Italian Dream I

As part of our continued partnership with Portland based architect Michael Howells, introducing the Italian Dream Collection.

Combining the movement and expressive gestures of Sigmar Polke with the delightful, and surprisingly random, qualities of Florentine marbled paper, the Italian Dream collection brings together the artistry of Nepalese wool and the stylish jet set styles of Emilio Pucci as a new and growing collection of innovative yet timeless area rugs for the home.

"Michael's design resonated with me because I adore color and love playing with it. I also love Tuscan marbled paper and the pattern also instantly reminded me of Emilio Pucci’s work in fashion. And with Pucci being a Reed college alumni, like my daughter, I loved the interweaving of the stories and pattern even more and how local and personal the process became."

-Christiane Millinger

"As with past designs, this new one began with selecting a palette and then opening oneself up to painterly play. At a certain point in that process, the “marbled paper” motif emerged. I sat with that for a while, finding it interesting but also somehow incomplete. Sometime thereafter, I added the “V” shape on top of the design. I felt like this added both conceptual complexity and visual interest…and a feeling of both spontaneity and completeness. I suppose in hindsight, the playfulness of Sigmar Polke comes to mind. He certainly showed us how to not take the act of painting too seriously."

"Christiane then proposed a variant on the design that switched out the “V” for a circle. I am always attracted to the moon shape… It conjures so much."

"But in the end, I don’t think the intent or process matters. It’s just about whether the piece is compelling and holds the interest of those interacting with it. For me the goal is to create something that does that."

-Michael Howells

• Measures: 9'1" x 12'1"
• Materials: Wool with Silk elements and highlights
• Hand-knotted in Nepal
• Rug # 9281

Available in any made to order size and configuration. Please contact us directly to learn more about our bespoke and custom area rug process.