Design lovers recognize a nanimarquina rug anywhere. The rich texture, offbeat color combinations and unabashed playfulness have become the aesthetic signature of the Barcelona-based company, while a devout respect for traditional rug making affects every design decision. With the recent launch of Chillida, a collection based on the artwork of Eduardo Chillida, and in the event of the company’s 25th anniversary, we sat down the Nani Marquina herself to talk about the five products that best illustrate the company’s story. Marquina’s effervescent charm is only outmatched by her passion for the company that is her namesake, and the rug industry that she revolutionized.
“It’s impossible to design without know-how of the manufacturing process. You have to know how a traditional rug is made before you can innovate new ideas.” -Nani Marquina
Estambul, Javier Mariscal
“This design captures the essence of the work of the company, meaning we blend traditional art and manufacturing and combine it with contemporary design. Estambul mixes all these aspects. It takes a very traditional idea and technique of oriental rugs, and applies it to how we live today.”
Cuadros, Nani Marquina
“Tiles on the floor: This is a very elemental, very Spanish concept. The idea behind this rug is woolen color tiles, and because of the design, along with the color choices and timing of its release, this was one of our first and most commercial successes.”
Topissimo, Nani Marquina
“Topissimo was the first rug that broke the two-dimensional plane into the third dimension. At the time, the rug industry was very flat, and Toppisimo’s bubbles changed the idea that a rug couldn’t have volume.”
Roses, Nani Marquina
“While Toppisimo was the first rug that broke the two dimensional plane, Roses was the first design that was truly three-dimensional. It really brought the company to a new level, because now we are known for rich and full texture in our designs. It uses traditional weaving concepts to create something completely new.”
Bicicleta, Nani Marquina + Ariadna Miquel
“This rug is made out of recycled bicycle innertube. It’s a recycled product, using traditional weaving techniques and a non traditional material to make a completely new texture.”
