Creators of fine handcrafted rugs and carpets Tappeti have teamed up with acclaimed design studio YSG on an exciting new collection.
Real Majik is the first collection YSG co-director Yasmine Ghoniem has designed for the brand after years of collaborating together on one-off custom rugs for clients (including Zoe Foster Blake and Hamish Blake).
Tappeti provided the designer total creative control over the collection that references her Egyptian heritage and a recent trip to the Egyptian wing of Neues Museum in Berlin. The colour ways, use of pattern, and symbolism on display inspired the punchy patterns, unique border designs, feature motifs, and interpretations of abstract landscapes seen throughout Real Majik.
‘My head was racing with ideas by the time I boarded the plane home, so the initial pencil drawings evolved over the 24 hour flight,’ says Yasmine.
References across Real Majik include a constellation of Seba stars flickering across a decadent midnight blue sky, sarcophagi feet grounding cushioned sensations, and a solitary cat guarding the corner of a rippled rug.
Yasmine’s designs were fine tuned by the YSG team and translated by Tappeti into textile form.
Ancient influences are balanced with contemporary colour choices, organic shapes, and playful details such as tassels, fringe movements, pom poms, and cut out check borders acknowledging the orderly pattern of hieroglyphics.
‘Rugs tend to either have short fringed tassels at either end or a neat finish, so I played with alternatives—from rounded edges and corner baubles to cut-out checkerboard reliefs so you have a wonderful dappled effect between rug and floor finish,’ says Yasmine.
Exaggerated undulating pile heights and intricate raised details add a wonderful tactility and softness underfoot.
All Real Majik rugs are hand-dyed, and either hand-tufted in New Zealand wool and artsilk; or hand-knotted in Nepal using Tibetan highland wool, hemp and artsilk. ‘Commercial production or machinery isn’t used in any production methods,’ says Karinna Gobbo, founder and CEO of Tappeti.
Every rug is available in a standard 2.0 x 3.0 metre size, with some designs in additional sizes, and custom dimensions available to order. ‘Every rug can be customised in terms of size and even colour preferences if desired,’ says Karinna.
Real Majik is available to order now from Tappeti. Prices start from $4,633.
