What happens when a designer known for challenging rug conventions meets a house shaped by generations of craft knowledge? Obeetee and British designer Luke Irwin answer that question with a collection that approaches the rug not simply as a furnishing, but as an integral part of any space.
The collaboration brings together two extremely distinct design perspectives. While Irwin’s practice is rooted in pattern, abstraction, colour, and scale, drawing from architecture, nature, and the world around, Obeetee’s understanding of craft stems from a deep appreciation of material, technique, and the art of the handmade. Together, they have created one collection where design and making are not on separate stages, but part of the same conversation.
The collection unfolds across four distinct capsules, each approaching the idea of the rug from a different point of view. An India Story revisits familiar visual references such as tiger heraldry, potted palms and sun-discs, shifting them away from literal representation towards something more contemporary. The Marine Story looks at coral, currents, shells and celestial forms, translating the rhythms of the natural world into abstract compositions. Denim draws from the character of worn textiles, bringing together washed indigo, rust and undyed stone. New Mosaic & Metallurgy explores fractured surfaces, stone, metal and patina, finding beauty in the marks of age, weathering and reassembly.
Talking about the collection, Luke Irwin said, “We tend to think of rugs as decorative objects, but their real value lies in the life that unfolds around them. They see us through the changing seasons of our lives, often unnoticed, until one day we look back and realise just how much they have witnessed. To me, that’s the beauty of rugs. Over time, they come to hold the memories and stories of the lives lived around them.”
Angelique Dhama, President, Obeetee Carpets & Home, added, “At Obeetee Carpets & Home, we design is ever-evolving while remaining rooted in the traditional craftsmanship and techniques of carpet-making. Our collaboration with Luke Irwin is a reflection of this philosophy, bringing together heritage craftsmanship and contemporary design. We are committed to bringing exceptional design to our customers, and partnering with one of the world’s leading carpet designers allows us to further this vision while continuing to celebrate the art of carpet-making.”
Across the collection, the handmade becomes part of the design language itself. Every rug is hand-knotted to order, with materials including wool, sari silk and Pashmina cashmere. As a design moves from drawing to loom, its character changes through material and technique. Lines become knots, colours acquire depth through fibre, and surfaces take on a tactile quality that cannot exist on paper alone.
For the Indian design landscape, the collaboration represents a more expansive conversation between international design and Indian craftsmanship. It moves beyond the familiar model in which a designer provides a design and craft provides its execution. The result is a collection that brings together contemporary design thinking and the knowledge
