Danish Distinction – Papaya Brings Linie Design Rugs to Australia and New Zealand
Since 1980, Danish design house Linie Design has stayed true to its Scandinavian roots whilst simultaneously emerging as a pioneer of handmade rugs in Northern Europe, with distribution to over 70 countries. Now, for the first time, the company brings its decades-old tradition of textile craftsmanship to Australia and New Zealand through an exclusive distribution partnership with Papaya.
Rooted in an abiding tradition of craftsmanship, Linie Design’s rugs are handmade by skilled artisans, affording each rug a distinct identity. In line with the brand’s artistic vision of “creating art for the floor”, the designs are conceived to rouse the senses by inviting touch and offering visual stimulation. They are also made with high-quality materials that ensure they will endure for years to come. Available in a range of textures, styles and colours, in up to 200 designs, each piece honours the material and the craft, exhibiting variously rendered dimensions and details. The brand has found resonance with Australian-born brand Papaya, whose product range has long been synonymous with sustainable, natural materials and timeless designs, and Papaya’s showrooms across Australia now play host to the Danish brand’s signature collections.
Linie Design’s artisanal ethos is reflected in its ability to customise orders, as well as the superior weaving skills that make most rugs reversible. This not only ensures double the value but also prolongs the life of each rug. In addition, the brand’s repertoire is tailored to match the functionality of each room. Whilst its Lucens and Circulus rugs, predominantly made of viscose, are well suited for the bedroom, the Nessa and Surface rugs – made of wool and jute respectively – make for fitting additions to the sunroom. The company’s high-traffic rugs include the Arguto, the Furbo and the Agner. The wool-and-cotton Asko rug, meanwhile, is ideal for everyday use in spill-prone households with children. The primary materials used across collections include wool, cotton, jute, leather, linen, silk and viscose, with the latter being the only man-made material used by the brand.
Linie Design’s pieces are designed in-house in Denmark and made by master weavers in India, distinguished by their artisanal warp and weft technique. The company’s hand-knotted rugs are especially of note. Rendered by hand on a vertical wall, an 80-knot count can take anywhere between 70 to 80 days to complete. The company’s labour-intensive processes are overarched by the ‘Care & Fair policy’, a worldwide industry initiative of the European carpet trade that prioritises human rights, safety and health; and stands firmly against unfair trade practices.
Through Care & Fair, the company also supports various education and women empowerment programs and initiatives that combat child labour and help improve the living conditions of carpet knotters and their families in India, Nepal and Pakistan. Additionally, the company espouses an array of environmentally sensitive protocols, including sourcing most materials locally, spinning and dyeing in the same factories, and using recycled plastic bottles in its packaging. It also follows European guidelines for the use of chemicals and dyes.
Linie Design’s collections are now being showcased in full-size display booths at Papaya’s showrooms in Camperdown, Sydney and Richmond, Melbourne. In Papaya’s other retail stores are extensive swatch libraries available to view the collection.
