Inigo Elizalde Rugs

Inigo Elizalde Rugs is a rug and textile design studio based in New York City. The studio is a custom design house that specializes in Nepalese hand knotted rugs, as well as hand tufted rugs, flat weaves and dhurries. Always exploring new materials and techniques, Inigo Elizalde Rugs is passionate about experimentation and believes in making rugs that are beautiful, original and distinctive; rugs that will stand the test of time and be loved forever. The company believes in the meticulous attention to detail and takes pride in everything they create. All of their rugs are completely handmade, using the best materials available, by highly skilled craftsmen whose knowledge of the craft has been passed down for generations.

Inigo Elizalde was born in the Philippines in the midst of a powerful tropical typhoon. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Painting from the Rhode Island School of Design and currently lives and works in New York City.

The inspiration for Elizalde’s first collection of fine carpets for the home came directly from nature; surface textures, landscapes and weather conditions. Inspirations as diverse as the shimmer of light on New York City’s Hudson River, a dilapidated floorboard at a friend’s house in upstate New York, the shells scattering the beaches of Elizalde’s native Philippines, or snow laden branches in British Columbia.

Elizalde takes these themes further with the second collection using with lots of color as well as experimenting with texture and materials. The designer let his love of ethnic fabrics and their vibrant colors and graphics seep into the design process, the result being a mash up of diverse influences resulting in unique designs.

Collection number three focuses even more deeply on Elizalde’s fascination with all things Filipino. The designs come from a blend of inspirations, largely pertaining to his hometown of Manila, Philippines, including traditional Filipino textile motifs and the vibrant ‘jeepney’, one of the more colorful examples of modern day Manila. Each different design is named after a jeepney route stop along Manila’s main roadway artery.

“I want to show that beauty and compelling and exciting design imagery can be found everywhere. I’m a big fan of the found object: the design is already there, it’s a matter of seeing it, extracting it and elevating it,” says Elizalde. He continues, “In the case of the rugs, I want to bring the outside world inside, and in a sense, create a different way of experiencing the outside environment, so that the surrounding world can be better appreciated. I feel most alive when outside, and want to share that with people through the experience of my designs.” And as for GoodWeave, Elizalde weaves his respect of social justice into his business: “It’s my responsibility to be a part of GoodWeave. It’s important. And it makes a difference.”

For more information, visit www.inigoelizalderugs.com.