Erik Lindström, founder and creative director of the eponymous rug studio. Photo by Brittany Ambridge
Erik Lindström is an industry leader when it comes to creating exceptional rugs using distinctive patterns, color palettes, dimensions and materials. After completing a master’s degree in interiors and furniture design, his work as an interior designer focused on high-end residential interiors and architecture.
That experience gave him a passion and deep understanding of the intricacies of custom, hand-woven rugs. As the founder and creative director of his eponymous firm, Lindström prides his custom designs on a commitment to quality while using his eye trained on urban and natural landscapes to produce original patterns and rug concepts. With showrooms in New York and Los Angeles, his personal belief that the right rug contributes to a well- proportioned and harmonious interior is the cornerstone of his company’s success.
What is one of the most memorable rug collections you designed?
The Inkblot Collection of rugs (pictured above) is one of my favorites. It took me about 100 tries to create eight unique patterns, each of which have such a different narrative, and the design outcome was always unpredictable. While Rorschach used similar images to analyze the psyche, I find a similar enjoyment out of hearing what people see in each pattern.
What makes the Inkblot Collection a standout in your mind?
Because they are essentially a mirrored image, the patterns work almost as geometric rugs but in an abstract form, allowing for a harmonious balance in any space they lie in.
Do your clients tend to have a strong idea of what they want in a rug, or do you help guide their design decisions?
It depends. Some clients are more hands-on than others, but with so many customizations available, it can feel overwhelming at times. Having a background in interior design, I enjoy sharing my ideas on color, material and scale to help guide the decision-making process. This collaborative effort can be rewarding as it opens my mind to unique variations I had never thought of.
What is the common goal for you and your clients when collaborating on a rug design?
Essentially, we provide the canvas and it’s up to the client to paint their own version, be it with slight tweaks or as a complete overhaul. Our goal is to always create an outcome that feels one-of-a-kind and unique to the space it will live in.
Photography by Ty Cole.
Take a look inside Erik Lindström’s California home, here.
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