Pillowtalk turns your floor into a cloud-like oasis, offering irresistibly soft comfort that makes every step feel like walking on marshmallows
Andrew Joseph: What inspired you to become a maker?
Philippa Agahzadeh: My mum is an interior designer who is completely obsessed with texture, color, form and function. I grew up in Sydney, Australia and by the age of 5, I knew every design showroom the city had to offer. Every year we would take an international trip together in June (Australian winter) and spend our days visiting glossy new shops and jam-packed flea markets around the world. One of our favorite markets that has garnered more than a few visits is Porte de Clignancourt in Paris. While Los Angeles, Dallas and NYC usually drew us into fabulous new showrooms with textile displays from our dreams. My mum has ensured that I was enveloped in design from the moment I was born and it is thanks to her that I decided to pursue my passion.
Kata Tjuta brings the beauty of nature indoors, with its organic, pebble-like design creating a soft and grounding foundation for any space
AJ: How do you approach a new design project?
PA: I am deeply connected to and inspired by the natural environment, so when I take on a new project I usually try to immerse myself in the natural landscape of that project. I had a client in Newport Beach and their home is on the waterfront so I pulled up Google Maps and had a look at the topography of the area. Once I had a few sketches of the coastline done I drove to Crystal Cove and spent the afternoon drawing the design for their Casita rug. It’s important for me to connect back to nature when I design. Then a few days later I had a project in Scottsdale, Arizona for a home that has a cool hidden “speakeasy” bar. I went to Scottsdale a few months ago so I pulled up my videos of the rock formations to start my drawing. I created a few options and the client selected the concept that was based on the layers within the rock formations. There is something so special about design that is hand drawn, hand dyed, hand knotted, hand carved, just for you. It’s filled with human connection and the essence of nature.
AJ: How do you stay creative and inspired?
PA: Staying creative and inspired can be easier at times than others! I think it is really important to stay informed in your areas of passion and keep absorbing everything you can from a variety of sources. What works for me is reading books, magazines and blogs from different regions around the world. For example, I am really drawn to coastal flora at the moment so I will get reading material from regions in France, Japan, America, Australia, etc and delve into the traditions or the natural environment in those areas. After I have spent time researching and become excited about a few ideas I will start to sketch. When I sketch, I only use pen (Artlines) or permanent mediums that make me commit to the moment. If I don’t like the direction of the piece I’m working on I will put it to the side and revisit it later. I’m a big believer in the “flow” so I think you just need to go with it.
Le Sands transforms your floor into a luxurious desert escape, offering the charm of a Saharan trek with the comfort of plush dunes.
AJ: What is your favorite aspect of your job?
PA: Every single thing about my job is the best. I love it. I am so lucky to be able to work with incredibly talented interior designers all over the world. My weavers and dye masters (and the whole team of humans it takes to make a rug) blow my mind with their skill and hard work. The way they bring my vision to life is incredible. I suppose if I have to choose just one aspect of my job I would say the best part is seeing a new rug finished and ready to be installed. It’s still so exciting every single time. I do love sketching but the intense satisfaction and excitement I feel when a rug is finished is such a phenomenal feeling! Favorite aspect – the big reveal!
AJ: How do you incorporate sustainability into your designs?
PA: Sustainability is really important to us and we try to approach it with a practical point of view. We try to limit our use of resources as much as possible by not creating and holding inventory. Everything we make is project-specific so that we have very little waste. We make samples to show color, texture and pattern. We avoid using harsh chemicals during the rug making process and instead use ancient techniques that allow us to recycle water and reduce our environmental impact. Reduce, reuse and recycle as they say!
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