcase a number of new collections and initiatives, including new Fusion rugs. We will also present our ground-breaking SoteriaAV anti-allergy/anti-viral fibres. And you can expect to see selected designs from The Earth Collection – our collaboration with artist Jan Erika. Other innovations on show at the Matthew Wailes' Decorex stand are the brand new ‘Inside-Out’ collection featuring product, which is suitable for both indoor and outdoor living.

The power of partnership

“I have had the privilege of working with Juliette on numerous projects over many years,” notes Matthew. “I have always greatly admired her sophisticated style of interior decoration. During our time together we have created many specifically tailored custom pieces on a project-by-project basis. We felt that a natural progression would be to formulate a collection of unique rug designs. These would complement Juliette's project schemes. However, they would also have a wider appeal to the interiors industry as a whole. We will be launching eight designs at Decorex, three of which will be full rugs on display.”

Matthew continues: “Juliette and her team are strong advocates for sustainability and the re-use of waste materials as are we. For example, we have used regenerated waste plastic and nylon within both hand-knotted and hand-tufted production.” He adds: “We regenerate this from land and ocean waste, such as discarded plastic bottles and fishing nets, which would otherwise be destined for landfill, or abandoned within our natural environment.”

“We have worked with Matthew for 15 years, and count him as one of our most reliable suppliers,” notes Juliette, whose multi award-winning Chelsea-based studio specialises in high-end residential projects in the UK and Europe. Juliette and her team have a reputation for designing elegant, functional and tailored interiors. Her portfolio ranges from English country houses and Grade II listed buildings, to contemporary riverside penthouses and boutique hotels.

“Matthew’s innovative collection of rugs and carpets are easily customisable to suit different styles and budgets, and our clients especially appreciate his extensive knowledge and flexibility,” Juliette explains. “Both Matthew and I are motivated to promote sustainability in our design work. So, we are looking forward to launching our new ‘green’ collaboration in a fair as prominent as Decorex.”

The importance of upcycling and sustainability

Full details of Matthew Wailes’ new collaboration with Juliette Byrne are still under wraps. However, we can reveal that three rugs will be previewed at Decorex. “We wanted to develop a range of contemporary, stylish rugs that are practical, easy to clean, and don’t contribute to the spiralling issue of plastic pollution,” Juliette explains. “Our collection uses a type of upcycled fibre that is constructed by melting down clear plastic waste recovered from the ocean and extruding it into a new polyester fibre. We will also feature rugs made from natural sustainable fibres like bamboo and wool that have been treated with non-toxic dyes. The design industry can be very wasteful. So, our hope is that these eco-friendly rugs will be become the norm someday.”

Juliette continues: “Three rugs from our exclusive collection will be displayed alongside information on the eco-friendly material and methods that Matthew is using to manufacture them. Our section of the stand will have an “ocean” theme to shine a light on our need to preserve the beauty of nature. We are also sharing the stand with Objet Luxe, one of our favourite suppliers for luxury home accessories. They have kindly loaned us a variety of marine-themed bowls, jars and objets. So, these will complement our upcycled rugs very well.”

New opportunities

“Decorex is an amazing opportunity to network with our industry partners. In addition, it provides the chance to catch up with other suppliers, who may not have showrooms in London,” concludes Juliette. “We also like to invite our clients to see the show. So, they can gain inspiration from current trends and the latest design innovations.”

She adds: “We are also looking forward to seeing stands from other brands. It’s always interesting to see new ways of exhibiting new collections. It will be great to meet new suppliers that we can work with on future projects too.”

The big reveal

There will be no shortage of innovation on display at the Matthew Wailes Decorex G178 stand. One of the highlights will be our new Fusion collection. “This features various heavily textured designs created by combining two different production techniques,” Matthew explains. “We are producing every Fusion rug and carpet (both back cloth and pile fibres) with 100% upcycled fibre, which has been produced from plastic ocean waste.” This collection follows on from our original Upcycle LuxuryEco collection. If you recall, this pioneered the process of transforming plastic ocean waste into new added-value products.

Our new Fusion rugs can also incorporate our unique SoteriaAV anti-allergy/anti-viral fibre. All SoteriaAV products have been independently tested to ISO18184 in microbiological laboratories both in the UK and USA. Results show that our AV Technology inactivates viruses with 90% + more effectiveness than non-AV products. SoteriaAV textile products use technology, which disrupts the food chain of dust mites. This is the main cause of asthma allergies. AV Technology also prevents the growth of bacteria and fungi.

An artistic alliance

Other innovations on show at the Matthew Wailes' Decorex stand are a new Inside-Out outdoors collection. And, at long last, the official reveal of The Earth Collection, by Jan Erika for Matthew Wailes. Both ranges are available for design and creation using our upcycle yarn.

“A mutual friend introduced me to Jan Erika in 2019,” Matthew recalls. “We very quickly recognised the potential for her beautiful artwork to be used within our products. We set about transferring pieces into workable designs for rug production. The difficulty was ensuring that her use of texture and colour was adequately represented within the final collection. We have used combinations of fibres such as wool and silk, and added texture by means of high/low pile, cut and loop. We are absolutely thrilled with the outcome. As a result, we are very excited to finally officially launch the collection, which was planned last year.”

Featuring six stunning designs all inspired by our natural environment, The Earth Collection rugs feature traditional Nepalese hand-knotted techniques. Each design celebrates the bold use of colour and pattern, creatively reinterpreting elements of nature, such as oceans, forests and mountains. “I’m really excited to showcase six stunning pieces of original art for the floor,” Matthew confirms.

The Matthew Wailes team (and partners) look forward to seeing you at this year’s Decorex show on Stand G178.

It seems 2020 may well go down in history as 'the year of the virus'. However, there are encouraging signs that 2021 will be all about the anti-viral measures that defeated it. The different COVID-19 vaccines that have been developed are clearly at the forefront of this. But, at Matthew Wailes, we determined to play our part too. So, we have developed a revolutionary new anti-viral and anti-allergy collection called SoteriaAV.

Gridlock is a new design you will find in our new SoteriaAV collection

As a company, we are renowned for designing distinctive, handmade, bespoke rugs and carpets. And you'll find them in discerning households and businesses all around the globe. However, we also have a well-deserved reputation for innovative, ethical and eco-friendly creativity. This is evident in our groundbreaking LuxuryEco collection. It features yarn that we recycle from discarded plastic bottles recovered from the ocean in Thailand. We are also a proud licensee of GoodWeave International. This non-profit organisation is dedicated to ending child, forced and bonded labour in supply chains.

So ,when the coronavirus came, it is perhaps not so surprising that we put our heads together, in a bid to develop a new anti-viral collection. Our hope was that this could potentially help to protect against transmission and infection. We are, therefore, thrilled to introduce SoteriaAV.

Why Soteria?

The name itself is symbolic – and overwhelmingly appropriate. In Greek mythology, Soteria was the goddess (or spirit) of safety, salvation, deliverance, and protection from harm. In Roman mythology, Soteria is known as Salus (Preservation), which symbolises physical wellbeing and health.

How does the new SoteriaAV collection work?

Our new Magma rug from the SoteriaAV collection not only looks stunning but comes with anti-viral and anti-allergy benefits too

Anti-viral rugs and carpets might sound like science fiction, but this new collection incorporates advanced, tried and tested technology. The key component is the unique SoteriaAV fibre, which basically works by stripping off the virus protein coat. This neutralises the majority of the virus. So this means that the remaining live virus is no longer able to replicate itself. In technical terms, AVA™ technology renders viral genome transcription inactive; viral protein translation inactive; and viral poly-processing inactive. In more simple terms, this means that our AVA™ technology gets to work destroying the virus from the very first contact. However, it continues to work until it inactivates the virus. And it doesn’t just work on COVID-19. Our AVA™ technology has also shown itself to be effective against other coronaviruses. This includes SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) and MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome).

But you don’t just have to take our word for it! Specialist microbiological labs in the US and UK have independently tested all of our new SoteriaAV products to ISO18184 standards. These confirm that our groundbreaking AVA™ technology is 90% more effective at rendering viruses inactive than comparative non-AVA products.

Why is this launch so significant?

Compared with measures such as vaccines, lockdowns and social distancing, an anti-viral carpet or rug collection might not sound like the most obvious or even effective mechanism against virus transmission. After all, COVID-19 primarily spreads from person to person via small droplets from the nose or mouth. These spread when an infected person coughs, sneezes or exhales.

But airborne transmission isn’t the only way that COVID-19 proliferates. Unfortunately, these virus particles are resilient. In fact, in certain temperatures, they can survive on specific surfaces for an alarming length of time. Some studies suggest that, at room temperature, COVID-19 remains detectable on fabric for up to two days. Meanwhile, on plastic and metal, the virus can last for up to seven days.

Fractured rug from our new SoteriaAV collection is a striking design which you can choose in a multitude of colourways

In other words, viruses can survive on shoes, which then walk into a building – and all over its floor coverings. This is where our new anti-viral SoteriaAV fibre comes in. To recap, the AVA™ technology this fibre incorporates kills bacteria, fungi and viruses, and also inhibits virus replication. We combine our SoteriaAV fibre with our other manufacturing materials, too. These include wool and our Upcycle products, so that we can include it in absolutely any of our bespoke hand-tufted and woven products. It’s important to emphasise that our AVA™ technology is fully incorporated into the fibre itself. So, it's not simply layered on top of it. This means that the anti-viral protection it offers is long-lasting, and able to withstand extended periods of wear. It even remains effective after professional wet cleaning.

SoteriaAV overpowering allergens

There’s even more good news. Our new SoteriaAV collection isn’t just anti-viral: it’s anti-allergy too. In addition to rendering viruses inactive, our SoteriaAV fibre can also disrupt the food chain of dust mites. These are, after all, a prime culprit in terms of asthma allergies. Another bonus? The AVA™ technology in our SoteriaAV collection is also effective at preventing the growth of bacteria and fungi, each of which can also trigger distressing allergic episodes.

Facing the future with confidence

At Matthew Wailes, we are keen to make our new AVA™ technology available to as many people as possible. That’s why we won't limit its use exclusively to our high-end rug and carpet collection. We have also just launched a new SoteriaAV Face Mask collection. We will manufacture these masks using a combination of our SoteriaAV and our Upcycled LuxuryEco fibres. So, they offer a proven layer of protection against airborne virus particles. These particles neutralise on contact with the fabric. However, the Upcycled LuxuryEco fibres in our masks will also help to reduce marine pollution and plastic waste.

Importantly, our new SoteriaAV face masks also feature an innovative collagen layer. This aids moisture absorption and act as a natural deodoriser, for enhanced comfort and cleanliness.

We are hugely excited about the additional layers of protection against viruses and allergies, our new SoteriaAV products offer. However, we have not designed our face masks to replace medical grade PPE (Personal Protective Equipment). We continue to recommend that all local and national government COVID-19 guidelines are strictly followed. Together, we are confident that we can defeat this virus. In fact, we look forward to a phased return to normality as 2021 unfolds.

Our new SoteriaAV collection also includes a line of face masks, which feature the same advanced anti-viral AVA™ technology that’s featured within our groundbreaking new SoteriaAV rug and carpet collection

I chatted to UK blogger Sarah at Style & Décor recently in a Q&A for her blog. She wanted to discover more about luxury rugs and I even showcased some of my favourite and latest collections. Just in case you missed it, you can see my interview with Sarah here:-

How would you define the term luxury rug?

Good question; I guess that the definition of luxury is something that would not be experienced or purchased every day – a treat; something you remember, remark upon & appreciate; a luxury item would be admired every day. We tend to think of luxury within rug as meaning a sumptuous, soft, deep silky pile. However, I tend to think of craftsmanship, design, texture, fibre & colour. We create our rugs to very specific customer requirements, taking position within & complimenting beautiful interiors; beautiful luxury!

Why are luxury rugs becoming so popular for interior designers?

Here, in the UK, we have seen a dramatic shift with how flooring is used within the home; Over the past 20 years or so, we have seen the majority of wall-to-wall carpets being replaced with solid surfaces within the lower floors of residences. This has given rise to a huge market for area rugs. We now have product entering the market from many different regions of the world servicing the demand. Within our own market area, a very specialised niche has emerged. This utilises the relatively untapped skills & craftsmanship of carpet makers in the creation of bespoke products. This in turn gives huge flexibility to our interior designer customers. Therefore, they can include luxury rugs as an integral component of their interior schemes.

Our Monet rug which is available in a fibre you can choose

How do you work with interior designers on projects?

We work with our clients on a project-by-project basis. The initial consultation will be to assess & determine specific requirements; Design, texture, colour, fibres etc. Budget of course may also play a part. We therefore have many different options, either in production methods or the type of fibres we use. In fact, this allows us to tailor luxury rugs to suit. Our usual process is as follows:

Consultation
Design selection
Colour & fibre selection
Visual presentation
Custom sample for approval
Product production
Installation

When working with custom products it is of vital importance that very stringent procedures are in place; we need to follow and check the production path at all stages to ensure we meet customer expectations. After all, we are creating an item that will hopefully be present within a home for many, many years to come. We want our customers to take delight in our creation. So, this is why we only work with the very best partners within our industry.

Tell me about your recent collaboration with the artist, Jan Erika:

Jan and I were introduced by a mutual friend around 18 months ago; we had been following each other on social media for some time. There was mutual admiration for the creative aspects of our respective products. Both of us felt that Jan’s work would translate beautifully into area rugs. We then set about collating her work into a shortlist of designs. You can now see six in this collection. It was very important to us both that we were able to take her original art and make the conversion to product without losing authenticity; I think that we have managed to achieve this extremely well on our luxury rugs; bold designs with vivid colours and abundance of texture – truly striking!

Seaweed Lovers designed by Jan Erika for Matthew Wailes

What was Jan's inspiration behind The Earth Collection?

Jan has a love of the natural world, as do I – it was very easy to agree on the theme; you can see Jan’s inspiration from nature in every piece.

Do you have a favourite luxury rug design in The Earth Collection?

Navajo rug designed by Jan Erika for Matthew Wailes

I love them all but I think my favourite would be Navajo; It is a beautiful design with amazing use of colour. But there is something more within; Native Americans have an ethos deeply rooted within their natural environment. This is similar in many ways to Buddhism. It's an understanding that we are merely one component within the intricacies of our natural world. And we need to live harmoniously with all if the equilibrium is to be maintained.

You have led the way for using Upcycling in your LuxuryEco carpets and rugs collection. How did that feel?

I am not sure that we have led the way as such; upcyled materials have been used in the production of floor-coverings for some time now. However, we are trying to pioneer the use of plastic ocean waste material specifically for our bespoke, handmade products; this hasn’t really be exploited before. I think this is partly due to the complicated processes that are required to turn clear plastic waste into fibre which can be used for custom dyeing and production. It is extremely gratifying to know that every piece we produce reduces the quantity of waste in the oceans in some way.

Nautilus rug Upcycle LuxuryEco by Matthew Wailes

Why was this so important for the luxury rugs market?

It is important for every product within every market; the quantities of waste that human beings produce is truly staggering. In fact, every one of us should be making an effort to reuse and recycle our waste, use sustainable materials, use materials and production methods that leave a very shallow ‘footprint’ behind. We happen to produce bespoke rugs for the ‘luxury’ market. However, this should in no way impair our belief that waste materials can be reused in the creation of our products. There seems to be a really positive ecological ‘surge’ within the carpet and rug industry. This is driven by the demand for green and sustainable materials. Therefore, the greater the demand the greater the need for everyone to get onboard.

What’s your connection with GoodWeave?

I have been visiting Nepal now for over 20 years. It's a wonderful country with wonderful people, but like many other countries around the world there can be exploitation within industry. Traditionally, hand woven carpets and rugs in regions such as India, Nepal, Afghanistan, Pakistan etc have been produced within small, relatively poor communities. Child labour has, and still can be an issue. Low cost production means potentially higher profits. So, children and their families have been targeted as a means of exploiting low cost labour within supply chains which are typically long and complex. I think this clearly needs to be addressed. GoodWeave directly addresses this issue. They have both manufacturing and importing licenced partners, all of whom are dedicated to the eradication of child labour.

An example of a factory in Nepal courtesy of GoodWeave

As a charitable organisation Goodweave depends on their licenced partners to generate the required funds that allow them to operate; feet on the ground, inspection facilities, transit housing and schooling for children lifted from labour, support for their families. It is a far from simple operation. We are very proud to be one of their licenced partners. This way, we are delighted to dedicate a portion of our import costs towards the vital work that they do.

I hear you are working on another new project - tell me more:

Anti-allergy technology has been around for some time now within our market area; treatments & fibres that kill or inhibit replication of dust mites, fungus etc; the main causes of allergies. In the early stages of the pandemic last year we, together with one of our manufacturing partners, submitted our anti-allergy/wool product samples to a microbiological testing facility here in the UK. We wanted to see what outcome would be obtained against viruses, including Covid-19. We found the results were extremely positive In fact, the majority of the virus was eliminated very quickly after coming into contact with our fibre and all of the virus neutralised in less than 30 minutes.

The new Fractured rug from the SoteriaAV collection at Matthew Wailes

Further developments were then made to combine our unique anti-viral/allergy (AV) fibre with Upcycle fibre. This way, we would have a product with both health & environmental benefits. The result is our new SoteriaAV luxury rugs and carpets brand. So we are now manufacturing bespoke handmade products using this new fibre blend.

We have also launched a range of SoteriaAV Facemasks, again using the AV/Upcycle blended fibre. We see a multitude of applications for this fibre within the interiors industry. You can also wash the fibre multiple times without reducing its efficiency. This is because the technology is incorporated within the fibre itself rather than being simply a surface layer.

Why do you think this will revolutionise the way we think about hygiene in commercial properties and residential homes?

One thing that has been unavoidable for us all during the past 12 months is an increased awareness of the importance of hygiene to help curb the spread of the virus. I think that any product of this type that can be incorporated into our daily lives will increase in demand, both within the commercial sector and residential homes. Although Covid-19 is generally transmitted from one person to another through airborne particles, it can also spread through contaminated surfaces. As yet, it is still not entirely clear how long the virus remains ‘live’ on different materials. However, we have designed our SoteriaAV products to provide another layer of protection within homes and commercial properties. I would imagine that, given the choice, customers will opt for anti-viral products wherever they are available. This could be in the form of fabric, luxury rugs, carpets, etc.

When will this new collection launch and what can we expect?

We are in the process of launching the SoteriaAV brand right now. We have promotional introduction packs which we will send to customers over the coming weeks. These contain a handmade rug sample, fabric face masks and full information. Further products are on the way!

Luxury rugs provide the perfect platform to showcase artistic talent. So, it was with this in mind that our director Matthew Wailes approached esteemed artist and designer Jan Erika. Ever since, the pair have been collaborating to produce a new designer rug collection. In fact, the incredible results they have achieved, in the form of six new luxury rugs, speak for themselves. Jan and Matthew have carefully curated what is aptly named The Earth Collection. We caught up with Jan to find out more about this highly talented designer. She even shares her inspiration behind our new rugs collection. You'll also discover how our designer rugs are made, which is a must for those who want to make a more informed purchase.

The accident

To gain an idea of Jan's unusual history, she actually suffered a near-death experience at the age of 21. She fell from a third-floor window and miraculously survived. Her injuries were extensive however, as she suffered two broken legs and she broke every bone in her face. Jan underwent life-saving surgery with several major operations to rebuild her face and body. But, as a result of her amazing recovery, this has enabled her to see the bigger picture, where life and creativity are concerned. Jan says this has "expanded her mind with an unbeatable attitude of hope combined with limitless creative potential".

Jan's work

Jan Erika may be renowned for her work as a highly talented artist. However, she previously had a successful career as a professional cellist. Jan explains: "As a musician, creating was one of my favourite aspects. However, I found my true happiness in painting. As with music, I hear rhythm when I'm painting and I see rhythms in landscapes. I often begin with a flower or plant then let that inner music take me to another place." These days, you can expect to see Jan painting seven days a week. And why not? She adds: "I'm terribly lucky to be doing something I absolutely love. Work isn't a hardship for me, it's a delight so I paint for pleasure every day of my life."

Jan's studio provides the perfect space for getting creative

Her creativity

Jan creates beautiful, bespoke designs and art for residential and commercial clients. She explains: "I love collaborating with new people and projects." However, what really sets her apart as a designer, is her creative ability to blend her art with multi-media. This enables Jan to showcase her striking work on a variety of surfaces, from clothing and paintings to upholstery and home accessories. She reveals: "I do like working with furniture and textiles are so much fun." Jan says vibrancy and colour play a main part in her work. In fact, she adds: "Colour provides such a lift and joy for anyone". Naturally, Jan says she was really looking forward to the prospect of working with luxury rugs as her canvas. In fact, she reveals: "I get excited by the idea of seeing my designs translated into a different format." So this is how we worked with Jan to create our new designer rug collection.

Navajo - The Earth Collection

The Earth Collection

When it came to designing The Earth Collection for Matthew Wailes, Jan says she gained her inspiration from the beauty of the natural world. You'll find each exclusive designer rug - Seaweed Lovers, Goldie, Iris Wood, Navajo, Sky Jelly and Blue Canyon - follows a mesmerising journey through nature. In fact, Jan hints at the mystical and romantic through the beauty of her brushstroke and bold use of colour. She first created her designs on paper, then we used traditional Nepalese hand-knotted techniques and colour-matching to reproduce these designs. Each designer rug features the true quality Himalayan wools and pure silks, which artisans have produced using skills passed down through generations. Every process, from yarn spinning through to weaving, is carried out by hand.

Seaweed Lovers - The Earth Collection

Colour options

You can choose from thousands of existing colours to produce your own tailor-made designer rug from The Earth Collection. However, you can even provide your own colours. This way, we match the tone precisely so it will work beautifully with the interior design in every bespoke project. We also have our Studio Colour Box which we can send to designers. This features 200 carefully selected colours, which are our customers' most popular options. This can be a more versatile option so you can then select your colours in the comfort of your own studio.

Blue Canyon - The Earth Collection

Our work with GoodWeave

At Matthew Wailes, we ensure only adult artisans produce all our hand-knotted designer rugs in Nepal, including The Earth Collection. Unfortunately, child exploitation in the carpet making industry is an ongoing issue. However, we are a licensed partner and work with GoodWeave to help fight against this illegal trade. The outcome can result in removal of any children found in this harmful environment to safe 'transit' homes. This way, they feel safe and can be educated, while GoodWeave explores solutions to return them to their families. A percentage of our imports goes directly to GoodWeave, which is a very small price for us to pay. So make sure you look for the GoodWeave label, which you will find on all our Nepalese rugs.

All six of our designer rugs from The Earth Collection are now available. If you would like to find out more information please, visit the dedicated section on our website here to find out more.

As the importance of eco-friendly living becomes ever clearer, demand for sustainable interiors continues to grow. In fact, sustainability is now a familiar buzzword within many industries, sectors and products, including home décor. However, there is plenty of evidence to suggest that this is much more than just a passing fad. So, more and more interior designers and companies are embracing sustainable materials, alongside the concept of both recycling and upcycling. As a result, we hope sustainability and eco-friendly furnishings become part of a wider lifestyle choice for the foreseeable future.

Recycling versus upcycling

While both have plenty to commend them, there are key differences between recycling and upcycling. Recycling – the more familiar term – is the process of turning waste into a reusable product or material. So, this tends to cover everyday items such as glass, paper and plastic. However, these decrease in quality each time we recycle them.

On the other hand, upcycling, as the name suggests, involves an upgrade. It’s therefore a process whereby we reuse discarded materials or objects to create something, which is higher quality than the original. So, within interiors, it’s an innovative and intelligent way to repurpose sustainable materials to create unique items, such as furniture and accessories. Therefore, thanks to the very nature of upcycling, there is no compromise on quality, as demonstrated by the companies showcased here.

Matthew Wailes

At Matthew Wailes, we are leading the upcycling charge within high quality soft furnishings with our LuxuryEco collection. After all, plastic pollution is a modern-day plague that is choking our oceans and the marine life within it. So, together with one of our manufacturing partners, The Carpet Maker, we have learned how to retrieve plastic bottles from the sea in Thailand. We then transform these into a unique fibre, which we use to create bespoke carpets and rugs.

The plastic bottles we recover convert into chip form, which we then spin in Thailand to produce spools of yarn. This upcycled yarn then becomes a substitute for other fibres, such as silk or mercerised cotton. As a result, this sustainable thread is long-lasting, repels water, and is stain- and mildew-resistant. In addition, it's even flame-retardant and feels velvety soft.

Quality with a conscience: Our Nautilus rug in Rust – part of our LuxuryEco collection –
made from upcycled plastic bottles recovered from the ocean in Thailand

James Shaw

Waste plastic is also a key theme within the work of James Shaw, who designs fine objects. So Shaw has invented a hand ‘gun’ which extrudes plastic bags into long strips. While hot, he can form them into furniture and other items, including masks, clocks, lighting and cutlery.

James Shaw’s Plastic Baroque Mantel Clock made from hand-extruded high-density polyethylene (HDPE)

Claire Malet

Claire Malet is a metal artist and silversmith, whose work is inspired by natural forms and landscapes. Now, she uses 100% certified recycled silver, and her gold leaf is sourced from a supplier with “conflict-free certification”. We've found that organic forms feature heavily within her portfolio, as do sustainable materials. As a result, this is a collection of upcycled works of art, many of which are bespoke or available to commission.

Claire Malet’s upcycled Winter Sketch Vessels are made from reformed steel cans combined with 24ct gold and 12ct white gold

Kizi Studio

Kizi Studio is a product and architecture design agency, which delivers a wide variety of projects, including furniture and interiors. Of course, chairs and tables are obvious candidates for upcycling and sustainable materials. But the Kizi team have seriously upped the ante with their Artichair, which features thistle (also known as wild artichoke).

In fact, the original version began life as a case study on the alternative use of agricultural waste. Using the top of the plant (obtained from the biofuel industry), this company has created a new eco-material. So, they are exploring a number of possible applications for it, within sustainable product design.

Kizi Studio’s Artichair has repurposed the wild artichoke thistle, a plant native to the western
and central Mediterranean region, to create an eco-material

Foresso by Conor Taylor

In material terms, we can gain sustainability from different sources. So recycled/upcycled materials is one. However, using materials that are a renewable resource, and grow easily, is another. Wood is a prime example.

We've discovered an exciting development in this sphere. Have you heard of Foresso? It's a timber terrazzo range. In fact, it's made from a composite sheet material composed of timber, wood waste from sawmills, cement, waste lime plaster, resin and pigment. It’s then cast onto a birch plywood substrate, and sealed with a hardwax oil. So this versatile sustainable material can be used to make countertops, furniture, wood panelling and even flooring.

Foresso’s The London Collection by Conor Taylor is an homage to the city’s different neighbourhoods.
Each colourway was inspired by the aesthetic and rich history of the capital. The timber used was sourced from trees felled within London

Harrison Spinks

There are so many ways to introduce sustainability into every room in your home – including the bedroom. So, Yorkshire bedmaker Harrison Spinks is on a mission to make its customers sleep easier – in every sense – with its eco-friendly beds and mattresses.

We hear the company owns a sustainable forest, which provides the wood for its divans. Eschewing non-recyclable materials such as foam, it grows hemp and flax on its farm for its mattress fillings. And it even rears its own sheep, for their wool! In fact, its processes are just as important as its products. By farming its own materials, and manufacturing its own products, Harrison Spinks say they are saving more than 1,300 tonnes of CO2 every year.

Harrison Spinks’ Seasonal Turn Sapphire bed features a mattress packed with natural,
sustainable upholstery layers included Egyptian cotton, tree silk, and Alpaca wool

Made in Ratio

Fans in search of sustainable contemporary furniture should explore Made In Ratio, which champions natural, renewable and recycled materials. Its Stellarnova legs collection features biomorphic forms inspired by nature, sand cast in recycled aluminium or solid bronze. Designed with a triangulated attachment point, each leg is self-supportive with the tabletop, which reduces the amount of material used. Completely modular, the legs can be positioned with tabletops of any size and shape.

Designed by Brodie Neill, the Stellarnova table shown features legs in recycled aluminium with a patinated finish

Paul Kelley

Paul Kelley designs and hand makes modernist furniture for clients all over the world. An advocate of upcycling, Kelly often uses his own workbenches to create innovative pieces. So, examples include this cube which opens out to reveal a striking black and gold writing desk and stool.

This upcycled black and gold desk was created by Paul Kelley
using an old benchtop, cast acrylic, mahogany and 22ct gold leaf

Get in touch with us here to find out more about our Matthew Wailes LuxuryEco collection. It is perfect those who want to help the planet by lowering plastic waste in the ocean and invest in a luxury rug or carpet which will stand the test of time.