Interview with Atelier Tapis Rouge and Armando Milani

We chose this path because we believe in the power of design to transform environments, enhance experiences, and tell stories that resonate with individuals on a deeper level.

Good design can provide well-being and inspire change. We work sustainably on a small scale, putting a high value on choosing materials and techniques with low environmental impact and creating products that can last a long time.

We produce our rugs in Nepal using only environmentally friendly tools and techniques and sustainably sourced raw materials, respecting the communities of artisans we collaborate with.

Our uniqueness lies in having an in-house design department and a team of professionals who work to enrich the collections in our catalog, creating values for custom projects with excellent technical expertise and on very different scales of size.

Our preferred type of design seamlessly integrates innovation, craftsmanship, and storytelling. We are very fascinated by creative processes that lead to the creation of new languages from experimentation or recombination of existing aesthetic and functional canons.

Our design style is characterized by a bold, contemporary aesthetic infused with an avant-garde twist. We are dedicated to experimenting with irregular shapes, hyper-realistic surfaces, and cuts, pushing boundaries to create rugs that stand out as functional pieces and artistic statements.

We are committed to producing an enriching special research project each year through collaboration with historical archives or creative minds from the design and art scene.

Our design process begins with research and inspiration. We work closely with creatives from different backgrounds; as in the case of Armando Milani, our goal is to translate their vision, exploring materials, colors, and techniques to bring the design to life in terms of material and meaning.

Each stage of creating a project, from sketches to samples to the finished product, is supported by our team's technical know-how. We work and promote the creation of projects and works that carry a message.

Milan is still one of the most important places to celebrate design, every year at design week the personalities who define and shape the market meet and it is a perfect place to get inspired and imagine the future.

Winning in the 2024 MUSE Design Awards is an honor for our company and team. It validates our commitment to excellence and innovation and is a testament to the collective talent and dedication that drives us forward.

The winning artwork we presented at the MUSE Design Awards 2024 shows Armando Milani's unique graphic artworks from the 1960s and 1970s transformed into beautiful rugs. Armando Milani created the original artworks from photographed paper maquettes as assignments from popular brands, magazines, and pharmaceutical companies with extreme experimental, spontaneous, and playful approaches to the design.

Small works that, photographed, lost their boundaries and dimensions, and today in different sizes, can take on new importance, bringing the same message into the future.

The biggest challenge of this project was to ensure that the gradation and three-dimensionality of Armando Milani's artwork were faithfully captured in the designs of the rugs. It required meticulous attention to detail and excellent technical expertise and the resulting rugs exemplify our approach to research, innovation, and the valorization of art to produce value.

The top three favorite things about our industry are the endless possibilities for creativity and innovation, the collaborative spirit that drives meaningful partnerships, and the ability to impact people's lives through transformative design experiences.

We are privileged to be based in Milan, a city that is a central hub for international design. This is where different styles, research, cultural diversity and creative minds from all over the world meet. In addition to that, we can connect with Italy's immense cultural panoramas, a unique blend of cultural diversity, heritage, and innovation.

Over the next 5-10 years, we envision the design industry evolving towards greater sustainability, inclusivity, and technological integration. As society becomes more conscious of environmental impact and social responsibility, designers will play a key role in shaping a more honest and sustainable future through their creations.

To embrace curiosity, cultivate creativity, and never stop learning. Stay true to your vision, collaborate with others learn from diversity, and be fearless in pushing boundaries.

We recommend actively engaging with the design community, immersing in a diverse panorama of resources and experiences with empathy, attending events and mentorship programs, and seeking inspiration from various disciplines.